Rankin Industries Charging Handle

Product Description

The Rankin Industries charging handle is a proprietary AR-15 charging handle designed by Lance Rankin, the gunsmith and owner of Western Sport. This handle is built to Rankin’s specifications for shooters who want a racking handle engineered by someone who builds and repairs rifles daily.

A charging handle is the lever you pull to cycle the bolt carrier group, chamber a round, or clear a malfunction. The latch, length, and grip surface all affect how quickly you can manipulate the rifle under stress or with gloves.

This handle is part of Rankin Industries, Western Sport’s own brand, selected to the same standards Lance applies to custom gunsmith work.

Key Facts

• Brand: Rankin Industries
• Product Name: Rankin Industries Charging Handle
• SKU: RI-Charginghandle
• Category: Upper receiver parts, bolt carrier group and charging handles

How This Charging Handle Fits Your Build

AR-15 charging handles mount inside the upper receiver and hook onto the bolt carrier group. When you pull the handle rearward, it drags the carrier back to compress the buffer spring and eject a spent case or load a fresh round.

Most factory handles are narrow and smooth. Upgraded handles like this one typically feature wider latches, extended levers, or textured grips to make the racking motion faster and more positive. Send us a message to confirm compatibility with your specific upper receiver or carrier group.

Why Shooters Upgrade the Racking Handle

The mil-spec charging handle works, but many shooters find it hard to grip when wearing gloves or running the rifle quickly. A larger latch means you can grab and pull without repositioning your hand or breaking your cheek weld.

Upgraded handles also reduce the chance of a short-stroke malfunction during a press check or chamber inspection. You get more leverage, which matters when the rifle is dirty or the recoil spring is stiff.

Rankin Industries and Western Sport

Rankin Industries is the house brand of Western Sport. Lance Rankin designs these parts based on years of gunsmithing experience and feedback from customers and across the country.

When you buy a Rankin Industries part, you are getting a component built to the same spec Lance uses in his own shop builds.

Ordering from Western Sport

Order online and it ships straight to your door. Western Sport has been a licensed FFL/SOT dealer since 2007, and everything we sell carries the full manufacturer warranty. Questions before you order? Send us a message.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will the Rankin Industries charging handle fit my AR-15 upper receiver?

A: Most AR-15 charging handles follow the mil-spec profile and will fit any mil-spec upper receiver. Send us a message to confirm compatibility with your specific upper, especially if you are using a side-charging system or a proprietary carrier group.

Q: How does this handle compare to Midwest Industries charging handles?

A: Midwest Industries and Rankin Industries both produce aftermarket AR charging handles designed to improve grip and leverage over factory mil-spec handles. Rankin Industries handles are built by the gunsmith who runs Western Sport, so you get local support and direct access to the designer. Send us a message to discuss which option suits your build.

Q: What makes an upgraded charging handle better than the factory handle?

A: Factory mil-spec handles are narrow and smooth, which makes them hard to grip with gloves or under stress. Upgraded handles typically feature wider latches, extended levers, or aggressive texturing to give you more purchase and faster manipulation. They also reduce short-stroking during press checks.

Q: Can I install this charging handle myself?

A: Yes. Installing a charging handle requires no tools and takes seconds. Pull the takedown pins to separate the upper and lower receivers, slide the old handle out, and slide the new handle into the channel at the rear of the upper. Hook it onto the bolt carrier group and reassemble. If you prefer hands-on help, Western Sport offers gunsmithing services.

Additional information