Side Charging Uppers

[bbqncigars]

@c0ony I've been real happy with my Hard Charger. Just be aware that you need to order the right one to be compatible with whatever else you have mounted on your rail. The three different models mount at the front, middle or rear of the lower, and have limited flexibility on location within each model. You can find them for around $125 delivered if you shop around a bit.

[CaptnC]

I have three right side charge, two I know are BCA withe BCG. They as smooth as any upper I've ever used. I've had to cut tabs off one HG, but I have Aluminum Black. https://www.amazon.com/Birchwood-Cas.../dp/B07RL3WKQZ

It great to reblack anything aluminum that I have to alter.

I have 5 of the nonrecepracating and to be honest I prefer a recepracating or fixed bolt better for hunting.

The coolness factor is definitely there on both so it's more of a personal preference on which to choose.

[mdram]

For on the budget side, does anyone have any experience with the Hard Charger?

https://devildogconcepts.com/product/hard-charger/

I've been looking at this for a while. I'd rather get a Gibbs, but I just can't justify dropping $300+ on it.

just got an email from dvor, they have this for 104, just an fyi

[js8588]

https://www.precisionfirearms.com/m8/2 PF Billet Side Charge Upper Receiver--pf-billet-side-charge-upper-receiver.html

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

https://www.lantac-usa.com/product-page/usc-billet-upper-side-charging-receiver

https://www.warrdogz.com/product-p/wdu-scur-20.htm

https://www.cmttac.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=122

http://eisenacharms.com/ea-15/

[gmar]

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-part...prod45166.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zvUedVgEpU

If you want the best.

Those are definitely awesome but VERY EXPENSIVE!!!

[gmar]

Thanks everyone! There’s a lot of great information!

[Roughwater]

I have heard some owners report the screw holding the bolt handle the bolt can come off. The other issue to remember with a side charging upper is that you need to remove the bolt handle whenever you want to take out the bolt for cleaning. I just finished a build using a BCA side charging upper. I hope to shoot it in the next couple of weeks. I'll report back if I notice anything you should know.

I know this is a old post but I found it so others probably will as well. I have a side charging BCA Grendel. The side charging handle is basically held on by one bolt/screw. It requires only a T25 driver to install or remove.
If a person wants to ensure the handle don't fall off a drop of Loctite will fix that. Yes to remove the BCG requires one to take off the one screw on the handle. It takes about 15 seconds to remove or install. Not difficult or time consuming to do. I think it's a pretty slick set up. I imagine if your a full auto person you might want to use a complicated device called a lock washer to hold it on or just get the rear charging version might be a better option for you. There is also a threaded plug you have to remove also in order to remove the charging handle. Mine isn't on tight, I can finger unscrew it and finger screw it back on. I admit it wouldn't be difficult to loose but I'm 71 and forgetful sometimes but haven't lost it yet. As to the BCG making noise, the noise is not coming from the BCG, I thought the same thing at first. It's actually coming from the buffer. If it's wetted a bit with oil and worked the sound disappears. I'd consider getting a different buffer but it's working fine now after wetting and working it.
I'm just working up loads right now for mine but the results are looking very promising. I'm getting 1.5 groups in doing a ladder test where I make up 5 or so rounds of progressively increasing powder loads. If you can can get a 1.5 in group with 5 different powder loads that is a really good sign. Only thing I want to mention about my BCA Grendel is that my 16" barrel has a short throat. That means the overall length (OAL) of your ammo must be considered. I found that the round I'm using, the (Absolute Hammer) bullet will touch the lands of the barrel at a OAL of 2.165". So I have to build my ammo so the OAL is roughly 1.255 or shorter that way the rounds are at least .010 away from the lands. If you load a similar bullet that is say 2.200" long, your rounds will be deep into the lands and when the bullet goes boom, it instantly encounters heavy friction which will cause a heavy pressure spike which can be a really bad thing especially if using a heavy per caliber lead bullet. If you are not familiar with what I'm talking about and hand load, Hornady makes a tool to check the depth of your lands. I only mention this as this barrel has a unusually shallow throat or at least mine does anyway. This can be a good thing but is definitely something to be aware of. I would hope most commercial ammo would be short enough that this wouldn't be a problem. Me personally, I wouldn't likely have a AR right now but BCA AR's are so reasonable they fall in the price range of a cheaper bolt rifle. That said, they won't be getting less expensive. I lived long enough to see trends and as BCA gets more well known and improves their product the price will likely go up. I'm not associated with BCA in any way just saying if you are on the fence I think your hard earned money will be well spent at BCA. I'm prior military and if you are too be sure to apply for their military, 1st responder or new buyer discount.

Good luck with your AR.

[Oso Polaris]

Based on my conversation with rep from Gibbz a few years ago, they were machining most everyone's left side-charging upper receivers that were then rebranded/sold under various brand names (PSA, New Frontier, Spartan, etc). From my experience building side charging AR9, the big issue was last round hold open, which was tricky for AR9 but not an issue on AR15.

