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The Best AR-15 Charging Handles [2024 Buying Guide]
Finding the best AR-15 charging handle can be a challenging task.
If you search the internet for charging handles, you’ll find hundreds of options manufacturers claim are the best for your AR-15 build.
So what do you do? Find a person who uses them for a living and ask them what they think.
That’s me! I’ve put my fair share of charging handles through their paces, which resulted in many broken ones, to ultimately find out which are worth putting on my own builds and recommending to others.
One of the best charging handles I’ve had the pleasure of using is the PRI M84 Gas Buster.
1. Best Overall – PRI M84 Gas Buster
PRI M84 Gas Buster. Source: precisionreflex
If you’re shooting suppressed or suffering from a gassy AR-15, the M84 Gas Buster is just as the name sounds: a gas buster.
It has a raised lip that seals the opening of the charging handle better than others and has a slot machined into the shaft that directs the gasses away from your face.
It’s machined from 7075-T6 aluminum for superior durability and, of course, is ambidextrous.
No matter what type of shooting you’re doing, whether suppressed or unsuppressed, from a rifle or an SBR, I would say that the M84 Gas Buster is the best on the market.
It isn’t the most expensive either! But if you want to save a little more money, the Radian Raptor LT may be the charging handle you’re looking for.
2. Best Value – Radian Raptor LT
Radian Raptor LT. Source: radianweapons
The Raptor LT is your charging handle if you want a high-quality, durable charging handle that won’t break the bank.
It’s machined from 7075-T6 aluminum with fiberglass-reinforced polymer wings to help keep the weight down. It also features a raised lip to keep the gasses from your rifle out of your face.
If you want even more durability from your charging handle, the standard Raptor features 7075-T6 aluminum wings. However, the all-aluminum version will cost more.
I’ve never had the LT break on me, but there have been times when I wish I had the aluminum wings. So we’ll see how it does as time goes on.
If you’re looking for a true budget option, the NLA Scythe is right up your alley.
3. Best For Budget Builds – Next-Level Armament Scythe
NLA Scythe. Source: nextlevelarms
Typically, I dislike anything with the word “budget” in front of it. Budget parts often fail you when you need them the most- not always, but enough of the time to avoid them.
The NLA Scythe was the cheapest I could condone; that still gives you all the durability one will need when heavily using a charging handle.
It’s made from the same 7075-T6 aluminum as the other two charging handles, and the broader wings give you more to grab onto when pulling the charging handle back. The broader wings are a welcomed feature for those who use gloves.
You can knock Scythe against trees, drop it on rocks, or snag it on your gear, and this “budget” option won’t give up on you.
You won’t regret it.
4. Honorable Mention – Geissele Super Duty
Geissele Super Duty. Source: geissele
Not only does Geissele make some of the best triggers on the market, but it also makes some high-quality charging handles. The Super Duty was the first aftermarket charging handle I bought for my AR-15, and through thousands of rounds, it never let me down.
Machined from durable 7075-T6 aluminum, the Super Duty is built to be used on the rifles of serious end users, and the price tag reflects it.
It’s ambidextrous and has a raised lip that helps mitigate gasses exiting the upper receiver after a round is fired. This is great for those shooting with a suppressor, but I still recommend the PRI M84 for that job.
If you’re simply looking for a durable charging handle that can withstand repeated kickstarting and perform in the roughest conditions, consider the Super Duty.
Finding The Best Charging Handle
You don’t necessarily have to get crazy with your charging handle. By that, I mean you don’t need to spend a ton of money on every charging handle you’re going to use. There’s no need to spend almost $200 on a Knights Armament ambidextrous charging handle for your home defense gun, which will be in a safe most of the time.
Consider The Purpose Of The Rifle
Most people don’t build a firearm without considering its purpose. They usually build it for home defense or range time and training.
If you’re building a home defense rifle, odds are, you aren’t going to take it out of the safe for days or weeks at a time. When you do, it’ll be to go to the range, clean it up, and put it back in the safe. For that, you can use an Aero Precision or Palmetto State Armory charging handle.
On the other hand, if you’re building a rifle for serious use, you may want to put more money into your rifle. So go with tried and true options from the likes of Radian, PRI, and LMT.
Budget
The bane of every good rifle build: money. Of course, we’d all love to be running around with $4,000 rifles, but some of us have a car that doesn’t even cost that much.
While charging handles are essential, bolt carrier groups and barrels are more critical. So don’t spend much money on an LMT charging handle that you wind up with a PSA bolt carrier group because you ran out of money.
Other Great Charging Handles
If you’re interested in looking at more charging handles, there are plenty of other great options. Here are several that I and many other serious shooters would recommend.
- BCM Charging Handle
- Forward Controls Design ACF
- Knights Armament Charging Handle
- LMT Charging Handle
- Badger Gen 3
- LWRC Charging Handle
Conclusion
Charging handles may be overlooked often, but they are an extremely important component of a functioning firearm.
Make sure you take extra care when selecting one for your rifle. If you can’t figure out which one to choose, I’d suggest going with a Radian Raptor LT. It’s been used, abused, and has stood the test of time through many AR-15s.
Be good and take care.
