View Full Version : Anyone here have a SNACH charging handle?
I recently ran across this charging handle from Griffin Armament and was wondering if any members here had any experience with it. It looks similar to a Raptor & the price is inline with them. It is supposed to mitigate the 'gas the to face' issue when shooting suppressed. It is also available with different
sized latches.
I've seen where GA has collaborated in the past with ADM to manufacture other similar charging handles and was curious if this is one of them & if it works as advertised.
TIA
http://www.griffinarmament.com/mobile/Product.aspx?id=37750
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/23/f9a41c86582d9008aeae2be3daeb3a96.jpg
It looks interesting. That looks like a vent hole in the side of it. I recall reading somewhere a while back (possibly on TOS) where someone had drilled a small vent hole in the side of their charging handle to vent gas when suppressed. IIRC they claimed it worked well, but I always wondered if it would have any negative impact on the strength of the charging handle. Not to mention the gas will be directed straight into your face more than ever when shooting left handed.
ETA: Here it is:
https://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=6&f=20&t=348912
While I was searching for that I stumbled onto this, which I've never seen before.
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/04/22/gear-review-armageddon-tactical-gms-15-ar-ambi-charging-handle/
I just installed the SNATCH in my AR but have not shot it yet. I shoot left handed and run a AAC m42000. I'll report back once I get to the range.
I just installed the SNATCH in my AR but have not shot it yet. I shoot left handed and run a AAC m42000. I'll report back once I get to the range.
I'll be very curious to hear what you think about it.
Hmm, seems interesting.
Griffin makes solid stuff. The owners are good guys. Damn AR parts evolution is gonna bankrupt me.
jimmyheadgear
09-24-15, 07:44
I just installed the SNATCH in my AR but have not shot it yet. I shoot left handed and run a AAC m42000. I'll report back once I get to the range.
Being a lefty also, I'll be interested to hear about the gas coming from the vent hole.
militarymoron
09-24-15, 09:21
I have one and i'm left-handed. I don't shoot suppressed though. No problem shooting lefty NTCH - i didn't notice any difference between the SNACH and any other non-vented charging handle unsuppressed.
I'm interesting in hearing lefties findings shooting with a can, and whether it actually makes it worse.
I have one and i'm left-handed. I don't shoot suppressed though. No problem shooting lefty NTCH - i didn't notice any difference between the SNACH and any other non-vented charging handle unsuppressed.
I'm interesting in hearing lefties findings shooting with a can, and whether it actually makes it worse.
Have you done a review of it on your website? I looked & didn't see one.
Also, would you say it's fairly comparable to the Raptor?
The Raptors seem to work better for me than the BCM CHs when shooting suppressed. So if the overall design is similar, I may just bite the bullet & pick one up. The fact that it has a gas vent can only help matters, IMO, but I shoot righty.
556BlackRifle
09-24-15, 11:15
Interesting. This is the first I've heard of the snach. No plans on swapping out my BCMs or Raptors but, it's nice to see innovation and competition in design.
daddyusmaximus
09-24-15, 11:55
While I was searching for that I stumbled onto this, which I've never seen before.
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/04/22/gear-review-armageddon-tactical-gms-15-ar-ambi-charging-handle/
I like my Raptor, but the Armageddon Tactical looks like an option for my upcoming .308 build.
Dionysusigma
09-24-15, 15:46
Somewhat along these lines, whatever happened to the SSS AR Gas Vent that was essentially a 90o exhaust duct for suppressed use (http://www.weaponoutfitters.com/ar-gas-vent.html)? Did these ever work right?
Would a good combination use both the Gas Vent, and a ventilated charging handle?
militarymoron
09-24-15, 19:08
Have you done a review of it on your website? I looked & didn't see one.
Also, would you say it's fairly comparable to the Raptor?
i haven't had a chance to put it up yet - wanted to use it for a while before writing about it. yes, i'd say that both are comparable. it probably boils down to cosmetic preference and maybe handle/latch feel.
militarymoron
09-24-15, 19:16
It looks interesting. That looks like a vent hole in the side of it. I recall reading somewhere a while back (possibly on TOS) where someone had drilled a small vent hole in the side of their charging handle to vent gas when suppressed. IIRC they claimed it worked well, but I always wondered if it would have any negative impact on the strength of the charging handle. Not to mention the gas will be directed straight into your face more than ever when shooting left handed.
