Drop In Side Charging Handle for AR-15

[saberforge]

I have been working on this for about a year, and its finally finished.

Its a no gun smithing required upgrade for the ar-15, it fixes the design flaw of the original charging handle, allowing the operator to maintain his main hand grip on the fire control, while his off hand pulls the side charger back and engages the bolt lock.

I have to say, I am extremely proud of this design, it's my first (but definitely not my last) 100% original gun part, and I think I came out of the corner swinging.

It's not for sale on calguns, so don't ask, I just wanted to show off all my hard work.

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oi-GNppUQi8

[Full Clip]

Very clever design.
What a tease!

[Reelemup]

Does it do what ? Other then load a round ?

[Scuba951]

So. Much. Want.

Patent that beezy ASAP.

[223556]

Just watched the video, that is freaking awesome!
So any chance it will go into production?

[saberforge]

Yup, initial run was just finished, and the first production run is about to commence. Once I have stock on hand I will get a calguns dealer membership and start selling them, sorry for the tease.

[Chewbaca]

Posting this online was a very bad idea , there's Chinese
Children already making this in sweat shops as we speak !

[saberforge]

Originally Posted by Chewbaca

Posting this online was a very bad idea , there's Chinese
Children already making this in sweat shops as we speak !

I'm not super worried about it. It can't be made from inferior 6061 alloy, or forged, or it will flex and deform, it has to be machined from 7075 billet to the exacting tolerances of my original design, so theirs not a going to be much room for them to undercut.

And if I was worried about all of my designs being ripped off by china, I would have to stop creating altogether. I'm not scared about that, in fact I already have my next design in the works, it's equally as cool.

[CK_32]

Wtf that's kinda cool..

But I see a lot of wear and carnage on one side which could fail over time.. But it does look beefy. I want to see that run.

[saberforge]

Originally Posted by CK_32

Wtf that's kinda cool..

But I see a lot of wear and carnage on one side which could fail over time.. But it does look beefy. I want to see that run.

I made the walls of the bolt channel 20% thicker and used the most durable alloy available, with a heat treat, it's not going to fail.

As soon as the production run is finished I will be debuting them on calguns. The initial run is finished and up on evilbay, but your better off waiting for the production run, the cosmetics will be much better.

[HOGLEG]

I think I like it!

[MrPlink]

Lol at reciprocating charging handles being unsafe!

[thenodnarb]

Pretty sweet!

[pikebruin]

What a great idea. Sign me up for one.

[nastyhabts26]

Nice

[CK_32]

Originally Posted by saberforge

I made the walls of the bolt channel 20% thicker and used the most durable alloy available, with a heat treat, it's not going to fail.

As soon as the production run is finished I will be debuting them on calguns. The initial run is finished and up on evilbay, but your better off waiting for the production run, the cosmetics will be much better.

If you need a Calguns tested send me one ill run the sh* out of it.

That's cool man can't wait to see them out. Might consider picking one up

[Intimid8tor]

Very cool. I remember when you were first talking about making it. At least I think I remember you talking about it. I would patent it if I were in your shoes.

Good job.

[Guruwes]

I'm in!

[12GAUGE]

I like it !!! Cant find it on the Ebay???

[Fritz265]

Great idea. Big question: What's your MSRP? That will determine the commercial success of your idea that's a relatively minor concern for most.

[Lucky Scott]

Nice.
Please add my email to your list and let me know when you are ready to sell.
speedscene@aol.com

[saberforge]

MSRP is going to be 149.00 out of the gate. My goal is to reduce that to 125.00 by the second commercial run, once production costs allow it.



There is a quite a lot more material used, and a much more time consuming machining process *machining from billet instead of forging*, than similarly priced inferior charging handles.

[ir0nclash86]

Whats the weight?

[Fritz265]

Originally Posted by saberforge

MSRP is going to be 149.00 out of the gate. My goal is to reduce that to 125.00 by the second commercial run, once production and costs allow it.



There is a quite a lot more material used, and a much more time consuming machining process *machining from billet instead of forging*, so considering the price point of inferior designs like the badger ordnance and raptor charging handles, I think that will be very competitive.

