Charging Handle Recommendations

[DuskyALT]

I'm looking for a charging handle that can be used on my 300BLK for mostly suppressed shooting, but I will also be doing unsuppressed. I'm mostly looking at the Griffin SN-ACH right now anyone have any experience with it?

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[1775usmc]

Radian Raptor. That's my suggestion.

 

[kmk1012]

Are you looking to block the gasses from shooting suppressed getting in your face? I've considered several of the purpose built ones that say they block the gas but reviews are mixed on every one and they cost close to $100 or more. There's some videos out there to modify a stick one to do the same but really the solution is converting to piston type system. That's what I'm considering now but really don't like AR's due to their reality issues.

 

[Steel Head]

The raptor as a good reputation
I have a few war hammers as well and they haven't given me any problems.

 

[Ben B.]

I've tried a few of the gas reducing CHs with silencers, not all of them. An adjustable gas block helps more, and the "RTV trick" on any charge handle helps at least as much as the special CHs.

Adjusted gas + RTV trick on regular CH or a special CH

OR

Adjusted gas + RTV trick + special CH

Seem to work well for aimed fire. I don't do mag dumps so I don't know how the above hold up to sustained blasts.

 

[Buddy1211]

I like pri gas busters they are bulky but do help in my experience.

 

[titsonritz]

I exclusively use Radian Raptors. Only other one I'd I care to try is an FCD.

This thread may be on interest…

Gas defeating charging handle?

What your go to gas busting charging handle? Finally got to take my polonium for a spin and boy is it a gassy setup, no adjustable gas block yet, I’m moving back to front. I assume my ar10 will be pretty gassy with a can as well so I’m hoping to kill a couple birds at once here thanks for any...

www.northwestfirearms.com

 

[lucusloc]

I have a bunch from different manufacturers in the collection and I do not notice a whole lot of difference between the gas-busters and the regular variety. My biggest criteria is a nice ambi latch and good sized handles on both sides. Past that whatever is affordable/on sale is what I go with. I have not found any that are worth going out of my way to acquire as long as they have my preferred feature set. Radian charging handles are on sale from the usual suspects on a regular basis, and I can usually find them for ~$60-70 unless I want a specific color or the lightweight handles. BC, SC and Troy go on sale less often, and usually for lesser discounts, but otherwise are pretty equivalent as far as I am concerned. You can find cheaper ambis from other companies, like Strike, but those often have fitment issues and you may need to send back to get one that works well. If yo do not mind that you can get those in the ~$30 range if you look. These are definitely less nice on the finger than their more expensive counterparts.

Most of the cheaper companies only make "stock alike" or "stock enhanced" handles, and those are not my favorite style. If you don't mind that you will not have to spend very much on a charging handle at all, as most of them are sub $50 (unless you are going for a more premium brand).

As others have said tuning your gas block (or getting an adjustable gas block) will go a lot further to reducing getting gassed out with a suppressor than any charging handle is capable of. Keeping the gas from getting to the action in the first place is far better than trying to keep it in the action once it gets there. If you don't have an adjustable gas block already I would get the cheapest charging handle that has the features you want and put the savings towards a new gas block. If you want to change up your suppressed/unsuppressed configuration a lot you will want a gas block that is robust against carbon lock and is fairly easy to adjust (i.e. not one of the set-screw varieties). These are a bit more expensive so I would only get them if that is your use case. If you just plan to run suppressed most/all of the time I would just get a cheap adjustable, set it to run reliably with the suppressor and just remember you might have to find the hot factory ammo if you want to run it unsuppressed (because your gas block will get fouled and become permanently fixed).

If you are really concerned about getting gassed out you can also tune your bolt for a tighter gas seal and a longer unlock time. That can get expensive and fiddly (because you will need expensive parts for the tightest tolerances), but is also going to be far more effective than a "gas busting" charging handle. A tuned bolt/bolt carrier will work in hand with a tuned gas block to minimize the amount of gas you need to reliably operate the action, and a longer unlock time lets more gas vent out the front of the barrel before the bolt opens up and lets all that residual gas back into your face. Since a majority of the gas comes directly from the barrel and chamber (at least in a well tuned system) increasing lock time and decreasing bolt velocity contributes significantly towards reducing gas to your face. You just have to balance all that with reliability and ammo tolerance.

 

[titsonritz]

The only adjustable gas block I'd buy is a Riflespeed. Another option is the BRT EZ Tune gas tube.

