US Patent 9175913 Latchless charging handle

A latchless charging handle that allows for the charging of a rifle without the need to first release a charge handle latch is provided herein. The latchless charging handle contains a detent ball assembly that engages a latch pocket on the rifle's upper receiver and acts as the charging handle's latch mechanism. When a rifle operator charges the rifle, the operator exerts a pulling force on the latchless charging handle that causes the detent ball to depress thereby freeing the charging handle from the rifle's upper receiver. When the bolt returns to battery, the detent ball assembly re-engages the latch pocket on the rifle's upper receiver and secures the charging handle.