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Posted: 4/25/2013 4:58:46 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Bradders]
As many of you know we can't have semi's over here, and the straight pull, manually operated AR is very popular.
In light of the recent law changes in NY, I often get emails asking about selling uppers to the US. Building them isn't that hard to do, so I thought I'd post this here as I did this today and posted it on a UK forum. You may enjoy 
How to do a sidecharger conversion. Firstly take a charging handle blank, I already have these made up 
Set up in vise and get the alignment right. It has to be slightly off-centre and some trialling needs to be done until it is correct 
Make plunge cuts until you have reached the correct depth and you end up with this 
Then set up carrier in the vise and locate exactly where you are going to drill. The handle has to be fitted just above the lower guide rail on the bottom of the carrier 
Spot the surface of the carrier with a 10mm carbide ball mill. Care must be taken here as the hardness and radius of the carrier can cause the ball cutter to move off. 
Drill through with 5mm solid carbide bit. 
Tap hole with a 6mm tap. A Carbide or other special purpose tap will be required 
After tapping, affix handle temporarily and align handle and make any corrections necessary. Then use a 4mm Carbide bit to drill the second hole for the locating pin  " target="_blank">
Deburr holes 
Next, take handle, countersink all holes and belt sand all machining marks off 
At this point take a piece of studding and loctite into place. I use 648 Engineering Adhesive 
Then belt sand to blend in
While this is curing, deburr the inside of the carrier 
Then find a suitable piece of rod to use as a dowel pin. I find that the pin pushers that come with Geissele trigger kits are the perfect diameter and are very tough. Cut to length and loctite in place 
Next, take a 6mm cap head screw and turn down the head to fit the counterbored hole in the handle. You can either do this in the lathe or by running in a cordless drill against a belt sander 
When done, fit handle to carrier and check for any intrusion of screw and locating pin and trim as necessary. Finally sand blast handle and blue, parkerize or Duracoat and loctite knob on to stud. Then assemble the whole thing together and live happily ever after 
I haven't shown any receiver machining because I don't need to do that anymore as the one pictured is my own Billet machined receiver 
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Posted: 4/25/2013 9:03:30 PM EDT
[#1]
Sweet post!
and I bet its hella quiet with a can.
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Posted: 4/25/2013 9:12:15 PM EDT
[Last Edit: RDTCU]
[#2]
What prevents one from building a DI AR that extracts and ejects, but locks open after every round?
May need a beefier bolt catch setup, but i was just wondering if something like that had been considered? You could run an extended bolt release and never change your firing grip to charge the weapon... Of course, if done like a normal AR, you would be able to simply hold the bolt catch down and keep firing, which wouldn't fly... |
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Posted: 4/25/2013 9:18:00 PM EDT
[#3]
Originally Posted By RDTCU:
What prevents one from building a DI AR that extracts and ejects, but locks open after every round? I believe gas systems are verboten for that exact reason. |
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Posted: 4/25/2013 9:24:43 PM EDT
[#4]
Originally Posted By RDTCU:
What prevents one from building a DI AR that extracts and ejects, but locks open after every round? May need a beefier bolt catch setup, but i was just wondering if something like that had been considered? You could run an extended bolt release and never change your firing grip to charge the weapon... Of course, if done like a normal AR, you would be able to simply hold the bolt catch down and keep firing, which wouldn't fly... You've answered your own question |
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Posted: 4/25/2013 10:03:36 PM EDT
[#5]
Originally Posted By Bradders:
Originally Posted By RDTCU:
What prevents one from building a DI AR that extracts and ejects, but locks open after every round? May need a beefier bolt catch setup, but i was just wondering if something like that had been considered? You could run an extended bolt release and never change your firing grip to charge the weapon... Of course, if done like a normal AR, you would be able to simply hold the bolt catch down and keep firing, which wouldn't fly... You've answered your own question So get creative with a bolt release disconnect that won't let the bolt drop until you let off and depress the release again! 
