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Posted: 11/3/2016 10:32:21 PM EDT
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PSA has a 10.5" side charging upper for $400. That makes me wonder, would it be better to go side charging for an AR pistol?
What are the pros vs cons? |
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I have absolutely zero experience with side-charging ARs, but I have daydreamed about using an AR that I can charge like an M1A or Ruger 10/22. I've been eyballing the Bear Creek Arsenal side-charging upper, as it seems to be the best deal around at $209 with BCG. Glancing at the PSA upper, it looks pretty similar to the BCA. One day I'll give it a try...
Bear Creek Arsenal Side Charging Receiver Combo 
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Quoted:
I have absolutely zero experience with side-charging ARs, but I have daydreamed about using an AR that I can charge like an M1A or Ruger 10/22. I've been eyballing the Bear Creek Arsenal side-charging upper, as it seems to be the best deal around at $209 with BCG. Glancing at the PSA upper, it looks pretty similar to the BCA. One day I'll give it a try... Bear Creek Arsenal Side Charging Receiver Combo http://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/thumbnail/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/0/3/0315161222_1.jpg I have a reciprocating one similar to that in a 5.56. Its a Crosshill XSR15 . Since I'm not a true operator and I'm only used to shooting Fudd automatic rifles and shotguns I felt this would be most "natural" for me. I really like mine. It's top quality. |
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Thanks for the link. No clue why I assumed 9mm, but regardless, side charging is nice. After seeing the upper, I would pass. There are better side charging uppers out there, like the new frontier or asa, albeit more expensive. |
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Right side charging handles were originally built for long distance shooters who would have their left hand slung up in a heavy strap, glove, and jacket. The right trigger hand was still free, tho, and on a range ergonomics of use weren't critical.
Once the round is let off and the bolt starts moving, the handle if attached starts moving, too, so by the time the round would have reached it to be deflected, it's now cycling back even further. The bolt handles don't do a good job of it. A left side charger offers the pistol user the ability to load and operate the weapon with his hand on the grip at all times, reducing the amount of time it's away from the trigger. If the bolt needs to be cycled - which it shouldn't if the mag follower and bolt hold open function correctly - then the gun returns to battery to be fired a little faster without losing as much sight picture. It makes a very small incremental decrease in handling or reloading speed - if the gun is malfunctioning that much a better choice of ammo and/or magazines would solve a lot of the problem. Doesn't mean it shouldn't be done, I just shied away from it because of the expense. It's a $200 increase in price for ? My pistol runs just fine without it. Nonetheless, it's attractive. |
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My Rock River AR Pistol charges from either side. It's the LAR-PDS, . . .
Three words, . . . I love it. Being right handed, . . . cannot comment on lefty problem, . . . but the brass seems to go straight out about 90 degrees to the direction the bullet is traveling. I've threatened to make myself a shoulder holster for it, . . . as I'm tall enough that if it is up snug, . . . nobody would ever know I've got it if I have a 20 rd mag in it, . . . 30 would probably stick out a bit. I got it for my wife to use should the stuff drip off the fan blades, . . . hopefully that will never happen. May God bless, Dwight |
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Quoted:
My Rock River AR Pistol charges from either side. It's the LAR-PDS, . . . Three words, . . . I love it. Being right handed, . . . cannot comment on lefty problem, . . . but the brass seems to go straight out about 90 degrees to the direction the bullet is traveling. I've threatened to make myself a shoulder holster for it, . . . as I'm tall enough that if it is up snug, . . . nobody would ever know I've got it if I have a 20 rd mag in it, . . . 30 would probably stick out a bit. I got it for my wife to use should the stuff drip off the fan blades, . . . hopefully that will never happen. May God bless, Dwight i recently saw these.. cool stuff. my side charge 9mm AR is great. its non reprocicating. It works perfect and when i bought it i got it from joe bob it was a blem.. to this day i never discovered what the hell was blem about it.. Side charge is truly awesome. i wish the sig mpx was side charge. |
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Got a Gibbz on a pistol. Shoot left and haven't been hit in the face yet. I like it. Ups the coolness factor to 87.  ETA: uses mil spec BCG too. Two issues I ran into were having to get an action bar to tighten the barrel (clamp wont fit) and a clearance issue (index pin on a VTAC rail) |
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