A charging handle is a lever or other device used to manually cycle the action of a firearm, particularly a semi-automatic or pump-action weapon. On an AR-15 rifle, the charging handle is typically located at the rear of the upper receiver and is used to pull the bolt carrier group rearward, ejecting a spent cartridge and chambering a new round.
When using a suppressor on an AR-15, it is important to use a charging handle that is specifically designed for suppressed use. This is because the back pressure created by the suppressor can make it difficult to cycle the action of the rifle using a standard charging handle.
