What's The Point Of A Side Charging AR-15?

I've owned many AR variants but this BCA (Bear Creek Arsenal) AR-15 is my first side charging AR. I always wondered why you might want a side charger vs traditional charging AR. Hopefully this video gives you a look at some of the benefits.
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I have always thought that the traditional top mounted charging handle was a weak link in the AR platform.
I just got the BCA side charger in 7.62×39 and now I'm giving serious thought to getting one in 5.56.
It just operates so much better.
As far as the no dust cover well…. I have to say that 99.9% of the time its completely unnecessary.

Why is it left handed?

wait… So you'r saying that side charging which is used all over the world might be better?
oh what…
sounds similar to the metric system

I am saying it is a superior system. Those goonie T-handles are absurd. They are clumsy crap. The T-handle makers are the ones just trying to be different.

I want a left eject ar so bad

i think it would be good if it was non reciprocating and it would be perfect

Beautiful gun bro I just picked up a ar 15 with mlok free-floating handgaurd from pallmetto state armory, cant wait to shoot the thing….i just went in today to start the paperwork trail and waiting period and had learned not knowing before ar-15's are standard rear charging bolt's im wondering if I should just get used to it as i have read dust covers are tricky if you roll a side charging bolt….whats your thoughts on this I plan on using a holosight with a flip in and out magnifier so eye relief should be unlimited…..so with that being said do you think i should keep the rear charging style, how feasible would it be to convert it to side charging and i wonder if i would have to replace the bolt carrier group to achieve this.

My AR style shotgun has a side charging handle and I prefer it much more than a traditional AR charging handle.

One of the best reasons for a left side charger…my wife is a lefty. She loves to shoot. This makes it more fun.

I have one BUT mine is on the right side! its kinda hard to use

Why would you get a side-charging upper and not get a folding stock adapter? That’s like half the fun of a side charging upper.

I love my BCA side charging upper! Mine is chambered in .223 Wylde, zero issues after a couple thousand rounds and I couldn't be more happy.

He sounds like a California man, living in texas. Let me know if i'm right.

BCA sells side chargers to keep prices down. I wouldn't buy one because they charge on the right side and I'm right handed and I don't like the fact the charging hàndle is screwed into the bcg. To each their own.

That doesn't help much. We need a dog leg up on the forward barrel shroud. Like on a HK G3.

I have a panzer bp-12, I moved the charging handle to the left. I like that I can keep it shouldered and still charge it comfortably. Then I thought, this would be a dope setup for the AR, so yeah, I want one.

Is this left ejecting or is the video mirrored?

I thought BCA only sold left hand charging uppers? This one appears to be a left handed charger, or is yours a right handed with the picture reversed?

Hate that sound

Yours is left handed?

Californian here. Anyone know what type of mag lock system will work for this upper? Bought a BCA side charging 6.5gr upper. Its nice but it wont fit on my lower due to the patriot mag release. The upper is thicker than a rear charging upper due to the side charge so it won't fit on the lower.

Thanks for the explanation!

Always ran traditional but man, that sound it makes is sexy

What did you pay for the rifle

what size is that barrel? 18''?

Well at least we can get them in the uk

Have you been hit with hot brass Without a deflector??

..getting one charge on right side and im a lefty

you dont sound like your from texas, more like bridgeport. i like my BCA side charger, when you go lefty you are already breaking the mold.

How is the tipical cost for the side charger ar15

Nice. Currently looking at piecing together AR parts for my spikes lower. BCA caught my eye with the side charging

It's a good concept, but very poor execution, it should be a spring-loaded charging handle in front or beside the bolt group and not screwed directly to it, also, your brass is coming out of the wrong side and you have no dust cover.

What upper is that?

Using the paddle bolt release looks like a great way to get garand thumb from an AR

Is this a Left Hand upper??? The ones on BCA's site appear to be right hand eject? Can you comment?

Nice, you have a question why you don't have both sides, and left the normal one behind as an addition.

Seems like a bad idea unless you shoot left handed. Brass ejecting right in your face like that.

First: the side handle it is moving with every round.
Second: the empty casing comes flying out of the gun right in front of your face.
Thanks but I will stick to the tradettional charging handle.

I wonder how they stack up on dust and mud mitigation seeing as most side chargers have no dust covers

i wanted to help get convinced out of a side charger since i already have an ak

i really wanted to not spend the money on anooooooother ar upper

i wanted to say a sidecharger was on some caveman shit and we have evolved…thats why we have gigantic ambi charging handles and how parts commonality so only a cretin would have a side charging ar

so im pretty much wrong on all of those fronts…..and i knew it….but this is me coming to terms with it and just having to get the emotions out. secretly i loved it but i fought to suppress those feelings and have held strong for over 10 years…

i remember when i first saw american spirit arms do some stuff like this and stag arms lefty rifles….during the dark ages you know? and i was like fuuuuuuuuu…..i cant let anyone know i think its cool! all the shame back then.

the prices and availability now say try it and if you dont like it sell it or give it away, whats the worst that could happen? all the while you now have another build to complete, let alone ak's being neglected, scars, scorpions, you name it!

why is your side charger so special? SIDE IS IN THE NAME. YOU GONNA LEAVE YOUR SIDE CHARGER AT YOUR SIDECHICKS HOUSE? probably not…cuz its a ryder LOL its like blade…all of the strengths, none of the weaknesses, it is the daywalker! SO EASY IT CAN BE OPERATED ON THE SIDE. IT PREFERS TO OPERATE ON THE SIDE.

its not fully refined though….the handle reciprocates….as is the nature of the beast. and its exposed. ewwww. well, prostitution is the oldest profession and they say good service is not cheap. cheap service is not good. no money, no honey! purse first, ass last!

that being said, a bca side charger seems like bang for the buck!

nobody read this plz

I shoot left handed. Should I be getting a right or left side charged handle/benefits of one over the other. I was originally looking at the left side charge because when shooting a rear charge the ejects from the right, casings sometimes graze my right cheek. I did notice on this video that the brass seemed to actually hit the handle when discharging, keeping that from happening.

I have one with the side charge on the right.. I don’t feel like I’m going to punch myself in the face when charging and can keep my eye on target. I’ve had both and like my side charge much more!!

Just.my own opinion I think side chargers are badass. They are pretty and seem very comfortable. However on the other end knowing that the charging handle current location is helpful in keeping out dirt and debris especially in the way of mud then I believe the design is inferior in a rugged battle rifle design. However I believe it's really cool and looks amazing and tbh kinda want one to play with. I just don't believe its going to hold up to dirt and trash as much as the current design.