[TESTED] Do "Gas Busting" AR Charging Handles Actually WORK? | Part 1

MilSpec vs. Radian Raptor SD-SL vs. Breek Arms Sledgehammer ... Today we're testing "Do AR-15 and AR-Style Charging Handles reduce gas", as well as they claim to do?!
RAW TESTING FOOTAGE : • [Raw Footage] AR-15 Ch...
**Add your thoughts below** We're just getting started. SO many charging handles, SO many visual clues! This is going to be a wild ride!
RAW TESTING FOOTAGE: • [Raw Footage] AR-15 Ch...
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00:00 - Intro
00:37 - "Gas Busting" Charging Handles?
00:59 - Why Test Gas?
02:11 - Testing Procedure
03:08 - Thermal Testing...Fail?
03:38 - Phase 1 Test - Wide Side View
05:02 - MilSpec Phase 1 Test
06:56 - Radian Raptor SD-SL Phase 1 Test
11:03 - Breek Arms Sledgehammer Phase 1 Test
13:41 - Phase 2 Test - Close Side View
14:14 - MilSpec Phase 2 Test
14:43 - Radian Raptor SD-SL Phase 2 Test
15:15 - Breek Arms Sledgehammer Phase 2 Test
15:50 - Phase 3 Test - Rear View
16:19 - MilSpec Phase 3 Test
17:17 - Radian Raptor SD-SL Phase 3 Test
18:19 - Breek Arms Sledgehammer Phase 3 Test
19:04 - Side-By-Side Comparison
21:21 - Just The Beginning.....!
We strive to provide the growing AR-15 shooting community with helpful, fact-driven information about the AR-15 & AR-15 style firearms and accessories to do our part in bolstering a more well-informed community and safer when handling, building or shooting their personal firearm. Let's face it, we all have to start somewhere when it comes to becoming a firearms expert. Our goal is to help you get there one small step at a time. **The purpose and content of this video is to provide general information regarding the products and their applications on any/all related firearms that strictly comply with all federal, Minnesota state, and local laws. The viewer expressly agrees that AT3 Tactical LLC; its officers, directors, employees and agents shall not be liable for any damages or losses related to the products and information provided in this video and hereby agrees to hold the foregoing harmless from any such losses or damages. AT3 Tactical LLC is a Federal Firearms Licensee.

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[@dontworrybout2664]

You mislabeled mil spec and the sledgehammer for the last 2 slow mo all in one shots

[@richardharris5819]

Ya got the side-by-side sledgehammer, and mil-spec labels are switched.

[@At3tactical]

Good eye! Thanks for letting us know. :)

[@AXNJXN1]

@20:49

[@John.0079]

I wouldn't call a suppressor a "freedom can" if you have to ask permission to own own one.

[@At3tactical]

Ohhhh, no he didn't....!! LOL .... Well said!

[@theccwdad]

Ask permission and pay extra to join the club

[@HabeasJ]

3d printer go brrrr

[@Gearedfilm57]

Should do a video on the huxwrx flow through suppressor vs baffle suppressor gas blow back

[@nunyabiznes32]

And how one actually suppresses sound and how one does not.

[@zues287]

​@@nunyabiznes32there's pew science for that, and the huxworx suppressors absolutely do suppress sound. In fact, they do it very well.

[@nunyabiznes32]

@@zues287 If you still need to wear ear pro, what's the point of using one?

[@BigTimberLodge]

You should still wear ear pro with traditional can when shooting 5.56 because a suppressor doesn't stop the bullet from breaking the speed of sound. I have a dedicated Sierra-5 and although it does a better job at sound suppression than a HUXWRX I wish I would have gotten a flowthrough suppressor instead because it would have cut down on over gassing by a lot. @@nunyabiznes32

[@tobiasfunke3357]

@@nunyabiznes32I think you're in over your head on this subject. I recommend researching this subject more.

[@jinnypark240]

I think a top view would help us see where the gas is going too!!

