I guess I’m in the indifferent camp when it comes to charging handles on AR’s. I just want it dimensionally correct for function, made of the correct alloy per M4 TDP, or a stronger material, and as easy to use as the originally designed part.
Beyond those very basic attributes I could care less. I currently have two with standard GI type charging handles, one Daniel Defense with a BCM Gunfighter, and my Knights Armament with a KAC charging handle. Guess what? They all work just fine, I have maybe a very slight preference for the KAC but not enough to buy three more of them.
It’s a charging handle, you use if for initial loading and maybe some hopefully very rare malfunction clearing. All other loading between magazines should be done with the bolt release, if you don’t use that you are not doing it right and you’re probably stupid. Stoner wanted you to use that, so much so he located the button where it was naturally where your thumb would be when you put a fresh magazine in. Amazing.
For clearing malfunctions if your weapon, magazines, and ammo are so jacked up that you need some special charging handle to regularly deal with malfunction clearance.... I have bad news for you: the rest of your system is hot garbage and needs to be fixed so it works right. In that instance a fancy charging handle to deal with your broke dick gun is good money after bad. The kind of decision made by someone who is.... stupid. Don’t be a stupid.
If you want a fancy charging handle because your heart wants what it wants just own up to it. That money is evil and needs to be spent, I get it. Just don’t waste oxygen, effort, and keystrokes trying to justify why no other part will do.