Black River Tactical Store - Shop BRT

Shop BRT Black River Tactical Store EZTUNE Gas Tube MicroPin Gas Block Gas Tube BRT EXT BRT EXC BRT PDW Pistol Carbine Mid Midlength Rifle Barrels Covert Comp

blackrivertactical.com

 

[lucusloc]

The only adjustable gas block I'd buy is a Riflespeed. Another option is the BRT EZ Tune gas tube.

Black River Tactical Store - Shop BRT

Shop BRT Black River Tactical Store EZTUNE Gas Tube MicroPin Gas Block Gas Tube BRT EXT BRT EXC BRT PDW Pistol Carbine Mid Midlength Rifle Barrels Covert Comp

blackrivertactical.com

Riflespeed is the premium gas block, but they do have their own issues. For one they do not fit on every build. You have to have enough space forward of the handguard to make them work, and other accessories mounted forward of the gas block can get in the way. But if they do fit your build they are amazing options if you can afford the price. Super easy to adjust, basically never fail, lets you adjust on the fly with no tools at all. There is a reason they are a growing fad with multi-use guns. But there are other options on the market that will work almost as well for significantly less. Yes, with many of them you only get 3 or 4 gas positions, which means less tuning options, but if all you want is some options and a robust action they will work just, and with significantly less footprint to boot. It just depends on the use case you are looking for.

The EZ tune gas tube are, as far as I am concerned, functionally equivalent to one of the screw-set adjustable blocks, only being a bigger pain to set as you have to either know the gas port size ahead of time or go through the return process to select the right size. It would practically be easier to just but the smallest size and bore up yourself. But I will admit I have never even considered trying them because I never saw the point over a screw-set gas block (which are about the same price). If anyone can think of an option they have over that I would love to hear your opinion.

 

[Duneblaster]

Just a basic 7075 T6 charging handle. Some lower end/less than reputable manufacturers are listing their handles as 7075 but they're not. If it costs $10 it probably isn't 7075, unless it's on clearance. Put too many roll pins on an ambi charging handle and it's no longer a simple design and structural integrity gets replaced with ergonomics. But then again the AR isn't what I'd call a simple design.

Make a permatex gasket n' drill a hole:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wancMz8ZDg8

 

[Buddy1211]

+1 on the rifle speed. Theyre proud of them but worth every penny imo. If you can make one work with your upper I cannot recommend it enough. I only have one with a high back pressure can and it's Awsome. I'd say whole new rifle. Now I just need 5more hahah

 

[Rkangel]

I haven't tried the Griffin, but I do like their other products. I have tried dozens of other brands and IMO $80-$100 + charging handles just aren't worth it. My current favorites are Strike industries ACH for single lever charging handles and Break Arms for ambi.

 

[CabbageMan]

Wolfpack Armory V2 Ambi Gas Blaster Charging Handle - Black

WPA V2 Ambidextrous Charging Handle for AR15, AR9, and AR45-7075-T6 ALUMINUM CONSTRUCTION-Hardcoat Anodized finish-Ergonomic design allows you to charge your rifle with your palm from either side.-TEXTURED GRIP on latches-Extended latches work great with optics.-GAS DEFLECTOR LIP TO REDIRECT GAS...

jsesurplus.com

 

[ilikegunspdx]

I'm looking for a charging handle that can be used on my 300BLK for mostly suppressed shooting, but I will also be doing unsuppressed. I'm mostly looking at the Griffin SN-ACH right now anyone have any experience with it?

Get a flow through can and you don't have to worry about gas on any gun. Fe Huxwrx ventum is $669 at arms unlimited. 3d printed job compatible removable core no barrel restriction.

 

[DuskyALT]

Get a flow through can and you don't have to worry about gas on any gun. Fe Huxwrx ventum is $669 at arms unlimited. 3d printed job compatible removable core no barrel restriction.

Do you have much experience with those? I was honestly just going to get an Anthem K2

I'm tucking too so it would be VERY tight at 1.8" but might barely fit lmao

 

[DuskyALT]

The raptor as a good reputation
I have a few war hammers as well and they haven't given me any problems.

Ive heard and seen in test videos that they are smooth but completely useless at blocking gas so ive steered myself away from Radian

 

[ilikegunspdx]

Do you have much experience with those? I was honestly just going to get an Anthem K2

I'm tucking too so it would be VERY tight at 1.8" but might barely fit lmao

Yes I have the ventum 7.62. Flow through means no gas in the face at all and no increase in bolt speed for my 7.62x51 roller delayed guns. Also have rad 9 flow through can I use on 9mm and 300blk AR (subsonic). Same results no gas to the face and no increase in bolt speed for mp5s. Less crud in the action also.

 

[Duneblaster]

Start the video at 7:33.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA9T0jrmItk

 

[huntpotter]

Vltor Mod 4. Best bang for your buck.