GunnyUSMC
Member
I carried the M16A1 and the A2 during my time on the Marine Corps. One part of the weapon system that I had always wished was better was the charging handle.
The latch always seemed a little small when wearing gloves.
Now days there are all types of charging handles on the market. But some get pretty expensive to the point that what you gain is not worth what you’re spending.
Now what one person see’s as being worth the money they spend another may not. And that point can be argued about, but I think that most would agree that any latch bigger then the mil-spec latch would be better.
Also, some people just don’t have the extra money, or want to spend the extra money on a fancy charging handle.
But you can update your standard charging handle at a fraction of the cost of a new one.
I have found that I like Strike Industry’s extended latch. It’s not to big and you can get it for under $10 most often. The latch comes with a new spring and roll pin. And all it takes is a small roll pin punch and a hammer to install the new latch.
Here’s one I did on one of my rifles.
I use a Wheeler AR bench block, but you can use a simple piece of 2x4 and just drill a hole for driving the pin out.
The latch always seemed a little small when wearing gloves.
Now days there are all types of charging handles on the market. But some get pretty expensive to the point that what you gain is not worth what you’re spending.
Now what one person see’s as being worth the money they spend another may not. And that point can be argued about, but I think that most would agree that any latch bigger then the mil-spec latch would be better.
Also, some people just don’t have the extra money, or want to spend the extra money on a fancy charging handle.
But you can update your standard charging handle at a fraction of the cost of a new one.
I have found that I like Strike Industry’s extended latch. It’s not to big and you can get it for under $10 most often. The latch comes with a new spring and roll pin. And all it takes is a small roll pin punch and a hammer to install the new latch.
Here’s one I did on one of my rifles.
I use a Wheeler AR bench block, but you can use a simple piece of 2x4 and just drill a hole for driving the pin out.