Far and away, most AR-style platforms are rear-charging, meaning that the charging handle is mounted at the rear of the upper receiver.
To manually cycle the action, you have to break your cheek weld and pull the charging handle back. It then draws the bolt carrier group back and, if there was a cartridge in the chamber, extracts it.
While most ARs are rear-charging, it’s not your only option, especially if you’re committed to a home build project. Side charging uppers are a viable alternative to rear-charging models and they offer a few advantages. Here are some high-level notes.
What Is a Side Charging Upper?
In a side-charging upper (also referred to as a side charger), there is no charging handle at the rear of the upper receiver. Rather, the charging handle is mounted to the side of the upper, hence the name.
This configuration mirrors a majority of semi-automatic shotguns and rifles, such as the AK, in which the charging handle is at the side of, and protrudes from, the receiver. Because of this, many shooters consider side-charging uppers to be not only more intuitive, but also easier to instinctively manipulate, especially in high-stress situations.
Side Charger Advantages
On top of aesthetics, there are several material reasons why a build with a side-charging upper can be viewed as superior to a rear-charger. These are a few of them.
- Better ergonomics
As stated, many shooters consider the side charging configuration to be more intuitive. It’s also true that with a side charging upper, you don’t need to break your cheek weld to manipulate the action. This can keep your sight picture unobstructed and unbroken, resulting in faster, more accurate shots. As a result of the charging handle’s position, some shooters also find that they can cycle more rapidly, too.
- Less snag prone
Some side-chargers can produce a snag hazard, but not our design. We’ve specifically designed a charging handle that resists snagging on exposed webbing and gear.
- More durable design
Gibbz side-charging uppers, specifically, are designed to withstand effectively any force necessary to clear the rifle and can tolerate rough handling.
- Optics compatibility
Most larger optics need to be mounted farther forward on the upper than is ideal in order to accommodate a rear-charging design. This can, unfortunately, interfere with optimal eye relief. That is not the case with a side-charger, which allows for a far greater deal of flexibility with receiver-mounted optics.
For more information on the advantages of building with a side charging upper like the Gibbz G4, please see our “Gibbz Advantage” page.
Can You Use Any BCG?
While some side-chargers require you to use proprietary bolt carrier groups, that is not the case with Gibbz Arms side charging uppers. Ours are compatible with effectively any bolt carrier group you can find (we are not aware of any BCGs that won’t work with our side-chargers).
How Do I Swap Out the Standard AR-15 Cam Pin?
Any bolt carrier group is compatible with our uppers, as long as you change out the cam pin for the Gibbz Arms Enhanced Cam Pin.
To do so, pull out the firing pin retainer, then remove the firing pin. Then, rotate the cam pin 90°, then pull it straight out the side.
To install the Gibbz Arms Enhanced Cam Pin, insert it so that the long, flat section is parallel to the gas key, and once it’s in the carrier, rotate it 90°, reinsert the firing pin and retainer, and you’re set.
Side Charger Maintenance
Two big differences between the side-charging and rear-charging configuration are that the side-charger will lack an ejection port cover (AKA dust cover) and that it will also lack a forward assist.
The lack of a forward assist isn’t all that consequential but without an ejection port cover, your bolt carrier group will be exposed all the time, even when your rifle is not in operation.
This, of course, requires a special note for maintenance in that you should be conscientious of the environmental conditions around you when firing. If it is particularly wet, muddy, sandy or dusty, you may want to thoroughly clean your AR after shooting, fully removing the BCG and wiping it down to ensure there’s no moisture or abrasive particulate matter trapped on it or in it.
When cleaning a side-charger, be sure also to separate the charging handle from the BCG and clean those components separately.
While you might need to be slightly more conscious of keeping your BCG clean when running a side-charger, other than that, basically all other notes for maintenance and cleaning remain the same between it and a rear-charger.
For More Information About Side Charging Uppers
If you still have questions about building a side-charging AR, contact our customer service at sales@gibbzarms.com.