Handmade cocking handle (milled by my dad)

BigGameHunter

BigGameHunter

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Here is my dads latest effort on one of my ideas. I wanted a bigger lever on my m4 so he took a piece of aluminum and the first one we made too thin in a spot and it started showing stress issues after only a couple dozen testing cocking back and forth of the gun so we made a thicker one it still is very lightweight and makes it much easier to #### the rifle (2 fingers instead of a pinched half finger). Also it is smooth so it doesn't really have much chance of catching on anything. What do you guys think?

I left it unfinished as it is aluminum but I may put a black toughcoat of something later on but for now I like it as is.

 
Unanodized aluminum = soft = likely to break

A charging handle that big will catch on stuff, but that is not necessarily a huge issue if the rifle isn't being carried around.
 
Looks more like a can opener to me... But good DIY effort, whatever makes you happy.

At about $60 a used charging handle isn't that bad of an idea.
 
Winz said:
Unanodized aluminum = soft = likely to break

A charging handle that big will catch on stuff, but that is not necessarily a huge issue if the rifle isn't being carried around.
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Fail. Only the surface of the anodized aluminum is hard. Like maybe .002" thick MAX with Type III anodizing.

It's the heat-treating that makes it stronger.
 


I'd round out the corner but otherwise good job. Is it just me, or is your rear sight canted/bent? I also doesn't look like you've staked your castle nut, but it's hard to tell.
 
Clobbersauras said:


I'd round out the corner but otherwise good job. Is it just me, or is your rear sight canted/bent? I also doesn't look like you've staked your castle nut, but it's hard to tell.
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I noticed that as soon as I posted it. It wasn't tightened at all.

Like the guy said before anodizing doesn't make anything stronger and I already learned from testing where it needed to be strengthened and that is where I did. If I made it really thin I would of had to use carbon steel which I make a template out of but the aluminum is much easier to work with and I think it turned out fine. I think things that are easy to grab onto and substantial and this really doesn't need to be thinner to reduce weight or anything as I doubt it even weighs an ounce so my theory is make it bigger if its not going to hurt and I would of rather made it too big and work with the design/profile rather than too small and brittle. If the Castle nut isn't staked then it was never from the factory. I didn't stake it. Anyways any advice you give thats positive is only going to benefit everyone here. thanks again.

When someone said 60 bucks for a used one isn't a bad idea you find me a good used tactical latch for that price that isn't beaten to hell and that much better than this to justify it and I'll spend it. I thought it looked pretty good and no the edge is not pointy it has all been gone over with jewelers rouge and polished. I didn't go crazy as it is going to get nicked up anyways. Most cocking handles are about 100 bucks I would say and that is a ripoff imo. You may not like the look of it but it functions flawlessly was made for free and 20 minutes of my dads time so really the value is there but thanks to anyone who likes it. later.
 
Throttle_monkey1 said:
Fail. Only the surface of the anodized aluminum is hard. Like maybe .002" thick MAX with Type III anodizing.

It's the heat-treating that makes it stronger.
Click to expand...

My bad and poor choice of words. So definite fail.

I'm referring more to the sheering on the aluminum than possible snapping/break.
 
Anytime a Dad takes enough interest
to do something like that it is a definite
winner. Good for him and for you!
 
When someone said 60 bucks for a used one isn't a bad idea you find me a good used tactical latch for that price that isn't beaten to hell and that much better than this to justify it and I'll spend it. I thought it looked pretty good and no the edge is not pointy it has all been gone over with jewelers rouge and polished. I didn't go crazy as it is going to get nicked up anyways. Most cocking handles are about 100 bucks I would say and that is a ripoff imo. You may not like the look of it but it functions flawlessly was made for free and 20 minutes of my dads time so really the value is there but thanks to anyone who likes it. later.
Click to expand...


How about $32.50?? Canadian Made and Spec'd for Colt Canada? There are some options that won't break the bank... And if they're good enough to go on guns out of the factory, they're good enough for me.

taclatch.jpg



http://www.neitarms.com/index.php?m..._id=52&zenid=7521b7f30715c7d93f4114f0dbe3b4ac
 
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