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Right Side Charging Uppers

EvanB

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ODT Junkie!
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I have several AR's with right side charging and have had several calibers with same. Functionally, it seems more natural and easier to charge than the rear charging system. I am right handed, so it seems as natural as right side charging rifles, semi-automatic style (M14, M1a, Ruger .44 Carbine, and others). I am old and when enlisting in the Marines, we used M14's and M1's till the Mi6 came about as I was in Vietnam.

I have been Prairie Dog shooting for mor than 15 years, and, using a bench and rest platform. I shoot .223 and have used others but primarily .223 AR platform. Shooting over 500 rounds a day, thats a lot of charging with 20 round mags. I thought I would try the side charging and really like it. Only disadvantage is when mounted with a shell catcher, you have to stop and remove or open the shell catcher to recharge the rifle. The shell catchers I use now swing out from the receiver so it is a better set up than the older bag covers.

I have had side chargers, all from Bear Creek, in .223, .350 Legend, .450 Bushmaster and .50 Beowulf. And for the nay sayers, I have not had a single problem with any of them and have had probably 12 units. Also, accuracy may not be as tack driving as my bolt .204 Mossberg MVP (.52" for 5 rounds at 100 yards) but is very close to 1 MOa with my .223's.

Any comments?
 
So does your bolt carrier not lock open on the last round fired?

Seems to me you would only have to charge the rifle once.

<-- not a prairie dog shooter
 
Yes bolt carrier does lock open on last round however charging handle is under brass catcher and brass catchers fill and cases dont always lay flat in them making for ejection obstruction.
 
Yes bolt carrier does lock open on last round however charging handle is under brass catcher and brass catchers fill and cases dont always lay flat in them making for ejection obstruction.
I have great respect for Nam vets. Thank you for your service and welcome home.

I have only had one Bear creek upper. It was over gassed sadly to the point where is caused physical pain to fire. It was a 243 upper. Needless to say I didn't like it very much. Accurate meh it was ok. Reliable sure that was fine no FTFs or FTEs. But for whatever reason recoil was horrendous and I regularly shoot 300 wm plus with no issues.

So personally I'm not a fan of BCA. YMMV.
 
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