Battle Arms Development RACK Ambidextrous Charging Handle

Hrachya H
by Hrachya H
Battle Arms Development RACK Ambidextrous Charging Handle (4)

Battle Arms Development has first introduced the prototype of RACK ambidextrous AR-15 charging handle at SHOT Show 2018. Recently, they released more information about this charging handle and announced that it is now available for preorder.

Battle Arms Development RACK Ambidextrous Charging Handle (1)

According to Battle Arms Development, the standard AR-15 charging handle was not designed to be pulled from one side or asymmetrically. That’s why when trying to manipulate it by pulling only from the latch side, you are applying excessive stresses to the charging handle latch pin. Indeed, that is the weak point of the original design. So, in order to eliminate this issue, Battle Arms Development designed the RACK charging handle specifically for the asymmetrical use – without a roll pin. The head of this charging handle is mounted to the shaft via two screws and when you pull one or another side of the handle, its entire head pivots thus unlatching it from the upper receiver. The downside of this design is that if you apply exactly equal pressure to both sides of the handle, it won’t unlatch.

Battle Arms Development RACK Ambidextrous Charging Handle (3)

Here are some of the other features of the RACK charging handle:

Truly Original

The revolutionary new mechanism is unlike any other charging handle on the market. We are pleased to receive U.S. Utility Patent No. 9964371, 9810494, 9587896.

Smooth Sliding Latch

Not another pivoting mechanism to wear out the upper receiver notch, this patented latch system slides parallel with the receiver notch for slick and quick release and simultaneously minimizes wear.

Monolithic Modular Handle

Machined from one single piece of aluminum, the RACK™ handle was designed with strength in mind. It is also key to the sliding latch and the positive and balanced pull of the charging handle.

Battle Arms Development RACK Ambidextrous Charging Handle (2)

For a more detailed description of the RACK charging handle and its features watch the Battle Arms Development video which you can find below.

The Battle Arms Development RACK ambidextrous charging handle is CNC machined out of 7075-T6 aluminum and has a hard coat anodized finish of black color. The RACK is listed on the manufacturer’s website at an MSRP of $125.


Images from www.battlearmsdevelopment.com

Hrachya H
Hrachya H

Managing Editor Being a lifelong firearms enthusiast, Hrachya always enjoys studying the history and design of guns and ammunition. Should you need to contact him, feel free to shoot him a message at Hrachya@TheFirearmBlog.com

More by Hrachya H

Comments
Join the conversation
3 of 33 comments
  • Asorel Asorel on Nov 19, 2018

    The mechanism looks almost identical to the Sintercore Tripwire, which last I checked was half the price, and had a gasbusting feature to boot.

    • George Huang George Huang on Nov 19, 2018

      @Asorel The new mechanisms couldn't be more different. We actually worked with Sintercore and evaluated their CH years ago before it came out so we are intimately familiar with that design. Theirs is a PIVOTING latch and the HANDLES are machined as part of the shaft and does not move. The latch is held in only by spring tension and does not "lock" in place. It wears on the upper receiver notch corner on the way IN and OUT due to the spring tension. The latchless designs typically have a problem staying put and often come loose due to recoil/vibration. Also, pending on stacking tolerances, the "tension" or "force" you feel will vary from rifle to rifle. The RACK have a SLIDING latch and the monolithic handle (both sides are one piece) is SEPARATE from the shaft of the CH. It positively locks the handle in place unless you unlock the handle

  • 360_AD 360_AD on Nov 19, 2018

    Practically a whole frickin' year to bring a mere charging handle to market? How is it made? Whittled from a ingot by hand? Nuts.

Next