Building a Side Charger AR

[GunnyUSMC]

For some time now I have been wanting to build an AR with a side charger upper receiver. The only problem was finding the one I wanted.
First off I wanted one with a Non-Reciprocating charging handle, but didn't want the end of the charging handle to extend past the back of the receiver when charged.
I also wanted a dust cover , forward assist and brass deflector. Not asking for much am I?
Well after some homework and some searching I found four different companies that had what I was looking for. The price ranged from $249 to $299.
http://shop.masdefense.com/MAS-DEFENSE-AR15-SIDE-CHARGING-HANDLE-BILLET-UPPER-RECEIVER-SCUPR-NRM.ht
MAS Defence had the best price. I already had account there and have been very satisfied with everything I've ordered from them.
So it's on order and should be here next week.
I already have a bunch of ARs and it's not like I need another, but I don't have a side charger or one with an 18" barrel.
A week or so ago Primary Arms had a sale on the Vortex 3-9x 59 Crossfire II with the mount , 18" barrel in 223 Wylde 1/8 HBAR rifle gas system and the Troy Medieval flash hider.



I have a few handrails, but I'm thinking I'll go with the 17" rail.


I already had a JoeBob Outfitter's Spartan lower sitting around. If it matches up with the upper, I'll use it for the build.


I have a few LPKs and an AGL ACT fire control group in my extra parts. I also have 7 or so BCGs to pick from, thinking about going with one of the black nitride ones.
The only thing I need now is the butt stock. I have the A2 and the ACE rifle stocks, but think I'll end up getting the Magpul rifle stock. I've used it on a few builds and like it.
I think I will go with black for the color and coat the barrel.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I got an email today stating that the upper was shipped.

 

[458MinMag]

Very nice Gunny! That should be a nice shooting, and good looking stick. The MOE rifle stock is very nice, and would be a good choice. It won't be a light gun though.

 

[chicharrones]

I'm looking forward to seeing that side charger being completed.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Boy was that fast. The upper arrived in the mail today.
It looks very well made. The fit to the Spartan lower is very nice.

 

[Ed4032]

I built one that I bought from Live Free Armory. I think it looks just like yours. Works great.

 

[ironworkerwill]

I like yours alright.... But I want mine to charge on the right side....and be built for purpose (like yours) and not as a modified m4.

 

[wally]

But I want mine to charge on the right side....

Then its going to be really hard to have the dust cover and brass deflector unless you find one derived from a "left-handed" upper.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I built one that I bought from Live Free Armory. I think it looks just like yours. Works great.

I think it's the same upper, but MAS Defense had them for $50 less.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Well my order that I placed with Brownell's on the 11th showed up today. Gas tube and low profile block and a set of Strike Industries takedown pins.




I went with the 17" rail because, I just didn't care for the look of to much barrel sticking out of the rail.
I'm going to tryout the Troy Midevil flash hider.



I didn't get a Magpul fixed rifle stock yet, but I had an Ace Skeleton stock set so I put it on. I think I like the look.
I used a Brownell's black nitride BCG that I picked up on sale last month.

Well here it is all together. Now I just need to find the time to make it to the range.

 

[chicharrones]

Very nice. How about a full rifle view of the side charging side? Please.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Here you go.

 

[Ironicaintit]

That's a nice rifle!

Do ya think you'll have any problems hitting your knuckles on the scope mount screws?

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Side chargers are meet to be worked with palm up. But yes, the nuts are slightly in the way. Going to look for a different mount.

 

[maxxhavoc]

Nice, I really like the idea of that. Dagnabbit, you are going to make me buy a new upper, maybe a lower, no maybe a whole rifle....

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Nice, I really like the idea of that. Dagnabbit, you are going to make me buy a new upper, maybe a lower, no maybe a whole rifle....

Here's you a starter.
https://www.centerfiresystems.com/p...tems-mg-g4-ar-15-stripped-lower-receiver.aspx

 

[Ironicaintit]

Side chargers are meet to be worked with palm up. But yes, the nuts are slightly in the way. Going to look for a different mount.

Yeah, I understand operating it palm up. I can just picture raking my pinky across those nuts.
Can you just flip them on the mount, so they stick out the ejection side?

 

[458MinMag]

Sweet rifle! The 17inch handguard looks great.

The Leupold IMS2 mount is really nice, and it has the 1/2inch nuts on the right side.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Yeah, I understand operating it palm up. I can just picture raking my pinky across those nuts.
Can you just flip them on the mount, so they stick out the ejection side?

The mount would have to be turned around.
It's really not that bad. The handle stops at the first nut.

 

[Jackal]

Looks familiar. New Frontier Armory machines the uppers and the lowers on contract to a few different retailers.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Looks familiar. New Frontier Armory machines the uppers and the lowers on contract to a few different retailers.

I know that New Frontier makes the Spartan lower for Joe Bob Outfitters, it's the second build I've used one on a build. I looked at their upper but didn't like that it didn't have a dust cover and the side charger extends pass the back of the upper when the charging handle is pulled.

 

[Jackal]

I know that New Frontier makes the Spartan lower for Joe Bob Outfitters, it's the second build I've used one on a build. I looked at their upper but didn't like that it didn't have a dust cover and the side charger extends pass the back of the upper when the charging handle is pulled.

Yeah, this was an NFA branded upper. My upper/lower fit was really bad, super loose, even with the tension screw set. The charging handle does extend back a little, but honestly, it was never a problem. It stops way short of your face. The only thing I didnt like was having oil and crud blow back into my face through the rear of the upper around the little spring loaded door. A piece of duct tape took care of that though. I do wish it had the fwd assist and dust cover.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Yeah, this was an NFA branded upper. My upper/lower fit was really bad, super loose, even with the tension screw set. The charging handle does extend back a little, but honestly, it was never a problem. It stops way short of your face. The only thing I didnt like was having oil and crud blow back into my face through the rear of the upper around the little spring loaded door. A piece of duct tape took care of that though. I do wish it had the fwd assist and dust cover.

I've been wanting to build one for the last two years and almost bought a Crosshill Technology reciprocating upper. But then figured I would find a way to hurt myself with the bolt handle moving with every shot.

 

[bangswitch]

When you mentioned "side charger", it made me think of the K1A1 Daewoo I used to have. Selling it was one of the dumber things I've done. I bought it around 1984 for $300, sold it in 1998 for $900, and now they're going for around $1500, if you can find one. .223, sort of a cross between an MP5 and an AR15. Military (Korea) K1A is full auto and barrel and handguard are much shorter. Buffer springs ride above the bolt instead of behind it

 

[armoredman]

A collapsing Woo, nice.
Interesting the AR side charging handle. If I were ever to get an AR that would be a definite plus for me, being used to that setup for so long. Durable?