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Page General » General Discussion
Archived [ARCHIVED THREAD] - Which is the Correct Side of a Rifle for the Charging Handle?
Posted: 11/15/2019 7:52:18 PM EDT
Who got this right?  The Europeans with the left charging HKs, FALS, etc or the Americans right charging M1, M14?

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 7:53:58 PM EDT
[#1]
Both sides is the correct side.

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 7:54:20 PM EDT
[#2]
Eugene Stoner with the ambidextrous one

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 7:54:48 PM EDT
[#3]
Handles intergral to the op rod don't really count.

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 7:55:15 PM EDT
[#4]
Left

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 7:55:17 PM EDT
[#5]
Trick question - it should be on both sides a la the AR-15.

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 7:56:11 PM EDT
[#6]
Left.  Between my M1A and my FN SCAR, the SCAR is a pleasure to shoot.

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 7:56:17 PM EDT
[#7]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Both sides is the correct side.
View Quote
This is difficult to argue.  But back in the 50s and 60s decisions were made for reasons.

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 7:56:54 PM EDT
[#8]
If I could have only one it would be opposite of the hand used to hold the grip.
Link Posted: 11/15/2019 7:57:01 PM EDT
[#9]
I prefer left side + ambi rear.
Link Posted: 11/15/2019 7:57:13 PM EDT
[#10]
top

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 7:57:22 PM EDT
[#11]
Left

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 7:57:49 PM EDT
[#12]
This is a trick question.
You don't have C) Both Sides

Boy was I slow.
Link Posted: 11/15/2019 8:02:46 PM EDT
[#13]
Doesn't matter to me, I have and use both without issue.

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 8:38:54 PM EDT
[#14]
Right side for a righty.

[And, by default, right side for a lefty??]

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 8:45:27 PM EDT
[#15]
Trick question, ambidextrous like the Belgians intended.

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 8:47:46 PM EDT
[#16]
Left, or both.

Left-handedness is a form of retardation.

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 8:51:35 PM EDT
[#17]
Left, though I prefer the AR15 arrangement.

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 8:52:53 PM EDT
[#18]
Radian got this right
Link Posted: 11/15/2019 8:54:16 PM EDT
[#19]
Right side like bolt actions for a long time and you don't have to move your face out of the way to do so.

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 8:55:13 PM EDT
[#20]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Left, or both.

Left-handedness is a form of retardation.
View Quote
Can still go over the potato or under the potato.

Who’s the retard now?
Link Posted: 11/15/2019 8:55:28 PM EDT
[#21]
The AR charger and forward assist are the two worst features of the rifle.
Link Posted: 11/15/2019 8:56:46 PM EDT
[#22]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
If I could have only one it would be opposite of the hand used to hold the grip.
View Quote
Same thoughts as well. Shoot righty and handling the RBD today was digging the charge handle latch on the left side.

Any aftermarket charge handle for the RBD yet that is not polymer but at least aluminum? Not to derail said thread.

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 8:57:57 PM EDT
[#23]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
The AR charger and forward assist are the two worst features of the rifle.
View Quote
... and neither were originally included in Stoner’s design.

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 9:02:41 PM EDT
[#24]
I'd really like it on the left.

The AR is fine, ambi I guess, but somewhat awkward with certain optics, and cant be used while shouldered.

Being able to work the rifle from a ready or low ready would be nice.

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 9:03:35 PM EDT
[#25]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:

... and neither were originally included in Stoner's design.

https://www.pewpewtactical.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/early-ar15.jpg
View Quote
Ironically a design found on the FAMAS bullpup.

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 9:18:48 PM EDT
[#26]
Americans got it right, but I shoot left-handed so there's that.

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 9:19:54 PM EDT
[#27]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Americans got it right, but I shoot left-handed so there's that.
View Quote

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 9:21:41 PM EDT
[#28]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Both sides is the correct side.
View Quote
This is correct
Link Posted: 11/15/2019 9:23:11 PM EDT
[#29]
Well, if you are shooting any kind of supported position, for a right-handed shooter, a left-side charging handle screws up your position.
Link Posted: 11/15/2019 9:23:33 PM EDT
[#30]
Left.

Right doesn’t even make sense unless you’re one of those weirdo lefties
Link Posted: 11/15/2019 9:25:20 PM EDT
[#31]
Left
Link Posted: 11/15/2019 9:32:47 PM EDT
[#32]
A hundred years ago when the engineers at Auto Ordnance designed the Thompson submachine gun ergonomics were a very prevalent factor in all of industrial design.  That's why the Thompson was correctly designed with the swept back vertical fore grip and the cocking knob on top.

In any case, OP's question and poll appear to miss the point that the AR-15/M16 patern firearms do not charge from either left or right side, rather centrally from the rear.

Be well.

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 9:35:12 PM EDT
[#33]
Only on the left side.

Yeah, that's the crip's side.

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 9:55:50 PM EDT
[#34]
If the rifle has a pistol grip, you should not have to let go of it to pull the bolt to the rear and lock it open.
Link Posted: 11/15/2019 10:04:03 PM EDT
[#35]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
The AR charger and forward assist are the two worst features of the rifle.
View Quote
Well you're half right.

FA is FAids.

The stock charging handle can be improved, and is easily done so (SCH, ACH, Raptor, some others).
Link Posted: 11/15/2019 10:06:44 PM EDT
[#36]
Ambi and NOT near your face.
Link Posted: 11/15/2019 10:10:38 PM EDT
[#37]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Ambi and NOT near your face.
View Quote
Works for me.
Link Posted: 11/15/2019 10:13:12 PM EDT
[#38]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
The AR charger and forward assist are the two worst features of the rifle.
View Quote
I agree on the charging handle.

Has anyone ever made a workable alternative to the rear charging handle (other than the top handle of the original design)?

A modified upper that has a side charging handle?
Link Posted: 11/15/2019 10:36:13 PM EDT
[#39]
Left side like the FAL and the XCR which copied it.

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 11:45:29 PM EDT
[#40]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
...
In any case, OP's question and poll appear to miss the point that the AR-15/M16 patern firearms do not charge from either left or right side, rather centrally from the rear.
....
View Quote
Standard, Gunfighter and ambi-gunfighter handles are made to me charged with one had, so you can carry the question on to which hand you choose?

Link Posted: 11/15/2019 11:53:30 PM EDT
[#41]
NON Reciprocating LEFT hand is correct.  Keeps your trigger hand on the trigger; uses the other hand to cock.


Archived [ARCHIVED THREAD] - Which is the Correct Side of a Rifle for the Charging Handle?
Page General » General Discussion
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