Best-Rated AR-15 Charging Handles

2023 PRODUCT REVIEW: BEST AR-15 Charging Handles

 

Strike Industries Extended Latch Charging Handle

• Price:

  $39.95

• Features:

  Extended Latch, Available in Multiple Color

Machined out of 7075 T6 aluminum and finished with a layer of anodized hardcoat, Strike Industries’ Extended Latch Charging Handle is designed for smooth operation under even the most stressful conditions. The charging handle is compatible with all standard AR-15 upper receivers.

The Strike Industries Charging Handle with Extended Latch currently enjoys a 5-star customer rating. Customers praised several different aspects, including: its fitment, finish, price, function, and grip.

Radian Raptor Ambidextrous Charging Handle

• Price:

  $85.45

• Features:

  Ambidextrous, Extended Latches, Available in Multiple Color

Built out of aircraft-grade 7075 aluminum and finished with Mil-Spec Type III anodized hardcoat, Radian’s Raptor ambidextrous charging handle is built with double latches on either side of the handle, enabling you to operate it equally as easily with either hand. The deep serrations and forward angling of the charging handle ensure that you’ve got a secure grip when you need it.

As part of its quality testing, Radian runs the Raptor charging handle through more than a million cycles, ensuring that it’s one of the best AR-15 charging handles out there, designed to serve you well, whether on the range or in the middle of the most stressful tactical situation.

The Raptor charging handle has a 5-star rating based on customer reviews, with several of those customers mentioning specific things that they liked about the Radian Raptor such as the heavy-duty axis pins, the true ambidexterity offered by the Raptor and even the color matching.

Phase 5 Tactical Ambidextrous AR-15 Battle Latch Charging Handle

• Price:

  $64.99

• Features:

  Phase 5 Ambidextrous Latch, Increased Sidewall Thickness, Upgraded Stainless Steel Coiled Spring, Broad Contact Points, Available in Multiple Colors

Whether you're looking for enhanced handling in tight quarters or want to be able to shoot with your off hand when the occasion calls for it, the Phase 5 Tactical Ambidextrous AR-15 Battle Latch Charging Handle deserves your attention. Machined using robust 7075 aluminum and coated with a Mil-Spec Type III Hardcoat Anodized Finish, this charging handle can withstand harsh environments where corrosion and wear are likely. 

A proper grip on your firearm is essential to maintaining accuracy and consistency in your shots. Knowing this, Phase 5 Tactical improved the grip on this fully ambidextrous design by adding aggressive serrations and broad contact points for a secure and reliable fit in your hands. An increased sidewall thickness and enhanced stainless steel coil spring improve performance even through repeated use and in extreme conditions. 

Whether you're a right- or left-handed shooter, this Ambidextrous AR-15 Battle Latch Charging Handle offers outstanding operation and reliability. It is also available in a wide range of colors to add a personal touch to your gun, including black, blue, gray, and red. 

Fortis Hammer Charging Handle

• Price:

  $66.45

• Features:

  Extended Latch, Aggressive Serrations, Available in Multiple Color

Machined out of solid billets of 7075 aluminum with a smooth finish, the Hammer charging handle by Fortis is one of the most reliable charging handles on the market.

Because of its smooth anodize finish, the Hammer has a natural lubricity, meaning that charging the handle will feel incredibly smooth, while the deep knurling on the latch will ensure that you can get a solid grip on the handle exactly when you need it. The anodize finish also staves off rust and corrosion in addition to reducing friction wear, meaning that the Fortis Hammer charging handle will keep working even under the most grueling conditions.

Fortis’ products have long had a reputation for excellence and the Hammer backs that up with a 5-star rating, with customers specifically noting how smooth the pull-back on the Hammer handles was. At least one user said that they’d run thousands of rounds through their AR with a Hammer mounted and had yet to see a sign of wear.

RISE Armament Extended-Latch Charging Handle

• Price:

  $34.99

• Features:

  Extended Latch

The RISE Armament Extended-Latch Charging Handle makes a big difference when you're dealing with field grit or carbon fouling. Its extended latch provides more surface area for faster and easier charging. In a high-pressure situation, you'll be glad you have the RISE Armament Extended-Latch Charging Handle to make things move. This charging handle is precision-machined from 7075-T6 aluminum and finished with hardcoat anodizing, making it a lightweight, durable and long-lasting handle option. It is also ergonomically designed to ensure smooth, efficient operation even in tough conditions. What's more, the textured latch provides a more comfortable, solid grip than your factory charging handle, even if you're wearing gloves or have large hands. The RISE Armament Extended-Latch Charging Handle is compatible with all Mil-Spec AR-15 upper receivers, giving you maximum flexibility. It is also American-made and backed by RISE Armament's lifetime warranty.

Aero Precision AR-15 BREACH Ambidextrous Charging Handle

• Price:

  $71.99

• Features:

  Ambidextrous, Extended Latches, Gas Venting, Available in Multiple Latch Size and Color

Upgrade to the Aero Precision AR-15 BREACH Ambidextrous Charging Handle to improve your rifle's handling and achieve the next level of defense readiness. This low-profile handle has an ambidextrous, ergonomic design, allowing quick, effortless rifle operation with either hand and making it ideal for defending yourself through an injury. 