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Posted: 4/26/2013 2:41:47 PM EDT
[#6]
Originally Posted By RDTCU:
Originally Posted By Bradders:
Originally Posted By RDTCU:
What prevents one from building a DI AR that extracts and ejects, but locks open after every round? May need a beefier bolt catch setup, but i was just wondering if something like that had been considered? You could run an extended bolt release and never change your firing grip to charge the weapon... Of course, if done like a normal AR, you would be able to simply hold the bolt catch down and keep firing, which wouldn't fly... You've answered your own question So get creative with a bolt release disconnect that won't let the bolt drop until you let off and depress the release again! We do have a semi working prototype of that
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Posted: 4/26/2013 2:59:41 PM EDT
[#7]
Originally Posted By Bradders:
Originally Posted By RDTCU:
So get creative with a bolt release disconnect that won't let the bolt drop until you let off and depress the release again! We do have a semi working prototype of that I didn't figure I was the first one to think of that 
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TN, USA
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Posted: 5/7/2013 2:20:51 PM EDT
[#8]
I've seen a video of something that someone built that used the safety (or something like it, couldn't tell) to release the bolt after it locked back on every shot. Since it was a two step operation, release bolt, then pull trigger, to fire it was legal. I thought it was a pretty neat solution for this situation.
I am sure glad I live in TN... |
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Posted: 5/9/2013 3:24:15 AM EDT
[#9]
While I cant see the pictures to see how it looks, I have seen a suppressed AR in 300 Blackout where they attached a pull handle to the left side of the AR so they can turn off the DI with the suppressor, which, I'm assuming is exactly what's here. Overall, awesome rifle.
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SD, USA
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Posted: 5/9/2013 5:32:42 PM EDT
[#10]
Originally Posted By SVOfan:
I've seen a video of something that someone built that used the safety (or something like it, couldn't tell) to release the bolt after it locked back on every shot. Since it was a two step operation, release bolt, then pull trigger, to fire it was legal. I thought it was a pretty neat solution for this situation. I am sure glad I live in TN... I've seen a similar video of a 9mm called the Unicorn. |
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CHN
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Posted: 5/17/2013 8:28:02 AM EDT
[#11]
Very innovative, but I think it's dangerous ,bolt handle easy to hurt people !
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Posted: 5/17/2013 10:29:33 AM EDT
[#12]
This informative thread is also quite useful for adding a side-charging handle to a semi-auto AR-15.
Notice that 1st hole in the side of the carrier? THAT area of carrier bore generally does not contact the gas rings at all. The 1st side charging carrier I bought from Fulton Armory was drilled & threaded in that same area; it does not interfere with the bolt at all. Now that second hole Bradders dilled - well that made me throw up a little bit. 
Good report & excellent work! |
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USA
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Posted: 5/22/2013 6:54:17 PM EDT
[Last Edit: 22_boomer]
[#13]
I haven't shown any receiver machining because I don't need to do that anymore as the one pictured is my own Billet machined receiver
I do remember seeing a set of photos, over in the UK section of Hometown, of your work on the upper receiver to allow for clearance of the section bolted to the carrier -- very clever. I borrowed the idea to test a small cartridge in the AR before I went to all the trouble to build the gas system. I still have that receiver just in case I get a wild hair and decide to try doing another odd cartridge. |
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Posted: 5/26/2013 1:24:35 PM EDT
[#14]
Good show!
At Trinidad State Gunsmithing School, some students have milled a slot in the left side of the receiver for a bolt handle. The hole is drilled in the left side of the bolt carrier, allowing the shooter to keep the right hand on the pistol grip and for the left hand to pull the bolt back. |
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Posted: 5/26/2013 1:45:27 PM EDT
[Last Edit: raf]
[#15]
Nice work, but I can't help but think that a pump-action would be somewhat less work, and ambidextrous as well.
