Abstract: A charging assembly having at least a charging bar with a protrusion having a bolt carrier engaging shoulder formed by the protrusion, a gas tube aperture formed through the charging bar protrusion, a first charging bar channel formed from a first end to the charging bar protrusion and a second charging bar channel formed from the charging bar protrusion to the second end, the gas tube aperture provides an aperture between the charging bar channels; a handle element removably attached or coupled to the charging bar; at least a portion of the charging bar is positionable within at least a portion of an upper receiver of the firearm and extends into a firearm handguard and the bolt carrier engagement shoulder is positioned to engage a shoulder of a bolt carrier; and wherein the handle element extends from the charging bar, through a handle element aperture formed through the handguard.