We're certainly no stranger to aftermarket AR charging handles. Whether it's for easier ambidextrous use, manipulations while wearing gloves, or busting extra gas, there are certainly plenty of good reasons to upgrade from what your Uncle used in Iraq and your grandpa used in Vietnam. There are a lot of ways to mitigate excess gas from a silencer, such as adjustable gas blocks, gas tubes, bolt carriers, gas keys, upper receiver, lower-backpressure silencers, and more. 

As you may have already figured out by the name, SilencerCo engineered the Gas Defeating Charging Handle (GDCH) to redirect excess gas from shooting suppressed away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. This is a story we've heard before; many companies that produce aftermarket charging handles that claim to do the same address the top or body of the charging handle. SilencerCo instead put an O-ring on the bottom of the charging handle. And yes, it has enlarged ambi handles to grab too.

Excess gas has to go somewhere (we even have rifles with suppressor schmaltz between the seams of an upper and lower receiver), but that ‘somewhere' doesn't have to be directly in your face. Yes, some would argue that a gas-busting charging handle is simply treating the symptom (gas in the face) rather than the disease (excess gas) but the most important thing is to not get a face full of atomized lead with every shot. We have a pre-production sample of the SilencerCo GDCH and can confirm it works as designed. It made a particularly troublesome CQBR much more pleasant. You can safely expect a more academic review in the near future.

In the meantime, here's what they have to say about it:

February 10, 2022 — West Valley City, UT — SilencerCo is excited to announce the release of their new Gas Defeating Charging Handle (GDCH) which significantly redirects the blow back of gas associated with shooting AR-15 platforms. Compared to similar products on the market, SilencerCo’s Charging Handle has a unique attribute: it actually works.

The GDCH has a proprietary design feature that incorporates an O-ring seal to prevent gas from escaping from the most prominent point of egress. This seal mitigates the amount of gas that is blown back into the shooter’s face, creating a more comfortable and enjoyable shooting experience.

In addition to significantly redirecting blow back, the GDCH offers ambidextrous levers for a smooth process when charging or clearing a rifle. It is completely manufactured in-house and is machined from aircraft-grade 7075 aluminum. Shooters can utilize the GDCH with all common chamberings for the AR-15 platform.

“It’s been a long time since we have seen a product that so greatly improves the user experience while shooting the AR platform suppressed,” said Product Manager, Andrew Herbst. “Now shooters don’t have to choose between protecting their hearing and dealing with hot gas blowing into their eyes and affecting their ability to breathe. The SilencerCo Gas Defeating Charging Handle is the answer to this common problem.”

The GDCH has an MSRP of $114.00 and is available through the SilencerCo webstore and at local dealers.

It will be shipped with one O-ring already installed and one spare.

[You can visit SilencerCo online here]

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