Side Charger Upper???

[mkollman74]

Hey all -

Anyone have experience with these? I have been looking at the American Spirit Arms model. It looks like a viable option. Opinions for or against? Are there other manufacturers of an upper with a charging handle that does not reciprocate?

 

[Strangedays]

Re: Side Charger Upper???

Google is the best for your answer, search is your friend when it comes to questions like this.

 

[gathumper]

Re: Side Charger Upper???

I saw a American Spirit add in the latest Guns & Ammo, looked really sweet. They also did a review of one, good reviews. I too am interested in one, just not sure that I would be willing to dish out that kinda cash, when I could purchase a SASS. I do like the fact that you don't have to come off the scope to chamber though.

 

[Mod Adahy]

Re: Side Charger Upper???

I have seen one and nice piece. I love side chargers but theirs are non-reciprocating and there is no forward assist. Anybody else see the problem here? All of my side chargers reciprocate and the advantage is the ability to push the charging handle forward if is does not go all the way into battery. The AR is the reason why guys don't like reciprocating bolt handles, although they won't own one in an AR they have no problem with them on 10/22, M14 or all the other platforms that have a reciprocating bolt handle. Just food for thought.

 

[desertfox01]

Re: Side Charger Upper???

I have quite a bit of experience with them. I have had a 308 side charger for about 5 years now, couple of AR15 ones for about 10 years (one is a 223 bench gun, other is waiting to be rebuilt), and a 9mm build for about 4 or 5 years. The AR15 models have been rebuilt a few times, I may sell the barrels and other parts, but I'll always keep those uppers.

I am of the mindset that if you are needing to use the forward assist, there is something up and I need to find out what.

I did a little writeup on my ASA 308 and posted it, hope I am not violating any rules here by posting the link.

ASA 308 Side Charge Review

 

[mkollman74]

Re: Side Charger Upper???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: strangedays</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Google is the best for your answer, search is your friend when it comes to questions like this. </div></div>

Why would Google be a better source of information than this site?

 

[Apothus]

Re: Side Charger Upper???

I too was made aware of side charging uppers and liked the idea. I looked at ASA first and was almost convinced to get one. Then I read a little about their history and was scared away from them. Supposedly their new owner is really trying to turn things around, but the history is still there.

So instead, I went with the LAR Grizzly side charging uppers, and man let me tell you. It is so rock solid, and the tolerances are so tight its amazing. They use a very heavy bolt carrier group that is stainless(very easy to clean) and the way the charging handle connects to the bcg is simplistic.

Another thing I really like is the "plug" in the back of the upper receiver. Instead of having to put a standard charging handle to "fill the void", they put a screw in plug in the hole. This does two things. Number one, it prevents back pressure from throwing gas in your face if you're firing through a suppressor. The second thing is it acts as an external "accu-wedge". The plug has a flat side that times with the top of the lower receiver and locks the two together tight as a drum.

It's an amazing piece from LAR Grizzly, I would highly recommend it.

 

[kz45]

Re: Side Charger Upper???

Check out the PSC or SCR 11 from JP Enterprise

http://www.jprifles.com/1.2.1_PSC_11.php

 

[desertfox01]

Re: Side Charger Upper???

I have known the old owner and new owner of ASA, and done business with both. Bob, the old owner just had it to give himself something to do and a tax right off, hell, he owned the retail strip it was located in and drove a different super sports car every day of the week.....he obviously sold it and is no longer with us.....the New owner, did a lot of the machine work for the previous owner. he is making a honest go at it and believes in customer service and standing behind his product.......

 

[mkollman74]

Re: Side Charger Upper???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1kz45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Check out the PSC or SCR 11 from JP Enterprise

http://www.jprifles.com/1.2.1_PSC_11.php </div></div>

Dude, thanks for the tip. That is sick... I'm calling JP tomorrow.

 

[lsm62]

Re: Side Charger Upper???

i have a side charging system on my 223 and really like it.

http://www.parts4ar15.com/mm5/merchant.m...;Category_Code=

however a good vltor charging handle will do the same thing.

 

[Tactical_Tom]

Re: Side Charger Upper???

I think the best place for a side charging handle on the AR is inside the hand guard like the Kaiser Works KR7 or the ICE-15, but I don’t think the concept has been really developed to its full potential.

 

[Unknown]

Re: Side Charger Upper???

When evaluating whether or not I want to use an item, I consider the following:

1. What performance problems will it solve?
(I can retain cheek weld while charging the rifle)
2. What performance issues will it create?
(possibility of more dirt entering the extra opening, and the handle catching
on something causing malfunctions)
3. Does the system overall work better than the one I currently have?
(why fix something that works)
4. What else could I buy with the money that might be a greater benefit?
(perhaps a really good trigger would be more useful than a side charger)

On the other hand, there are the things that can't be quantified like personal preference. I believe that personal preference is a perfectly viable reason for acquiring an item, even it logic says it isn't necessary.

My rifles work perfectly well without a side charger, so I don't have any. On the other hand, my friend Vasko loves his side charger though. As long as Vasko is happy with it, it is a wonderful system. It is HIS rifle, not mine, so whether I like it or not is irrelevant.

 

[Strangedays]

Re: Side Charger Upper???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mkollman74</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: strangedays</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Google is the best for your answer, search is your friend when it comes to questions like this. </div></div>

Why would Google be a better source of information than this site? </div></div>
Ok for the person who lacks what it takes to find information on this site that had already been talked about in the past google would lead them there by searching snipers hide with it.
I should have expected to explain myself better.
Search Snipers hide here,
http://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=010955838166721108978:qcbx5qqy10o&hl=en