AR-15 Charging handle roll pin?

Darth-gamer · November 21, 2010, 04:40 AM

Hey guys. I wanted to pick up one of those badger tactical charging handle latch upgrades for my Bushmaster. I have a Leupold scope on it and it is blocking the current latch, so I want this new one. However, it would be pointless to purchase it seems as I cant get my darn pin out. =( I tried a 1/16 Allen key and that is too big for the hole, a smaller one fits though, but that sucker will not budge. Hammer taps, pressure, nothing seems to work. Does anyone have any ideas or similar troubles and or solutions? The new latch is only$20 and people say it is great, but if I had to buy a whole new charging handle for a stupid little pin...that's crazy.

Bartholomew Roberts · November 21, 2010, 09:08 AM

No idea on how to help remove the roll pin; but you should buy some spares if you are going to use the Badger latch. The latch will let you put a lot more stress on the roll pin than it is designed to handle.

Goatwhiskers · November 21, 2010, 09:33 AM

Unless you just enjoy screwing up guns, use the correct tool. An allen wrench is not a punch. Roll pin punches are available from Brownells. Here endeth the lesson. Goatwhiskers the Elder

kraigwy · November 21, 2010, 11:25 AM

I vote getting a set of roll pin punches and using the right one. The punch set makes life a heck of a lot easier at to roll pins.

Having said that, I'd get a new charging handle with latch. Keeping the non-latch charging handle around for dry firing.

When coaching or teaching another to shoot, I like to get them in position and have them dry fire while I work the bolt for them. Easy to do with a Garand or M14 by just pushing the op rod back with the palm of your hand, but not with an AR because of the latch.

Just slipping a not latch charging handle in, makes it a breeze for working on positions, NPA, sight alignment, trigger control and follow through.

Danny45 · November 21, 2010, 11:53 AM

I suggest getting a whole new charging handle with the latch already installed. That way you'll have a spare if you ever need it.

OHW · November 21, 2010, 12:04 PM

VLTOR BCM handles with various sized latches take the stress off the pin. Plus you will have a spare you should never need.

wnycollector · November 21, 2010, 01:58 PM

I watched this video before I installed my tac latch on my AR. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7_F7If6YEQ I used a correctly sized punch to remove the old latch and then re-installed the pin using the brass hammer in my punch set. The whole install took ~5 minutes.

Darth-gamer · November 21, 2010, 05:42 PM

I finally got that darn pin out. Can you buy just replacement pins as mentioned before? Also, eventually I will probably get a new CH + extended latch, but as those go for around $70 and the latch itself goes for <$20, I'm going to do the latch for now. Also, for anyone with experience, do you know if the Gen 1 badger latch is better, or the Gen 2?

Ridge_Runner_5 · November 22, 2010, 01:56 PM

I prefer the Gen 2 for being a slimmer profile, and have one on my gun.

You can buy either Badger latch AND the roll pin from Bowers Tactical

demigod · November 22, 2010, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Can you buy just replacement pins as mentioned before?

Roll pins are reusable.

Technosavant · November 22, 2010, 03:21 PM

The VLTOR/Bravo Company GUNFIGHTER charging handle has an extended latch (multiple sizes available) and runs only $45. No point in spending the time retrofitting a $20 latch to a $12 handle that's only going to let go when you put repeated heavy stress on the latch.

demigod · November 22, 2010, 03:51 PM

Also... if you look around on Bravo's site, you can find the prototype tac charging handles for like $28... and they still fully warranty them should you break it.

Omaha-BeenGlockin · November 23, 2010, 08:00 AM

Here ya go:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=919466

November 21, 2010, 04:40 AM	#1
Darth-gamer Member Join Date: July 3, 2010 Posts: 24	AR-15 Charging handle roll pin? Hey guys. I wanted to pick up one of those badger tactical charging handle latch upgrades for my Bushmaster. I have a Leupold scope on it and it is blocking the current latch, so I want this new one. However, it would be pointless to purchase it seems as I cant get my darn pin out. =( I tried a 1/16 Allen key and that is too big for the hole, a smaller one fits though, but that sucker will not budge. Hammer taps, pressure, nothing seems to work. Does anyone have any ideas or similar troubles and or solutions? The new latch is only$20 and people say it is great, but if I had to buy a whole new charging handle for a stupid little pin...that's crazy. __________________ Hi-Point 995 9mm Carbine / Remington 597 .22LR / GSG-5SD .22LR / Mossberg 535 ATS Turkey-Deer Combo with Mossy Oak Break-up camo 12 gauge / NEF Pardner Pump 12 gauge/ Bushmaster XM-15 E2S M4 style carbine 5.56NATO-.223 Rem./

