Extended Charging Handle

Abstract

A charging handle for the M16/M4/AR-15 family of rifles, comprising a longitudinal extension bar spacing the grip from the operating arm and from the receiver-mating recess normally found on the grip. The extension bar spaces the grip rearwardly of the receiver group, over the forward end of the stock, to provide better access and clearance to the user, especially under stress, when wearing bulky gloves, or when large optics or other accessories are located on the rear of the receiver.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . For an AR-15 style rifle, a charging handle comprising an operating arm and a grip and a receiver-mating recess, the improvement comprising:
 an extension bar between the operating arm and the grip, the extension bar spacing the grip from the receiver-mating recess and including a forward end defining the receiver-mating recess at a location spaced forwardly from the grip, the extension bar comprising a rigid body having a width at least at the forward end greater than a width of the operating arm, equal to or greater than a width of the receiver-mating recess, and less than a width of the grip.   
     
     
         2 . The charging handle of  claim 1 , wherein the extension bar comprises a single fixed body. 
     
     
         3 . The charging handle of  claim 1 , wherein the extension bar comprises a removable length-adjusting segment between the grip and the operating arm. 
     
     
         4 . The charging handle of  claim 3 , wherein the removable length-adjusting segment comprises a dovetail configuration at forward and rear ends thereof for mating with matching dovetail configurations on the extension bar. 
     
     
         5 . The charging handle of  claim 1 , wherein the extension bar comprises a latch having an elongated latch arm extending the length of the extension bar, and further comprises a slot means along a side thereof for supporting the latch arm. 
     
     
         6 . The charging handle of  claim 5 , wherein the slot comprises a lower shelf supporting and overlying a lengthwise portion of a lower side of the latch arm, and further wherein an upper side of the latch arm is uncovered. 
     
     
         7 . The charging handle of  claim 1 , wherein the extension bar comprises a rectangular bar. 
     
     
         8 . The charging handle of  claim 1 , wherein the width of the extension bar is constant from a forward end adjacent the operating arm to a rear end adjacent the grip. 
     
     
         9 . The charging handle of  claim 1 , wherein the extension bar has a thickness equal to a thickness of the operating arm and of the grip.