These wings provide a couple of benefits. Like it’s father the Raptor, the handle is ambidextrous with large wings protruding. Just looking at it you know it’s going to be a lot more expensive. Made in Salem, Oregon, the charging handle comes with a limited lifetime warranty.īut the stuff that gives the Raptor SD / Freedom Bone the big price tag doesn’t need a fancy label to bring it to your attention. Type 3 is thicker and harder than the other common standard, Type 2, making it more durable. Then the Raptor SD / Freedom Bone is Mil-Spec Type 3 anodized. It’s made of 7075 aluminum which is used in aerospace and many AR-15 receivers and other parts. On the other hand, we do find information not available for the less expensive standard handle. Not included in that list are light weight, low profile or low cost.

Rather than a basic bag, this work of art is packaged in a shiny blister pack with a multicolor insert touting the benefits of the Raptor SD / Freedom Bone. Apparently I got one of the last AXTS branded versions Brownells had in stock so I’m linking to the Radian branded version here. It is a descendent of the AXTS Raptor charging handle. You get both for twenty bucks.įor the top tier AR-15 charging handle I selected the $104.99 Radian Weapons Raptor SD (aka, the AXTS Freedom Bone, not to be confused with the B1 Bomber moniker). If low profile and/or light weight are priorities, you should be excited. Does that matter? Probably not as it takes a lot more than that actually charge your AR, but at least it provides some basis for comparison. The latch spring feels strong, requiring twenty-two ounces of pressure to completely open the latch. It’s clean with semi-matte finished anodizing. It came in a plain bag with the usual yellow Brownells label. Is one of these really worth 525% of the other? Off to Brownells I went.įor the standard handle I selected the Brownells branded $19.99 charging handle. Now that the designs have matured I wanted to compare one of the highest priced charging handles with a standard charging handle. A few years back there was an explosion of new charging handle designs that made various promises at various price points.

If you own and AR-15 you can pick from a virtually infinite catalog of options to set up your gun.

Radian raptor sd