The BREACH Ambidextrous Charging Handle is manufactured from 7075-T6 aluminum for exceptional durability. It includes a reinforced bar to prevent rotational flex and breakage. It also features a lever that transfers force from the roll pins to the top of the reinforced bar, safeguarding the charging handle in harsh conditions. What's more, its gas deflection shelf redirects gas away from your face when you shoot.

This charging handle offers essential tactical benefits and a high-end look with a practical yet aesthetically pleasing design. It features stylish cuts on the handle to help keep the upper receiver clear of debris and carbon and a spacer to protect the lever mechanism from debris.

The BREACH Ambidextrous Charging Handle comes in two sizes:

1. Small Latch BREACH: Has a low-profile, easy-to-grip surface. It can be easily actuated from either side of your rifle and is comfortable when slung.
2. Large Latch BREACH: Has an extended operating surface ideal for operators with larger hands.

Radian Silencer-Optimized Raptor-SD Ambidextrous Charging Handle

• Price:

  $113.95

• Features:

  Ambidextrous, Extended Latches, Gas Venting, Available in Multiple Color

Built out of aircraft-grade 7075 aluminum and finished with a coat of Mil-Spec Type III anodized hardcoat, the Radian Raptor-SD ambidextrous charging handle looks like most other ambidextrous charging handles on the market. However, one look at the ported holes cut into the shaft will show that this charging handle is designed with suppressed rifles in mind.

The ported holes cut into the shaft redirect the gasses from the upper receiver forward, away from the shooter, meaning that you don’t have to deal with powder burns or the soot marks of repeated blow-back. Instead, you can shoot comfortably and clearly without having to worry.

If you already own Radian’s earlier Raptor charging handle, worry not: the Raptor-SD is designed to fit in the same builds that accept the original Raptor charging handles. And just like the original Raptor, the Raptor-SD is run through a test of a million cycles to ensure that it will hold up where it counts.

Armaspec Victory AR15 Ambidextrous Charging Handle

• Price:

  $62.69

• Features:

  Ambidextrous, Extended Latch, Aggressive Serrations, Available in Multiple Color

Since a normal-sized AR-15 charging handle can be difficult to engage with gloves on, Armaspec developed the Victory Ambidextrous Extended Latch Charging Handle to help solve that problem. Built out of 7075 billet aluminum and finished with a coat of anodized hardcoat, the Extended Latch Charging Handle has an enlarged latch and serrations on the latch itself in order to improve grip – no more fumbling around.

The Victory Extended Latch Ambi Charging Handle is compatible with most AR-15 platforms, functioning simply as a drop-in upgrade to the regular charging handle. Not only is it easy to install and long-lasting thanks to the anodized hardcoat, but the Extended Latch Charging Handle also comes with a lifetime warranty from Armaspec, just in case.

Armaspec strives to put out excellent-quality gun parts, and they’ve hit it out of the park with the Large Latch Ambi Charging Handle, with customers praising everything from the fit of the handle to how the design offsets some of the stress and lateral tension exerted on the latch roll pin and the charging handle itself.

Odin Works AR-15 Diverge Charging Handle

• Price:

  $65.55

• Features:

  Multi-Channel Design, Ergonomic Construction for Easy Gripping, Available in Black and Red Extended Latch

This AR-15 Diverge Charging Handle by Odin Works is carefully designed with the shooter in mind. It is constructed from a tough 7075 billet aluminum and coated with an anodized finish, giving you a charging handle capable of withstanding extreme conditions. 

Being designed for suppressed and non-suppressed applications, this charging handle will conform to meet your needs and preferences to create a firearm that's comfortable in your hands. 

The detailed design of this Odin Works charging handle makes it an excellent and convenient addition to your AR-15 loadout. Gas, oil, and other debris are propelled away from your face with its multichannel construction, keeping your line of sight clear when you're in the field. The Odin Works engineers also improved its grip compared to other models, offering more surface area, 65% greater handle width, and a whopping 140% increase in shaft strength. 

The heavy-duty Odin Works AR-15 Diverge Charging Handle is a durable cocking handle that offers lightweight characteristics ready to improve your shooting experience. Gun enthusiasts of all types put their faith in this handle, counting on it to perform reliably in all circumstances. The Diverge charging handle comes in classic all black or with a red extended latch for enhanced visibility.

Fortis Clutch Charging Handle for AR-15

• Price:

  $42.70

• Features:

  Extended Latch, Redesigned Cam System, Lightweight, Aggressive Serrations, Available in Left and Right-Handed Version

For palm-style operators, the Fortis Clutch Charging Handle is the strongest purpose-built option on the market. It has a large latch handle with no off-side protrusion, reducing the risk of getting snagged on other equipment or things in your operating environment. It also has a redesigned cam system instead of a standard roll pin for better strength and durability.

This charging handle is cut from 7075-T6 aluminum for highly accurate components and excellent fitment. The latch features aggressive serrations on the front and back, supporting use with or without gloves. 

The Fortis Clutch Charging Handle is available in right- and left-handed operating models. The right-handed version puts the latch on the bolt-catch side, while the left-handed version puts the latch on the forward-assist side. The left-handed version only works with upper receivers with an appropriate cutout for the latch to hook into, like the Fortis Billet Upper Receiver. The Wing Tactical customer service team can help you determine the best option.