I find the idea of a slide charging AR interesting. Are there some receivers that are better than some others in that design form?  I have only seen a demo done by Hickock and he liked it, though he said it was the only one he has held.  Since it seems to be something new on the scene, I would like to find out if there are some caveats to look out for.

I'm just finishing an AR15 build, it is my first and has been a great and fun learning experience for me. For my side charging upper I ended up using a Gibbz G4, liked the idea of it being  non reciprocating.  I ended up ordering parts from all over the WEB for my build, the only issue I found was with the hand guard. In my research I found that the hand guard has to be flat where it tightens to the barrel nut, some of the hand guards have tabs at the top one bottom and this will not allow it to go flush to the receiver.  I ended up ordering a Midwest Industries series one which is flat, I'm sure there are others but that was the only issue. You can use any BCG since Gibbz and other mfg supply you with a different charging tang that makes the BCG work with a side charging upper.  I am hoping to do test firming next week to adjust the gas block and align up the red dot.

I just read a review on the unit, and the only real point I saw was was that the bolt handle gets hot.  Makes sense  in a DI system, probably not with a piston system.

Gibbz here too. Love it. I'm still working out the gassing though. (10.5" barrel)



Ditto on the handguard. I have an 11" VTAC rail and I had to nip off the index pin to fit it to the upper. (I just clamped on a riser to align it)



Also, the "clamp" type receiver holders wont work on it. I wound up getting a Brownell's action rod. Works great.


Using a GI BCG is bonus.
 

Or you could use the Devil Dog Hard Charger unit. It allows you to have the benefit of the side charging function without having to be permanently locked into the side charger design. The unit clamps onto the front slot on  the rail and is movable from rifle to rifle as needed. I have used one for a few weeks now and really like it.

http://www.devildogconcepts.com/hard-charger.html

I just ordered one.  Like the idea of not having modified AR's, and can be used on my piston or DI guns.  And, looks like if the mount/rod had a problem, you can just remove the rod and just pull on the charging handle locking piece and it just becomes a normal charging handle, along with any scope access issues, but can be handled.  And, my old standard handle will still work.  Looking forward to trying it out.

Just received the side charger, looks good, am gonna have to check it out this week.

Scar16s

I just finished a build using the Gibbz G4...  The main issue people have is finding handguards that fit, I ended up really liking the Gibbz handguards anyway and they fit perfect with their upper.  The only other complaint I have seen is the weight, it is a pretty heavy upper compared to what a lot of manufacturers and doing now a days, with my 16" barrel it runs a little nose heavy.  

Other than that the system itself works fantastic!  Just make sure to use their cam pin (will come with the upper).  It's very smooth with my ToolCraft bolt carrier group, one of the smoothest cycling AR's I've ever shot.

I recently sold my SCAR 16S in black for $3,100...  I took that money and built a side charging AR that runs just as smooth for $1,100.  Don't get me wrong, I loved my SCAR, but this side charging AR for $2,000 cheaper is fantastic.