If you’ve shot suppressed AR-style rifles at all, you’ve most likely experienced the unpleasant effect of excess gas blowing back into your face as a result of the sound suppressor. It comes with the territory, right? One of those things you have to live with in order to protect your hearing, as-inevitable-as-death-and-taxes kind of thing. Except, what if it didn’t have to be that way?
SilencerCo has launched its Gas Defeating Charging Handle that uses a more precise fit to the upper receiver and a rubber O-ring to significantly reduce the amount of excess gas that escapes under the charging handle. It’s a smart, simple design that, not coincidentally, also centers around an ergonomic, ambidextrous lever that’s well made and easy to operate.
“It’s been a long time since we have seen a product that so greatly improves the user experience while shooting the AR platform suppressed,” said Product Manager, Andrew Herbst. “Now shooters don’t have to choose between protecting their hearing and dealing with hot gas blowing into their eyes and affecting their ability to breathe. The SilencerCo Gas Defeating Charging Handle is the answer to this common problem.”
SilencerCo has high-speed video of the Gas Defeating Charging Handle in use on its website, and we’ve received a sample here at Shooting Illustrated as well. Once time and ammunition permit, we’ll have range feedback, but for now, here’s some illustration of the difference between a standard, mil-spec charging handle (on the left) and the Gas Defeating Charging Handle on the right:
From a different angle:
Precise machining from 7075 aluminum carefully mates the Gas Defeating Charging Handle to the AR-15 upper receiver. The latch mechanism is fully ambidextrous and contoured for efficient operation even under adverse conditions. If you’re shooting a suppressed AR-15-style rifle and want to improve this experience, the new Gas Defeating Charging Handle from SilencerCo is designed to lessen the amount of gas blowback experienced.
Specifications
- O-ring seal to redirect blow back (O-ring included)
- Machined from aircraft grade 7075 aluminum
- Type III Hard Anodize finish
- Ambidextrous design for intuitive manipulation and smooth charging
- MSRP: $114.00
For more information on the Gas Defeating Charging Handle, including high-speed video, visit SilencerCo.com.
