Nov 18, 2025

US12474140 - Forward charging handle for firearm and method therefore

A device and method for charging an automatic or semi-automatic firearm, via a unique forward charging handle configuration. The present invention is illustrated and for use on the AR-15 rifle platform, but is equally applicable to various other caliber and configured firearms, with or without gas tubes. The forward charging handle slidably reciprocates about and along the frontal support or hand guard area (also referenced as the fore stock) in a pump action, allowing ejecting of spent, jammed or dud ammo from the chamber area, or initial chambering or charging the firearm while maintaining shooting position. The present invention is particularly suitable for use in competitive shooting, military applications, hunting, etc, allowing the user to charge, chamber, and/or unjam the firearm while maintaining firing posture, without the need for the user's hand leaving the front support.

Inventors: John W Angers, Jr.
Filing date: 2024-05-22

firearmcharging handleautomaticsemi-automaticar-15

The patent describes a forward charging handle for automatic or semi-automatic firearms, particularly designed for the AR-15 platform, allowing users to charge, chamber, or unjam the firearm while maintaining their shooting position. This innovative design enhances operational efficiency in various applications, including competitive shooting and military use, by enabling smooth manipulation of the firearm without requiring the user’s hand to leave the front support.

Claim 1

1 . An apparatus for charging a firearm having a barrel, a receiver, and a bolt carrier assembly, comprising: a handguard enveloping at least a portion of said barrel, said handguard having first and second opposing sides, a bottom, and a length, said bottom of said handguard having a groove formed along at least a portion of said length of said handguard; a slot formed through one of said opposing sides of said handguard, said slot aligned with said length of said handguard; a drive stem having a length and first and second ends, said drive stem having formed at said first end a catch formed to selectively engage said bolt carrier assembly, said drive stem situated within said handguard; a charging handle formed to slidingly envelope at least a portion of said first and second opposing sides and said bottom of said of said handguard, said charging handle formed to engage said drive stem via said slot, said charging handle having a lower section comprising an inside wall having a ridge, said charging handle formed to envelope said opposing sides and said bottom of said handguard so as to facilitate sliding motion of said charging handle along at least a portion of said length of said handguard with said ridge situated in said groove of said handguard, so as to provide enhance stabilization of movement of said charging handle in relation to said handguard; whereby, upon grasping said charging handle and sliding same along said handguard toward said receiver, said catch is formed to push against, without being attached to, said bolt carrier assembly, so as to urge said bolt carrier assembly away from said chamber. a handguard enveloping at least a portion of said barrel, said handguard having first and second opposing sides, a bottom, and a length, said bottom of said handguard having a groove formed along at least a portion of said length of said handguard; a slot formed through one of said opposing sides of said handguard, said slot aligned with said length of said handguard; a drive stem having a length and first and second ends, said drive stem having formed at said first end a catch formed to selectively engage said bolt carrier assembly, said drive stem situated within said handguard; a charging handle formed to slidingly envelope at least a portion of said first and second opposing sides and said bottom of said of said handguard, said charging handle formed to engage said drive stem via said slot, said charging handle having a lower section comprising an inside wall having a ridge, said charging handle formed to envelope said opposing sides and said bottom of said handguard so as to facilitate sliding motion of said charging handle along at least a portion of said length of said handguard with said ridge situated in said groove of said handguard, so as to provide enhance stabilization of movement of said charging handle in relation to said handguard; whereby, upon grasping said charging handle and sliding same along said handguard toward said receiver, said catch is formed to push against, without being attached to, said bolt carrier assembly, so as to urge said bolt carrier assembly away from said chamber.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12474140

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12474140