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How to Install an AR15 Tactical Latch

The AR-15 series assault rifle is a precision machine. It is designed for maximum efficiency, portability, and tremendous firepower. Some components of the AR-15 can be altered to improve performance. The charging handle -- which cocks the firearm and readies it for firing -- can be augmented with an after-market tactical latch; this latch assists with faster, easier charging. The tactical latch can be installed on an existing AR-15 charging-handle in a few steps.

Things You'll Need

AR-15 assault rifle
Replacement tactical latch
1/16-inch pin punch
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Set the AR-15's safety selector to the "safe" position.
- 2
  Remove the magazine from the rifle.
- 3
  Pull back on the charging handle to lock the bolt open.
- 4
  Look inside the chamber to ensure it is empty.
- 5
  Push out the takedown pin located just beneath the trigger area; use a 1/16-inch pin punch.
- 6
  Remove the bolt-carrier assembly and charging handle from the body of the AR-15.
- 7
  Push out the latch pin from the charging handle with a 1/16-inch pin punch. Use caution, as the spring holding the existing latch in place is under pressure. It can fly loose during this step.
- 8
  Remove the existing tactical latch.
- 9
  Secure the latch spring in the handle of the charging handle. Position the new tactical latch so that the pinholes in the charging handle and latch line up.
- 10
  Insert the latch pin into the pinholes. Tap it in place with a hammer.
- 11
  Line up the takedown pinholes in the body of the AR-15 with the pinholes in the bolt-carrier assembly.
- 12
  Insert the takedown pin in the takedown-pin pinholes. Tap it in place with a hammer.
- 13
  Release the tactical latch and push the charging handle forward.

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