[@Nookie69]

No phd, not peer reviewed, non scientific so ur telling me u work for the government then

[@At3tactical]

😅😅

[@chap23305]

Absolute underrated comment. Keep spreading these.

[@chuckmercer8950]

Gold😂

[@NONEYAZ]

Gov't Mandates P.H.D's, Peer Reviews And Theories, No Truth Or Facts! 😎

[@BoringDad88]

No, he at least tried. He didn't spend millions of dollars and countless hours not doing anything, then picking the worse option.

[@mysticalweasel]

A top view would be neat to see, to really show the direction the gas takes.

[@1439Smoke3914]

My first thought too

[@The3OfSwords]

This is the absolute best presentation on this topic, I don't have a suppressor or a overly gassy gun but i have been in the market for a Ambi-charging handle with or without the gas busting capabilities. Though i'd rather have the feature and not need it then need it in the future and not have it. I really didnt see a visual difference between the Breek and the radian the breek being 70$ and the radian 124$ (at the time of writing this comment and on your website) Im going to save the cash and pick up the breek when i Have the money. And to thank you for the video no matter the sale or if a competitor site beats your price Ill get it from you guys.

[@At3tactical]

Glad you liked the video.

[@Maine307]

more more ! get this series done!!!!!! i cant wait!

[@LadyDragonborn]

Really interesting video! Can’t wait for part 2.

[@roncterry]

Great video! I’d love to see a tight top down view (without the ball cap) and a left side view. The left side view would remove the cloud coming out toward the camera that is obscuring the gas escaping from the charging handle and would better show the gas directed at the shooters face.

[@Blueknight1960]

That and with out a suppressor.

[@At3tactical]

Good thoughts.

[@karlgunn1209]

Warhammer seemed to help on my PCC AR 9 I built first mill spec my eye was feeling it . Warhammer redirects it away .

[@Blueknight1960]

I have the warhammer also and on my ar-15 it allowed more gas to pass than the mil-spec did, plus the thin handles hurt. I just recently upgraded to the devil dog side charging handle. While I haven't had the chance to shoot with it installed yet, it's a hell of a lot more finger friendly.

[@qjames0077]

Great vid I'm curious if you've looked into the SilencerCo charging handle, as well?

[@At3tactical]

I'll check it out

[@TheOboogie89]

Great video and nice breakdown of the three charging handles. If I may suggest adding an overhead view (top down) look of the testing. Also, I hope you would have added the Giessele charging handle as well.

[@At3tactical]

Good thoughts. Thanks for the feedback.

[@lyndonlonzanida]

This is perfect timing man, I learned so much from the buffer’s information video and I see this charging handle video, I am shopping for a suppressor right now.

[@At3tactical]

Glad it was helpful!

[@michaeldunn150]

I do like the T-bone charging handles....

[@user-qu6dv6qu8d]

I have the Strike Industries charging handle where you can remove a set screw and open a channel to allow the gas to escape to whichever side you choose.

[@MrJayBlackwind]

At 20:49 you mixed up the names . Anyway great info ! Thanks

[@At3tactical]

Little slip there... Nice Catch!

[@JamesTheLion]

Came here to say this. Otherwise, it's great non-scientific testing!

[@Torch114]

Looks like a pretty cool idea to be testing. I’m curious on what will work best for left handed shooters.

[@Keep_It_Loaded]

Nicely done. Definitely like that rear view

[@At3tactical]

Glad you liked it!

[@albertptran]

These are awesome tests

[@At3tactical]

Glad you like them!

[@awsomedude9111]

I was thinking maybe if you do this again, adding red food colouring to the gun oil might be show up like how airplanes do smoke trails.

[@awsomedude9111]

I believe the SilencerCo gas buster is the only one that has rubber o-ring. Hop didn’t like it because it would break/bind-up. Others have tried by using sealant. I think having a heavy buffer might be the best way to solve the problem, maybe adjustable BCG (Bootleg inc) or gas key (Ruber City Armory)

[@At3tactical]

We are planning on testing the SilencerCo charging handle in the next video.

