Quick Tip: DON'T Ride the Charging Handle!

Published on July 28, 2021
Duration: 1:56

This guide details the correct technique for operating an AR-15 charging handle to prevent failures to go into battery. It emphasizes pulling the handle fully rearward and releasing it completely, allowing the spring to properly seat the bolt. The instruction comes from Caleb at Brownells, highlighting a common operator error.

Quick Summary

To properly operate an AR-15 charging handle and prevent failures to go into battery, pull the handle fully to the rear and release it completely. This allows the spring tension to drive the bolt carrier group forward, ensuring the bolt seats correctly for reliable firing. Avoid 'riding' the handle forward slowly.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Common AR-15 Issue
  2. 00:21Defining Failure to Go Into Battery
  3. 00:44Demonstrating 'Riding the Charging Handle'
  4. 01:13Corrective & Preventative Actions

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes an AR-15 to fail to go into battery?

A common cause is operator error, specifically 'riding' the charging handle forward slowly instead of releasing it fully. This prevents the bolt carrier group from seating completely, meaning the hammer cannot strike the firing pin, leading to a failure to fire.

How do you properly operate an AR-15 charging handle?

To operate the charging handle correctly, pull it fully to the rear until it stops, then release it completely. Allow the rifle's spring tension to drive the bolt carrier group forward to seat the bolt.

What is 'riding the charging handle' on an AR-15?

'Riding the charging handle' refers to manually guiding the charging handle forward slowly rather than letting the bolt carrier group slam forward under spring pressure. This technique often results in the bolt not fully seating, causing a failure to go into battery.

How can you fix an AR-15 that fails to go into battery?

If your AR-15 fails to go into battery, you can attempt to correct it by using the forward assist button to manually push the bolt carrier group fully forward, or by re-racking the charging handle.

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