Milling AR Charging Handle

10-96 · October 24, 2008, 08:41 PM

I can't be the only one who thinks the latch on the AR charging handle ought to be on the other side... am I? Does anyone think a machinist or well equipped GS could mill both the handle and the notch in the right side of the reciever for under $200? I know, Uncle Sam taught me the same BRM as everyone else. But, these days I want to keep my left hand under the hand guards for support and do all the control running from the right side.
I know ambi handles are made- but that don't mean they're made the way I like 'em.

bcarver · October 26, 2008, 02:27 PM

I don't quite understand.
My charge handle has the latch on the left.
When shouldered and left hand under the forend, I pull back on the charging handle with my index and middle finger. My index finger releases the latch lever.
How were you trained?

10-96 · October 27, 2008, 09:38 AM

I was trained with an A-2 like everybody else. But GI style and varmint hunting with scope is two different things- I can't do the fore & middle finger thing with varmint scopes in place. Also, when shooting match style and being tightly slung up in prone or sitting- it would be easier to just hook the latch on the right side with the right index finger, even with iron sights.

4thPointofContact · October 27, 2008, 10:48 AM

Ambidextrous charging handles are readily available, some especially made for low clearance scopes. You might give Brownell's a try.
Would something like this work with your scope?

ForneyRider · October 27, 2008, 12:36 PM

I went with the Badger Ordnance latch like the one in the picture.
It is easier to cycle with a scope on that the "stocker" that DPMS used.
I got it from Brownell's.
I am right handed and have a right-handed version AR. I prefer where it is, but can understand wanting it to work on both sides.

grymster2007 · October 27, 2008, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Does anyone think a machinist or well equipped GS could mill both the handle and the notch in the right side of the reciever for under $200?

I'm not quite sure what the poster wants, but I can say my machinists can barely manage taking a break for under $200.

10-96 · October 27, 2008, 07:33 PM

4thPoint,
That would work as well as anything else- but it would still mean reaching over the rifle or using the left hand. I just want a charging handle with the latch completely on the other side.

ForneyRider · October 28, 2008, 12:39 PM

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/sto...CTICAL%20LATCH

10-96 · October 28, 2008, 09:23 PM

Quote:

I just want a charging handle with the latch completely on the other side.

Close, but no cookie. I'll start asking around locally when I get off of midnight shifts.

hoytinak · October 28, 2008, 09:31 PM

Do the Stag lefthand ARs have the charging handle on the other side? If so email them about getting one. I've seen the ambi but never seen one on the other side.

You'd have to cut your upper also so the latch part would have a place to latch on to.

10-96 · October 28, 2008, 09:59 PM

Mmm. Looks like Stag swaps everything over except the CH latch.
Wonder why I have to be so narrow minded on things...?

Milling or creating a notch on the right side wouldn't be that big of an issue. My other AR's have oblong notches, but with the CH in place- it would be easy to mark the location and go with a round notch. I'm thinking a .2" end mill bit and .08" deep.

October 24, 2008, 08:41 PM	#1
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	Milling AR Charging Handle I can't be the only one who thinks the latch on the AR charging handle ought to be on the other side... am I? Does anyone think a machinist or well equipped GS could mill both the handle and the notch in the right side of the reciever for under $200? I know, Uncle Sam taught me the same BRM as everyone else. But, these days I want to keep my left hand under the hand guards for support and do all the control running from the right side. I know ambi handles are made- but that don't mean they're made the way I like 'em. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

October 26, 2008, 02:27 PM	#2
bcarver Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2007 Location: Jackson,Mississippi Posts: 838	more info I don't quite understand. My charge handle has the latch on the left. When shouldered and left hand under the forend, I pull back on the charging handle with my index and middle finger. My index finger releases the latch lever. How were you trained?

October 27, 2008, 09:38 AM	#3
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	I was trained with an A-2 like everybody else. But GI style and varmint hunting with scope is two different things- I can't do the fore & middle finger thing with varmint scopes in place. Also, when shooting match style and being tightly slung up in prone or sitting- it would be easier to just hook the latch on the right side with the right index finger, even with iron sights. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

October 27, 2008, 12:36 PM	#5
ForneyRider Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2007 Location: Forney, TX Posts: 725	I went with the Badger Ordnance latch like the one in the picture. It is easier to cycle with a scope on that the "stocker" that DPMS used. I got it from Brownell's. I am right handed and have a right-handed version AR. I prefer where it is, but can understand wanting it to work on both sides. __________________ When all is said and done, there is a lot more said than done.

October 27, 2008, 07:33 PM	#7
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	4thPoint, That would work as well as anything else- but it would still mean reaching over the rifle or using the left hand. I just want a charging handle with the latch completely on the other side. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

October 27, 2008, 10:48 AM	#4
4thPointofContact Junior member Join Date: September 22, 2007 Posts: 197	Ambidextrous charging handles are readily available, some especially made for low clearance scopes. You might give Brownell's a try. Would something like this work with your scope?

October 28, 2008, 12:39 PM	#8
ForneyRider Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2007 Location: Forney, TX Posts: 725	http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/sto...CTICAL%20LATCH __________________ When all is said and done, there is a lot more said than done.

October 28, 2008, 09:31 PM	#10
hoytinak Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 5,721	Do the Stag lefthand ARs have the charging handle on the other side? If so email them about getting one. I've seen the ambi but never seen one on the other side. You'd have to cut your upper also so the latch part would have a place to latch on to.

October 28, 2008, 09:59 PM	#11
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	Mmm. Looks like Stag swaps everything over except the CH latch. Wonder why I have to be so narrow minded on things...? Milling or creating a notch on the right side wouldn't be that big of an issue. My other AR's have oblong notches, but with the CH in place- it would be easy to mark the location and go with a round notch. I'm thinking a .2" end mill bit and .08" deep. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

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