[@gstoner88]

This is an awesome video. Thank you

[@At3tactical]

Glad you liked it.

[@EagleRun23]

This is great! So Mil spec doesnt do too bad, just that left side that is weird. Breek really pushes it out to the right!

[@melissasdad]

Am I the only one that noticed that they’re mislabeled on the Brady Bunch view? Just a heads up - I absolutely appreciate the testing, I’ve always wondered how they stacked up. I didn’t know much about Breek Arms. Thanks for the video. 💯

[@At3tactical]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@goooooller9353]

Looking forward to the tests with the silencerco gas buster ch.

[@Apocolovids]

I used gasket maker on a KAK Big Latch after watching a video by GUNS & TACTICS. It's worked well for me. I wonder how it would fair against the rest of these?

[@nicholasdangelo8174]

I would like a test on the Gem Tech suppression bolt, please.

[@guardianminifarm8005]

Great tests

[@At3tactical]

Glad you liked it.

[@MackT]

@At3tactical I think a top down view of some kind would do this test some justice! thank you for taking the time and money to test these!

[@stevenclark8902]

Gr8 video looking forward to more...

[@At3tactical]

More to come!

[@Zobavajaina]

in the last brady bunch video the mil spec and breech arms videos were swapped

[@guardianminifarm8005]

There is a little discrepancy on the last Brady bunch. The Mil-spec seems to be last but labeled differently. Not too difficult to figure it out but just to point it out. I could be mistaken. Thank you for taking the time & resources to test all these. Well done.

[@At3tactical]

Good catch.

[@scott2228]

The real test I would love to see that no KZbinrs have really touched is the BCM MK2 upper with the MK2 charging handle. I have this rifle and think it’s not as good as mil spec upper with a Geissele charging handle. But would love to see camera footage and comparisons to the other competitors.

[@____MC____]

Why do charging handles have such loose, gritty tolerances?

[@Tiocfaidh_ar_la_]

6:40 lol chode cloud, cant be the only one that saw it eh? 😂

[@At3tactical]

😂

[@Brimwald]

Sealing will work better. Use the silicone method that blocks the areas the gas can escape out the back. Silicone on both the top and the bottom. That plus the best gas busting charging handle, and adjustable gas block is probably the best you can do.

[@MaverickTangent]

Topaz Video AI can help you do slow mo - it uses software to take your clip and do x2 x4 x8 etc

[@txpredatorhunting]

Nice!

[@gage-money]

Just bought a KAK industry 8” 300blk with the dual ejector/downward facing holes. We will see how it goes

[@TreyCardona361]

how was it?

[@gage-money]

@@TreyCardona361 haven’t shot it yet, got a baby on the way

[@Ammotax]

I was told a long time ago that a thin layer of silicone, right at the top of the charging handle where wheat meets with the upper receiver is all you need

[@Werepie]

I've done this on an exceptionally gassy integrally suppressed build of mine and was pretty unimpressed. It seems that more gas escapes from underneath the CH than above it

[@mckennaConfig]

@@Werepie based on these slowmos, more gas definitely comes out of the bottom of the CH. The SilencerCo CH has an o-ring underneath the CH that seals against the lower.

[@rjperez2617]

I only run Geissele supers. Do those!

[@ThePerpetualStudent]

May I ask as to why?

[@rjperez2617]

@@ThePerpetualStudentthey physically don’t feel as gritty to me than the radian CH. I’ve used multiple radians, and they weren’t my cup of tea. But the Geissele I love. Even when I used a can on my gun, I don’t feel like I was sucking any gas and they do well

[@Caleb.Casias]

You forgot to include the best charging handle on the market. The Raidworx Mach-15.

[@At3tactical]

We will check that one out.

[@ajpeake9817]

I heard the BCM mk2 charging handle is great. But I hear everything from BCM is great. Nice vid.

[@At3tactical]

Cool, thanks

[@dragonusmc0311]

Good One 👍👍

[@At3tactical]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@darthdavid2275]

Might as well get a flow through can, you can buy charging handles, adjustable gas blocks and other parts for all of your guns or just one good quality can :)

[@jes0lis]

What BCG are you using? Standard or enhanced with gas ports facing out/forward i.e. Lantac

[@At3tactical]

AT3™ Nickel Boron BCG.

