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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,834
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,834 |
Got the itch to swap out one of my AR-15 'standard' uppers for a side charging, non-reciprocating upper. Don't know why, other than as I say, "I have an itch" (and we all know that a rifle loonies itch should be scratched).
Anyone have any experience, good, bad, or indifferent with these. I'm looking at the Gibbz G4, as does not require machining the BCG - only swapping out the cam pin.
I never thought I'd grow up to be a grumpy old man, but I did, and I'm killin' it.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23,624
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23,624 |
Why not just go for a single shot bolt action? MM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,605
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,605 |
????
Maybe you’re not understanding that it’s still a semi-auto, mag-fed AR, no matter where the charging handle is?
I’ve not taken the plunge yet on side chargers, but they make sense in hunting ARs, and left side, NR makes the most sense on going to a side charger....at least from a righty.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,474
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,474 |
normal charging AR has never been an issue to us while hunting. But if you want it to want it thats cool
We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 518
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 518 |
I had one of the Gibbz several years ago when they first came out. Charging handle wouldn't stay latched forward, at the first shot, it turned into a 'kinda reciprocating' side charging handle, in that it just rattled around and slid back and forth at its leisure. Ended up stripping it back down and threw the upper in a junk box out in the shop. Maybe the newer ones are better, this was several years ago. I did build up a grendel for a buddy using a Bear Creek side charge upper, but it's a fixed handle, reciprocates with the bolt. Zero issues with that one, so far... But, like rost495 said, no issues with the regular charging handle here, either.
"...and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." Luke 22:36
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,834
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,834 |
Update. I took the plunge on Black Friday, Bought the Gibbz with the Gen 3 (latching) handle. So far so good. I have about 200 rnds thru it since I made the conversion. No hiccups or faults. Charging handle stays latched and no hint of reciprocation.
I never thought I'd grow up to be a grumpy old man, but I did, and I'm killin' it.
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,605
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,605 |
If I went to a side charger, it’d probably be strong-side, reciprocating, and just for a pure hunting rig....to dump the FA and be able to ease a bolt home.
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Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 79
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 79 |
I have a JP side charger (actually dual charger, it still has the normal charge handle) and I LOVE it. If they weren't so doggone expensive they would all be dual chargers. It's nice to be able to rack the bolt in prone without breaking position.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 67,689
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 67,689 |
My Armalite AR180B is a side charger
Sam......
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Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 71
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 71 |
Love side charger UNLESS you wanna use a brass catcher.
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Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 79
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 79 |
Love side charger UNLESS you wanna use a brass catcher.
Non-reciprocating side chargers charge on the left. No interference with the brass catcher.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,107
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,107 |
I have a Serenity Arms Texas Patriot model. Love it.
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