THIS IS AN INACTIVE GIVEAWAY!
Although I’m not left handed, I’ve been practicing shooting with my non-dominate hand for a few years now. Many military units, security forces, and S.W.A.T. teams have been doing the same for God knows how long. In order to appease the lefties as well as those who train to shoot with either hand, a few companies have rolled out ambidextrous charging handles for the AR platform. Most of these products do a decent job but until now, none of them had been built specifically for ambi use. Instead, they are all modifications of existing products. Each of these modified charging handles have added springs, pins, or extended handle extensions. Some of them have even drilled and/or cut the original charging handle to install their new parts. All of this creates weak points in the products. The TacOps-1 from Mech Armor Defense Systems, Inc. has none of this.
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CNC machined from a solid piece of 7075 T-6 aluminum, the TacOps-1 ambidextrous charging handle offers an extended grip on both the right and left sides. This allows for clearance around most optics. However, it does not extend so far as to cause problems with your other gear. While all competing products utilize multiple pins and extra pieces, Mech Defense opted for the K.I.S.S. strategy. The design uses only 5 parts including a single latch which extends to the rear of the charging handle then bends to provide a point for your right thumb to depress it. This causes the latch to rotate on the single roll pin and release without the need for extra parts.
The 7 pound spring ensures positive engagement of the latch which is overkill in most cases. However, the standard charging handle designs do not take into account the added pressure from suppressors and such which can cause weaker springs to unlatch and send the handle back at your face. Inserted and capping off the spring is a brass pin which keeps debris from getting into and around the spring itself. The latch pushes against the self lubricating brass pin allowing for easier operation along with less wear and tear over time.
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I’ve been using The Tac Latch but have had some problems with the handle being too long and hanging up on my sling while maneuvering. I can also see how The Tac Latch could easily bend or break if my rifle were to be dropped or knocked over. The TacOps-1 is much more robust and can clearly take a lot more of a beating than any of the other charging handles I’ve used. It’s considerably more comfortable to use than my Mod 4 BCM Gunfighter and easy to use with or without gloves.
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Mech Armor has provided their TacOps-1 to a number of police, military, and firearms companies for testing and evaluation. From everything I have read, it has passed all test thrown at it with flying colors and the company stands behind the product with a lifetime warranty.
No matter if you’re right or left handed, the TacOps-1 is a great charging handle. At this point, this is the only rear charging handle I will be using.
Time for another giveaway. This drawing will take place on Tax day, April 15th, 2012. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below and follow our usual Giveaway rules.
A special thank you to Jason, from Guns & Ammo Garage, who helped out with the video portion of this review.
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A devilishly handsome individual, 702Shooter is a sucker for adorable puppies, long walks on the beach, and cuddling after romantic interludes. In his spare time he runs this website and raises penguins in his back yard.
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{ 160 comments… read them below or add one }
Left eye dominant shooter…would like to give it a shot. Thanks.
Looks interesting. I like the size of it.
I like it.
I should work on my ambi skills, count me in for the drawing.
Would like to try it out….
Right handed, but left eye dominant. Would love to try it.
I’m in.
Sweet.
Semper Paratus.
It’s good to be prepared.
Always nice to have options. Neat product.
As a left-handed shooter, this would come in handy.
Looks like a useful addition.
Very Handy for my Carpal tunnel surgery
i switch occasionally and this would be great.
It looks a bit odd, but I’d be interested in trying one out. As a lefty shooter I usually put my index on the latch side, thumb on the other and charge the gun overhand. Works well enough at the range, but leaves something to be desired.
I am another right hander that shoots with my left. Started in the corps and I have switched off since.
This should help left eye dominant shooters make shooting lefty more manageable (just watch out for the brass)!
Interesting… but I’ll stick with my rt handed M4. I’m to old to change.
Awesome. Gotta get one for my father
Interesting . . . Worth a try.
I’m not sure how the rear of the latch works when under an optic.
Your thumb comes in from the side, not over the top. The advantage for the optic is the wider handle, not the thumb button.
I’m left eye dominant also…this would be a huge help!
This would be a great add-on to my AR setup!
Gotta cover all basis! I’m in for the lefty!!!
I would like to try one out.
Count me in.