Are pump-action rifles outlawed in the UK? If not, have pump-action ARs (or other rifles) been made there? I know that at least one company, IIRC DPMS, used to offer them here, but they ceased production after the expiration of the Federal Ban in 2004. |
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Posted: 5/26/2013 2:42:19 PM EDT
[#16]
Originally Posted By raf:
Nice work, but I can't help but think that a pump-action would be somewhat less work, and ambidextrous as well. Are pump-action rifles outlawed in the UK? If not, have pump-action ARs (or other rifles) been made there? I know that at least one company, IIRC DPMS, used to offer them here, but they ceased production after the expiration of the Federal Ban in 2004. Sadly pump action rifles (but not shotguns) are prohibited |
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Posted: 5/27/2013 9:04:20 AM EDT
[#17]
Originally Posted By Bradders:
Originally Posted By raf:
Nice work, but I can't help but think that a pump-action would be somewhat less work, and ambidextrous as well. Are pump-action rifles outlawed in the UK? If not, have pump-action ARs (or other rifles) been made there? I know that at least one company, IIRC DPMS, used to offer them here, but they ceased production after the expiration of the Federal Ban in 2004. Sadly pump action rifles (but not shotguns) are prohibited Well, that explains that, I reckon. I hope we never come to need designs such as the one you depicted, but if it ever comes to that, at least we have your work (and that of others) already done for us. If I was the CEO of an American firearms company, I think I would send techs to other countries which had enacted draconian firearms laws to do some research and bring home working samples for T+E, with a possible view towards manufacture, if the need arose. |
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Posted: 6/6/2013 11:37:42 AM EDT
[#18]
Couple of Q.s for you:
-is the standard AR-15 charging handle still operational? -do most in the U.K. leave the buffer and spring in? Or is it strictly manual for both opening and closing? |
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Posted: 6/6/2013 11:44:50 AM EDT
[Last Edit: RDTCU]
[#19]
Originally Posted By CBR900:
Couple of Q.s for you: -is the standard AR-15 charging handle still operational? -do most in the U.K. leave the buffer and spring in? Or is it strictly manual for both opening and closing? I would hope you leave the buffer and spring in, otherwise there's nothing keeping the bolt carrier consistently forward and the bolt locked, except a small bit of friction. The recoil alone, with the stock against your shoulder, would unlock the bolt after firing, I tested that once. It's not dangerous, it just unlocks and travels rearward a bit. |
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Posted: 6/6/2013 1:24:11 PM EDT
[#20]
Originally Posted By RDTCU:
Originally Posted By CBR900:
Couple of Q.s for you: -is the standard AR-15 charging handle still operational? -do most in the U.K. leave the buffer and spring in? Or is it strictly manual for both opening and closing? I would hope you leave the buffer and spring in, otherwise there's nothing keeping the bolt carrier consistently forward and the bolt locked, except a small bit of friction. The recoil alone, with the stock against your shoulder, would unlock the bolt after firing, I tested that once. It's not dangerous, it just unlocks and travels rearward a bit. That makes sense. I was just thinking of the designs for dedicated straight-pull rifles - like the Swiss K-31s and Steyr 95s that are manual in both directions (no spring). But your explanation makes sense. Your expirament reminds me of an old 870 shotgun I used to use on deer; off the bench it would usually "auto-eject" the fired shells from the heaviest 2 and 3/4 slugs. |
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Posted: 6/6/2013 1:56:37 PM EDT
[#21]
Originally Posted By CBR900:
Originally Posted By RDTCU:
Originally Posted By CBR900:
Couple of Q.s for you: -is the standard AR-15 charging handle still operational? -do most in the U.K. leave the buffer and spring in? Or is it strictly manual for both opening and closing? I would hope you leave the buffer and spring in, otherwise there's nothing keeping the bolt carrier consistently forward and the bolt locked, except a small bit of friction. The recoil alone, with the stock against your shoulder, would unlock the bolt after firing, I tested that once. It's not dangerous, it just unlocks and travels rearward a bit. That makes sense. I was just thinking of the designs for dedicated straight-pull rifles - like the Swiss K-31s and Steyr 95s that are manual in both directions (no spring). But your explanation makes sense. Your expirament reminds me of an old 870 shotgun I used to use on deer; off the bench it would usually "auto-eject" the fired shells from the heaviest 2 and 3/4 slugs. Many pumps will do that if you fire it without holding the forend. Had a friend with a 10" Mossberg AOW, and with warm OOB, it would self-eject. |
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Posted: 6/6/2013 7:17:33 PM EDT
[#22]
Originally Posted By CBR900:
Couple of Q.s for you: -is the standard AR-15 charging handle still operational? -do most in the U.K. leave the buffer and spring in? Or is it strictly manual for both opening and closing? Yes the std charging handle is still operational. Yes we leave the spring and buffer in, that's how it returns to battery Here's some pics from today's work Got some new taps the other day, 4 of the buggers at about £45 each . They're rated at 48-52 rc and the carriers are about 58-62 rc. Anyway, thought I'd give them a try 17 carriers later (there's a couple not in the pic) and they're still going strong. 
Here's the tap on the left after 17 holes compared to a new unused one on the right 
So at £45 divided by 17 that's only £2.65/hole. Not too bad if you ask me :-) |
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Posted: 6/6/2013 8:03:51 PM EDT
[Last Edit: raf]
[#23]
You're using up taps as you go?
