Side Chargers- left nonreciprocating or right reciprocating?

[spife7980]

I got to thinking. I currently have a bcm upper, tool craft bcg and radian charge handle. Im wanting to put my thermal and dvr/battery stuff on the stock. The rear charge handle would interfere with the stock pack and racking a round in. Plus I still imagine Ill get gas back in my face even though its the gas busting handle.

So Im looking at going with a side charge upper instead to bypass the charging handle extending so far back.

That brings us to the left or right side.

The left side looks great aside from the fact that it has the rail that extends backwards a bit when charging. The rear extending backwards doesnt seem like it would catch any wires but when Im in the dark trying to load a round I would like it to be cambering quietly, not a full on rip back and let it fly forward metal smashing sound, that wouldnt be stealthy. I have a SCS so if it will chamber smoothly and quietly without letting it fly then its a nonissue, I have no idea if they would or not though. Gibbz does have a more expensive model with a forward assist but its 300 bucks vs 250 base model without the forward assist. But I would like to go with the New Frontier Armory which is the same thing as a base Gibbz and is only 205. They all seem to have a back cover that looks to keep all the gas out of my face.

Pros

• Doesnt extend rearward really much over the buffer tube, hopefully wont snag my thermal wires
• Looks to block rearward gas to the face
• Can sell bcm upper and charging handle to make some money back.
• Can keep current bolt carrier

Cons

• No stealthy forward assist unless I pay Gibbz a $100 premium over the New Frontier so possibly noisy.

The right side reciprocating such as a Eisenach would require a new carrier and upper. That would mean scavenging the guts off my tool craft to put into the Eisen carrier. It also has a big hole in the rear instead of a cover so I would still want a charging handle (additional cost).
There is a Bear Creek Arsenal that looks very affordable comparatively. Just not sure of the quality compared to the other options and they dont have the rear charging handle cut out but Ive read that their plug for it doesnt work well. The last thing I want it to get blasted in the eyes at night on every shot. If yall like it then it seems like a serious contender. Just not sure how it can be half the cost of the other right sides and still perform well, makes me ask "what gives?"

Pros

• Wont interfere with thermal at all in operation
• Can be chambered quietly and the charging handle doubles as the forward assist
• Possibly a great value if the BCA works well

Cons

• Expensive. $400 plus sacrificing my current carrier group, so 500.
• All right sides Ive seen still have a rear handle slot so it wont block the gas to the face as well. Not sure how well their filler plug would work.
• If the BCA doesnt work well Ill be friggen pissed.

 

[spife7980]

No one has any input or experience with them?

 

[hlee]

My limited experience has been that riding the charging handle in order to quietly load the chamber is a recipe for leaving the bolt out of battery- at least with a standard charging handle. If you are going to be doing this, you may be better served with a reciprocating charging handle (right side charger). I would wager that many on this board have not ventured into the right side charging handle uppers because 1) most prefer left charging and 2) low cost right side chargers are low cost... (You may not have noticed, but there is a fair bit of gear snobbery on this board.) I don't know much about bear creek arsenal, but what little I see suggests they are a budget option. I have been sufficiently content with the standard charging handle not to have ponied-up the funds to upgrade to a side-charger (right or left). I use my AR rifles for hunting and charge the gun well before I get to our stand. Keep it on safe and pointed in a safe direction and have never had an issue. That said, still-hunting in the dark is another beast all together. Let us know what you decide to do, and how it works out.

 

[spife7980]

I put the thermal on my cousins 9mm gibbz and while its sort of close it looks like it will work for clearing the dvr cables. So for 300 I could get that and have my forward assist and also run a brass catcher if I cared to. So 400 including my current carrier.

But primary arms has the bear creek upper and carrier for 185 shipped this July 4th... that will be the cheapest and I can also sell everything Ive already got and not have any sunk costs in that like I would with an eisenach. Its just the matter of whether it will work worth a darn...

 

[Geno C.]

I have a right side on my 300blk. I run it like a bolt and let the bolt slam shut.

 

[spife7980]

I have a right side on my 300blk. I run it like a bolt and let the bolt slam shut.

Which brand right side do you run? How do you like it?

 

[Geno C.]

Pretty sure it's an Alexander Arms. I'd have to look to be sure. It works like it should I suppose. I basically got it so I could run quieter.

