Side Chargers

[Mad Charlie]

Has anyone here used them?
What do you think of them?

[A5BLASTER]

I'm useing the joebobs knock off of the gibbz arms nonrecriprcating sidecharging upper, love it won't ever be going back to regular rear charging style uppers.

What I like most about it is the cam pin comes with the upper and is designed to work with any bcg on the market.

I'm running jp lowmass steel bcg in my uppers and it works wonderfully.

One thing to note if you like to lapp the face of the receiver you will have to cut down the tool because the charging handle gets in the way of it.

Also clamshell vice blocks want work on it either, so you have to use the bev block or a reaction rod to hold it in a vice.

And if you like handguards that use the lil anti rotation tabs you will have to cut them off to use it on that upper.

Hope this helps sir.

[Mad Charlie]

It does, thanks.

[Randy99CL]

When I built my first AR last October I started with a BCA side-charging receiver.
I love it. I've owned two Mini-14s and now three 10/22s and the changing handle on the side seems natural to me. It's an automatic, quick movement, don't have to move the gun or even think about it.

Recently bought my second AR and the normal charge handle is awkward and not well planned out.

The only thing I don't like is that you have to unscrew the handle to pull the BCG. Eventually those threads will wear out.
And BCA has been out of stock on these receivers since I got mine 9 months ago. I think it's a good, solid, accurate receiver at a great price but they won't make enough to keep them in stock.
They don't list a 6.5G anymore either. This one is 5.56: https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/upp...iver-bcg-combo

[A5BLASTER]

When I built my first AR last October I started with a BCA side-charging receiver.
I love it. I've owned two Mini-14s and now three 10/22s and the changing handle on the side seems natural to me. It's an automatic, quick movement, don't have to move the gun or even think about it.

Recently bought my second AR and the normal charge handle is awkward and not well planned out.

The only thing I don't like is that you have to unscrew the handle to pull the BCG. Eventually those threads will wear out.
And BCA has been out of stock on these receivers since I got mine 9 months ago. I think it's a good, solid, accurate receiver at a great price but they won't make enough to keep them in stock.

You bring up a good point I hadn't thought about when comparing two different styles of sidecharging uppers.

Yours you have to unscrew the handle to get the bcg out, the kind like I'm useing you just pop the back pin open it up and slide out the bcg.

[LRRPF52]

One of the main advantages of a side charger, if it doesn't have the standard charge handle provisions and escape path for gas, is suppressed use.

Of all the assault rifle designs I've used, I really like the MP-44 and FN FAL handle locations. I prefer the FN fixed cocking handle over the folders.



There are several improvements that can be made for a side-charger with the AR15 that have not yet been realized though.

The big advantage to the standard AR15 charge handle arrangement is resistance to debris ingestion.

When studying the history of charge handle development from the 1955 AR10 through the Dutch licensed contract guns, to the AR15, you get the sense that we're still dealing with a prototype design that was just settled on and mass-produced.

I have used it for decades without much issue, but bolt hold open for a right-handed shooter is really the main hang-up with the AR15.

[A5BLASTER]

One of the main advantages of a side charger, if it doesn't have the standard charge handle provisions and escape path for gas, is suppressed use.

Of all the assault rifle designs I've used, I really like the MP-44 and FN FAL handle locations. I prefer the FN fixed cocking handle over the folders.



There are several improvements that can be made for a side-charger with the AR15 that have not yet been realized though.

The big advantage to the standard AR15 charge handle arrangement is resistance to debris ingestion.

When studying the history of charge handle development from the 1955 AR10 through the Dutch licensed contract guns, to the AR15, you get the sense that we're still dealing with a prototype design that was just settled on and mass-produced.

I have used it for decades without much issue, but bolt hold open for a right-handed shooter is really the main hang-up with the AR15.

Good Intel thank you sir.

I had forgot about that as well, I can rack the handle back and lock the bcg with just my left hand.

[1075 tech]

On the subject of side chargers.... has anyone here drilled and tapped their carrier to make it a side charge? I ask because I have an SCR lower that the bolt carrier is of proprietary design and I want to do a side charge upper on it.

[Randy99CL]

When studying the history of charge handle development from the 1955 AR10 through the Dutch licensed contract guns, to the AR15, you get the sense that we're still dealing with a prototype design that was just settled on and mass-produced.

Yep, that design does seem unnecessarily complicated, expensive to make and awkward to use...until I realized that they reallllllly wanted that dust cover. That's the only explanation for such a crappy design.

[Randy99CL]

On the subject of side chargers.... has anyone here drilled and tapped their carrier to make it a side charge? I ask because I have an SCR lower that the bolt carrier is of proprietary design and I want to do a side charge upper on it.

As a retired machinist I wouldn't be afraid to drill and tap the BCG in a spot where it wouldn't interfere with the bolt...but look at the pic of the BCA receiver. That milled slot for the handle is necessary for the BCG to move enough to lock back on the empty mag.
003B.jpg

[1075 tech]

As a retired machinist I wouldn't be afraid to drill and tap the BCG in a spot where it wouldn't interfere with the bolt...but look at the pic of the BCA receiver. That milled slot for the handle is necessary for the BCG to move enough to lock back on the empty mag.
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I've heard that carbide bits are recommended due to the hardness of the carrier. My plan was to get a stripped upper set up for side charge and then modify the carrier.

[Randy99CL]

I've heard that carbide bits are recommended due to the hardness of the carrier. My plan was to get a stripped upper set up for side charge and then modify the carrier.

I have no idea of how tough the BCG material is.
Yeah, both BCA and Midway sell stripped side-charge uppers (but both are currently OOS).

[Sixoeight]

I have a BCA side charger I plan to use for a Grendel upper build. It seems pretty nice and I like that it is reciprocating. It's dead simple. I wouldn't worry about the threads and even if they failed you can always drill it out and retap it a size larger. I also like that you are directly manipulating the bolt. If you need to give it a bit of pressure to fully chamber the round you can.

This is also something I like about the AK and sks. Simple and effective.

[drewthebrave]

I have a BCA reciprocating side-charger on my 5.56 pistol and have no complaints. It reminds me of charging my 10/22.
Though the pessimist in me can't help but worry about being SOL if the screw holding the charging handle to the BCG broke in the field...

[Kswhitetails]

Carry a spare. That screw ain’t gonna bind in, and don’t loktite it. Carry the wrench if you’re worried about it coming loose.