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  1. #1
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    Rainier Arms Ambi Raptor Charging handle

    I recently acquired a Raptor Charging handle here's my review. I'm running this on a LMT MRP CQB

    First and foremost let's start this off by saying kudos to Rainier Arms for producing such an effective, sleek and SEXY charging handle. I love this thing.

    1. When charging my weapon with either hand. I noticed the charge is smooth and uninterrupted. Various amounts of pressure was put on both sides as well and to say the least there is no undue movement or binding. Smooth charge is the best way to explain it.

    2. With bare hands or gloves this thing is just a pull away and easy to grab. Wet, mud grime etc has not caused any issues

    3. Made in AMERICA!!!

    4. The design of this Raptor makes it easy to use with the thumb and finger method or with ones edge of Palm

    5. The oversized roll pins are also a nice feature considering they are much larger than others on the market. Meaning less chance of failure.

    6. The price is perfect at just about 80 bucks you can't go wrong with this. It makes a day of shooting much more enjoyable!

    I can say I'm done with BCM charging handles and others I have used in the past. Rainier Arms superior manufacturing is proven right here in such a small part.

  2. #2
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    X2

    I just put together a rifle with a bunch of rainier parts and the raptor was one of them, my first and pay'd a little less at their grand opening which made it a no brainer..i really like it, and also have a bcm and recently grabbed a fortis hammer to try out also..

  3. #3
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    I recently posted about buying one for my new build, and was leaning heavily towards getting one. One person sort of talked me out of it with a warning about catching your finger between it and the forward assist. Even though I almost always wear gloves, I thought long and hard, and ended up getting a BCM MOD 3 w/large latch. I'm having second thoughts now, nothing wrong with BCM CH's IMO, but I might put it on my LMT and order another from RA.

    FT
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  4. #4
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    Update:
    I just ordered one of these today for a rifle I'm building to be as light weight as possible. I've watched countless video's reviewing the Raptor and not once was it mentioned that the finger is in danger of getting caught between the CH and the FA.

    One thing, even when I first joined the military in '75, that I always thought was awkward, was doing all CH operations with my left hand, especially clearing a weapon. Using my right, most of the time, just seems more natural for me.

    I was also concerned about extra weight as it looks big, but one video put a Raptor on top of several other CH's from bone stock mil, to other left hand latch and ambi-handles.
    Although it appears to be much larger, in most cases it's the same size, or ever so slightly larger than a basic mil-spec CH. The gen 2 got rid of the steel handles and replaced them with (skeletonized) aluminum. Shipping weight was 4.0 oz., so I'm assuming it weighs about 3 oz.'s or so. So that objection seems moot now.

    Is it worth 90 bucks (price paid shipped and insured)? I don't know, that's 2 or 3X a BCM or similar CH and about the same as a BCM ambi-ch. I'll have to figure that one out after some good hard use.

    My only real concern now, is the ease of disassembly/reassembly of the Raptor for cerakote. I'm planning on having this rifle cerakoted in foliage green, then camo dipped in ATAC pattern.

    Hope I didn't screw this one up. I'll find out soon, since I'm going to assemble the upper, put it on an existing lower, shoot the hell out of it, then disassemble, and send all upper parts, and new lower and parts for cerakote and camo.

    FT
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  5. #5
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    Lightweight build? You should look into 2 Vets Arms. They have a magnesium rail that comes in at 3 oz.

    Sent from my Nokia Lumia Icon using Tapatalk
    Just a regular guy.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Computalotapus View Post
    Lightweight build? You should look into 2 Vets Arms. They have a magnesium rail that comes in at 3 oz.

    Sent from my Nokia Lumia Icon using Tapatalk
    Comp,
    Have already procured a MI 15" SSK (keymod) at 8 oz. Paired with a Voodoo Arms 16" Ultra Lite barrel @ 1lb 3oz. So it's pretty much a done deal as far as parts go. I would have liked to take a look at the 2 Vet's version, had I known about it, but, I'm alright. I'm not shooting for "Ultra Light", but trying to stay as light as possible. Thanks for the heads up, though.

    FT
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  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by FortTom View Post
    Comp,

    Have already procured a MI 15" SSK (keymod) at 8 oz. Paired with a Voodoo Arms 16" Ultra Lite barrel @ 1lb 3oz. So it's pretty much a done deal as far as parts go. I would have liked to take a look at the 2 Vet's version, had I known about it, but, I'm alright. I'm not shooting for "Ultra Light", but trying to stay as light as possible. Thanks for the heads up, though.



    FT



    Anytime brother. And if you don't like that RA Raptor let me know...cause I love mine and it never hurts to have a backup :)





    Sent from my Nokia Lumia Icon using Tapatalk
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  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Computalotapus View Post
    Anytime brother. And if you don't like that RA Raptor let me know...cause I love mine and it never hurts to have a backup :)





    Sent from my Nokia Lumia Icon using Tapatalk
    Will do.....
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  9. #9
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    I'm a big fan of the Raptor and any additional weight is well worth it in my opinion.

    Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2

  10. #10
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    They need to offer a NIB raptor, as i like my raptor, but the fortis hammer which is coated seems just that much smoother co,paring the 2..

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by mustangfreek View Post
    They need to offer a NIB raptor, as i like my raptor, but the fortis hammer which is coated seems just that much smoother co,paring the 2..
    There is something in the works along those lines... I think you guys will like it.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by UWone77 View Post
    There is something in the works along those lines... I think you guys will like it.
    Why is there always "something in the works", just as I've laid down my money for the "old" model???

    FT
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  13. #13
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    How else can it be improved besides coating? Now I'm curious :)


    Sent from my IPhone, please ignore spelling mistakes. Siri is dumb.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by FortTom View Post
    Why is there always "something in the works", just as I've laid down my money for the "old" model???

    FT
    I always feel the same FT, get all my parts saved up and bought over a period of time, only to see the "new" versions as i finally get mine together...

    Anyways so spill the beans a NIB one or tin coated , or cerakote?

  15. #15
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    Nothing wrong with having the "old" model. Whatever new comes out, the Raptor is still one of the best if not the best ambi charging handle on the market. Good companies however are always evolving, and improving their products, even if the improvements are considered minor. In this industry if you're not innovating or coming out with new products, you're dead in the water. As we can all see, just because your product is the flavor of the week, that doesn't mean next week it will be.

    The proposed changes to the Raptor will not render your "old" Raptor obsolete, but NiB coated parts of it, may assist with lubricity and wear. Nothing is set in stone as far as I know at this point, so no need to get too worked over it.

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