I touch the charging handle once, maybe twice on any given range visit so it would be just cool factor for me. It's pricey but I'd probably buy one just for that reason alone.

[TurboChrisB]

Great job.....these are gonna sell.

[akoba]

It's the same concept and design of this one. Right?

[gil671]

Sign me up for one too!

[ImAti0n]

Are you going to make any for left handed shooters?

EDIT: Now that I think of it, probably not due to the ejection port I take it.

[Mossy Man]

I think that's definitely cool, and looks less cheesy than the sidewinder shown.....

But I just spent $50 on a BCM VLTOR Gunfighter

[KMod]

1. Patent
2. Get military contract
3. ????
4. Profit

[FNH5-7]

Does it work with VLtor MUR's?

Does it scratch the upper?

[Fritz265]

Originally Posted by KMod

1. Patent
2. Get military contract
3. ????
4. Profit

Military won't pay that much for it. There have been many ideas for this over the past 40+ years with the M-16 platform but they were all too costly for the military as they never saw it as a major problem that needed millions of dollars to solve. It's just not that important.

Commercially though, he may sell a few. When it comes down to it, the price is going to keep it out of most hands.

[saberforge]

I haven't tried it and unfortunately don't have access to a MUR. I designed it specifically for the standard forged ar-15 upper, It will not scratch that upper, I designed it for that upper since that's closer to what the military is using, and I would love me a contract.

Fritz, never underestimate the military industrial complexes tendency towards waste and overbuilding. Cough, F22/Osprey/Bradley/ect ad naseum.



Nope won't be doing a left handed version, but I will be doing a .308 version.

[KMod]

Originally Posted by Fritz265

Military won't pay that much for it. There have been many ideas for this over the past 40+ years with the M-16 platform but they were all too costly for the military as they never saw it as a major problem that needed millions of dollars to solve. It's just not that important.

Commercially though, he may sell a few. When it comes down to it, the price is going to keep it out of most hands.

I wasn't being entirely serious.

Besides I dont think anything is too costly. We spend 400 dollars on a trackball for mice... literally 5 dollars of plastic... maybe. Justification: It's an old bullnose and thus the parts dont exist/aren't manufactured for them anymore. To which I say.... Dude I need a new job.

But yes, the cost is prohibitive currently.

[Fritz265]

Get a thousand Chinese kids to machine it and the math may work : )

[eviioiive]

It already is a side charger and the bad lever is a whole lot cheaper, lighter...

[Fritz265]

Originally Posted by KMod

I wasn't being entirely serious.

Besides I dont think anything is too costly. We spend 400 dollars on a trackball for mice... literally 5 dollars of plastic... maybe. Justification: It's an old bullnose and thus the parts dont exist/aren't manufactured for them anymore. To which I say.... Dude I need a new job.

But yes, the cost is prohibitive currently.

But SO units are pretty much allowed to buy whatever they want. If he can get some of them to use it and test it, you just never know.. It looks like it's a quality product. If it were MY idea, I'd send it, gratis, to a few SO teams.

[pc_load_letter]

Hope you can get production up and running soon. Looks like a great idea.

Question....

Does it mar up the side of the receiver over a given period of time? For instance, with a cerekote'd receiver, do you anticipate it would scratch up the finish over time?

Any chance of making that knob lay flat ala the Adcor charging handle and some aftermarket SCAR charging handles?

[hermosabeach]

Maybe I am missing the need to lock the bolt open while maintaining a firing grip.

Other than clearing a type 3 malfunction, locking to the rear is an administrative skill.

The one think I see have issues with charging handle is the user pulling it off center when charging and 1) wearing the charging handle on 1 side 2) wear on the upper from the same as in #1 when the handle is pulled to the rear off axis 3) bending the charging handle due to really pulling to the rear off axis and the bend charging handle causing the bolt to fail to return to battery.

Does moving the pivot point forward help prevent the user from pulling the charging handle to the read off axis??? If yes, then I see a problem that can be fixed with the handle

[Lost.monkey]

Would be better if the charging knob were a knob that snapped flat like the RRA LAR.