AR Build Help

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

chagasrod

Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2009
Messages
225
Location
Lynnwood, WA
Hello to all

I Just finished my first build and i noticed a lot of resistance when i pull on the charging handle, to a point where some metal is shaving of of the right side of the charging handle;
Could it be because i'm using the reaction hand to charge the weapon? When i use the firing hand (Right) the charging handle does not bind at all, still have a lot of resistance but i'm thinking it's because of the spring being brand new.

What if i change the charging handle to a tactical latch one?
I prefer using my reaction hand (Left) to charge the rifle.

Any Thoughts? Thank you all in advance
 
It's not uncommon for the charging handle to have some finish scratched off when new, but it's not normal if the upper is digging into the charging handle. When cycled, are you losing finish or aluminum? I would remove the charging handle and BCG and feel inside the upper to see if there are any burrs left in there from manufactur.

What brand is the upper and charging handle?

lot of resistance
Click to expand...
Without feeling it for myself, I can't say for sure, but this sounds normal. Buffer springs vary by type and manfacturer. I like a good stiff spring in most ar's.
 
Mtncreek:
DPMS is the upper brand and it's actually shaving off aluminum;
Took it to a gunSmith and he said it's normal;
I haven't shot it yet, just finish the build yesterday.
 
DPMS is the upper brand and it's actually shaving off aluminum;
Took it to a gunSmith and he said it's normal;
Click to expand...
Find a real gunsmith.
That one there doesn't know what he is talking about.

Slight finish wear might be normal on a DPMS.
But shaving aluminum is NOT normal on any AR-15.

I have a 40 year old Colt AR with who knows how many rounds through it, and all the anodized finish is still on the charge handle.

rc
 
After you figure out why it's shaving aluminum off and get that fixed, you may want to consider picking up a BCM Gunfighter charging handle. It's meant for weak side charging.
 
Thank you all for the help;
I Guess i'll put it to use to break in that spring and also get the BCM Gunfighter Charging Handle.
 
I would make sure the upper is properly machined and finished before putting a new (and costly) charging handle in it. Unless the current charging handle is undersized, causing it to bind, I think the upper is not properly machined.
 
How do i know if it's properly machined or not?
It's a DPMS Product and the brand has good reviews.
Click to expand...
Good question! See if you can find some schematics online to compare the ‘valley’ that the charging handle rides in.

My guess is that it was not properly finished, leaving either a sharp edge at the back of the upper or there’s a burr left in the ‘valley’. Another issue may be that the charging handle is undersized, causing it to rub the upper at a increased angle. I'll put a caliper on a couple of mine and maybe take a couple of photos. I’ll send via PM.
 
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_hO9zXEkXaWI/TdfIgPXkNBI/AAAAAAAAFQE/c5xrUaYHNWI/s800/DSCN0561.JPG


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_hO9zXEkXaWI/TdfIfpqauKI/AAAAAAAAFQA/x0oOElGNSBY/s800/DSCN0558.JPG

This is what it looks like!
s9z4_SSLS65wToKEcsx4lg
 
Last edited:
You have to pull the charging handle straight back. Binding it off to one side might be a good practice drill such as bringing the rifle into battery with the weak hand if injured but it has to come staright back or it will bind.
 
Will the BCM Gunfighter be a better choice for weak hand charging?
Click to expand...

Yes

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-GUNFIGHTER-Charging-Handle-GFH-Mod-4-p/bcm%20gfh%20mod%204%20556.htm
That's the medium sized latch one but they have small and large latch versions also.

from that page:
The BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Charging Handle and extended latches feature internal redesigns to direct the force off of the roll pin and into the body of the charging handle during support hand only manipulations. This new design has a built in backstop engineered into the extended latch and into the charging handle. As the latch is opened up, its’ travel is limited by these flat surface backstops. With this travel limiting feature, the stress is taken off the roll pin, and is now redirected into the entire body of the charging handle.


The BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Charging Handle offers two significant advantages.


1. Since the tiny roll pin is no longer the weak point - it is a much stronger system and tactical latch will stay intact even under repeated support side only manipulation.


2. With the force kept inside the body of the handle, when the handle is pulled directly to the rear, it moves directly to the rear and does not angle off to the outboard side. A much smoother operation.
Click to expand...
 
I don't think there is a problem from the upper itself that's just from putting a lot of tension on the right side by charging from the left like you said you were doing.

A tactical latch will help give you some grip and leverage to pull it straight back. I have the Badger Ordnance tactical latches on three different scoped uppers now. My first was after a new build and my charging handle looked just like yours from charging with the left hand. No problems since installing the new latches on all three scoped uppers.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=713034

I would still remove the bcg and charging handle from the upper and check for burs but I think its fine, be sure to get any metal shavings out of there as well.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
  • Locked
AR Bolt Locked up. Need Help!
Replies
12
Views
712
MrCleanOK
M
Saluki91
  • Locked
AR Assmebly Canundrum...
Replies
6
Views
426
Skylerbone
Skylerbone
U
  • Locked
AR-15 stripped upper build
Replies
4
Views
612
USAF_Vet
U
D
  • Locked
AR15 build questions (upper)
Replies
12
Views
2K
DavidMS
D
Johnm1
  • Locked
Odd Misfeed
Replies
4
Views
476
Johnm1
Johnm1
Back
Top