I remember that post. by the way, here's another vented charging handle design shown in the form of Vltor's pending patent:
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20130092014.pdf
Any updates to lefties using the GA SNACH?
militarymoron
10-17-15, 19:52
Any updates to lefties using the GA SNACH?
If you're not shooting suppressed, then there's no difference between the SN-ACH and a regular charging handle. I would not use it if you were a lefty and shooting suppressed. Since I'm not shooting suppressed, it works just fine - like a Raptor, BCM ambi etc.
If you're not shooting suppressed, then there's no difference between the SN-ACH and a regular charging handle. I would not use it if you were a lefty and shooting suppressed. Since I'm not shooting suppressed, it works just fine - like a Raptor, BCM ambi etc.
Yep, lefty shooting suppressed. Thanks for the feedback.
My buddy swears by the products they make. Surprised they have a charging handle that looks like that... I don't think I've seen anything from KAC that looks like that.
So shooting lefty and suppressed I don't notice a big difference between the the snatch and the BCM ambi ch. There are no problems with the vent being on the left side and it's built really well.
I tested one of their initial offerings and have slow motion video, if anyone cares. Here is a copy/paste of my review:
View down the electrical line paralleling the southern border of my property, offset by about 75 yards, this morning:
http://i59.tinypic.com/2zxw6dl.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvgGLMjQWl8
My honest assessment is that the initial high-pressure gasses that "sting" your eyes/face are the same with the Griffin as any of the others. They simply are too fast/of too much volume to meaningfully channel through a 90* bend at the furthest end of the pressure-vessel (upper/lower) You can see this in the videos, as well as my experience with it as an anecdote. The slow gasses, residual back-wash, etc. and some of the high-velocity initial overpressure does go out the right side. It's like a BLAST. The lever doesn't appear to mitigate it much, really, in my video anyway. It then is dissipated by the environment. This may mean you have a big cloud of it just in front of your face blown back into your face, or not. Who knows?
The best I can relate this to is your shower head. If you poke a 1/8" hole in it, will all the other holes cease to put out water? Will you really notice the lack of pressure to them, if the reason you poked that 1/8" hole was that their little streams were too violent? Likely not. Likely, all you will get is MORE water coming out of the shower head. This is about what I experienced. The little streams still flowed too hard, and now there was just more "water", so to speak (total amount of smoke and gas in front of my face).
Personally, I did not find the Griffin SN-ACH to be any real-world improvement over the BCM regarding "gas in face mitigation", and I didn't really bother to play with the mil-spec because who does, who is also considering a $80+ CH?
No, where the Griffin shone was in its finish. It is a VERY well machined and anodized piece. The ambi levers are very pleasant. It's what the Raptor should have been, IMO.
Is it worth the cost of admission? Yes. As much as any other $80+ Ambi CH.
Is it going to change how you perceive shooting with a suppressor? It didn't for me.
As always, I strive for accuracy and honesty from my point of view. Others may perceive more benefit, or less, depending on their rifle.
This is, also, just my initial assessment. I spent a total of 30 rounds between all 3 CH's. Mostly on the BCM and Griffin. I may change my opinion later as I get more time on the Griffin, but I am reserved on how much room for change their is. I experienced what I experienced. Maybe after a few mag dumps a cumulative effect would be noticed, I don't know.
Regardless, the videos speak for themselves, and I just wanted to add my own perception to the technical aspect that the videos provide.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9od-z9PIN0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s47rYcJdFc4
I tested one of their initial offerings and have slow motion video, if anyone cares. Here is a copy/paste of my review:
View down the electrical line paralleling the southern border of my property, offset by about 75 yards, this morning:
http://i59.tinypic.com/2zxw6dl.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvgGLMjQWl8
My honest assessment is that the initial high-pressure gasses that "sting" your eyes/face are the same with the Griffin as any of the others. They simply are too fast/of too much volume to meaningfully channel through a 90* bend at the furthest end of the pressure-vessel (upper/lower) You can see this in the videos, as well as my experience with it as an anecdote. The slow gasses, residual back-wash, etc. and some of the high-velocity initial overpressure does go out the right side. It's like a BLAST. The lever doesn't appear to mitigate it much, really, in my video anyway. It then is dissipated by the environment. This may mean you have a big cloud of it just in front of your face blown back into your face, or not. Who knows?
