Entry level AR

[mutt]

You can also add an extended charging lever to an existing for $10.

You are correct and there's really nothing wrong with going that route. Personally I wouldn't do that and would rather have a beefed up handle designed to take the stress induced by using a charging handle "wrong". However I'd be the first to admit I've never seen a standard charging handle fail from that kind of use. I guess the price premium of a gunfighter (when it's on sale) is just cheap insurance for me.

In all honesty a new AR owner is probably best served with a standard charging handle until he can run the gun and decide what gear best suits his needs.