Charging Handle or Bolt Release?

Clobbersauras

Clobbersauras

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[Youtube]Rya7jCHNWho&feature=c4-overview&list=UUYvlBEeEEoJE8uP7WWzPmnA[/Youtube]

I'm a die-hard bolt release guy myself, just because I think it's faster and more reliable (yes, more reliable). I'm also a slide release guy on my pistol, and I like to keep it consistent.

Clearly, this video was meant to show that there is no speed advantage, but that hasn't been my experience when testing both methods...

So which do you prefer?
 
I use the charging handle. I like it as it's impossible to miss under stress, but quite frankly if you train enough for it the bolt catch can be just as effective under stress.

For me, the deciding factor for always using the charging handle was consistency in all weather. Using thick gloves in the winter, I found the bolt catch difficult to use. And when it was really cold, and I couldn't even feel my hands, I could still catch that extended charging handle and get the job done.
 
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Bolt. Simply because your hand is right there (as in, in physical close proximity, with your left thumb if you are right handed) when you insert your loaded mag in, whereas with the CA, you have to bend your elbow, move you arm back, rack the CA and then move your hand/forearm and monkey grip the hand guard.

Granted the new Raptor CA helps a whole lot, but the less movement to accomplish a task the better off I am.
 
I recently threw a magpul bad lever on my ar and was skeptical about it because I like using the ping pong paddle and hate using the charging handle. however after shooting a 3 gun match today I have to say I like it quite a bit and would say it's more efficient than either of those methods.
 
I use the bolt release because that was they way I was taught to do it and have done it that way for many years. The bolt release is fine if the gun is not too dirty and the ammo is clean. From what I have been told, using the charging handle drives the BCG forward with more force since you compress the spring a little more when pulling back on the charging handle. If the rifle or ammo is dirty, or the rifle was dropped in the sand or something, this additional force may ensure the the BGC is fully forward and bolt fully engaged so the rifle will fire. Apparently, my rifle has never been that dirty and the bolt release method has always worked for me. Of course I learned back in the day when you used the forward assist when loading the rifle.
 
Bolt release on rifles, rack the slide on pistols for me.

And i still use the forward assist when doing admin loads...

Actually I've used the forward assist closing the bolt on a few mags near the end of a tac rifle course...it was somewhere between 600-800 rounds when the bolt wouldn't fully close on itself due to the amount of crud in the gun. I was actually kind of surprised that it made itself usefull.
 
Steve Janes said:
Bolt release

I also find it a fraction of a second faster, though I am not shooting an AR so my input may not matter
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From what I saw at the course, you're reloads are very efficient because you don't dismount the rifle from your shoulder to complete them. The guy in the video above dismounts the gun and jams it into his oblique to do his reloads. My AR goes into the pit of my elbow during a reload, but it's slower to dismount the rifle, than the method you use.
 
Depends. I use both. Under stress I like to use the palm of my hand on the charging, easier to get. I also use it when I've got double feed, etc... The rest of the time, bolt and ye olde foward assist.
 
Bolt release for me. But thats on my Tavor. That gun is so freaking ergonomic, somebody really did their research when desghning it. I don't have to think about complicated issues like, is it faster to use the bolt release or charging handle? The gun is just plane FAST.
 
I find the position of the stock bolt release awkward. But, after installing a BAD lever I could never go back to the C/H. Despite the BAD lever being designed for right hand people, it still makes it easier for lefties like myself.
 
I've always used the bolt release, it's the way I was taught. To me the charging handle is more for clearing a stoppage or a secondary means of reloading if for whatever reason the bolt catch isn't working. I've recently installed a BAD lever, haven't really got to try it out yet but I'm pretty sure I'm going to like it just from playing around with it. Very slick little upgrade.
 
ChrisAlston said:
I've always used the bolt release, it's the way I was taught. To me the charging handle is more for clearing a stoppage or a secondary means of reloading if for whatever reason the bolt catch isn't working. I've recently installed a BAD lever, haven't really got to try it out yet but I'm pretty sure I'm going to like it just from playing around with it. Very slick little upgrade.
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If the CH is a "secondary method for reloading" then explain how you would charge the rifle if the bolt were NOT locked to the rear??

TDC
 
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