The Griffin Armament Suppressor Normalized Ambidextrous Charging Handle (SN-ACH™) was originally developed and put on the market 10 years ago with its design aimed at reducing toxic gas blowback introduced to the vicinity of the shooter’s face while operating gas-powered firearms such as the AR-15. This first generation specialized in gas reduction by routing excess gas through a channel cut in the bottom of the handle, and ejecting gases out to the right of the firearm at a 90° angle. This not only minimized exposure to toxic gases, but also increased the shooter's ability to be situationally aware under a casual or strenuous course of fire. The first generation SN-ACH™ accomplished just that with even some of the higher pressure silencers. The original SN-ACH™ was well-received by the public as one of the first, and one of the best, gas-busting charging handles available.
The Original SN-ACH™ Gen 1
Design Improvements
After some time fielding the 10 year old technology, engineering felt that it was time to update the design with new features that increase its abilities over the first generation. Enter the SN-ACH™ Gen 2, which builds on the technology that made the Gen 1 so well-received. Gas blowback is more reliably diverted to the front away from the operator’s face by way of a 60° forward-facing gas ejection port instead of the original 90° gassing port. This not only pushes escaping gas forward increasing its functionality in windy conditions, it also significantly improves the shooting experience for left-handed users - a group of people who until now couldn’t experience the full level of benefit from our charging handle design.
SN-ACH™ Gen 1 vs Gen 2
This feature was created with the increasing number of “wrong-handed” shooters in the industry today that also require the ability to have situational awareness just as much as right handed folks do. A common complaint noted by left handed customers was that the first generation may be ambidextrous in its unlocking function, but it was spitting gas directly in the vicinity of their face to the right of the stock. This problem has all but been eliminated with this new design, and is a huge step up in quality of life for left handed shooters over the original SN-ACH™.
The previous model and Mil-Spec models alike had a hard right angled vertical path leading upward from the top of the handle straight into the shooter's eyes. This updated gas routing channel has been given a rounded radius that is carved out of the center meat of the handle to more effectively catch, reroute, and eject gas to the front out the sides. Any gas escaping vertically out of the gap between this portion of the SN-ACH™ and the upper receiver is also directed forward rather than straight up thanks to this radiused cove.
Configurability
The SN-ACH™ Gen 2 retains the added benefit of being able to configure the levers to be shorter and less of a snagging hazard for the High Speed, Low Drag operators out there via our separately available SN-ACH™ Short Levers. Another added benefit to the second generation is the scoop on the back of the handle, where your nose and eyes are positioned.
Long vs Short Levers
End User Testimonial
Competitor gas-busting charging handles on the market have been compared against the SN-ACH™ Gen 2, by other industry professionals and it competes well. Classic Firearms published a comparison video of the most popular gas-busting charging handles and had good things to say about the second generation in comparison to our competitors. According to Classic Firearms during their testing, they considered the SN-ACH™ Gen 2 to be slightly ahead of the Geissele Super Charging Handle and the popular Radian Raptor. They claim that per their knowledge and experience they rank Griffin Armament’s SN-ACH™ Gen 2 as one of the best in the industry, with one tester ranking it number 1 in his opinion, and the other placing it second overall.
“I was so impressed by this… Griffin Armament 100% absolutely dominated in my opinion.”
- Kaya from Classic Firearms - CLICK HERE to watch the full comparison video on Rumble
Conclusion
So, if you are a lefty with an ambidextrous lower looking to breathe a little easier, look no further than Griffin Armament for your next gas deflecting charging handle. Right-handers, take notes as well.
About the Author
Kade is an avid shooter and trainer of firearms and a 6 year infantry reserve US Marine. He now daylights as head of warehouse & assembly operations for Griffin Armament.