Placement of the AR rifle’s charging handle might well be described as awkward, as it requires the user’s head come far off the gun when chambering a round or locking the bolt back. Such movements can slow reaction times and reduce situational awareness of the target. Side-charging AR uppers are one solution, but can be costly and require unique bolt carriers or other components. The Devil Dog Concepts Hard Charger ($134) on the other hand, installs quickly to standard flat-top upper receivers, replacing the factory charging handle assembly and clamping in place on the Picatinny rail by way of a single machine screw. The unit is made primarily from anodized 7075-series aluminum and stainless steel, and weighs only 5 ozs. Charging handles are available in several styles made from solid aluminum or polycarbonate, or from the latter with a steel core. Rear-mounting models are also available to accommodate specific optic mounts. For more information, please visit devildogconcepts.com.
