Armalite AR-10 Side Charging Upper?

[Masked]

I'm interested in making a side-charging upper on an Armalite AR-10B.

I have the stripped upper already, carbine barrel, nut etc.

I remember seeing one a few years ago, built from an AR-10 upper, so I know it can be done...However, I don't know the specifics in regards to what's involved.

So what exactly is involved?

Is it simply, milling the right side of the upper and attaching a handle to a BCG or is there much more to it?

Are there any Gunsmiths that specifically specialize in this?

I did a search but, the only folks that ever seem to breach this subject own DPMS and end up with American Spirit/JP/etc...

 

[ORD]

I'm interested in making a side-charging upper on an Armalite AR-10B.

I have the stripped upper already, carbine barrel, nut etc.

I remember seeing one a few years ago, built from an AR-10 upper, so I know it can be done...However, I don't know the specifics in regards to what's involved.

So what exactly is involved?

Is it simply, milling the right side of the upper and attaching a handle to a BCG or is there much more to it?

Are there any Gunsmiths that specifically specialize in this?

I did a search but, the only folks that ever seem to breach this subject own DPMS and end up with American Spirit/JP/etc...

Zero options in terms of factory/aftermarket for an Armalite/AR-10 pattern side-charger at this point in time.

You may be able to find a decent gunsmith that's doing them for any DPMS-pattern upper and have them mill one out for you, HOWEVER...

Even if you find a smith that will do the work, the problem lies within the upper receiver itself which isn't going to lend itself to being modified inasmuch as the Armalite pattern upper receivers themselves which all have brass deflectors (i.e. - NON-SLICK-SIDE) which aren't going to lend themselves to being easily modified without really looking like SHITE at the end of the day or other compromising the integrity of the upper receiver itself when you go hacking it up.

 

[Scottmilk9]

I know of a dpms style left handed side charge coming out soon.

 

[svxwilson]

JP now offers Armalite style uppers with side charging.

 

[slm9s]

Are there any Gunsmiths that specifically specialize in this?

Medesha

i have a 6mmX i'm going to sell

 

[ORD]

JP now offers Armalite style uppers with side charging.

Holy @#$%!!!

I didn't realize that JP had started offering the PSC-12 uppers in an Armalite pattern/slant-back. That's AWESOME! That gives you BOTH side and top CH in one package for the Armalite pattern.

Sadly, and somewhat oddly, they are building them: a) only as full kits with their LMOS BCG and Enhanced Bolt (and at $1200 for all that); and b) as compatible with ONLY DPMS Hanguards/rails and NOT Armalite pattern (should be interesting trying to source a rail that will match the Armalite pattern upper receiver height since both the DPMS low and high profiles are different than the Armalite albeit by a fairly slim margin).

 

[DT1]

Medesha

i have a 6mmX i'm going to sell

If you want to modify an existing Armalite AR-10, +1 for Scott Medesha's work. He built this AR-10 for me several years ago. Machined the upper receiver (note the brass deflector has been milled off - necessary as ORD has pointed out) and drilled/tapped the bolt for the charge handle. No problems at all with the integrity of the upper receiver over several thousand rounds. This method will definitely compromise the finish of the upper receiver. Didn't matter a bit to me, just sprayed it with Krylon and moved on

The JP system is tons better (I have an LRP-07 also) as the charge handle is on the left side and folds down nicely when not in use. Better system in all respects.

 

[svxwilson]

I plan on sending JP my LMT MWS lower to check if it will be a good fit with their upper. I will be doing this later this summer when I have them assemble my Genesis Upper for my MWS with their barrel and bolt carrier group. So I will report the findings some time this summer.