The purpose of an AR 15 charging handle is very simple: It "charges" your rifle. It certainly isn't as glamorous as an AR-15 trigger or an AR-15 handguard, but it serves its purpose. And just like rifles themselves, some charging handles are better than others; this leads them to the RISE Armament RA-212 Extended Latch Charging Handle.

After you insert a magazine into your rifle, you pull back on the charging handle. This process allows the bolt to grab a round and feed it into the chamber. After that, you're ready to shoot. However, not all charging handles are equal.

The RISE RA-212 is precision CNC-machined from 7075-T6 aluminum; this makes it both durable and lightweight. It fits all mil-spec AR-15 upper receivers. Important factors of a good charging handle are ease of use and speed. With that in mind, the RA-212 features an extended latch that allows for both easier and faster charging.

However, the main focus here is durability. Why is that so important? Think about how much you use your rifle. Then think about how much you pull on your charging handle. You want a handle that lasts over time. The RA-212 is as durable as it gets. Remember, they use 7075-T6 aluminum. Beyond that, the RA-212 also has a hardcoat anodized flat black finish. A couple of key benefits of the finish are durability and corrosion resistance. The finish is also harder than tool steel, so it provides serious strength. Add that to the aluminum’s light weight and you have one of the toughest charging handles you'll find.

Weight: 1.4 oz