It was something different and maybe a fun toy at range, but it would be a snag issue. Also, because it is non-reciprocating you have to manually advance the charging handle forward into it forward position. It was less hassle to slingshot the standard rear bolt handle on AR15. I got rid of the side charging upper pretty quickly.

https://www.gibbzarms.com/product/g4-side-charging-upper-receiver-right-handed/

[Old Bob]

I have a Precision Firearms side-charging upper receiver on my Grendel AR. I like this one 'cause if the handle comes loose & I lose it somewhere, I can install a traditional charging handle & be back in action. I just have to remember to carry that extra handle along when I'm out at the range or in the field. I don't expect to lose the handle but we all know crap happens. Torqued to 40 inch lbs, it shouldn't go anywhere.

https://www.precisionfirearms.com/m8/2%20PF%20Billet%20Side%20Charge%20Upper%20Receiver--pf-billet-side-charge-upper-receiver.html

[daved20319]

I recently built a Grendel AR around a BCA side charging upper. First, they (fairly) recently changed the charging handle from the old knurled round knob with a screw through it, to more of a hooked unit. Still has a single screw holding it, it it also has a pin to prevent any rotation. I've only managed about 100 rounds through mine so far, but that last session was 70 rounds, and the screw is still at least as tight as it was when I started, and I didn't go all gorilla on the torque, nor did I use any Locktite.

I had some QC issues with mine out of the box. First, it didn't want to extract fired cartridges, my first session was only about 30 rounds, and I had a LOT of extraction issues. Got it home, tore down the BCG again, and the one thing that stood out (literally) was the base of the extractor groove. It sat proud of the bolt face, and my theory was that the case hammering back under firing was pushing the extractor off the case rim. This theory was strengthened when I got a new JP Rifles Enhanced bolt kit (not installed yet), the extractor groove on that was below the bolt face. So I took a Dremel to the OEM extractor, can't say for sure that solved the problem, but I had NO extraction issues through 70 rounds the next time out.

My other issue was the feed ramps. The barrel on my upper is stainless, but the extension isn't, and has either a phosphate or Parkerized finish. Problem is, that finish is also on the feed ramps, which makes it kind of like running your bullets over a coarse file on the way into the chamber. I disassembled the entire upper, polished the feed ramps, then reassembled it, carefully snugging and loosening the barrel nut several times before turning it to final torque plus a tiny bit of extra to get the hand guard screw holes to line up properly. Not only did it feed better, no more copper streaks on the feed ramps, but the overall function seems to have improved considerably. The action out of the box was stiff and gritty, despited getting a thorough inspection and cleaning before firing the first shot. Speaking of which, although otherwise looking pretty good in the borescope, there was a sizable burr at the gas port, I was able to knock down most of that BEFORE my first range session.

I realize some of the improvement could be simply a matter of stuff wearing in from shooting, but like I said, only about 100 rounds total so far. Another theory, when the rifle was assembled, they stuck the barrel in the receiver, torqued the barrel nut, and sent it on down the line, leaving the barrel with a tiny misalignment to the receiver. Can't prove that, but it fits with my experience. On a related note, a friend of mine also ordered a couple of BCA side chargers, one in .223, the other .22 LR. His .223 has been flawless, but the .22 has been a PITA from day one. And BCA's CS response has been dismal, totally ignored him for more than a week, then he got shipping info that something was headed his way, but no idea what.

Bottom line, I think they build okay stuff, but it's pretty much slapped together and with little, if any, quality control. I don't know anything about their lowers or complete rifles, this one is on an Aero lower, but if I was to buy another of their uppers, I'd plan on tearing it down right from the get go, and don't expect much if you need CS. Truth is, it didn't cost me much in time or ammo to get where I am now. I haven't done a proper load workup yet, just threw together some middle of the charge range loads with 3 different bullets as break in/extended function test. All three loads were printing 1.5" or better groups, with the first 5 shot group from my second session going into less than 1/2". It's possible I may have a scope issue, that will be tested the next time out. I still consider them a good bang for the buck, especially if you're set on having a side charger. Just be prepared to do some hand fitting to get it working the way it should. Later.

Dave

[Old Bob]

The first upper I had for my Grendel AR was a BCA upper. My original barrel was an Odin 18 incher. This combo did not shoot well at all with the only Grendel ammo I had at the time, the now defunct Hornady 123gn AMAX. Not yet knowing BCA products could be hit-or-miss items, I was thinking the barrel might be the problem. So, I bought a Wilson Combat barrel for it. Well, that didn't improve my groups any at all.

About that time frame is when I joined this forum & started learning about the 6.5 Grendel. It was reports about BCA's lack of quality & PF's high quality that prompted me to buy a PF upper. The difference in groups after installing my WC barrel in the PF upper was light-years different. From the BCA 3"+ to under .75" with the PF using the same AMAX ammo had me grinnin' like a Cheshire cat.

One thing I noticed when I was removing the barrel from the BCA upper, the fit was quite sloppy. I could wiggle the barrel around in the BCA upper. When I installed the barrel in the PF upper, I had to do a thermal fit (warmed upper/cold barrel).

Now I'm wondering if the Odin barrel I have was prematurely blamed for the original huge groups. I've got a BCM blemished upper that's still in it's original wrapper. I might have to put the Odin in it & re-evaluate it.

[MISportsman]

My grendel is a bca side charging. So far it has functioned flawlessly. It's great because the scope isn't in the way of charging it! It also does lock open just like a standard are/M16 bolt.

[grayfox]

Bob, that BA barrel is probably a nice barrel. Not as good as your PF/WC but still a nice one. WC good one too.

[Old Bob]

Bob, that BA barrel is probably a nice barrel. Not as good as your PF/WC but still a nice one. WC good one too.

Odin barrels are made by BA? Didn't know that. I guess I'll build a new upper assembly with it & my BCM receiver & give it a shot. :-)

[VASCAR2]

Aero Precision sell Ballistic Advantage barrels and is a sister company IIRC. I have never heard of any affiliation between Odin Works and BA (Ballistic Advantage).