Shoot an AR with no CH?

[cal7.62x39]

Not that I have any intrest in doing so, but in theory could you shoot an ar without a charging handle intalled? Just push out the rear TD pin, manually load a round, and cock the hammer? Would it cycle and feed reliably? Or would too much gas escape through the CH slot and hit you in the face/eyes? Don't know why I thought to ask, but now I want to know.

 

[MacFromOK]

Sounds kinda like one of those "Hold my beer an' watch this" moments...

 

[DSUFLYBOY]

I would not try it, here's two points why:

1: When I was in the Marines in the late 90's we would take an extra boot lace and tie it to the gas key on the bolt. We would put the bolt back into the AR as normal but WITHOUT the charging handle. During dry fire practice we would take turns "firing" while another recruit would jerk the boot lace back after we dry fired to simulate recoil, BUT more importantly it was to cycle bolt/hammer for the next dry fire drill.

2: The above situation was simulation, to actually FIRE an AR without the charging handle could lead to a damaged gas tube and/or gas key (my best speculation here). The charging handle obviously charges the rifle, BUT it also keeps the bolt centered during operation. Therefore without it in place, theoretically, the bolt could roll left or right from dead center causing the gas key cup to strike the gas tube off center damaging one or both of them.

Please keep in mind this is pure speculation, I am not an armorer; my only credentials are 36 years of shooting, 8 of which were in the Corps (4 active, 4 inactive), and 5 years as a NRA RSO/Instructor.

If you are brave/wealthy enough to try it, I would LOVE to know the actual results please!

Be safe.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[cal7.62x39]

I would not try it, here's two points why:

1: When I was in the Marines in the late 90's we would take an extra boot lace and tie it to the gas key on the bolt. We would put the bolt back into the AR as normal but WITHOUT the charging handle. During dry fire practice we would take turns "firing" while another recruit would jerk the boot lace back after we dry fired to simulate recoil, BUT more importantly it was to cycle bolt/hammer for the next dry fire drill.

2: The above situation was simulation, to actually FIRE an AR without the charging handle could lead to a damaged gas tube and/or gas key (my best speculation here). The charging handle obviously charges the rifle, BUT it also keeps the bolt centered during operation. Therefore without it in place, theoretically, the bolt could roll left or right from dead center causing the gas key cup to strike the gas tube off center damaging one or both of them.

Please keep in mind this is pure speculation, I am not an armorer; my only credentials are 36 years of shooting, 8 of which were in the Corps (4 active, 4 inactive), and 5 years as a NRA RSO/Instructor.

If you are brave/wealthy enough to try it, I would LOVE to know the actual results please!

Be safe.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Well first things first a sincere and genuine thank you for your service. Second, you make a valid point about the bolt potentially rolling, and no I am not brave enough to try. I may try to send IV8888 or demo ranch a message through YouTube to see if they are dumb/rich enough, because I'm sure not either.

 

[THE JOKER]

AR 15 +marine + bootlace - charging handle = let's do this

 

[Fyrtwuck]

AR 15 +marine + bootlace - charging handle = let's do this

Video required.

 

[THE JOKER]

Video required.

Some gas will escape out of the hole left by the absence of the charging handle. I wouldn't want my eye there,but that's the only thing that will happen

 

[bigred1]

Some gas will escape out of the hole left by the absence of the charging handle. I wouldn't want my eye there,but that's the only thing that will happen

I'll hold your beer.

 

[THE JOKER]

I'll hold your beer.

bring your wallet

 

[THE JOKER]

I'll hold your beer.

I prefer cash,guns,scopes,money orders,go fund me...