 

[padom]

MEGA SBU AR15 right side charging bullet uppers are on sale at JSE right now for $130. They are beefed up billet uppers for more rigidity. I also highly recommend you get the MEGA billet lower from them as well ($138). These 2 fit together tighter than any AR15 receiver set I've owned.

http://www.jsesurplus.com/AR-15SBUBilletUpperwithSideChargingHandleSlotM0300JSEEXCLUSIVE.aspx

http://www.jsesurplus.com/megaarms-4-1-1.aspx

 

[Strykervet]

MEGA SBU AR15 right side charging bullet uppers are on sale at JSE right now for $130. They are beefed up billet uppers for more rigidity. I also highly recommend you get the MEGA billet lower from them as well ($138). These 2 fit together tighter than any AR15 receiver set I've owned.

http://www.jsesurplus.com/AR-15SBUBilletUpperwithSideChargingHandleSlotM0300JSEEXCLUSIVE.aspx

http://www.jsesurplus.com/megaarms-4-1-1.aspx

IME with Mega I noticed their stuff fits fine with their stuff but have fairly large gaps when paired up with certain lowers. KAC being the most noticeable. Out of mine anyway. Mine aren't side charging but I bet they use a lot of the same machinery for the operations. I was invited to check out their factory once but didn't get around to it. If their measurements are screwed up, they'll make it right regardless.

AR was originally designed for the bolt to close under it's own power, bolt drawn to rear and released. It originally specifies for you not to ride the bolt closed on one because it may not go into battery.

Good luck!

 

[padom]

I agree. Fitment with other receivers is not the best but when you pair mega upper/lower together they are some of the tightest fitting billet receiver sets I've handled. I have 5 or 6 mega sets here in AR15 and AR10 and they dont have any wobble or play in them at all.

 

[spife7980]

I have an aero lower that already has a stamp pending so that’s what I’m going with there.

For the mega, what bolt carrier would go with it? A quick google doesn’t turn up any mega side charge carriers.

 

[oldfatguy]

For right-handed people a left side charging handle works better as it is operated with the support hand. And the AR platform was designed with a rear charging handle that works very well.

If you just have to have a side charger, why not one of the bull-pups like the X95?

 

[TimK]

I have no experience with a right side charger. I do have a JP with a left side charger, and I think that would be my preference if I had to choose. As the poster above stated, I can keep my right hand where it belongs and maintain my shooting position while charging with my left. I've forgotten to charge the rifle on more than one occasion, and being able to rack it while staying mostly on target is an advantage if you're in a hurry.

 

[spife7980]

In looking into the mega for 130 I would either need a youngs bolt carrier 210-250 (out of stock everywhere) or I could use an eisenach carrier which is just a carrier for 200 plus the 100 to strip current bolt out or a bear creek arsenal carrier but again, worried about quality with the bca. And the mega still has the traditional rear charging handle slot.

I see that youngs a right side upper with the rear cover door, looks to be the best of both worlds but that is out of stock as well. Its 400 like the eisenach but has the rear handle delete I like and comes with a full carrier group and not just the carrier so I wouldnt have to gut a second carrier group to make it work. Looks to be a winner if it was only in stock anywhere.

 

[padom]

I have an aero lower that already has a stamp pending so that’s what I’m going with there.

For the mega, what bolt carrier would go with it? A quick google doesn’t turn up any mega side charge carriers.

Super easy. Take your favorite carrier (I like Toolcraft) and send it to John @Keystone Accuracy and he will drill and tap your carrier and install the handle which he has in stock. He also has BCG's in stock if you dont have one or dont want to have to mail him yours. I'm about to have him do a bcg for my new MEGA SBU upper. Dont overthink the carrier. Toolcraft makes BCG's for a bunch of big name companies, has a lifetime warranty and has Nitrided, NiB, phosphate and other coatings.

Keystone is local to me and does sidechargers regularly. He did my AR22 side charger and milled my BCM Mod4 upper for the side charging handle then I had it cerakoted...

https://www.keystoneaccuracy.com/left-handed-precision-rifle.html


Here my 22LR AR done by Keystone.

 

[Badfinger]

I run a coupe of guns with Workingman's Armory uppers and love them. I don't like the idea of a bolt handle flying back and forth.

 

[spife7980]

Well I’ve submited an email request form thing on the keystone website since he’s closed for what I imagine is the next few days, fingers crossed he comes back quickly saying it’s no problem and cheap.

And that’s a big selling point for the things flying back and forth but at the same time it completely frees up the area that I would be running wires making it pretty much impossible to accidentally rip them out with a charging handle.