The best I can relate this to is your shower head. If you poke a 1/8" hole in it, will all the other holes cease to put out water? Will you really notice the lack of pressure to them, if the reason you poked that 1/8" hole was that their little streams were too violent? Likely not. Likely, all you will get is MORE water coming out of the shower head. This is about what I experienced. The little streams still flowed too hard, and now there was just more "water", so to speak (total amount of smoke and gas in front of my face).
Personally, I did not find the Griffin SN-ACH to be any real-world improvement over the BCM regarding "gas in face mitigation", and I didn't really bother to play with the mil-spec because who does, who is also considering a $80+ CH?
No, where the Griffin shone was in its finish. It is a VERY well machined and anodized piece. The ambi levers are very pleasant. It's what the Raptor should have been, IMO.
Is it worth the cost of admission? Yes. As much as any other $80+ Ambi CH.
Is it going to change how you perceive shooting with a suppressor? It didn't for me.
As always, I strive for accuracy and honesty from my point of view. Others may perceive more benefit, or less, depending on their rifle.
This is, also, just my initial assessment. I spent a total of 30 rounds between all 3 CH's. Mostly on the BCM and Griffin. I may change my opinion later as I get more time on the Griffin, but I am reserved on how much room for change their is. I experienced what I experienced. Maybe after a few mag dumps a cumulative effect would be noticed, I don't know.
Regardless, the videos speak for themselves, and I just wanted to add my own perception to the technical aspect that the videos provide.
Thanks for the review WS6!
CanineCombatives
10-19-15, 22:10
Yep, much appreciated.
So I was finally able to test and review the new SNACH charging handle this weekend.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/16/2b409f79c2e2667262147197d909697f.jpg
It appears to be very well made and comparable to the Raptor. The latch sizes were similar & weight (as measured on my scale) was identical, with both at 1.4 oz. The Raptor latch, IMO, was "grippier" than the SNACH. The SNACH; however, has user configurable latches available.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/16/92db33cfd4c9ac81d5a483ccb3784eb6.jpg
The rear of the SNACH was taller (thicker) than the Raptor, and was flush with the top rail of the upper. I figured this would be more effective in blocking any gas out the rear.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/16/5615e6bc5f1092cfb3ffad8d8a59261a.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/16/33699c6d6674e0d6476fb2413e3c6389.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/16/9c698a74e66d065dd0984bddbb908584.jpg
There is a large compression spring visible on the rear of the SNACH. At first I thought that there may be an issue of it popping out but after further inspection, it is captured in the rear body of the CH. Being exposed; however, does elevate the possibility of introducing dirt/debris into the spring. Mine also seemed to be overly stiff & it makes me wonder if it will accelerate wear on the upper catch.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/16/a9e4eac0d487729d97cea1443fe7682d.jpg
Now on to the testing. I was sorely disappointed in its capability to mitigate the gas to the face. In fact, it was significantly higher than when I use a Raptor.
It became obvious to me why after I used it. With the Raptor, the only gas that I get is any that happens to get by through leakage out the rear. That amount, in my experience, is very minimal & not an issue.
With the SNACH, any gas is freely directed out the port & wafts right into your face. There was little to no wind when I was testing, so it lingered.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/16/7ab05244b0c6b61d9c8fd47548ba5f30.jpg
While the concept of the port seems to make sense, IMO, it only seemed to make it worse.
I was testing this with an 11.5" SBR suppressed with a GA M4SDII can using my target reloads (55gn FMJ/H335).
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/16/d3ea3c8bc0ddc4186de32752e2e07aa6.jpg
I purchased the SNACH for $69.95 delivered, so while it was somewhat of a deal, I'm still disappointed I wasted $70. If you're not shooting suppressed, it's a great charging handle. The fit/finish & overall quality is excellent, as is my experience with all of Griffin Armament's offerings.
