Side Charging Upper Options

[strongpoint]

Also: Don't try adding a bolt handle to a BCG by yourself. There have been a few threads about it in the gunsmithing subforum -- it's a tough task for even experienced pro machinists.

[toddh]

I'm doing research for my next build. Its going to be built mostly with my son in mind. I'm going to make it into a manually operated rifle by blocking off the gas port and not putting in a gas tube. Because I/he will need to cycle the bolt every time, I want to make it easier to do.

I know about Gibbz Arms and their product is damn nice. But $250 for their upper is money I can put into other parts of the gun that matter more. I also found the Gun Fighter side charging drop in, but for $150, I might as well go with the Gibbz by time I buy a upper receiver on top of that. Then you have your basic knob on the BCG and milled upper. Which being this would be a manually operated rifle wouldn't be bad because its not going to be moving. But where can I get one of those? Can I install a knob myself on a BCG?

So any thoughts, opinions, concerns, experience, or just mall ninja wisdom would be appreciated.

I have not seen any of these but I would not get one made of 6061 alum. 7075 is 60% stronger! And will hold up better when sliding the charging handle back and forth. The ano will hold up better on 7075

https://www.onlinemetals.com/productguides/aluminumguide.cfm

http://www.xproducts.com/x-15-scu-side-charging-ar-upper

Not sure what alum it is made of.

http://www.americanspiritarms.com/upper-receivers/asa-ar-15-m4-side-charger-upper-receiver-without-carrier/

Made of 7075 alum.

https://www.matrix-arms.com/product/556-side-charging-upper/

Made of 7075 alum

https://newfrontierarmory.com/shop/side-charging-ar-15-stripped-billet-upper-receiver/

Made of 6061 alum

I do have a Gun Fighter side charging handle and got a Nickel Teflon Upper Receiver so it would slide nice and smooth.

Good topic.
OP, you should post some links to some components you are interested in like the other guy did.

And FWIW....7075 is really only about 45% stronger (avg) than 6061.
I didn't give it much thought when I bought the New Frontier side charger upper. The one I tried at a match worked very well.

I haven't decided what kind of build to do with it yet.....45 ACP Carbine...or another 5.56....or maybe .300 ?? Who knows ??


.

[ttshooter]

American spirit arms is also made in AZ and they are smart enough to use 7075!

As for the Gun Fighter side charging handle they were also smart enough to use 7075 but the slot is a bit one the sloppy side and I don't like the sharp edges. You can not feel flexus cuz of the slop...good idea but needs to be cleaned up.

[Psychbiker]

Been debating this myself. Go reciprocating or non reciprocating? I'd want the to charge with my left hand of course.

Came across this youtube and guy's website is in the description. For $160 you send him your upper and he will mill a slot, tap and install a lever on the bolt. Looks clean.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2J3GzB-cms

[BigBamBoo]

I have both a Gibbz and a JP. And have owned the early model from ASA.

The JP is still my favorite. I am less then thrilled with the Gibbz. First it is Cerakoted, not anodized. So it will really only match a Cerakoted lower....not that big of a deal, but....the Cerakote is chipping off the receiver where the brass hits it. With only 400 rounds through the rifle, I hate to think of what is gonna look like at 5000 rounds

Next the non-reciprocating handle does in fact reciprocate. They use a ball detent to keep it locked in the forward position...good idea, but it does not work well.
My thoughts are it is due to a) the Cerakote being "slippery" or b) the spring that holds the ball is weak.

Now it could be "fixed" by drilling out the detent "hole" a bit to let the ball sit lower and/or put a heavier spring in it.

And last...Gibbz customer service so far has been lacking. Three emails and two phone calls and I have not had any response.

I will not use their products again.

[ElvenSoul]

Do not get one the reciprocate with the bolt...hated it

http://www.americanspiritarms.com/upper-receivers/asa-ar-15-m4-side-charger-upper-receiver-with-modified-carrier/

Claims theirs does not reciprocrate

[NorCalFocus]

I have both a Gibbz and a JP. And have owned the early model from ASA.

The JP is still my favorite. I am less then thrilled with the Gibbz. First it is Cerakoted, not anodized. So it will really only match a Cerakoted lower....not that big of a deal, but....the Cerakote is chipping off the receiver where the brass hits it. With only 400 rounds through the rifle, I hate to think of what is gonna look like at 5000 rounds

Next the non-reciprocating handle does in fact reciprocate. They use a ball detent to keep it locked in the forward position...good idea, but it does not work well.
My thoughts are it is due to a) the Cerakote being "slippery" or b) the spring that holds the ball is weak.

Now it could be "fixed" by drilling out the detent "hole" a bit to let the ball sit lower and/or put a heavier spring in it.

And last...Gibbz customer service so far has been lacking. Three emails and two phone calls and I have not had any response.

I will not use their products again.

Thank you for that info. That for sure will make me look elsewhere.

Do not get one the reciprocate with the bolt...hated it

http://www.americanspiritarms.com/upper-receivers/asa-ar-15-m4-side-charger-upper-receiver-with-modified-carrier/

Claims theirs does not reciprocrate

I'm thinking of getting a reciprocrating one for the reason it won't be moving on its own. Plus my son is shooting left handed so a right side charging handle would be a plus.



Great information already guys, thanks. I'm still just in the planning stages, so not looking to do this tomorrow.