Catskillkid
.450/400 Nitro Ex
I was contemplating using a side charger for my next build. Anyone have any experience with them? Are they a good idea/worth it or not?
Side Chargers...Yea or Nay?
- Thread starter Catskillkid
- Start date
I did my 9mm build with a side charger. I thought it would be a big advantage but not so much for me. Plus it screws up my muscle memory when switching to and from a standard configuration. It's fine if you stick with one set up and stay with it.
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I vote nay.
ProgSpear
.338 Win Mag
I’ve considered the same route on occasion for a Valkerie build; leave out the gas tube and build a “bolt” gun with all evil features.
Robin
.475 A&M Magnum
Doing a Valkyrie upper with a dual charger. I has both, a side charger and the standard top rear charger.
Robin
Robin
Catskillkid
.450/400 Nitro Ex
How does that work? Just install both? Anything special you have to do?
oc shooter
.223 Rem
rear charger never made sense to me kinda like a bolt gun charging straight back into ur face. non reciprocating charging handle is the way to go
White oak armory has one that has a side charging bolt cut and a charging handle. I have built a couple of straight pull bolt action uppers with them.
Robin
.475 A&M Magnum
BCA AR-15 Left Handed Dual Charging Upper Receiver/BCG Combo .223 / 5.56 NATO
Here is a picture of one.
Robin
Here is a picture of one.
Robin
Built my AR9 with a side charger from Matrix Arms. Works great and never a problem. That said I don’t think I’ll build another AR with a side charger so all operate the same from a training perspective.
Edit - @Catskillkid let me know if you want to check/try it out.
Edit - @Catskillkid let me know if you want to check/try it out.
Why would they have the charging handle on left side of a left handed receiver? Wouldn't you want to keep your left hand on the grip?
Robin
.475 A&M Magnum
There are some lefties made with the charger on the right, the ejection port on the left. It is more natural to me with it on the left and easier for me to keep a sight picture when shooting from a rest, while either tapping into battery or ejecting a dud. Something impossible to do with a rear charger.
Robin
Robin
Eddie Gunks
.338 Win Mag
Intan my scar 16 & 17 with the side chargers on the left. (I shoot righty). This was i could do any manipulations without removing my trigger hand.
The reciprocating CH kinda sucked. You gotta rrmmeber not to brace off a door in the CH area......ot stick your thumb there. Both self correcting. Did the door once. The thumb was just brushed....barely touching it....enough to leave my lesson.
I like side CH. (on the left side)
The reciprocating CH kinda sucked. You gotta rrmmeber not to brace off a door in the CH area......ot stick your thumb there. Both self correcting. Did the door once. The thumb was just brushed....barely touching it....enough to leave my lesson.
I like side CH. (on the left side)
SuffolkArms
.40 S&W
I just used a non-reciprocating GIBBZ MG4 on an SCR build and am not too happy with it. The specs of the Picatinny rail seem off and I can't seem to get my aimpoint (w/ standard mount) to mount on it. This is the only rail I have with this problem so I'm assuming the issue is on Gibbz side. I doubt I'd ever consider it for a regular AR.
1075tech
.338 Win Mag
I'm planning on the Spartan/Frontier Armory (they look the same/same price) non-reciprocating left side charger for my 6.5 pistol build.
Robin
.475 A&M Magnum
I'm having trouble finding a 14"-15" handguard that will work with my side charger upper. Most that I have seen have a slight 1/2" overlap on to the upper receiver and the configuration of the side charger prevents that. Anyone have any suggestions. I will be selling a very nice 15" Aero-precision Atlas soon, I can't afford these kind of mistakes, yes they will take it back but by the time I pay all the shipping back and forth, I would rather give someone here a good deal.
Robin
Robin
SuffolkArms
.40 S&W
You're referring to the anti-rotation tabs. I had to dremel the tabs off of my midwest industries G3 handguard for my SCR + Gibbz Side Charger. I'd take a dremel to it and clean it up with a birchwood casey super black touch up pen.
Robin
.475 A&M Magnum
What guard are you using?
Robin
Robin
Doc8404
.450/400 Nitro Ex
SuffolkArms
.40 S&W
Using this one from Midwest Industries. MI Lightweight One Piece Free Float Handguard M-LOK™ compatible | AR-15 SAFE SPACE | USA. The anti rotation tabs that get in the way of the Gibbz Side charger receiver are those two little tabs stick out in the bottom left. They call that thing a "torque plate" and it screws out and can even be replaced if you ever want to add the tabs back. I just dremeled it with a cutting wheel and it fit just fine.
Not sure what the rest of your setup is, but if its for a 16 in barrel I wouldn't consider a 15-in free float rail if you want to use rail-mounted irons. Since free-float rails can flex it can throw off your point of aim. The best way to do it is a shorter rail section and a gas block mounted front-iron sight. Wish I knew at the time!
Robin
.475 A&M Magnum
Some pricey stuff right there! Side Charging Handle System | Devil Dog Concepts
Robin
Robin
Robin
.475 A&M Magnum
Thanks Suffolk, that's one of the ones I have been looking at. Those anti-rotation studs may actually fit my Bear Creek receiver. I have a 24" barrel and rifle gas length so fifteen inches will cover the gas block nicely. No front sight, this is an all glass sighting system.Using this one from Midwest Industries. MI Lightweight One Piece Free Float Handguard M-LOK™ compatible | AR-15 SAFE SPACE | USA. The anti rotation tabs that get in the way of the Gibbz Side charger receiver are those two little tabs stick out in the bottom left. They call that thing a "torque plate" and it screws out and can even be replaced if you ever want to add the tabs back. I just dremeled it with a cutting wheel and it fit just fine.
Not sure what the rest of your setup is, but if its for a 16 in barrel I wouldn't consider a 15-in free float rail if you want to use rail-mounted irons. Since free-float rails can flex it can throw off your point of aim. The best way to do it is a shorter rail section and a gas block mounted front-iron sight. Wish I knew at the time!
Robin
GUNSICK
6.5 Creedmoor
Using this one from Midwest Industries. MI Lightweight One Piece Free Float Handguard M-LOK™ compatible | AR-15 SAFE SPACE | USA. The anti rotation tabs that get in the way of the Gibbz Side charger receiver are those two little tabs stick out in the bottom left. They call that thing a "torque plate" and it screws out and can even be replaced if you ever want to add the tabs back. I just dremeled it with a cutting wheel and it fit just fine.
Not sure what the rest of your setup is, but if its for a 16 in barrel I wouldn't consider a 15-in free float rail if you want to use rail-mounted irons. Since free-float rails can flex it can throw off your point of aim. The best way to do it is a shorter rail section and a gas block mounted front-iron sight. Wish I knew at the time!
If you use a quality free float rail flexing shouldn’t be an issue. Most standard profile barrels flex way more than a rail when fired or from sling pressure so a barrel mounted sight isn’t really improving anything IMHO.
Prudii
.357 mag
Yea. The cut away ones are ok but if you want to spend more money the gibbz/new frontier ones are very nice.
repete
.338 Win Mag
I built one and like it, it is a bit different and attracts some attention at the range. Never got my thumb in the way but I have had the bolt knob come loose luckily I didn't lose it. II put a small O-ring on it to hold a bit of tension.
Robin
.475 A&M Magnum
repete, any problem with the O ring from the bolt heating up?
Robin
Robin