The revenue from sales of AR-platform rifle accessories and aftermarket parts could run a small third-world nation. Ever since becoming “America’s Rifle”, the AR-15 has truly become ubiquitous, with a very healthy after-market industry in its wake.
One such after-market company is Luth-AR. This Minnesota-based company sells just about anything you need in order to customize your black rifle. From teeny-tiny parts to complete builds, they have what you need. I won’t attempt to list their goods; follow the link above when you have time.
I recently read about something they introduced at the SHOT show that piqued my curiosity. It is a replacement charging handle for an AR-pattern rifle.
You are thinking that there is a vast cottage industry built around charging handles, I know. You are correct. But I had never seen one like the one we have here. Luth-AR calls their Globe Handle. Here is an image from their website (other images are mine.)
I wanted a clear shot of the handle so that you could see its simplicity. You literally have a small metal globe on the handle’s release. It is spring-loaded, so it can unlatch when pulled. That’s what it does. No bells and whistles… just a very easy-to-use bolt handle.
Here are a few more photos of the handle they sent me mounted on my HM Defense suppressed Stealth AR. Both of these items are getting a workout at my backyard range!
(Here’s an interesting side note… in the box with the handle was a complete catalog of all of their products, to be expected, and a large bag of Luth-AR-branded licorice, of all things… definitely not expected! I like it when a company does something off the wall like that.)
So why would you replace your existing Warhammer or other third-party charging handle, or your original one, with this one? Because it works. If you have a scope hanging close to your handle, this round metal ball gives you something to grab very easily – no slipping. Or, if you’re a fingertip charger, this gives you a good purchase.
Here’s a thought my friend Peyton at Lucky Lab Armory offered… if you are (like me) a seasoned citizen, as Rush called us, you might have a touch of arthritis in your hands. I do, and this springy metal globe makes charging my rifle a cinch. He also offered a couple more scenarios I hadn’t thought of… wearing bulky gloves while hunting won’t stop you from charging your rifle, whereas a flat handle (extended or not) might. Lastly, he mentioned that you don’t want an extended handle digging into your chest, as it could while using some slings.
All of these are good points, making this little $49 accessory even more attractive. Do any shooters out there use this? If so, let’s hear from you below.
Here is a link to the Globe Handle’s web page, if you want to know more.
Is there something like that in the catalog that help manipulating the slide on semi-auto pistols?
I’m withholding judgment.
It would be my suspicion that something that large hanging on the inside (for most shooters) of a rifle would catch on too many things. The charging handle is too integral to the operation of an AR.
There is a reason none of the pics of it so far show the complete rifle. They’re all section zoom ins. Almost like they don’t want you to see the true scale of it.
That’s just about the silliest shit I ever saw. That little ball can get caught on any manner of thing. Just the opinion of someone who was issued an AR from 1979-2014.
Most get old at some point and may need odd solutions. Not the silliest thing I have seen, think paperclips bent into a hook taped to the shooter’s trigfer finger that they could not manipulate otherwise. Worked well enough and guy didn’t do bad for groups with cerebral palsy.
Why not make the pistol grip a big ball too and have matching balls?
And made of brass.
“Pistol grip no matchy.”
Won Hung Lo the Chinese kickboxer.
*Ouch*
This is an example of one of those solutions that was searching for a problem to solve.
I’ve used just about all variations of handles for the large and small frames and concluded Strike extended latch models works just fine.
Do not know what the point of the Globe is cause the platform requires one charge and from there the open bolt release is used to charge fresh mags. If the scope interferes with handle access the scope is probably too far back.
Just another carry handle gimmick…laughable!
FYI Kids…Randy Luth is one of the few innovators in the AR area. He founded DPMS and came up with models other makers copy today. At this year’s SHOT Show I watched him talk to and encourage young inventors, adopting a bipod that combined strength and light weight. If he makes something you don’t like, don’t buy it…but many do.