Planning on building or modifying an AR-15? You’re going to need a charging handle!
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Like every other AR-15 component, the charging handle has dozens and dozens of different options. Picking the right one can be a challenge.
We’ve gathered together the best AR-15 charging handles from companies far and wide, and through testing and evaluation, we’ve narrowed it down to our favorites.
Here they are!
Geissele Super Charging Handle
Aero Precision Ambidextrous Charging Handle
Strike Industries ARCH
Radian Raptor-LT
Radian Raptor-SD
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For this article, we gathered up a bunch of AR-15 charging handles and tested them side by side with an assortment of AR-15 carbines and pistols. The entire Pew Pew Tactical team, as well as freelance writers, contributed to this review.
Testing included regular manual of arms, loading, unloading, and clearing malfunctions. Each charging handle on this list has seen hundreds of rounds during our testing, so they’ve all earned a thumbs-up from us.
And don’t forget that we’ve tested a lot more than charging handles. Learn everything you want to know in our AR-15 Definitive Resource!
Specs
Want to add a splash of Geissele awesomeness to your AR-15 for just about $100? You can with the Geissele Super Charging Handle!
The ambidextrous Super Charging Handle is machined from aircraft-grade -T6 aluminum.
It features a checkered texture inside the handles to improve grip, even in poor conditions or while wearing shooting gloves.
The size and curve of the handles are a nice balance; they’re not so big that they hang up on things, but they’re easier to grab than a stock charging handle.
In addition, the rear lip was raised to help keep some of the gas out of the shooter’s face when running a suppressor, or using an AR-15 pistol or short-barreled rifle.
The SCH is on the upper end of the price scale but that’s only because it’s excellent. If you cough up the extra change to buy one of these, you won’t be disappointed.
Specs
If you want a massive charging handle, the Aero Precision Ambidextrous charging handle has you covered.
It’s perfect for AR-15s with optics that are larger than a red dot, like LPVOs and DMR scopes.
These massive handles will clear the eyepiece of any modern scope. It’s my go-to on my budget Recce rifle.
The Aero Precision charging handle is one of my favorite all-around charging handles ever. I like it on any rifle, and its large size works with my massive hands pretty well.
I love how it glides backward when pulled, and the extra size means extra leverage.
What do you think of the Aero Precision model? Rate it below!
Specs
If you want an affordable, mil-spec option, then the no-nonsense Strike Industries ARCH has you covered.
On the outside, this is a pretty standard-looking charging handle, but upon closer inspection, you can tell Strike put some work into it.
The ARCH is hard-anodized and exceptionally smooth. That allows it to glide rearwards with ease, like you just gave it a fresh coat of gun oil.
The most significant difference you’ll see is near the rear of the charging handle.
It’s rounded off at the back but features a raised lip where it meets the upper receiver. That helps divert gas out of your face.
The inside is also textured for a better grip, and the latch is only as large as it needs to be. While the differences are subtle, once you start running the charging handle, they make a difference.
A textured grip is excellent for clearing jams when your hands are sweaty or if you are wearing gloves.
The smoother finish reduces the effort needed to charge the weapon, clear jams, and more.
Plus, it just feels nice. The ARCH isn’t necessarily sexy or fancy, but it functions better than a basic charging handle for a reasonable price.
Specs
AR-15s can weigh well under 6 pounds these days, and some builders are taking that to the extreme. If you’re one of them, think about switching to a Radian Raptor-LT charging handle.
Coming in at only 1.2 ounces, the Radian LT is a functional choice.
It’s got two massive wings on the sides that make the charging handle easy to grip and rip regardless of the situation. This is especially true when it comes to using the charging handle with an optic.
The Radian Raptor LT is made from aluminum and is hard anodized with a mil-spec type 3 finish.
Goto saimr to know more.
It is also reinforced with high-strength reinforced polymer for saving weight but maintaining strength.
