Side Charged Upper Guide - Many great options to choose!

[lilharcher]

I'm currently fascinated by side charged uppers, and have been gathering intel for awhile now. There are many great side charged uppers on the market currently, with many new entrants over the last 180 days. This is an exciting time to be a rifle owner, specifically an AR. With consumer spending on the up-swing, manufacturers and even gun shops, are starting to produce more and more side charged uppers for the consumer. For those interested, here is the list of the side charged uppers on the market, separated between non-reciprocating (charging knob does not move when fired) and reciprocating (charging knob is physically attached to bolt, so it moves when fired). I will try to update periodically to keep this updated as more options enter the market.

Although I currently have a handful of these (different manufactures), and have handled a few others, my favorite option thus far is the Quality Arms Billet Upper. But, I'm a big believer of "to each their own", as many of these uppers are of great quality (some more so than others).

Here is the list:

Reciprocating:
1) Quality Arms Billet Upper
[ATTACH=CONFIG]5106[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]5107[/ATTACH] (backside comparison with Mega Side charged upper - Quality Arms upper is ambi charged)
http://www.qualityarms.net/catalog/custom-uppers
Options: Three models - (i) Ambi charge, right eject, (ii) Ambi charge, left eject, and (iii) Ambi charge, ambi eject (will eject right or left depending on bolt used)
Cost: $350 (w/ NiB Carrier only, or $400 w/ NiB Carrier & AR15 Bolt) - Also an option to exchange 5.56 bolt for 6.5 grendel, 6.8mm, and .50 beowulf.


2) Crosshill Technologies Billet Upper
[ATTACH=CONFIG]5114[/ATTACH]
http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Crosshil...5-ambi.htm
Options: Two models - (i) Right charge, right eject, and (ii) Ambi charge, right eject
Cost: $409.99 (Ambi model w/ NiB Carrier and AR15 MPI tested Bolt)

3) LAR OPS-04 Billet Upper (not currently in production but one of the first on the market and many still in use)

4) Blackwood Arms Billet Upper
[ATTACH=CONFIG]5118[/ATTACH]
http://blackwoodarms.com/product/blackwo...-receiver/
Options:Three Models - (i) Right charge, right eject, (ii) Left charge, right eject, and (iii) Ambi charge, right eject
Cost: $525 – Includes full NiB BCG

5) 2 Vets Billet Upper
[ATTACH=CONFIG]5120[/ATTACH]
http://www.2vetsarms.com/product-p/2va-15-recassy.htm
Options: One Model - Left charge, right eject
Cost: $350.00 (includes full BCG)

6) Mega Arms Billet SC Upper
[ATTACH=CONFIG]5108[/ATTACH]
http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/de...ct_id=1657
Options: One Model - Right charge, right eject (no gas plug; requires charging handle)
Cost: $139.00 (no carrier/bolt or charging handle)

7) Fulton Armory Upper (unspecified if Billet or Forged)
http://www.fulton-armory.com/upperreceiv...gslot.aspx
Options: One Model - Right charge, right eject (no gas plug; requires charging handle)
Cost: $169.95 (no carrier/bolt or charging handle)

8) Eisenarch Arms Billet Upper
http://eisenacharms.com/collections/uppe...r-receiver
Options: One Model - Right charge, right eject (no gas plug; requires charging handle)
Cost: $150.00 (no carrier/bolt or charging handle)

9) White Oak Armament Side Charged Upper
http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/xcart/pr...256&page=2
Options: Right Charge, right eject (no gas plug; charging handle required)
Cost: $245.00 (includes carrier)

Non-Reciprocating:
1) JP Enterprises Billet Upper
[ATTACH=CONFIG]5115[/ATTACH]
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/470614/...uctFinding
Options: One Model - Left charge (fold-out lever), right eject
Cost: $854.99 w/ JPE Low-Mass Carrier

2) American Spirit Arms Billet Upper
[ATTACH=CONFIG]5117[/ATTACH]
http://www.americanspiritarms.com/upper-...d-carrier/
Options: One model - Left non-reciprocating charge (fold-out lever), right eject
Cost: $459.99 w/ NiB carrier (requires a modified carrier)

3) Gibbz Arms Billet Upper
[ATTACH=CONFIG]5116[/ATTACH]
http://shop.gibbzarms.com/G4-Side-Chargi...r-G4UR.htm
Options: One model - Left charge (fixed, no fold-out lever), right eject
Cost: $249.95 w/o carrier/bolt (stripper upper only, but will work with most standard carriers w/o modification)

4) Spartan Billet Upper (appears to be same as the New Frontier Armory Billet Upper)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]5113[/ATTACH]
http://www.joebboboutfitters.com/Spartan...-upper.htm
Options: One Model - Left charge (fixed; no fold-out lever), right eject
Cost: $249.95 w/o carrier/bolt (stripped upper only, but will work with most standard carriers w/o modification)

5) Ice Arms Nameless Billet Upper
http://www.icearms.us/products.cfm?show=958
Options: One model - Left Charge (fixed; no fold-out lever), right eject
Cost: $439.99 w/ Nitride complete BCG

Source for Reciprocating Modified Carriers - to the extent not included with the Upper:
1) Young Manufacturing
http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/de...ct_id=1656
Finish: I believe it is chrome and phosphate finished.
Cost: $265.00 (Yikes!)
2) Fulton Armory

Again, my plan is to keep this list up to date, so people can use this post as a reference. I hope you find this helpful if in the market for a side charged upper.

