Best side charing uppers & BCG?

**PlumCrazy** · July 25th, 2021, 09:42 AM

I'm building an AR-15 & looking for opinions on the best complete side charging 20" uppers as well as side charging BCGs.

**Aggies Coach** · July 25th, 2021, 02:05 PM

Bear Creek Arsenal.

**Emptymag** · July 25th, 2021, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by Aggies Coach

Bear Creek Arsenal.

He said "best". Haha.

I would rate them as the best value since they have been doing side chargers for a while and aren't too terribly expensive.

There are certainly other side chargers that have a more refined mechanisms vs a (basically) knob screwed into the side of a BCG, but I have no real input on which brands are better than others.

**ViperHummel** · July 25th, 2021, 08:05 PM

New Frontier Armory and Gibbz have left side non-reciprocating side chargers. Nk, they don*t come assembled in complete uppers, but better than BCA options. If you want a side charger bc of a scope, a BCM large latch charging handle would be a better option (or other purpose designed charging handles vs a large latch on a standard one)

**MattMPA** · July 26th, 2021, 07:21 AM

I used it on a pistol, but I bought a Foxtrot Mike side charging upper for an AR-9 build. Very pleased with the final product...

Perhaps a check with them for a rifle upper.

I also got a side charging rifle upper at a show from Durkin Tactical...

**Emptymag** · July 26th, 2021, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by MattMPA

I used it on a pistol, but I bought a Foxtrot Mike side charging upper for an AR-9 build. Very pleased with the final product...

Perhaps a check with them for a rifle upper.

I also got a side charging rifle upper at a show from Durkin Tactical...

The one from Durkin - is it a Bear Creek Arsenal?
I used to see a LOT of BCA stuff on the Durkin website. They rarely note the manufacturer in their product specs, but I could tell by the photo - and the fact that they copied/pasted the specs directly from BCA's website. LOL

**PlumCrazy** · July 26th, 2021, 07:08 PM

I scrapped the side charging idea & just ordered a BCA complete upper & BCG.

Now to figure out which large charging handle I want to go with. I think I will upgrade the handle on my current AR as well while I'm at it.

**MattMPA** · July 26th, 2021, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by Emptymag

The one from Durkin - is it a Bear Creek Arsenal?
I used to see a LOT of BCA stuff on the Durkin website. They rarely note the manufacturer in their product specs, but I could tell by the photo - and the fact that they copied/pasted the specs directly from BCA's website. LOL

I don't know...bought it at a show, Allentown, I think.

I didn't want to build another "typical" AR....so I thought the side handle would be different.

**Ronin** · July 26th, 2021, 11:18 PM

Originally Posted by PlumCrazy

I scrapped the side charging idea & just ordered a BCA complete upper & BCG.

Now to figure out which large charging handle I want to go with. I think I will upgrade the handle on my current AR as well while I'm at it.

Geissele Super Charging Handle. Worth. Every. Penny.