I can safely say that I will probably purchase this.
i’ll give it a shot. add me to the list
Looks like a great set up. Having a 3×9 scope on my AR (for predator hunting) the Tac Latch looks like it has ample clearance for the optic. Sign me up.
I remember when I first heard about the BCM Gunfighter. I was skeptical but eventually bought the midsize one.
It took me a few days and I still wasn’t sure. Then I picked up an AR with a conventional charging handle and in that moment I was convinced. The BCM Gunfighter almost made the AR like a different gun when charging – smoother, easier one handed charging.
Sounds like this could yield a similar improvement – maybe even better!
Solid looking product, would like to give it a try. Thanks for the review and chance at winning one.
As A Lefty, This appears like the solution to a real problem for me. Count me in!!!
This looks like a great product for my AR. Thanks for the information and for the giveaway opportunity!
Count me in!
Looks interesting and I like it.
as a left eye dom. shooter this would be great
I am left eye dominate but right handed so I usually practice with both sides. I am interested to how much this helps.
I like to practice shooting with both hands and both eyes from time-to-time. This would be fun!
I am left eye dominant and shoot AR’s left. This is a great concept and I would love to give it a try!
My AR is having custom work done at Wild West Guns right now. I may have to consider adding this!
anything to make a rifle more comfortable to the shooter!
This sounds like a lot of good design philosophy went into it.
This is a great idea!
Love the looks. Would look great on my LMT!!!!!!
They put safety first which I like. This should be a good seller and a very good add-on for anyone’s AR.
Man love the left handed feature count me in!
Sign me up… always run my ar’s ambi
I’ll have to give it a try
Very cool. I enjoy reading about these new products.
About time someone did it right.
sign me up for one.
Amazing. Would love to try it out.
I would really like one of these!
Count me in.
Sign me up!
I like the Tac Latch, it would help clear the scope when charging the weapon
I should learn to shoot left handed
What a great idea, about time.
An idea whose time has come… Nice job!
def. interested great idea!
I’d like to try it out.
looks like a great product
I’m fairly fond of my BCM Mod4 but this looks interesting
Would make an amazing addition to my custom build lefty being worked on at WILD WEST GUNS right now!
Could be a useful product for lefty’s…
Wrap it up…I’ll take it.
Sooo very cool. Would look great on my boomstick
Would come in handy!
could use one.
would like to try ambi
Very cool
this would go good on my AR Build
very nice!
Nice! Would be great addition to my first AR!
Just re read the article. Great info!
Interesting charging handle. I like the simplicity.
I need a new charging handle. This looks like it would be much easier to grab.
This would be a great addition to a weapon.
As a lefty, I look forward to rounding out my ambi-build with this.
In like Flynn!
I’m in. Thanks!
Now this could be a handy piece of gear to have. Sign me up for the drawing please.
Dig that it’s beefy. Doesn’t look like it will bust if you look at it wrong
I use an ambidextrous latch on my competition rifle. It makes it a lot easier to lock the bolt back and show clear after each stage.
Would be a nice mod for my wrong-handed friend…lol!
!
very cool design. just built an AR. i could really use this.
Just what the doctored ordered ! And he should know, he’s left handed too.
Count me in
Being left handed I can certainly use one of these!
Awesome! I’m in!
This looks like a really nice upgrade from my plain vanilla charging handle. I’d love to have one!
This would get out of the way of my optics and make charging easier.
Awsome upgrade! I’d love to have one
Seems pretty cool…
Not as cool looking as the Rainier Arms/AXTS Raptor, but definitely stronger, and I’m all about function over form. I’d really like to put this charging handle through its paces.
Looks like a well thought out product. I’ve been looking for a sturdy ambi CH and this might fit the bill!
It looks like it is built like a tank and being left handed and clumsy it seems like a perfect solution for me.
I remember seeing this before it came out and was up in the air on whether or not I would find it handy. Thanks guys for the video, it helped me decide that I would be able to put this on my build and not feel like I wasted some money. Looks a lot stronger than I was expecting it to be, I will have no problem taking one down range with me on my current build.
- Zach
I would love to have this
Im in
No you’re not.
You might want to read the giveaway rules as suggested.
s w e e e e e t
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