November 21, 2010, 11:25 AM	#4
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	I vote getting a set of roll pin punches and using the right one. The punch set makes life a heck of a lot easier at to roll pins. Having said that, I'd get a new charging handle with latch. Keeping the non-latch charging handle around for dry firing. When coaching or teaching another to shoot, I like to get them in position and have them dry fire while I work the bolt for them. Easy to do with a Garand or M14 by just pushing the op rod back with the palm of your hand, but not with an AR because of the latch. Just slipping a not latch charging handle in, makes it a breeze for working on positions, NPA, sight alignment, trigger control and follow through. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

November 21, 2010, 11:53 AM	#5
Danny45 Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2000 Location: Tulsa Oklahoma Posts: 434	I suggest getting a whole new charging handle with the latch already installed. That way you'll have a spare if you ever need it. __________________ Danny

November 21, 2010, 05:42 PM	#8
Darth-gamer Member Join Date: July 3, 2010 Posts: 24	I finally got that darn pin out. Can you buy just replacement pins as mentioned before? Also, eventually I will probably get a new CH + extended latch, but as those go for around $70 and the latch itself goes for <$20, I'm going to do the latch for now. Also, for anyone with experience, do you know if the Gen 1 badger latch is better, or the Gen 2? __________________ Hi-Point 995 9mm Carbine / Remington 597 .22LR / GSG-5SD .22LR / Mossberg 535 ATS Turkey-Deer Combo with Mossy Oak Break-up camo 12 gauge / NEF Pardner Pump 12 gauge/ Bushmaster XM-15 E2S M4 style carbine 5.56NATO-.223 Rem./

November 23, 2010, 08:00 AM	#13
Omaha-BeenGlockin Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2001 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 1,183	Here ya go: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=919466 __________________ I take the leech that's bleeding me Can't stop to save my soul I take the leash that's leading me -------Metallica

November 21, 2010, 09:08 AM	#2
Bartholomew Roberts member Join Date: June 12, 2000 Location: Texas and Oklahoma area Posts: 8,462	No idea on how to help remove the roll pin; but you should buy some spares if you are going to use the Badger latch. The latch will let you put a lot more stress on the roll pin than it is designed to handle.

November 21, 2010, 09:33 AM	#3
Goatwhiskers Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2009 Location: Batchelor, La. Posts: 579	Unless you just enjoy screwing up guns, use the correct tool. An allen wrench is not a punch. Roll pin punches are available from Brownells. Here endeth the lesson. Goatwhiskers the Elder

November 21, 2010, 12:04 PM	#6
OHW Member Join Date: September 30, 2009 Posts: 51	VLTOR BCM handles with various sized latches take the stress off the pin. Plus you will have a spare you should never need.

November 21, 2010, 01:58 PM	#7
wnycollector Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2007 Posts: 1,996	I watched this video before I installed my tac latch on my AR. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7_F7If6YEQ I used a correctly sized punch to remove the old latch and then re-installed the pin using the brass hammer in my punch set. The whole install took ~5 minutes.

November 22, 2010, 01:56 PM	#9
Ridge_Runner_5 Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2008 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,925	I prefer the Gen 2 for being a slimmer profile, and have one on my gun. You can buy either Badger latch AND the roll pin from Bowers Tactical

November 22, 2010, 03:21 PM	#11
Technosavant Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO area Posts: 4,040	The VLTOR/Bravo Company GUNFIGHTER charging handle has an extended latch (multiple sizes available) and runs only $45. No point in spending the time retrofitting a $20 latch to a $12 handle that's only going to let go when you put repeated heavy stress on the latch.

November 22, 2010, 03:51 PM	#12
demigod Junior member Join Date: March 13, 2008 Location: AZ Posts: 1,129	Also... if you look around on Bravo's site, you can find the prototype tac charging handles for like $28... and they still fully warranty them should you break it.