[@cherrypoint6325]

A top down view would be incredible.

[@chrisrosenthal1210]

Glad to see Breek thickened the handles on the Warhammer. The original one would really get into your fingers a lot more than others. Just felt thin and cheap to me. Rough on frozen fingers too. Since everyone is doing extra curricular slo-mo requests even though you put on a helluva great presentation. I'd love to see a set up with a Superlative adj. gas block venting out the front with the gas properly adjusted down to light but functional and see how much that reduces the amount of gas everywhere else.

[@At3tactical]

We just got some Superlative gas blocks in and are going to test them out.

[@chrisrosenthal1210]

@@At3tactical Awesome!!! I really feel a lot of people are passing up on a really tunable set up by buying into the "Adjustable gas blocks aren't reliable" My 3-gun rig is running a M4-72 brake, Superlative GB set to the bleed off side (almost wide open), Either a JP LMOS BCG or a VooDoo Lifecoat 1 piece carrier with JP enhanced bolt, Taccom .58 ounce solid delrin buffer (Or a 1.1oz depending on course and bullet weight), Taccom -25% power spring, Trigger Tech comp trigger, with a BA 18" rifle length fluted barrel. ZERO gas in your face. I'm barely putting any gas rearward because of the ultra light reciprocating mass set up I have. Recoil is honestly somewhere in the 22 mag range maybe and has been 100% reliable for years. My build goal was no point of aim shift for fast double taps and I got way more than I ever expected. Everyone that shoots it loves how smooth it is. The only thing I can think of that could possibly be an issue is failure to go into battery on a dirty chamber, bent case etc due to the low BCG weight and lower spring tension. but I'e never had that issue with god knows how many rounds through it. I put a little high temp bearing grease on the gas block adjuster about once a year and it has never had a carbon build up, never eroded the pin. It's been flawless. I now run the SA GB on my CMMG dissent in 300BO, and a 10.5 suppressed build. I love em lol

[@russr]

no test of the home made RTV?

[@0xygenthief]

LOL, your brady bunch view has the mil-spec and Breek Arms swapped/labeled incorrectly.

[@Maine307]

my question is, 556 20 inch barrel.. do u have better odds of no issues than a 16 inch barrel using a supressor..?.. and would it make a difference throwing in a gas buster anyways?.. when i am told a long barrel is the usualy cure for a propper suppressed rifle ...errrr..it gets soo confusing

[@corruptbanjo27]

Thats getting into a bit of a different science. burn time, gas system lengths get involved. simple answer would be, 5.56 and a 20 inch barrel where made together, you're just throwing a muffler on it. also a mk18 "10.3 barrel" has higher wear on parts then a m16 "20 in barrel" without cans even being involved.

[@gregz4249]

Superlative arms has a AGB that vents some gas at the block which helps too

[@n8-j722]

Here are some fun ones to add to the list: GMS-15-EVO from Armageddon Tactical (LLC) HABU MOD 1 from Falcon 37 (Inc)

[@At3tactical]

Nice, we will check them out.

[@317Lars]

Great video! Nice flow and delivery. Noticed that the final slow motion edit titles did not match the start of video, the mil spec GI is tan, breek and radian are black. I think the editor was getting tired and flipped the titles 😊 oops! Again nice concept.

[@At3tactical]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@ethanguerami1162]

I’d like to see how a DI vs a piston system looks as the cloud on all of these is basically ridiculous (understanding that less out of the charging handle is good)

[@user-bq4ks6kc4z]

You had breek and milspec labels mixed up in Brady view fyi

[@osvaldopalacios5784]

Only need one side view, use the last camera for a top down view.

