A charging handle apparatus (2) includes a two-piece support apparatus (24) that is disposed on a handle assembly (20) and that is engaged with a gear (22). One of the two pieces is movable with respect to the first piece. The second piece of the support apparatus (24) includes a number of engagement structures (76A, 76B) that are engaged with the gear (22) and that retain the gear in a given position with respect to the handle assembly (20). The charging handle apparatus thus can be provided as a pre-assembled component that is readily mountable to a shaft (10) of a circuit interrupter.