[lilharcher]

I plan to update with Pics and pro/cons of each. Keep checking back!

[arnie]

Keep an eye out for a 308 side charging upper also .

[jmhallrn]

http://www.icearms.us/products.cfm?show=958

[Lead Chucker]

Great post. I use the LAR OPS 4 right side and love its use and feel. But wish I had went with the left charge right eject because I'm right handed. Thanks for the work. I wouldnt mind building another side charger.

[lilharcher]

Many of the current manufacturers listed above are starting to make them for the AR10 as well.......JP Enterprises and American Spirit Arms currently make them, and I know Quality Arms is currently testing their AR10 prototype, which should hit the market soon.

Keep an eye out for a 308 side charging upper also .

[SG4247]

I too really enjoy side charge ARs in the large and small platform both.

Here is another manufacturer:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...=412246760

[lilharcher]

http://www.icearms.us/products.cfm?show=958

Thanks! I included it above. Looks very similar to the LWRC, which I don't think is sold individually. Very cool design.

[lilharcher]

Very similar to the Mega and Fulton Armory uppers. Thanks for the addition.

I too really enjoy side charge ARs in the large and small platform both.

Here is another manufacturer:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...=412246760

[SHORT-N-SASSY]

Keep an eye out for a 308 side charging upper also .

American Spirit Arms offers a .308 side-charging upper, with a non-reciprocating charging handle. See details in the lower photo, here: http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthrea...Bipod-Case

[Dave Bob]

The Fulton Armory upper appears to be a DPMS upper like this one http://www.midwayusa.com/product/138383/...uctFinding that has been machined to work with a side charging bolt handle.

Dave

[just_john]

Would I be correct in presuming that the non-reciprocating systems don't require bolt modifications?

[lilharcher]

Some do, and some don't. The American Spirt Arms non-reciprocating upper requires a modified carrier. But most use a standard carrier.

Would I be correct in presuming that the non-reciprocating systems don't require bolt modifications?

[arnie]

I have two smooth side ar15 uppers that I milled out to use a side bolt carrier .I have drilled and tapped one carrier so far and will soon do another . If I could find a smooth side 308 upper I would get it to make my own but every one seems to be out of the smooth side uppers in 308 size . I wish Cross Hill made one for a 308 .I have one of there ar15 side charger uppers and it is really nice . Arnie

[joker31]

Yes, the Fulton's are the Lo-Pro with a side cut.

[lilharcher]

Updated with Pics. I'm limited to only 10 attachments per post, so will need to post additional pics to post #2.

[HuntTXhogs]

I recently bought into my first side charge upper, made by New Frontier Armory. I did a side by side comparison to a MEGA Billet upper (non-side charge however same design).

Mega TOP NFA BOTTOM



Mega TOP NFA BOTTOM - notice asymetric shape of NFA to support the rail system design of the side charge handle



Mega TOP NFA BOTTOM



So I did the install over the weekend and noticed the following:

1) It is possible to mate the upper and lower together without capturing the rear door in a closed position. I would assume this would be bad as you'd have gas blowback into the shooter's face. When you pin lower to upper you must be aware to pinch down the rear flap and bring the halves together so that it holds the door down by the top of the buffer tube. Once it is pinched down (captured) it looks like it won't be coming out.

2) The side charge rail doesn't fully clear the standard mil spec lower buffer tube. So if you are running a forged lower you may have a clearance issue. I am running a polymer lower so the side charge rail cut a nice straight line into my lower, no problems or worries with finish because it is polymer!



Total cost of the NFA upper with specialty cam pin was 225.00 shipped.

[HuntTXhogs]

UPDATE -

Here are photos of the rear flap, one with door not pinned down the other correctly installed and pinched by lower receiver




Here is the clearance issue with my AR15 New Frontier Lower (Polymer) and the New Frontier Armory Billet Upper Receiver




Range Report -

No cycling or performance issues - Spent brass contacts the side of the receiver and leaves that gold imprint on the receiver that you normally find on most brass deflectors. Side charger is a positive action (no slop) with no added resistance compared to a normal charging handle.

[HuntTXhogs]

And a new discovery, I installed my scope to my preferred eye relief - zeroed it in. Came home to clean the gun and I cannot remove my BCG. The rear flap contacts the lower rear objective of the scope and the gas key won't clear the rear flap~!~

[ThatRandomGuy]

Hunt,

Thanks for all the info reports! My friend/suitemate at college was thinking about getting this or the joebob one that's virtually identical. He's more a red dot guy so the scope clearance shouldn't be an issue for him, but that scratch from the charging motion might be. A question he has is whether with the door held open it would be possible to insert a "backup" standard charging handle? I feel like the special cam pin might prohibit one from working even if it fit, but I figured I'd ask for him.