You don't need sights to function. Especially when it's implied that targeting is handled via electronics (MC's visor/HUD, the little visors on Marine helmets, etc) And yes, the Halo 1 AR did in fact have a charging handle. The biggest issue in that game was that it didn't move when firing. Though that was corrected in later games. You can clearly see it on the weapon in this screenshot: http://cdn.instructables.com/FBC/05Q0/FS8RCKWE/FBC05Q0FS8RCKWE.LARGE.jpg And they made it function correctly in Halo 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViznEXrgpAk The guns in Halo were actually realistic enough that MC even switches the safety off when you switch to the AR...