Radian Offers Raptor AR-15 Charging Handle

One of the easiest upgrades to make to an AR-15 rifle platform is the addition of an improved charging handle. Luckily, there are many aftermarket upgrades available, and one of the options is the Raptor Ambidextrous Charging Handle from Radian Weapons.

The issue many people have with the stock AR-15 charging handle has to do more with a change in tactics than with any design flaw with the firearm. The initial manual of arms for an AR-15 directed owners or soldiers to remove their dominant hand from a firing grip and then hook the index and middle fingers on the stock charging handle, pulling rearward to load the gun.

Modern firearm-handling doctrine has changed this viewpoint, directing users to charge a firearm using their support hand in order to maintain a firing grip. However, the original design of the AR-15 charging handle does not lend itself well to charging with a support hand. The Radian Raptor charging handle solves this issue.

The Raptor features two elongated charging wings on either side of the handle, allowing both left- and right-handed shooters to easily charge a firearm. The design of the charging handle is particularly conducive for "blading" style of reload, where shooters remove their support hand from the fore-end and use an open palm to push the charging handle to the rear. The Raptor features a number of serrations on the inside of the wings that enable the handle to bite into a user's palm, facilitating a reload.

Other features of the Radian Raptor AR-15 Charging Handle is its aircraft-grade 7075 aluminum construction, along with a mil-spec anodized finish to protect against wear and corrosion. The handle comes in black, brown, flat dark earth, tungsten gray and NP3 coated finishes. Sizes are available for both the AR-15 and AR-10 platforms. The suggested retail price on the Radian Raptor charging handle is $89.95.