 

[elwarpo]

Right handed shooter, I run a left side charging handle upper from X-Products (made by Matrix). It is paired with an Aero M4E1 lower. I prefer the left charging handle because I can keep my right hand on the shooter controls/pistol grip and still have the rifle at my shoulder and on target while working the action. With the right side charging, you have to move the right hand hand to work the action which means a longer time for the first shot, as well as more movement of the rifle. Just better ergonomics.

 

[padom]

I actually dont find the Right Hand Right Handle an issue. Its a semi auto. The only time Im working the bolt is first round first mag. After that on mag changes your hitting the bolt release not working the handle. I dont see the big deal. I actually think its a cool nitch but really serves me no purpose.

 

[spife7980]

Me either, I dont care that I cant both pull the trigger and the bolt at the same time with the same hand.

65 plus shipping to have keystone tap my carrier group. Not bad.

I think Im going to wait for a couple weeks and see if the young manufacturing upper comes back in stock. I really like the rear door instead of a charging handle feature. Ive shot an ar that had a can on it 1 time and I didnt like the gas in my face one bit. If its not back in stock by my birthday in august I guess Ill snag one of those megas and go with the keystone mod. I have the radian gas busting handle for the mega but Im skeptical that drilling holes in it actually does anything. Maybe Ill just silicon the whole thing shut.

 

[padom]

I have zero issues with gas in the face running my AR's suppressed using Strike Industries Extended charging handles. 20" AR15, 10.5" AR15 or 10" 300blk...

$65 including the handle I would say is a damn good deal.

 

[spife7980]

The young was back in stock last friday and its here now. Initial impressions is that I like it. Tight fit, not a lot of slop like in the bcm and toolcraft combo I already had. Benefit of that? Idk, but its just something I noticed. With it half way out of the upper its still doesnt have any wobble.

Anyways, heres some pics since there dont seem to be too many on the web. Ill strip it down and verify head space this weekend or next week if I dont have time provided I can remember to get my punch for the little ejector pin back.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Being one who vaguely notices potential snobbery and neither minds nor conforms with its preferences, I have looked into side chargers, mainly because (coming from the M-14 era) I'm not a big fan of the T handle's ambiguity about fully entering battery when not being used in the most emphatic rack, slam, tap mode.

I see the reciprocating side charger as a more positive means of controlling such matters. But being the cheapskate that I am, I've mainly just looked at the AR Stoner Side Charger available through Midway. Customer reviews cite repeatedly that the handle tends to loosen with use, and I'm having a hard time accepting that as an allowable issue. Maybe I'm just being lazy or just not really that familiar with other options. But big bucks will not be entering my picture here.

Other than that, I'm wondering if anyone else here has one of these AR Stoner Side Charger units, and what their views on them would be.

Greg

 

[spife7980]

Being one who vaguely notices potential snobbery and neither minds nor conforms with its preferences, I have looked into side chargers, mainly because (coming from the M-14 era) I'm not a big fan of the T handle's ambiguity about fully entering battery when not being used in the most emphatic rack, slam, tap mode.

I see the reciprocating side charger as a more positive means of controlling such matters. But being the cheapskate that I am, I've mainly just looked at the AR Stoner Side Charger available through Midway. Customer reviews cite repeatedly that the handle tends to loosen with use, and I'm having a hard time accepting that as an allowable issue. Maybe I'm just being lazy or just not really that familiar with other options. But big bucks will not be entering my picture here.

Other than that, I'm wondering if anyone else here has one of these AR Stoner Side Charger units, and what their views on them would be.

Greg

I really thought about the midway ar stoner as well because initially I was going to go cheap as possible with this and it was the most recurring in google. But when I actually started adding up what it was all going to cost I figured a couple hundred more wasnt going to break the proverbial camels back so I went young.

And Im pretty sure the AR stoner side charge and the Bear Creek are one in the same, if not very close (I like that they also actually plug the rear to stop gas), and the BCA are on sale for better prices more often. Normally stoner is 240 vs BCA for 216. On primary arms right now you can assemble your own individual pieces though- bcg upper and port plug- for 110+75+10= 195.
http://www.primaryarms.com/Brand+Bear-Creek-Arsenal

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Looked over the link, liked it, the stripped upper is out of stock, no biggie, not ready to pounce just yet. The side charging BCG for 7.62x39 also caught my eye.

Thank you for the comeback and the info.

Greg

 

[Crews]

I've wanted a left side charger for quite a while now.... just can't get past thinking that nub sticking out would be very uncomfortable when the rifle is slung. Figured the only way to get around that would be getting one with a folding handle. Just something to consider when you're making your decision.