[@kingalbby2497]

At the 3 way comparison at 20:06 and after I played the you tube video back at .25 speed. you can literally go frame by frame. It appears that they all let gas through. However By the 3rd frame The Radian and Breek the gases behind the charging handle are clear and appear to be dissipated. For me it is Pick the one I like the look of better or cheaper between the two. I think a way to tell is to have a piece of paper basically Infront of the shooter and see if how much it is discolored/dirty to get a better idea of what gasses come back. These video clips at these angles don't really help with how much is going on from the ejection port.

[@At3tactical]

Good observations. We learned allot from this video and are planning on adjusting our testing process for future videos.

[@masonraley4585]

Is there a pt 2?

[@KennyRodgers930]

Please do the FCD ACH, there’s only like 2-3 videos on it lol

[@At3tactical]

We will check them out.

[@TheAfterPein]

A top down view would work well, and a left side close-up view to isolate the charging handle gas flow without the ejection port cloud in front of it would also be helpful. Ideally (I know cameras aren't cheap) all at the same time so the amount of shown "clouding" is constant rather than diminishing to eliminate variables.

[@At3tactical]

Good thoughts. We are working on improving the process for the next round of testing.

[@pjkf01]

My take from this is that the T-handle design is poor for suppression. A lot of work to make something like this work. Side charging or forward controls would nearly eliminate this issue.

[@mtnave]

in the brady bunch view you have the top labeled as mil spec (the tan handle) but thats not the mil spec charging handle the mil spec is the bottom video.

[@johnreed1580]

thought 1: don't over lube. Thought 2: rearward angle showed none of them gassing out the back directly toward face. thought 3: why no overhead view?

[@At3tactical]

Absolutely solid points, thanks! Yeah, we thought the same about the rearward view...it's going to get a better framing for future tests. The top-down view is absolutely making it into the "testing"... we'll even come back and do these two again with that view. (I personally think the top-down will wind up providing the most insight, but we're learning as we go! -Randy)

[@fshammann]

I came to say the same. Thanks!

[@BuckF0eJiden]

Over lubing the BCG is definitely bad. I usually grease the underside of my charging handles with a light layer of Molybdenum grease though. Rub it on lightly with a Q-tip. Keeps the gas key from wearing prematurely by rubbing the charging handle when it cycles.

[@ZildjianMan30]

The over-lubricating was done on purpose, I believe. It was to create more visible spit and gas for us to witness. Part of the test.

[@jbox8450]

I felt the radian seem the best but honestly the g3 was close to the sledge hammer. Need more testing to be positive. Another person mentioned a top view which I agree would be nice to see. I'll keep watching as I am subscribed and have already learned quite a bit from you....thank you.🔫

[@At3tactical]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@justsnuggle]

You should have counted the frames, and then compared frame to frame like, frame 35 post muzzle exit for every shot and then frame 60 etc

[@justsnuggle]

Well I guess you kind of did that when you had all three on the same screen that had pretty much the same effect. I take it back.

[@gingerbreadsandwich]

Really should have done a top-down angle for this

[@carlwatson62999]

At the Brady bunch group shot you didnt get the name correct. The pics are flipped.

[@At3tactical]

Nice eye!

[@BadxMike]

On the side by side comparison close up and behind shots, I believe the Sledgehammer was placed at the top while the milspec was on the bottom and mislabeled. Just to note.

[@At3tactical]

Thanks for letting us know.

[@johnw4999]

Hopefully y’all have a Geissele ACH to put through the paces.

[@At3tactical]

Its on the list!

[@s13ef9]

I have picked up a few and the noticeably better option at least for me was the Geissele super.

[@At3tactical]

We will check it out.

[@s13ef9]

@@At3tactical One day I will have to have you all come down to the Freedom Farm here in central FL so we can talk guns and saltwater tanks!

[@karlgunn1209]

I need to win that teacher

[@Big.Chungus.]

Do one with the RTV Milp-spec mod, if the marketing overlords let you.

[@GldenRetriever]

Would be cool to see a top down view.

[@ajpeake9817]

Can you try the GMS Evo charging handle from Armageddon. Best gas busting charging handle video ever. Thanks at3.

[@At3tactical]

Great suggestion!

