There are a lot of different kinds of charging handles available for the AR-15, but most follow a fairly common form factor. Some are traditional right-hand models, some are ambidextrous. Often they’re extended to make them easier to operate. Luth-AR has a new charging handle that’s designed to be easier to operate, too, but it’s a departure from most extended handles. Rather than just a longer latch or set of wings, the Globe Charging handle uses a ball-shaped handle. It looks a little odd at first, but let’s see how it works.
Luth-AR Globe Charging Handle
The Luth-AR Globe Charging Handle is one of their latest innovations. According to them, this charging handle features an intuitive globe interface.
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They say that “promotes natural hand placement and provides a positive, secure purchase, enabling quicker and more confident charging cycles.”
It’s designed to reduce operator fatigue while enhancing overall control, according to Luth, particularly in high-stress or adverse conditions.
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The list includes some of the pros of the Globe as having a low profile, snag-resistant, rounded shape. This helps minimize exposed edges, which reduces the likelihood of it catching on gear, clothing, or equipment. Luth touts it as being suitable for all shooters, from first-time users to seasoned competitors and professional operators.
They say the Globe delivers practical advantages without unnecessary complexity. So I decided to get one and test that out.
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Globe Specs
The Globe charging handle is made from 7075 aluminum for the main body and handle. The globe and latch components are made from 6061 aluminum. It features a Teflon impregnated hard coat anodized finish in black. Teflon provides enhanced lubricity for smoother operation and superior wear resistance.
It’s designed specifically as a standard fit AR charging handle, so it’s fully compatible with any AR-15 style platform. MSRP on the Globe is $49.99, which is really pretty good, especially for an American-made product. I’ve certainly paid a lot more for other charging handles.
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The Globe in Use
I tried the Globe charging handle on a couple of different builds. I ran it on a .300 Blackout SBR with a red dot for a while, then swapped to a scoped .350 Legend rifle. While I’m trying to be an adult and avoid comments about grabbing your balls, my inner 13-year-old is struggling.
All ball-grabbing jokes aside, the Globe really is intuitive and easy to use. The larger surface diameter compared to a flat latch makes it fast to locate and simple to operate. The standard GI issue charging handle was a big step up from the original issue triangular charging handles. The Globe is a big jump beyond that.
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With the SBR, I had plenty of clearance around my optic, so it wasn’t hard to get to a standard charging handle. But the Globe is definitely easier and faster to use. You can pretty much palm the Globe and quickly cycle the action, as opposed to having to grab and squeeze a conventional latch. Or just pinch it between your thumb and index finger.
Either method is quicker and more intuitive than finding the standard charging handle. That’s even factoring in that I’ve used a regular charging handle on AR’s and M16s as a civilian, in the military, and as a cop, for literally 40 years. I’m used to a GI charging handle, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best solution.
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A Perfect Pairing for a Scope
Where the Globe really came into its own, though, was on the scoped .350 Legend. The rear bell on my Primary Arms scope rides over the charging handle and is pretty big. That’s where I need it to be for proper eye relief. That did make getting to the stock charging handle a little awkward, though.
The Globe worked perfectly with this setup. It protrudes out far enough that it is easy to access. The ball shape made it easy to manipulate, even around the scope bell. I’d tried more conventional extended charging handles with similar optics setups and, while they worked too, I found the Globe easier to use than any of the other ones I tried.
A Snag Free Design
The ball on the Globe looks kind of big compared to a flat charging handle (once again, I’m avoiding big balls jokes like an adult), but Luth was correct about the shape. The rounded ball doesn’t catch on gear like a typical extended handle often can. Moving with the rifle in and out of a vehicle, and with a pack or armor on, I never had the Globe catch and stick on anything.
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The couple of times I did feel it start to catch on my pack or armor, it ended up just rolling off the round shape of the Globe. From experience, other extended charging handles would have snagged on the same things. I still think it looks a little odd to the eye compared to what I’m used to, but it works.
A Practical, Affordable Charging Handle
Luth-AR’s Globe Charging Handle works quite well, in fact. It’s ergonomic and easy to use. I especially liked it with a scoped AR. I plan on getting a couple more to run on my other scoped builds. If they make an AR10 version, I’d be in for a couple of those as well.
Considering that many charging handles can run upwards of $100 a pop, the $49.99 that Luth-AR is asking is a steal. Especially for an American-made product. It may not look like what you’re used to, but that might be because it’s a better solution than you’re used to. For the modest price they go for, it’s worth giving it a shot to see for yourself.
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