Haven't shot an AR in the almost 20 years since I was in the service. Looking at new things and was wondering who makes the best Side Chargers? I'd like to try out one of the non reciprocating left side styles. Since there's not a great deal of info on this site about them; what are some of the advantages and disadvantages you've all run into? Thanks for the help..

I got one. It was made by a small Georgetown TX company, Serenity Arms. They call it the Texas Patriot Rifle.

Advantages/disadvantages, well you would have to be the judge. One of the reasons I bought it was for its uniqueness. The one thing you need to mindful of is the optics you mount. I have an Eotech 552 on mine and the knobs could get in the way if you had gloves on.

My favorite AR is a side charge made by LAR, I have heard they are no longer in business. My friend recently built one on a Stoner action from Midway

Bought up:

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2012/11/28/lar-manufacturing-acquired-by-remington/

I built a couple on Bear Creek Arsenal side charging upper receivers.....a 5.56 and a 300 Blackout. Both work fine...no problems. They have periodic sales on upper w/BCG packages.

I make my own, generally left side handles, and they are reciprocating. I haven't found the reciprocating handle to be any disadvantage, and it's a useful replacement for the F/A sometimes. However, the exposed slot in the receiver does tend to deliver a bit more gas to the face when shooting suppressed. That's about the only disadvantage I've found.

All in all, I'd say that side charge handles on the AR15 platform don't really solve any problems per se, but they are convenient and work well. If you like them, go for it.

Liked the idea of not having to mess up my cheek weld in order to cycle the bolt while using light loads.
Making my own as a first build sounds a bit of a stretch.

Will look into those mentioned. Thanks for the reply's!

That's why I first did it too, for subsonic mouse fart 300 Blk loads.

I don't recommend trying to make one yourself unless you have machining equipment & skills though.

Yondering, I'm helping a friend who's building it for me. He's put together at least 15 standard AR's from the ground up. Hoping any issues that arise we'll be able to work out.

Anyone worked with a Gibbz Arms receiver before?
Aslo looking at doing this in 223 Wylde; thoughts a bbl maker that chambers in this and what profile would be best for something that's going to get carried a lot?

All help is really appreciated!

I meant that I don't recommend trying to do your own conversion of a standard bolt carrier to a side charger; you need machining equipment for that, not just the average homeowner drill press or dremel. Drilling and tapping a hardened bolt carrier for a side charge handle is not a simple task. That was in reply to you saying "Making my own as a first build sounds like a stretch."

I was not implying that you shouldn't assemble an AR yourself; that's fairly easy.

interesting on drilling for a bolt... we did one back in the late 80s or early 90s. I don't own a drill press, but have access. I don't recall there being much to tap and thread the hole. But my memory from way back when things were not common on the AR isn't that great anymore.

i have 2. one on a 458 socom the other a AR 5.7 fn
like both
the 458 is a Eisenach Arms upper on a Founding Fathers lower.

Everyone that has seen my side chargers has converted.
Black Gold Custom makes side charge AR15 and AR10 uppers, with available BCGs. Fully milled. Top notch stuff.



Dave

Interesting, I've seen quite a few. I"ve never really had the urge except one we built for rapid fire dry fire practice in the 90s

How are you doing this ?? What machines are you using ??

kwg

kwg - I use a milling machine for the carrier modification, and make the charge handles on the lathe. The receivers get a slot milled in them for the handle too of course. I don't sell them or anything like that, just build them because i like them. Sometimes I lighten the bolt carriers too, as you can see behind the side charge handle in this pic, but that's a slightly different topic.

that is on the wrong side! actually perfect. no firing hand release like mine. I want one!!
or 3

Yeah it could be right or left (or both!), and a lot of AR side chargers are on the right, but I prefer mine on the left so I don't have to let go of the firing hand grip. I started that for mouse fart 300 Blk suppressed loads (manually cycled) and kept it that way for the rest of them just for consistency.

its a winner.. going to steal the concept if thats OK?

It's a pretty open concept so have at it, the only part that's "mine" is the design of the charge handle and the machining methods.

OK i will use a thread spool for a handle then

I'm liking your results. Unfortunately, I don't have access to the mill or lathe. And, I'm waiting for the prices to start dropping on the factory made ones. I do like the fact you have done yours on the right (correct) side.

kwg

Thanks for the comments guys. For anyone wanting to make their own - I use a high quality #10-32 socket head cap screw to attach the handle, and haven't had any failures yet. Kwg- I could help out a fellow forum member on modifying one of these if you want, although it'd be a little while since I've got some other projects lined up first. send a pm if you want.

Here's an upper:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/6...=product_8_link&utm_campaign=process

The left side and non-reciprocating part make the list VERY small to my knowledge. JP makes a kit, but it's pricey:

https://www.jprifles.com/buy.php?item=JPPSC-URA2

I wouldn't be waiting on prices to fall right now, after this mental dude is trying to get our guns again... I've been watching places run out of a lot of things lately.

Palmetto State has 6 pages of rifle mags, 30 per page appx.. watched them go from almost all in stock some days ago, to almost 5 full pages totally out of stock... brownells was out of their good 20 round mags the morning after...

FWIW.