When I get a chance, I'm going to compare it to a 20" AR, with a Gunfighter CH. That rifle in particular, I experience the most gas to face when shooting suppressed. If the SNACH works better than the GF, I'll leave it in there. If not, I'm going to probably tap threads into the port & install a set screw to block the port.
It is a great, high quality charging handle but it didn't, in my experience, do what it was designed to do and that's mitigate the problem of gas to face. In fact, it made it significantly worse.
Thanks for the review. Good point about the gas lingering around when there's no wind. Reminds me of several piston AR's I've shot. Even though there is quite a bit of gas vented near the front of the gun, it finds its way back and stings the eyes and chokes me up.
Excellent review. I only wish I had waited for your testing before I let you convince me to buy one.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Excellent review. I only wish I had waited for your testing before I let you convince me to buy one.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks!
Hey wait, I think it was you, "the other white meat", that emailed me with the link to the sale. :D
Hopefully, you'll have a better experience with your Omega. If not, I'll let you know which tap I used.
If it's already a problem with this AR15 then why wouldn't it be a problem with your other AR15 that you say has worse gas to the face? Maybe you can just try to trade it for a Ranier Raptor?
If it's already a problem with this AR15 then why wouldn't it be a problem with your other AR15 that you say has worse gas to the face? Maybe you can just try to trade it for a Ranier Raptor?
Because I have several ARs, all with different upper receivers, barrel lengths, and charging handle configurations. Maybe, for some reason, it'll work better in a different AR. Obviously, the manufacturer thought it worked well enough to bring it to market so maybe I can find what they saw.
Besides, it's really not that difficult to try it out in different rifles.
I'll echo what you said about the construction of the SNACH. It's built like a tank. Even if it doesn't meet expectations regarding gas redirection/mitigation, it is a well built piece if equipment and definitely not a waste of money at the price we paid. I'll have to get back to you on the suppressed qualities. I've yet to get permission to play. :(
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Boba Fett v2
11-17-15, 11:04
I recently replaced a Raptor with a SNACH in anticipation of my Saker getting out of jail. Was going to replace all my charging handles with the SNACH if it proved effective. Kinda disappointed to hear that the gas mitigation isn't working as well as I hoped. Then again, I do have an AR vent installed on my SBR as well, so I have another means of venting gas in place. I agree that the SNACH is solid CH though. Very well built. I also have a PRI gas buster, so I will run them back to back to compare.
I recently replaced a Raptor with a SNACH in anticipation of my Saker getting out of jail. Was going to replace all my charging handles with the SNACH if it proved effective. Kinda disappointed to hear that the gas mitigation isn't working as well as I hoped. Then again, I do have an AR vent installed on my SBR as well, so I have another means of venting gas in place. I agree that the SNACH is solid CH though. Very well built. I also have a PRI gas buster, so I will run them back to back to compare.
Have you had had chance to compare it side by side to the PRI gas buster yet? I'm interested to hear what your opinions are.
Boba Fett v2
12-07-15, 15:01
Have you had had chance to compare it side by side to the PRI gas buster yet? I'm interested to hear what your opinions are.
Nope. Suppressor isn't out of jail yet. I suspect it should clear within the next month or so.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
Boba Fett v2
02-11-16, 21:34
Have you had had chance to compare it side by side to the PRI gas buster yet? I'm interested to hear what your opinions are.
I had very limited range time running a few rounds through the can today. The SR30 was wearing a SNACH and I ran a few round of subs and supers and experienced no noticeable gas to the face at all. Next time I'm out I'll be sure to bring the GB.
A little update...
I've moved the SNACH to my 9" BCM 300 BLK and its been working pretty good. I only run this gun 100% suppressed & only with subs. Maybe the low powder charge has something to do with it working so well but either way, I think it found its permanent home.
I should add, though, that the wear on it is quite a bit more progressed than compared to my older, much higher round count Raptors.
It's been several months since the last update to this thread. Do any of you have updated opinions on the SNACH?
It's been several months since the last update to this thread. Do any of you have updated opinions on the SNACH?
I'm still using mine with no issues. Seems to work well with my 9" Blackout SBR. No gas to the face with my subsonic reloads. It does seem to wear a lot faster than my other charging handles with similar road counts.
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