Forward Controls Design ACF .308 Ambidextrous Charging Handle

ACF (Ambidextrous Charging handle, Forward Controls) was in development since mid 2018, with its features mostly fleshed out in 2018.  As the case of many of their designs that spend a long time in development, this time was well spent, they don't believe in using customers to beta test products.

Simple goals, the execution is anything but, as they called for improvements in multiple areas.  They based ACF's design on the TDP charging handle because like many other original designs, the charging handle is under appreciated for its simplicity and brilliance. ACF improves on the TDP design where they can, but retains its best features.

Design objectives:

• A stronger, more durable ambidextrous charging handle that can withstand repeated mortaring.
• A better means of deflecting gas and debris from the shooter's face and eyes when shooting with a sound suppressor.

Features:

• The width of the T handle is barely wider than its TDP counterpart.  The sole reason ACF's T handle is wider is to provide protection to the latches.
• They retained the gentle rearward sweeping slope of the T handle, and avoided a forward cant. A forward cant is more snag prone, they also wanted the users to be able to let go of the latch without having to make a exaggerated motion to get his hand out of the way of the latch.  In this, they again followed the original design.
• ACF is significantly taller/thicker than the TDP design.  Both the front strap and the curved back strap of the ACF are aggressively serrated.  The back strap's slight curve follows the curve of the user's thumb.
• ACF uses solid pins, and the pin holes are semi blind holes (larger on top, smaller on the bottom) that will not allow the pins to fall through.
• A taller and better gas deflection fence.  ACF's fence is taller than the upper receiver, and is horse shoe shaped to conform to the area of the upper where it meets the charging handle.
• ACF's T handle is immovable, and fixed in place like the TDP design. Like the TDP design, the fixed T handle is strong and has no moving parts.
• Machined from 7075 aluminum, ACF is Type III hard coat anodized, and available in Black and FDE.
• Like all Forward Controls Design products, ACF is proudly designed and made in the USA.
• U.S. Patent Nos. 7,900,546 and 7,240,600, under license.