Side Charging AR?

[gjohnsoniv]

Title says it all, thoughts on side chargers. Considering one for a 6.5 Grendel build.

[Omega]

I like the idea of the non-reciprocating ones, but not enough to pursue one. I have never even seen one shoot live, just vids.

[Alleycat72]

I have one in 300 blackout. Love it.

[gjohnsoniv]

What kind is yours? 

[Major Kong]

Been looking at the Gibbz Arms one for an upcoming build. Seem to get good reviews.

[Mindless-Focus]

I have one... Reciprocating, but haven't shot it yet. I was trying to go for a rugged AK style AR. This one has stories.

Edited August 3, 2016 by Mindless-Focus

[gjohnsoniv]

What's your initial impression? I feel like right side charging would be great for prone shooting, but the Gibbz seems to be the go to one. 

[hipower]

Like the minimalist stock and finish.

[Alleycat72]

1 hour ago, gjohnsoniv said:

What kind is yours? 

LAR

 

[Alleycat72]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/872317/ar-stoner-side-charging-upper-receiver-assembled-ar-15-223-remington-matte

[Mindless-Focus]

52 minutes ago, gjohnsoniv said:

What's your initial impression? I feel like right side charging would be great for prone shooting, but the Gibbz seems to be the go to one. 

I like it. I'm still working the bugs out of this one. The upper, lower, and hand guards were involved in a low temp shop fire. They weren't directly in flames and were thoroughly MPI and quality inspected. They were all found uneffected. That inspired the finish on it. It's all cerakote. I had some feed issues, but that's primarily an issue with the feed ramps on this rifle. It is chambered in 300blk. Other than that issue and everything on this build was tight tolerances, it's fine. 

Better images of the finish:

[bud]

.

Edited August 13, 2016 by bud

[Dustbuster]

The gibbs side chargers are bad ass. i use one in my 3g rifle. id buy it again and again, buy a spare cam pin for your bcg. cheap insurance if u lose one. side chargers require this little item usually around 11 bucks.
hth


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk, its either this or smoke

[gjohnsoniv]

On the Gibbz do you have any problems with hitting the rail with your knuckles?  The charging handle seems really close, but I guess so are the other ones. 

[Dustbuster]

not at all, using a side charger will develop an acquired feel...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk, its either this or smoke signals!

[gjohnsoniv]

Cool,  thanks for the info. 

[FrankD]

I have a reciprocating side charger from 2VetsArms.  It is my only AR so no real learning curve vs a typical style.  I had some gas tuning issues at first, but once they reluctantly fixed the issue it has been fine.  It is unique, I will probably build up a standard upper to have on hand though.

[jwhjwh54]

is there a benefit to side charging?

[gjohnsoniv]

I'm looking at it from the prone/bench shooting position where you don't have to take your head off the stock. Other thing I was thinking was with an adjustable gas block you could shut the gas off when suppressed and have a quiet hunting rifle. 

[jphillips63]

It's different getting use to but once you do it's great. I love mine.