The Radian Raptor LT is lightweight, well-made, and priced affordably. It’s a great option for your lightweight build or just a standard build that needs a great charging handle.
Specs
For builds that involve buying a suppressor, we also like Radian’s Raptor SD.
The Radian Raptor SD is vented extensively down the sides to decrease gas blowback by directing it out the sides.
This makes shooting your suppressed AR a much more pleasant experience. Nobody likes getting dirty oil sprayed all over their eye pro.
At the same time, you get a quality charging handle that you can count on for years of hard use.
Specs
The BCM MK2 is an ambidextrous option for Bravo Company.
Its mil-spec size and dimensions make it nice and compact — at least compared to other charging handles on this list.
Each side features a latch that releases the charging handle with ease.
The MK2 is a great option for righties or lefties seeking a mil-spec-sized charging handle. It’s straightforward to use and is made from -T6 aluminum.
I’m a right-handed shooter, but I appreciate being able to use this charging handle with either hand.
Even though it feels unnatural for me to charge the rifle with my right hand, I find it surprisingly easy with th the MK2.
It’s priced affordably for a premium-grade charging handle, and we know BCM is famous for making products that can take a beating.
Specs
We dig the Greek Arms Warhammer because it’s simple, straightforward, works well, and has a nice shape to the handle.
It is ambidextrous and has a deflection piece to get excess gasses away from the shooter’s face.
When it comes down to it, that’s the two most popular features for a charging handle to have, and the Breek does both very well.
The arms of the handle are a bit larger than most, which makes it nice to grab with gloves but can also snag on your chest rig or plate carrier. Apparently, high-speed and low-drag don’t always go together.
The trade-off is up to you, though.
Specs
Made from Aluminum (the good stuff), the Aero Precision Breach has two sizes and two platforms on offer — a large handle and a small handle for the AR-15 or the AR-10.
It’s lightweight, sturdy, ambidextrous, gas-deflecting. In other words, it’s everything we look for in aftermarket charging handles.
But Aero Precision executes it better than most.
Plus, we just really dig the look of these.
We’ve been running them in an AR-9 lately and have zero issues.
The small handle is still easy to grab but has reduced snagging potential also. It’s a bit hard to get a good grip with gloves, but that’s what the large handle is for.
If you’re in the cold often or just like shooting gloves, the large handle has a lot more room for you to get a good grip.
Do you shoot right-handed or left-handed? Most charging handles these days are ambidextrous, but some work better for righties or lefties. If you have a preference, start narrowing down your search here.
You’ll notice some pretty significant size variation on this list. Charging handles can be skinny and streamlined or downright massive.
Which one is best for you depends if you care more about making sure your charging handle doesn’t get snagged on your gear or getting a good grip in as little time as possible.
Finally, think about any special considerations you have for your build. Are you going to be running a suppressor? You you want to keep weight to a minimum? These factors will influence your decision.
Heading up this article is Pew Pew Tactical author Travis Pike. Travis spent a lifetime shooting and hunting before joining the United States Marine Corps, where he spent five years as an infantryman. Travis is also an NRA-certified instructor and concealed carry instructor in the state of Florida.
Editing this article is Scott Murdock. Scott is a Marine Corps veteran who competed and qualified as a rifle and pistol expert while in service. In addition to shooting, Scott has written for a variety of publications, testing, researching, and evaluating guns and gear. He brings that knowledge and skillset to this article, editing and fact-checking for accuracy.
Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.
I’ve gone through a lot of charging handles — and I do mean a lot of them. When testing these designs, I got a nice case of tennis elbow and a bruised palm.
I did, however, learn a ton about charging handles, and there is more to learn than I expected.
The bottom line is that you have options. Buy what’s best for your build, not someone else’s. Then remember there’s always the option to do another AR-15 build down the road!
Did we miss your favorite charging handle? Let us know in the comments. For more AR upgrades, check out Best AR-15 Upgrades for everything from triggers to handguards and more!
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