charging handle hanging

[hunter2]

Have tried the search but could not find anything relevant. Does anybody know of or has seen a charging handle hang on the bolt and come flying back into somebody's face when fired?

[FA Gunner]

20 years in the military with lots of range and deployment time with the M16/M4. Never seen or heard of this happening.

[Libertarian_Geek]

A simple trouble-shooting technique is to "Frog the parts."

Swap just the bolt carrier. Does it still occur?
Swap just the charging handle. Does it still occur?
This should isolate the component.

Now, put the isolated component into another rifle. Did the problem follow the isolated part?
If so, then the problem was completely isolated to a single component. End.

Else...
If not, then the problem was an interference point between the isolated component and an interfacing component.
Move the "interfacing component" over to the new rifle with the "isolated component".
Does the problem reoccur now?
If so, then the problem was the interface of the two components. End.

[tsands974]

If your charging handle hits you in the face, you're doing it wrong.

[doubloon]

With the bolt locked back are you able to freely move the charging handle without resistance?

With the bolt locked back are you able to seat the charging handle fully forward?

[tsands974]

Hard to tell if the OP actually had this happen or if he is just asking out of curiosity. I would be interested to know if this has actually happened, I would imagine it would leave a nice little black eye or pinch the living daylights out of your cheek between the handle and tube.

This is a new one on me, I have never heard or seen anything regarding charging handle issues, other than the release spring breaking. The only major issue with an M4 I've ever had was a bolt face that ruptured while fully locked inside the star chamber on my M4A4. As you can imagine, it was a catastrophic failure and required a completely new upper. Fortunately, it was at a range and not overseas.

[Libertarian_Geek]

I'm assuming that the OP is experiencing the problem that he described and it's not just theory (but it may be).
Based on that premise, my guess is that something is going on between the gas key and charging handle.

[doubloon]

I just want to see video because it would either have to be the filthiest bolt on the planet or the mother of all screwed up reassemblies.

[hunter2]

No it has not happened to me. Just wondering if anybody has accidentally triggered the release latch on something and got a face full. I know the ar has been around a long time but that charging handle has always bothered me being that close to something so good looking. Thanks for the answers.

[Libertarian_Geek]

No it has not happened to me. Just wondering if anybody has accidentally triggered the release latch on something and got a face full. I know the ar has been around a long time but that charging handle has always bothered me being that close to something so good looking. Thanks for the answers.

Your gas key would need to be severely bent so as to capture the end of the charging handle (if it could even be made to happen).

Don't fear the charging handle. Get your nose "all up in there" and learn to enjoy it (#phrasing).

[tsands974]

No it has not happened to me. Just wondering if anybody has accidentally triggered the release latch on something and got a face full. I know the ar has been around a long time but that charging handle has always bothered me being that close to something so good looking. Thanks for the answers.

Your gas key would need to be severely bent so as to capture the end of the charging handle (if it could even be made to happen).

Don't fear the charging handle. Get your nose "all up in there" and learn to enjoy it (#phrasing).