During the SCAR program, we were able to meet with USSOCOM’s top warriors and ask them what they wanted on their new rifles. One of our biggest questions for them was: Where do you want the charging handle?
Their answer was unanimous. They wanted it away from the top rail and wanted it non-reciprocating. With this in mind, the best place for the charging handle is where we put it on the XCR – away from the top rail on the left-hand side.
Some try to argue that there needs to be a charging handle on both sides of the firearm.
This argument fails because it’s not practical to put one on both sides away from the top rail; and if you’re shooting left-handed, it’s easy enough to reach under the XCR with your right hand and actuate the charging handle.
The XCR’s charging handle is non-reciprocating and also has a built-in forward assist. Because the XCR runs so much cleaner and smoother than the AR-15/AR-10s, the forward assist is not needed to keep it running.
It’s simply there so you can make sure the bolt is fully in battery after performing a chamber check.