Why are charging handles so $$$$

G

GunMunKey

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Ok. So I'm not sure why a moulded aluminum part with a spring and another moulded aluminum part are so expensive. I was in the military for 10 years. I'm sure the C-7 had a run of the mill aluminum, lowest bid part that cost $7.99. Never seen one break. Never seen one fail to ####. Never seen one do anything fancy like light my smoke. Why are they $30+? $100? That's crazy. What does the extra $70 get you? Ambidextrous? I know whether I'm a lefty or a righty.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for bling. If it's got some funny sh!t laser etched or a really badass logo or powder coated blood red that's cool. But is there any practical difference in charge handles that I don't know because I only ever used a G.I.?
I'm asking because I'm putting together my first build and I didn't think there was any science to it. Marketing? Hype? Save my money for a better trigger? Help a guy out here.
 
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I don't believe the better ones are moulded but are machined from 7075 Billet Aluminum.
Machining anything is expensive.
 
9mmGunGuy said:
I don't believe the better ones are moulded but are machined from 7075 Billet Aluminum.
Machining anything is expensive.
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Not to mention the cool "infidel" logo ensures .25MOA at 1100m and drives up the value of the firearm 400%
Sarcasm aside.... the market is flooded with handles. Unfortunately there are some that (questionably) deserve an exaggerated premium.
 
Because people will pay it. If you whisper LaRue into an ar fans ear they get an immediate hard on and pay double for it even if it was just a crush washer
 
Because “BLING”. costs $$

Do they work any better than a basic, original design handle?
Probably not

Do they look cooler?
Probably a bit

Did the producers of these market them well and make you feel it was a must have?
You better believe they did

Shoot straight - chrisco
 
B said:
I bought two ambi charging handles off of wish... They are surprisingly good for $9 each.
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So did another member here.

Knock off raptor.

Compared to my real one the know off bent and twisted like it was made out of heated plastic.

I have seen a number of charging handles break due to hard use. BUT to be fair most civilian guns are my getting trained with in the same way as military guns.

A proper handle is not that expensive. If you want to save cash don't buy anything fancy.
 
Daver_II said:
So did another member here.

Knock off raptor.

Compared to my real one the know off bent and twisted like it was made out of heated plastic.
.
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My experience is definitely different. I bought them as somewhat of a joke but even after being much rougher than I need to be with them they are doing fine.
 
B said:
I bought two ambi charging handles off of wish... They are surprisingly good for $9 each.
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I bought a raptor knockoff on wish... couldn't figure out why the rifle wouldn't go into battery...turns out the charging handle was jamming just enough and the hook on it wasn't clearing the notch on the upper. It ended up twisting the handle and I had to crank on it hard to get it out. Needless to say, I put the factory handle back on and will buy a real raptor later on.
 
There's a decent amount of material removal needed to make some of these billet charging handles (Radian, BCM, etc.), along with multiple setups if you're not running 4+ axes. On top of that, you're paying for more than just raw processing time. Nonetheless, we live in a capitalist economy where if you feel inclined to go bankrupt undercutting this somewhat niche market with a superior charging handle for significantly less, you're welcome to fill your boots.
 
Ok so Wish is a gamble even if they don't send KungFlu with my handle. Thanks for the feedback fellas. Standard handle it is. Unless I can find that blood red, infidel engraved, ambidextrous CH that lights smokes.
 
Like I said... cheap soft aluminum that will stretch, break, twist, and react poorly to the gas tube heat.

Is a $30-80 part depending on how fancy you want to go... why save money here?
BMsIp7S.jpg
 
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I've never been interested enough in premium charging handles to buy one. I've broken a couple of standard charging handles, but that's after many shots fired. Regular ones work fine and are cheap to replace if they break.

But I'm certainly not against adding cool bling to a gun if that's what makes you happy. :)
 
GunMunKey said:
Ok so Wish is a gamble even if they don't send KungFlu with my handle. Thanks for the feedback fellas. Standard handle it is. Unless I can find that blood red, infidel engraved, ambidextrous CH that lights smokes.
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I am not exactly endorsing the chinesium handles, just expressing my surprise at them being not only useable but somewhat good. My ARs are just for fun. My "serious" guns don't get bargain bin parts...
 
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