Must be a better way....... Perhaps a US vendor might be able to supply the taps you need. After all, there are plenty of ARs being fabricated here. Shipping and other costs would be a factor, but virtually destroying taps as you go doesn't seem very cost-effective in the long run. If I can help, please contact me. |
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Posted: 6/6/2013 8:48:29 PM EDT
[Last Edit: RDTCU]
[#24]
Originally Posted By raf:
You're using up taps as you go? Must be a better way....... Perhaps a US vendor might be able to supply the taps you need. After all, there are plenty of ARs being fabricated here. Shipping and other costs would be a factor, but virtually destroying taps as you go doesn't seem very cost-effective in the long run. If I can help, please contact me. Well, taps ARE a consumable, especially when you're tapping something that's already been hardened. The gas key screw holes in a standard carrier are tapped before hardening. |
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Posted: 6/7/2013 3:39:04 AM EDT
[#25]
Originally Posted By RDTCU:
Originally Posted By raf:
You're using up taps as you go? Must be a better way....... Perhaps a US vendor might be able to supply the taps you need. After all, there are plenty of ARs being fabricated here. Shipping and other costs would be a factor, but virtually destroying taps as you go doesn't seem very cost-effective in the long run. If I can help, please contact me. Well, taps ARE a consumable, especially when you're tapping something that's already been hardened. The gas key screw holes in a standard carrier are tapped before hardening. The carriers are pretty tough. Normal HSS and carbon generally won't touch them, so you have to use specialist taps. The worst part is breaking through into the bore as surface hardness combined with chrome lining can be hell on them |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 6/9/2013 5:48:12 PM EDT
[#26]
Where there is a will, there is a way.
AWESOME inventive engineering to overcome a political blockade. Best wishes....move to Texas |
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OK, USA
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Posted: 6/10/2013 10:45:04 PM EDT
[#27]
Try using EMUGE spiral taps, German made, top quality. They should handle the hardened steel and the chrome lining for several hundred holes before they wear out.
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Posted: 6/27/2013 12:05:55 PM EDT
[#28]
Do you chaps plug the barrel gas port or have them made without the hole? Great work by the way.
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GBR
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Posted: 7/1/2013 6:33:09 PM EDT
[#29]
Made without :)
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Posted: 7/1/2013 8:04:46 PM EDT
[#30]
Originally Posted By Bflamante:
Do you chaps plug the barrel gas port or have them made without the hole? Great work by the way. I machine my own barrels from blanks or have then made for me. This is my new charging handle made from 32mm 7075T6 bar. The finished ones will have a blind hole and the knobs will be in 6082 alloy and secured together with a M8 high tensile stud, making them stronger that just about any other one out there 
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Posted: 7/1/2013 8:31:37 PM EDT
[#31]
That looks really nice. How common are extraction problems with this single shot setup? Does a suborn case become problematic for extraction?
What would a typical price on something like this run?
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Posted: 7/12/2013 11:24:31 AM EDT
[#32]
Thought I'd show off the new upper receiver and charging handle combo.
Both 3d modelled and machined from 7075T6 billet 
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Posted: 7/13/2013 3:01:10 PM EDT
[#33]
Originally Posted By Bradders:
Thought I'd show off the new upper receiver and charging handle combo. Both 3d modelled and machined from 7075T6 billet <a href="http://s818.photobucket.com/user/Mbradders/media/null_zpsf503b04d.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz105/Mbradders/null_zpsf503b04d.jpg</a> that is absolutely awesome |
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Posted: 7/13/2013 5:16:22 PM EDT
[#34]
Originally Posted By RUM:
Originally Posted By Bradders:
Thought I'd show off the new upper receiver and charging handle combo. Both 3d modelled and machined from 7075T6 billet <a href="http://s818.photobucket.com/user/Mbradders/media/null_zpsf503b04d.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz105/Mbradders/null_zpsf503b04d.jpg</a> that is absolutely awesome Thank you
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NY, USA
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Posted: 8/9/2013 10:40:03 PM EDT
[#35]
Mark Bradley recommended Accuracy Speaks to do this job for me. Derrick Martin and Sean Damerell gave me top rate service and provided me with a "Straight Pull" configuration that works just perfectly. Shot a XTC match with it today, rapids are effortless, literally takes a second to eject and reload, head stays in position, couldn't ask for more.
Thanks, Tony |
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Posted: 8/10/2013 2:38:16 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Bradders]
[#36]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Longtrain:
Mark Bradley recommended Accuracy Speaks to do this job for me. Derrick Martin and Sean Damerell gave me top rate service and provided me with a "Straight Pull" configuration that works just perfectly. Shot a XTC match with it today, rapids are effortless, literally takes a second to eject and reload, head stays in position, couldn't ask for more. Thanks, Tony 
Wow!!! Glad you're happy 
ETA: Now go and post in my thread in the NYHTF
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Posted: 8/16/2013 4:58:45 AM EDT
[#37]
I owned one of Marks riles before we moved to he USA I actually miss it!