[@Gchang54]

Got a pri gas buster on a 20 inch, no gas whatsoever, unless the wind blows the wrong way.

[@PrayingPanda]

18:45 Seems like there's gas coming out the left side of the charging handle angling downward. Same with the radian

[@At3tactical]

Good observation.

[@dangelothompson3649]

You should review the raidworx charging handle

[@aaronrichards6670]

When’s part 2 dropping?

[@JS-sf3ho]

This is like a BRS style video but for guns 😂

[@At3tactical]

You better believe it!

[@tommyl.8951]

Yo it's randy!!! Reef tanks and guns heck ya

[@At3tactical]

You know it.

[@LE-6920]

All kinds "jingles-n-whistles" pullers are crutches. Flow through can is a solution only...

[@NotYourFriendPal]

I swapped all my charging handle to the Geissele Airborne CH. At least when using SF RC2 suppressors, nothing works better (IMO).

[@At3tactical]

Good Choice.

[@mc4056]

I got the Gieselle SCH I heard it was better than the raptor. The answer is no a DI will still suck to shoot surpressed even with an Adj Gas Block and Custom Gas Tube. Lol.

[@user-on4dv9kk6j]

The last shot I think you might have had the brands mixed up

[@AsianKillrVN2]

You guys didn’t have the SiCo GDCH

[@At3tactical]

Not to worry, we're just getting started.....(Actually, Part-II is slated to have the SiCo GDCH & the Geisselle Airborne!)

[@madmike769]

I use the silencero gdch on my 16" rifle, it works great mitigating gas to the face

[@4g63mark]

The Breek seems as though it says "FCK YOU" to left handed shooters.

[@swe3n525]

you need the SiCo one

[@S2awtys]

Should try next the psi gas buster , geissele SCH, silencerco gas defeating charging handle

[@At3tactical]

Good suggestions.

[@clintonbarthelemy315]

What about the SilencerCo Gas Defeating Charging handle?

[@At3tactical]

It's on the list.

[@chrissinclair4442]

Is the Silencerco any good?

[@At3tactical]

We are planning on testing it.

[@NONEYAZ]

I Like L-Grease For Lube & Some Slick Silicone Sealent For A Megshift O-Ring Type Gas Seal Near The Rear For Hot Dry Climates! 😎

[@At3tactical]

Great point!

[@elliottkeyes9448]

when can we expect part 2?

[@AJ_Sparten1337]

You swapped the labelling of Mil-Spec and Breek Arms in the Tri-View.

[@ImNoBSING]

HK user here and as my HK CH got worn out I thought of upgrading to Radian SD. Well, I noticed clear increase in gas to face. Test HK handguard too? It was quite odd since it is not supposed to lower gas but clearly did. I returned the Radian.

[@At3tactical]

Interesting, thanks for sharing.

[@ImNoBSING]

I used kintsuglue to my HK handle and was able to shoot full gas with legacy can and did not even notice. I like it better than the flow through one. Maybe try the basic GI handle with rtv/kintsuglue mod?

[@anonymousanonymous8454]

Not a big deal but didnt hear you mention or read in the comments that the Milspec and sledge videos are flip flopped… the “ Milspec” is showing the “sledgehammer” in the Brady bunch view and vice versa Love the video though, helped me make my decision

[@Rubberweasel]

I've been disappointed with my Radian SD compared to my Strike industries. I switched based on recommendations and I clearly notice more gas in my face and my eyes watering after a couple of shots.

[@Rubberweasel]

@@TheRepublicHasBeenLost ? no, I found the Radian inferior to the Strike

[@ZildjianMan30]

Need a top down camera view.

[@TTP719]

The can your running sucks at flash mitigation. The most important reason to have a can is to keep your location undetected. First shot pop seems pretty loud as well.

[@At3tactical]

The ammo we were using AAC "SABRE BLADE BLACK TIP" 300 BLACKOUT 110 GRAIN because we were looking to make the gun as gassy as possible . If we had used 300BLK subs it would have been very little or no flash.