AR Charging Handle upgrade

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.

12Bravo20 said:

Gunny,

I have to agree with you about the charging handle latch being too small when wearing heavy gloves. And you can darn near forget about charging your rifle when wearing the cold weather mittens. Arctic training was so much fun!

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Please don’t remind me about Mountain Warfare Training. I learned a lot, but the one thing it thought me was to hate snow.
Back in the 80’s we didn’t have the cool stuff they have today and you’re right about those mittens.

greyling22 said:

if I was right handed that is absolutely what I would do. As it is, I'm stuck with the much more expensive raptor. I have a geiselle as well I bought on big sale, but the raptor is better.

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My youngest son is a lefty. We went with a Strike Industries latchless charging handle with one extension on the right side.

Hokie_PhD said:

Gunny where do you get the Strike Industries CH upgrade for less than $10?

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Primary Arms has the black ones for $8.95.
https://www.primaryarms.com/strike-industries-extended-charging-handle-latch-si-ar-latch

Directly from Strike Industry the black are $9.95 and the red and blue are $11.95.
https://www.strikeindustries.com/shop/products/ar/upper-parts/si-ar-latch.html

1KPerDay said:

Gunny does the new latch pinch your skin? My BCM ones mangle my flesh. I must have droopy finger skin or something.

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I’ve never had a problem with it pinching me.

dcloco said:

Strike Industries offers a forged charging handle AND the extended latch. Quite possibly the best charging handle on the market. Shop around, cost is 25ish.

https://www.strikeindustries.com/shop/products/charging-handle-with-extended-latch-725.html

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For the last year or so the Strike Industry Arch charging handle with the extended lack has been my go to charging handle. I think I have 5 in my spare parts.
You can find them for sale from $32 to $38, but if you wait, Primary Arms puts them on sale for $25.
I keep one or two of their extended latches on hand. You never know when a friend will come by in need of one.

rbernie said:

I like the lettering, Gunny. The sharp edges on the Strike extended latch hurts the hell outta my delicate paws when pogo'ing the rifle, tho, so my go-to is usually the BCM instead (especially since they dropped the price to more rational levels).

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Yankee Hill makes an extended latch. I used one on my Dissipator build. They cost around $11.