 I loved target shooting with it and his charging handle is easy to use and live with.
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Posted: 8/17/2013 5:18:46 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Badger66:
I owned one of Marks riles before we moved to he USA I actually miss it! I loved target shooting with it and his charging handle is easy to use and live with.It went to a good home after you left 
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Posted: 8/17/2013 6:33:40 PM EDT
[#39]
Very nice. I ran a straight-pull bolt action AR pistol for a number of years for no particular reason. I've been following y'all's travails for awhile - in 2003, was working w/ Boss & Co to knock out my shotgun license & pick up a Mossberg 500 to hunt rabbits w/. Then Uncle sent me home : (
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VA, USA
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Posted: 12/18/2013 10:25:18 AM EDT
[#40]
First let me thank the OP and all the contributors for such a great post.
This idea has been bouncing around in my head for a long time now and I've just decided to pursue it. I do have a couple questions if you guys don't mind. 1. Is the knob on the Bradley Arms Pull a custom part or an off the self part? 2. Is the modification to the upper simply an additional straight slot to allow the pull to fully travel? I plan to use this upper and just machine the additional slot!?!? 
any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks, Sonny |
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GBR
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Posted: 12/18/2013 2:53:39 PM EDT
[Last Edit: kfp762]
[#41]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Bradders:
That's awesome Evo Engineering do good work.
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USA
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Posted: 2/28/2015 3:08:28 AM EDT
[Last Edit: talonhead]
[#42]
I am re-building one of my AR's into a straight pull. I ordered a BHW 20" semi-bull without a gas port drilled. I am currently using a Mega upper receiver with side charger slot and Y/M NM BCG. Have seen the extended bolt attachments.
My ultimate end goal is to use a Quality Arms Ambi Gen 2 upper. It has ejection ports and side charger slots on both sides. It comes with both left and right eject bolts and the charger handle can be mounted left or right. Due to being cross dominant and having scar tissue in my right eye that effects my vision even more, I am starting to shoot left handed. My set-up will be op knob on the right, with left eject bolt. This will enable me to keep my firing hand on the grip while operating the bolt with the right. (I picked this technique up from a Marine Sniper). Current configuration: linky This thread gives me a couple of ideas. Thanks. |
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Posted: 2/28/2015 1:41:18 PM EDT
[#43]
There's some Savages, and think you get custom Remington actions as well, that are right bolt left eject. Would love to know what velocities you're getting out of that 30" bbl.
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USA
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Posted: 3/24/2015 3:12:52 AM EDT
[#44]
Sorry, didn't realize the typo. It's a 20" BHW. Down from a 24" bull.
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USA
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Posted: 3/24/2015 3:30:11 AM EDT
[Last Edit: talonhead]
[#45]
This is how it sits right now. (Updated the link 3/14/16)
Just got some stub cobalt bits from the brown truck. Now I need to buy/make a clamping fixture for the drill press. Also have to see if I will be able to use this carrier without milling the eject port lower edge to fit the new handle mounting. With the current operating handle, there is minimal clearance between the port floor and spindle. I bought some key stock and aluminum blocks to fiddle with shape, clearance and length to obtain the correct 'fit' for me. http://s28.photobucket.com/user/talonhead/No%20Gas/story |
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Posted: 3/25/2015 9:08:48 PM EDT
[#46]
Awesome. I was just looking into this.
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USA
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Posted: 3/15/2016 2:33:09 AM EDT
[#47]
Have made some progress on my build (check out the updated link above)
Mike |
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USA
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Posted: 3/15/2016 2:38:16 AM EDT
[#48]
Hey Bradders, I really like the turndown knob. But my handle is shorter due to shooting lefty and operating the bolt with the right. Could a shorty be made?
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USA
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Posted: 2/16/2017 11:55:53 AM EDT
[#49]
Can you achieve the same thing by just removing the gas tube and flipping the gas block around so the gas port is covered? Then you could use the charging handle to chamber each round, or am I missing something?
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Posted: 2/16/2017 12:04:23 PM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Drew1066:
Can you achieve the same thing by just removing the gas tube and flipping the gas block around so the gas port is covered? Then you could use the charging handle to chamber each round, or am I missing something? Holy zombie-post! The ergonomics of a knob in a location similar to a bolt-action are much better than an AR charging handle shooting from a bench. It's a trade off, break your firing grip or break your support grip and cheek weld for every shot. |
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