Side charging ARs... thoughts?

[dial1911]

Looks like PSA has a side charging AR upper: http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-18-223-wylde-ss-mid-1-8-fluted-match-15-m-lok-side-charger.html


After shooting my carbine with the can on it, I'd be very happy to get rid of that charging handle under my nose. I know about drilling a hole in the charging handle for a gas port, but I haven't done it yet.

What are your thoughts on the side charging AR upper? Just one more thing sticking off the receiver to snag? Harder to mortar the thing if you get a round stuck?

 

[PewPewPewCo]

I prefer the left side, non reciprocating, side charger offered by NFA armory.

 

[dial1911]

Haven't paid much attention to NFA before- I have one of their Glock mag AR lowers and the machining looks outstanding.

I really wish they'd made that upper out of 7075 instead of 6061... 6061 is the cheap shit.

 

[AtlMedic]

I handled one some guy had at a range. It was a precision build that was neat. He had it so he could turn the gas off to shoot suppressed. Made it into a pretty quiet mag fed straight pull bolt gun.

 

[fyroc]

I handled one some guy had at a range. It was a precision build that was neat. He had it so he could turn the gas off to shoot suppressed. Made it into a pretty quiet mag fed straight pull bolt gun.

That's how some European countries do it. Allows them to have ARs. The just mod it so it acts as a straight pull.

 

[AtlMedic]

That's how some European countries do it. Allows them to have ARs. The just mod it so it acts as a straight pull.

Makes sense. I didn't get a chance to talk to him but it was cool to watch how fast he was able to accurately shoot and cycle it.

 

[Wallace]

They are kind of neat, but I have grown fond of the BCM Mod 4 Gunfighter CH, so I don't personally see a need for it. Plus, unless it is no reciprocation, I would not want it.

 

[Wallace]

I prefer the left side, non reciprocating, side charger offered by NFA armory.

Those look like hammered asshole though...

 

[Hayata]

I handled one some guy had at a range. It was a precision build that was neat. He had it so he could turn the gas off to shoot suppressed. Made it into a pretty quiet mag fed straight pull bolt gun.

Did someone say mag fed straight pull bolt gun?



Sorry, couldn't resist.

Carry on...

 

[Righter13]

I don't like side charging on a duty gun for the purpose it could easily get snagged on kit and pull it out of battery

 

[EugenFJR]

Looks like PSA has a side charging AR upper: http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-18-223-wylde-ss-mid-1-8-fluted-match-15-m-lok-side-charger.html


After shooting my carbine with the can on it, I'd be very happy to get rid of that charging handle under my nose. I know about drilling a hole in the charging handle for a gas port, but I haven't done it yet.

What are your thoughts on the side charging AR upper? Just one more thing sticking off the receiver to snag? Harder to mortar the thing if you get a round stuck?

It would be WAY cheaper to buy a gas buster charging handle, then a entire upper. $90.00 bucks, And they have a 5 star rating at Brownells.

 

[PewPewPewCo]

Those look like hammered asshole though...

really the machining is that bad?

 

[fyroc]

It would be WAY cheaper to buy a gas buster charging handle, then a entire upper. $90.00 bucks, And they have a 5 star rating at Brownells.

PRI has some good shit.

 

[NWS]

meh

 

[Wallace]

really the machining is that bad?

Not really, it's just a clunky looking billet mess of a design IMHO. I undertsand why some people like them, I just think a nice BCM CH or Ambi-charging handle is still the way to go for me.

 

[boss_hawg]

meh

This.

After the first pull, I use the bolt release anyway so why do I need to spend 2.5 to 3x vs. a standard upper?

If that's your thing, then more power to you. I just don't see the overwhelming need for one.