AR Sponsor
Posted: 9/10/2002 9:41:25 AM EDT
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Anybody have one? How does it work/function? Does it use the same carrier? Disassembly/assembly? I was thinking of getting one for a space rifle I have been thinking of building. |
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Refer your questions to Ernie @ SOCOM, as they make a side cocking upper. I think his mail is:[email protected] |
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Before I get into it, I have two ASA lowers and they are just fine - function, fit, finish. I got 'em from ASA because Bushmaster was backlogged on lowers when the Kalifornia ban was rapidly approaching. You might wanna check up on ASA's company behavior, policies, and actions of its owner, Bob, before buying an expensive, complex item from them. I am sure many folks are satisfied with ASA rifles but as I recall there were quite a few folks with significant problems (chambering, extracting, ejection problems, tight chambers, etc.) and rather inadequate (and insulting) feedback from ASA/Bob. I suspect their upper receivers in general are actually OK (don't think they don't make 'em, just label 'em) and that these problems exist in barrel/chambering areas, etc. I'd buy smaller parts from ASA but not more expensive stuff, systems, etc. - if there's a problem, you're likely to be yelled at and not have it resolved. My opinion, but ask others and go back and check board posts, etc. Aside from that, let's assume you get just an ASA side-charge upper and are gonna barrel it with a good chrome-lined barrel (Armalite, Bushy, Colt). Operationally/ergonomically, I fundamentally like the concept. However the upper recevier on a std. AR already has a lot of metal cut out of it - front barrel opening, rear "buffer tube" receiver extension opening, and ejection port on right, in addition to charging handle rear opening. I'm just not sure that taking metal out of the left side for the side-charge feature is wise in terms of upper strength, and containment of debris (out-of-battery detonation, overpressure or overcharged loads, case head failure, etc.) if something fails (even if it's not the upper's 'fault'. I'd wanna see more of these units out in the field; I wonder why Bushy or Armalite don't do this (we know Colt won't change patterns just due to overall conservatism). So my vote is to wait while the jury's out. Bill Wiese San Jose, CA |
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Good thoughts there bwiese. That's kinda why I was asking around to see who if anybody had experience with them. Actually I think I would be going with a 24 or 26" Lilja or Douglas. I want to build a space rifle with the adjustable cheek rest and butt plate. This makes the standard charging handle configuration non compatible. What most smiths do is machine a groove back from the ejection port, drill and tap the carrier, and install a bolt carrier handle that will now pull back into the groove. This means no dust cover, seems to me it would weaken the right side and frankly I think looks like hell. The ASA uppers do not have the slot at the rear milled for the standard charging handle. www.gunkits.com/catalog.pdf Edited to add you have to go down about half way through the catalog for the picture of the receiver. |
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