Posted: 11/19/2014 9:31:08 PM EDT
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So I've never shot a 3 gun match, but I'm ready to turn the century.
I had a stint in cass and it was a hoot, but I sold off my vaqueros and cowboy lever a few months ago. My ADHD got the better of me. Now I'm wanting to try the more modern rout. I shot my glock 35 in Idpa about 9 years ago so I can make use of that again. I'm doing this on the budget that I sold my cowboy guns for. Right around 2k, but I need a shotgun and rifle. I just got done with my 300bo pistol build and definetly want to build my compitition rifle myself. I really want a side charger, but I don't know if it would slow down the action. I don't want a recip bolt lever, so I was looking at the American spirit upper. I know the low mas bcg seems to be the ticket, is there a low mass option on side chargers? A lack of qualified smiths around me makes me look for off the shelf parts. Any help or direction on this would be appreciated. |
Look at the Gibbz Arms side charging upper. I used one to build a 3-Gun rifle (see my REVIEW), and it has been an exceptional performer. The ergonomics are great, and of particular value is its ability to accept ANY bolt carrier - I used a JP Low Mass BC and it has worked perfectly. This upper is even available in both left- and right-handed configurations. I highly recommend it.
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Nice write up. This is screaming take my money now! Seems like the ticket, nice perk of the oversized ejection port too.
I don't see different size charging handles yet.... But I could see where a oversized one would be nice for 3gun or any compitition expecially with a low mount optic. |
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Another option is to do a side charging conversion on your rifle. Devil Dog Concepts recently released there Hard Charger which mounts to your rail and replaces your charging handle, converting it to a side charger. Just got mine in last week. I got it because I didn't want to mess with my reciprocal mass as I am using a low mass piston system.
Hard Charger Here is a pic of it on my rifle. 
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Quoted:
Look at the Gibbz Arms side charging upper. I used one to build a 3-Gun rifle (see my REVIEW), and it has been an exceptional performer. The ergonomics are great, and of particular value is its ability to accept ANY bolt carrier - I used a JP Low Mass BC and it has worked perfectly. This upper is even available in both left- and right-handed configurations. I highly recommend it. http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg34/stealthyblagga/GibbzLimitedRifleRHS_zpse65b75f8.jpg http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg34/stealthyblagga/GibbzLimitedRifleLHS_zpsd37d6a84.jpg http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg34/stealthyblagga/f288b572-633f-41ba-aa8b-219ef9b4a7fd_zpsfae19cd2.jpg Great review! I might need one of these uppers. One question. I ride the gun up close and I'm concerned the slot cover coming back would get me. Any reason it couldn't be trimmed off? |
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Quoted:
Great review! I might need one of these uppers. One question. I ride the gun up close and I'm concerned the slot cover coming back would get me. Any reason it couldn't be trimmed off? Quoted:
Quoted:
Look at the Gibbz Arms side charging upper. I used one to build a 3-Gun rifle (see my REVIEW), and it has been an exceptional performer. The ergonomics are great, and of particular value is its ability to accept ANY bolt carrier - I used a JP Low Mass BC and it has worked perfectly. This upper is even available in both left- and right-handed configurations. I highly recommend it. http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg34/stealthyblagga/GibbzLimitedRifleRHS_zpse65b75f8.jpg http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg34/stealthyblagga/GibbzLimitedRifleLHS_zpsd37d6a84.jpg http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg34/stealthyblagga/f288b572-633f-41ba-aa8b-219ef9b4a7fd_zpsfae19cd2.jpg Great review! I might need one of these uppers. One question. I ride the gun up close and I'm concerned the slot cover coming back would get me. Any reason it couldn't be trimmed off? Nope - all it would take is 30 seconds with a Dremel cutoff wheel. The charging handle slot would be partially uncovered, which could let dirt in and gases out. Of course, the charging handle is non-reciprocating, so it only comes back when you manually cycle the action... I simply lift my head slightly to avoid any possibility of bumping my nose. You have a cute little button nose, so should have no problems 
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If you run nose to the charging handle, it can catch your upper lip. With enough effort, it will draw blood. (Sorry, no pictures.)
