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Side Charging AR

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  • Jarhead
    Veteran Member
    • Feb 2007
    • 2847

    Side Charging AR

    Thoughts?

    Any experience?

    Pro's and Con's?
  • #2
    Mitch
    Mostly Harmless
    CGN Contributor - Lifetime
    • Mar 2008
    • 6574

    It fixes the biggest ergonomic issue with the AR, the stupid rear charging handle.

    I have three of them here, but I haven't built them up yet.
    Originally posted by cockedandglocked
    Getting called a DOJ shill has become a rite of passage around here. I've certainly been called that more than once - I've even seen Kes get called that. I haven't seen Red-O get called that yet, which is very suspicious to me, and means he's probably a DOJ shill.

    Comment

    • #3
      BigBamBoo
      Calguns Addict
      • Apr 2008
      • 5210

      I have owned three, and currently have two.

      I started with a ASA upper receiver for a 9mm build. While it was a fun little carbine, the design of the their side charger was a bit weak IMHO. It just seemed like it was waiting to break. Plus it did not have a dust cover for the side charger channel.
      But to be fair, I never had any problems with it.

      My friend has a newer ASA upper and they have beefed the lever up a bit, but still not my favorite design.

      The next one I put together was based on a JP PSC-11 upper. Much more stout then the ASA with a dust cover on the side charger channel, etc.
      It actually is a dual charger....it has the standard charging handle as well.

      I just put together a 9mm carbine using a JP GMR-13 side charger upper.

      I am a big supporter of JP products...they just work and fit and finish is outstanding.

      The side charger design works very well for most things. The only drawback is when you want to lock the bolt back, Then the standard handle works the best.
      But again...the JP's are dual chargers so you get the best of both worlds.
















      Bring hay for my horse....wine for my men....and mud for my turtle!

      What do you hear ???...... Nothing but the rain. Well grab your gun and bring in the cat.

      "A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity."
      - Sigmund Freud

      Originally posted by ar15barrels
      It makes it bigger and longer.

      Comment

      • #4
        mcisniper
        Senior Member
        • Sep 2011
        • 532

        Take a look at New Frontier Armorys side charging upper. It uses a standard BCG and includes a modified bolt cam pin. I have built a few uppers with it and zero complaints.

        New Frontier Armory – a leading firearms manufacturer in Fort Worth, TX. Specializing in AR manufacturing and top-quality firearms.
        sigpic
        01 FFL, Chula Vista, CA
        www.westcoastsurvivalarms.com
        info@westcoastsurvivalarms.com

        Comment

        • #5
          JGalt
          Member
          • Jan 2014
          • 231

          seems like a step backwards. just make sure it's on the strong-hand side of the weapon as it can hang up on gear and knock the weapon out of battery if on the support-hand side. since the JP handle folds out of the way, it may work just fine on the off-hand side. they are not something I would train or patrol with, but should be fun at the range.

          Comment

          • #6
            CK_32
            I need a LIFE!!
            • Sep 2010
            • 14369

            Never shot one. But I can only thing of pros aside from looks.


            Wouldn't mind buying one if I had the spare funds. Again I see only pro's to a side charge AR.
            For Sale: AR500 Lvl III+ ASC Armor

            What's Your Caliber??


            My Youtube channel

            Comment

            • #7
              edgerly779
              CGN/CGSSA Contributor
              CGN Contributor
              • Aug 2009
              • 19871

              My next project after 80% 1911 is to mill one of my m4 uppers and drill and tap the bolt. I'll make the charging knob out of stainless on my lathe. If it turns out ok I'll do couple.

              Comment

              • #8
                Click Boom
                Calguns Addict
                • Nov 2013
                • 6955

                My side chaging Piston driven high tech AR is a 223 saiga. Most proven side charging/piston system ever!

                Comment

                • #9
                  OpenSightsOnly
                  Senior Member
                  • Sep 2009
                  • 1557

                  M1 has an op rod located on the right side of the receiver,

                  The AR design made it compact and moved it on top of the bolt.

                  no difference to me . . .

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    m16
                    Veteran Member
                    • Aug 2010
                    • 2527

                    I bought a Mega side charger for my 6.8 hog gun.

                    It makes it much easier to charge the weapon if you have a scope mounted.

                    Mine has a reciprocating handle but it has never been an issue.

                    Last edited by m16; 12-03-2018, 10:28 PM.
                    Marine Raider Foundation

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      bigbearbear
                      Calguns Addict
                      • Jun 2011
                      • 5378

                      Are those side charging handles on AR reciprocating ones? If so, I guess it would eliminate the need for the top charging handle and forward assist. Which would be pretty nice, especially if you have a scope mounted which makes access to the charging handle harder to reach.

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        BigBamBoo
                        Calguns Addict
                        • Apr 2008
                        • 5210

                        The JP and ASA are NON-reciprocating.
                        Bring hay for my horse....wine for my men....and mud for my turtle!

                        What do you hear ???...... Nothing but the rain. Well grab your gun and bring in the cat.

                        "A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity."
                        - Sigmund Freud

                        Originally posted by ar15barrels
                        It makes it bigger and longer.

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Click Boom
                          Calguns Addict
                          • Nov 2013
                          • 6955

                          Left side reciprocating can fk u up.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            safety-1st
                            Senior Member
                            • Aug 2013
                            • 1300

                            Agreed^

                            On another note I want the ARAK 21 best of both worlds!

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Mitch
                              Mostly Harmless
                              CGN Contributor - Lifetime
                              • Mar 2008
                              • 6574

                              Originally posted by Click Boom
                              Left side reciprocating can fk u up.
                              Never had a problem with the SCARs.
                              Originally posted by cockedandglocked
                              Getting called a DOJ shill has become a rite of passage around here. I've certainly been called that more than once - I've even seen Kes get called that. I haven't seen Red-O get called that yet, which is very suspicious to me, and means he's probably a DOJ shill.

                              Comment

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