Side charging AR - Page 2

**4V50 Gary** · March 24, 2021, 10:25 AM

Requires a mill cut into the side of the receiver. That can lead to the admission of more dust/dirt/mud. As a southpaw, I'd do it on the ejection port side. For a right hander, I think there are uppers that have that feature (and they may even have a cover).

TRX · March 26, 2021, 05:02 PM

A couple of years I bought my first AR, a PSA kit. At the time they had side charging uppers for about the same price as the regular.

I really wish I had gone with the side charger now; I've barked my knuckles on the scope enough to hate that T-handle.

There are scopes with more eye relief that would reduce the problem, but I've already spent more on glass than I wanted. None it it would have been an issue with a side charger.

Radny97 · March 26, 2021, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRX

A couple of years I bought my first AR, a PSA kit. At the time they had side charging uppers for about the same price as the regular.

I really wish I had gone with the side charger now; I've barked my knuckles on the scope enough to hate that T-handle.

There are scopes with more eye relief that would reduce the problem, but I've already spent more on glass than I wanted. None it it would have been an issue with a side charger.

Exactly

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scoobysnacker · March 27, 2021, 06:02 AM

I just picked up a x39 upper from BCA, and the side-chargers were $5 less than the traditional rear chargers.
After a moment's consideration (hey, we don't get much more than a moment to consider things right now!), I stuck with the rear, simply to keep the takedown and cleaning routine identical.

imashooter · March 27, 2021, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRX

A couple of years I bought my first AR, a PSA kit. At the time they had side charging uppers for about the same price as the regular.

I really wish I had gone with the side charger now; I've barked my knuckles on the scope enough to hate that T-handle.

There are scopes with more eye relief that would reduce the problem, but I've already spent more on glass than I wanted. None it it would have been an issue with a side charger.

I have one AR with a conventional scope. It's mated to a cantilevered-mount to negate that problem.

March 24, 2021, 10:25 AM	#26
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,841	Requires a mill cut into the side of the receiver. That can lead to the admission of more dust/dirt/mud. As a southpaw, I'd do it on the ejection port side. For a right hander, I think there are uppers that have that feature (and they may even have a cover). __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

March 26, 2021, 05:02 PM	#27
TRX Senior Member Join Date: September 24, 2008 Location: central Arkansas Posts: 400	A couple of years I bought my first AR, a PSA kit. At the time they had side charging uppers for about the same price as the regular. I really wish I had gone with the side charger now; I've barked my knuckles on the scope enough to hate that T-handle. There are scopes with more eye relief that would reduce the problem, but I've already spent more on glass than I wanted. None it it would have been an issue with a side charger.

March 27, 2021, 06:02 AM	#29
scoobysnacker Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2015 Posts: 235	I just picked up a x39 upper from BCA, and the side-chargers were $5 less than the traditional rear chargers. After a moment's consideration (hey, we don't get much more than a moment to consider things right now!), I stuck with the rear, simply to keep the takedown and cleaning routine identical.