Its one of those things you learn about in dry fire practice. One good whack to the lip and you have forever learned to raise your head slightly. It seems to come into play more so when you try to charge the gun when its resting on a barricade. I thought about trimming the plate on mine but will wait until I can get a replacement part before I mess up a good thing. I bought mine due the frequent unloaded starts we have at local matches. Works great for that. Bill p.s. Brownells has them back in stock and is running a 10% holiday discount. |
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Quoted:
If you run nose to the charging handle, it can catch your upper lip. With enough effort, it will draw blood. (Sorry, no pictures.) Its one of those things you learn about in dry fire practice. One good whack to the lip and you have forever learned to raise your head slightly. It seems to come into play more so when you try to charge the gun when its resting on a barricade. I thought about trimming the plate on mine but will wait until I can get a replacement part before I mess up a good thing. I bought mine due the frequent unloaded starts we have at local matches. Works great for that. Bill p.s. Brownells has them back in stock and is running a 10% holiday discount. Is there a discount code? |
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just finished mine up, I love the idea that you dont need a specific bcg, i used a JP low mass.Gibbs gives you a cam pin with it, no need to order it unless you want an extra. ( I did). Now I need to go shoot this thing! I used a phase 5 SC battery assist, SC designates side charger,little sloppy in that lancer lower but it cycles fine.The little door where the charging handle was tucks in when you secure upper and lower.
The cam pins I had required me to shave a small bit off to clear the side of the JP BC. I paid 249.00 for mine, plus the pin, 12 bucks, 214.00 at brownells Just saw the hard charger, ill try it, it looks rugged as hell, the 2nd video sold me on it. Jesse, glad to see youre on board w this old newfangled shit, would love to hear your opinion. photos below: |
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The hard charger is pretty nice for a add on, if I allready had a upper I would save up. I'm thinking about adding them to the two ar's I allready have. But I need to buy the upper still and will save if I buy one like posted above.
Is there any advantage in having the hard charger over a specific upper? |
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The hard charger is pretty nice for a add on, if I already had a upper I would save up. I'm thinking about adding them to the two ar's I already have. But I need to buy the upper still and will save if I buy one like posted above. Is there any advantage in having the hard charger over a specific upper? Use the same bolt, no breakdown needed, no need to re tune the rifle,no changing of cam pin,its still non reciprocating,. I don't know what the final weight is... also, i shot my gibbz upper today, never came close to my face, you have to be way way up on it to hit yourself w the charging bar or whatever it is. I did change from a effin a comp, back to a Miculek comp,,, much better.Hope this helps. I spoke w thye gent at DDog, my hard charger goes out tomorrow, will do a report as well. |
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Use the same bolt, no breakdown needed, no need to re tune the rifle,no changing of cam pin,its still non reciprocating,. I don't know what the final weight is... also, i shot my gibbz upper today, never came close to my face, you have to be way way up on it to hit yourself w the charging bar or whatever it is. I did change from a effin a comp, back to a Miculek comp,,, much better.Hope this helps. I spoke w thye gent at DDog, my hard charger goes out tomorrow, will do a report as well. Quoted:
Quoted:
The hard charger is pretty nice for a add on, if I already had a upper I would save up. I'm thinking about adding them to the two ar's I already have. But I need to buy the upper still and will save if I buy one like posted above. Is there any advantage in having the hard charger over a specific upper? Use the same bolt, no breakdown needed, no need to re tune the rifle,no changing of cam pin,its still non reciprocating,. I don't know what the final weight is... also, i shot my gibbz upper today, never came close to my face, you have to be way way up on it to hit yourself w the charging bar or whatever it is. I did change from a effin a comp, back to a Miculek comp,,, much better.Hope this helps. I spoke w thye gent at DDog, my hard charger goes out tomorrow, will do a report as well. He pretty much nailed it. No mods need to the gun is a big advantage. Just replace your charging handle. Really helps for the 3gun Nation local matches I go to that seem to have a lot of unloaded starts. Another advantage is if you have more that one rifle, you can use this on all of them instead of having to convert than all. If you want a final weight I can weight it tonight and a standard charging handle to give you the difference. I didn't notice a difference in weight once installed. |