Side-charging AR15 reborn!

[christcl]

I found some spare roll pins and a completed lower receiver, plus Rainier Arms had an awesome sale, so I started this!

I've always preferred reciprocating charging handles on guns.

Cross Machine billet stripped upper

Its a nice upper man, these guys know what they doing even though they are relatively new to the AR world.

Will keep you guys posted as the build continues...

 

[Dirtbiker]

You in California? That mag release looks like a bullet button.

 

[Bludgeon]

SBR that upper

 

[jbmonkey]

what's the bolt look like with a side handle? any pics?...never seen an ar15 one before. pretty darn neat. thanks for sharing.

 

[christcl]

You in California? That mag release looks like a bullet button.

Yup! Thats a bullet button. May switch it out to a Radlock magazine lock, that can be converted to an oversized magazine release out of state.

SBR that upper

Planning to build an iron sight only rifle for now =)

what's the bolt look like with a side handle? any pics?...never seen an ar15 one before. pretty darn neat. thanks for sharing.

Stay tuned.

Its not my first side charging AR. But this will be an improved version of it.

 

[mtngunr]

I loved my AR-180....nice to see rest of world catching up to it in copying the "old fashioned" op rod/piston and handle...only took 50 yrs...i like your gun already...

 

[bdmicarta]

I've seen lots of standard AR's modified for side charging handles, it's common for match rifles used in highpower competition, but that upper looks much better.

 

[christcl]

This was my first and original AR-15 build. I don't have it anymore, sold it to pay for a more standard configuration rebuild, but it was def. interesting.

The ambidextrous setup was fun but blew alot of gas into my face due to the big slit in the left side.

 

[gurkha berserka]

Very sweet and no need for a forward assist anymore. I love the set up... just use the AK style of undergun charging with your left hand if you don't like the dual charging handles. A folding handle like the HK 91 or some FAL might be a cool thing.

 

[jbmonkey]

This was my first and original AR-15 build. I don't have it anymore, sold it to pay for a more standard configuration rebuild, but it was def. interesting.

The ambidextrous setup was fun but blew alot of gas into my face due to the big slit in the left side.

Im a southpaw shooter so im used to that with any rifle. That one is sharp..looks good. Never thought about a side charger ar...pretty darn interesting idea. Weirdly even being a southpaw shooter id prefer a righty only handle rather than an ambi. Like my vz58s and akms and sks's etc. Im used to right handed rifles and dont mind the brass flying by my face etc. Cant wait to see your newest completed.

 

[christcl]

This was my first and original AR-15 build. I don't have it anymore, sold it to pay for a more standard configuration rebuild, but it was def. interesting.

The ambidextrous setup was fun but blew alot of gas into my face due to the big slit in the left side.

It will be my third AR build with all the prior knowledge and experience put in plus help from a good friend who researches the heck out of the latest and greatest.

I saw a few swing handle side chargers when I was in Arizona, most likely American Spirit Arms builds

I loved my AR-180....nice to see rest of world catching up to it in copying the "old fashioned" op rod/piston and handle...only took 50 yrs...i like your gun already...

Im a southpaw shooter so im used to that with any rifle. That one is sharp..looks good. Never thought about a side charger ar...pretty darn interesting idea. Weirdly even being a southpaw shooter id prefer a righty only handle rather than an ambi. Like my vz58s and akms and sks's etc. Im used to right handed rifles and dont mind the brass flying by my face etc. Cant wait to see your newest completed.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

Man that looks slick. I know a guy that machines Ars. I have a nice left handed Stag that I love, but I never could get used to the charging handle thing. I prefer the side charging for sure. I wonder what it would set me back for him to work me something up like that in .300blk.

 

[christcl]

You in California? That mag release looks like a bullet button.

SBR that upper

Hmmmmm, depends on how much he charges for his work and how well he does the work?

It might be more economical to just buy a new upper and dedicated side charging BCG. This upper was one bill and a BCG with side charger around 2 bills. Pretty comparable to other fancy boutique billet builds.

what's the bolt look like with a side handle? any pics?...never seen an ar15 one before. pretty darn neat. thanks for sharing.

Man that looks slick. I know a guy that machines Ars. I have a nice left handed Stag that I love, but I never could get used to the charging handle thing. I prefer the side charging for sure. I wonder what it would set me back for him to work me something up like that in .300blk.

 

[christcl]

Got a few spare parts off a good friend's Daniel Defense rifle.

Nothing beats fixed sights for an irons only rifle.

Standard T-handle is just there to cover up the rear slot and act as a gas block. Also gives me the option to run a .22 conversion bcg kit.

 

[gurkha berserka]

I totally agree with you... There is NOTHING better than a good pair of iron sights. All my scope rifles where Troy flip back up iron sights. The ones that dont flip get co witnessed with red dots. I have a Trijicon TA11 on my IWI Tavor. A Mepro RDS on my Bushmaster. A Primary ARMS Gen 3 on my custom Colt AR.

My Norinco AK wears just its stock iron sights. Putting a scope on an AK is like putting perfume on a pig... they just don't go together. I have been thinking about adding a tritium vial to the front post, but its stock other than Timbersmith Laminated stock and handguard.

Daniel Defense makes some really nice stuff. I have a few of their products and use them on others AR's all the time. Their handguards are a step above, although I am sick of 1913 rails. I went with a Midwest Industries SS handguard with removable rails.

I also went with a Keymod Midwest Industries handguard for my Tavor because there aren't to many options for that platform yet.

 

[christcl]

I'm thinking to go with the bcm kmr but the mi keymod is a close second .

As light and no frills possible with this one!