Reciprocating vs Non-Reciprocating charging handles - Pros/Cons of each?

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bubkusjones

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Essentially, I was curious as to why some manufacturers and rifle models use reciprocating charging handles, while others use non-reciprocating handles. This mainly came up as I was on Youtube watching a couple comparison/review videos on the SCAR and ACR, and this being one of the major differences. It didn't go into why FN went with the reciprocating handle while Remmington/Bushmaster went with the non, and most forum/google search results tend to just list them as a difference between one rifle and another, or someone expressing their personal opinion "I don't like reciprocating handles, so I hate this rifle!" Nothing that actually answered my query.

What I'd like to know is what potential benefits a reciprocating handle brings to the design for companies like FN and H&K to use them for the SCAR and XM8 rifles, and why the AR15 and ACR use non-reciprocating handles.


Thanks guys.
 
Pros of a Non-reciprocating charging handle:

It does not reciprocate.

Cons:

More parts, so potential for increased failure.
Generally cannot be used as a Forward Assist.


Pros of a Reciprocating charging handle:

Simple, and usually fewer parts that the Non.
Can sometimes be used a forward assist.

Cons:

Charging handle reciprocates. This can be problematic when the rifle is fired from the opposite hand or if used in a unconventional shooting position. Can get caught on stuff when it moves.


All the above can be fixed or mitigated by different charging handle designs and positions, as well as ancillary equipment like the AR15 forward assist. Other than that, it comes down solely to personal preference.
 
Reciprocating charging handles are much simpler to design and implement - it's a single piece to the bolt. No need for a forward assist, you can bang on the CH if you have a failure.

However it is snag prone, and can cause stoppages and failures if something is limiting it's travel.
 
One small benefit of a reciprocating charging handle is that it is very obvious when there has been a malfunction, such as a double feed or a failure to return to battery, and it also shows clearly when the magazine is empty, which may not be readily visible with a non reciprocating CH.
 
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