The vast majority of AR15 builds out there sport a rear-charging configuration. Yet, just because something represents a majority does not necessarily make it better.
We recently added a whole bunch of side-charging AR15 uppers to our online catalog, and some shooters are fully bought-into the side-charger.
Here are the 6 best reasons to build a side-charging AR, even if you keep everything else the same.
1. Keep your cheek weld
One of the biggest advantages of building with a side-charging AR15 upper (whether or not the charging handle is reciprocating) is that you can keep your cheek weld even if you need to manually cycle the action.
Keeping your cheek weld allows you to maintain not only an interrupted sight picture, but the proper mount and, if you are shooting over an optic, just the right eye relief as well.
This in turn translates to uninterrupted shooting, more accurate shots, and faster, more accurate follow up shots, regardless of what else you’re running on your build.
As a result, this benefit of building with a side-charging AR15 upper is one of the strongest arguments in favor.
2. Easier, more intuitive cycling
The side-charging configuration enables easier and more intuitive manual cycling, even with gloves. As stated, this enables the operator to keep his or her sights trained on the target, and to resume firing once cycling is complete.
Rear-charging configurations require you to interrupt your mount and potentially to take your hands off the grip. Most operators are able to keep their hands on the rifle’s grip or fire controls even while cycling the action, which also offers clear advantages and makes the rifle more intuitive to operate.
3. Faster cycling
Speed is another consideration to keep in mind here, and most operators agree that cycling is faster with a side-charging AR than it is with a rear charger. This remains the case if the operator is wearing heavy gloves, such as if the conditions are cold.
The shooter also will not need to shift his or her position to cycle the rifle’s action manually, which lends itself to the speed with which a side-charging AR can be run.
4. Clear jams and other malfunctions more easily
Being able to clear a malfunction from an AR, quickly, and potentially with one hand, all while keeping your cheek weld, which means keeping your sights focused on the target, is another massive advantage of a side-charging AR15 upper.
This can be done, under almost all circumstances, with one hand, quickly, easily and efficiently. Moreover, multiple malfunctions can be cleared with one hand, including failures to feed, failures to eject, and potentially even issues with the gas system.
And, even if this wasn’t argument enough for you, some shooters argue that trying to mortar a round that’s stuck in the chamber is easier with a side-charging AR than it is with a rear charger because most large side-charging handles offer greater purchase and leverage whereas that would be limited with a rear-charging configuration.
5. Some consider maintenance to be easier with a side-charging AR15 upper
The design of most side-charging AR15 uppers is inherently less complex than the design of most rear-chargers.
Some have fewer parts and it’s easier in some cases to remove the bolt carrier group and charging handle for cleaning. The more straightforward design of some side-charging AR15 uppers also facilitates cleaning and maintenance.
6. More room for oversized optics
One final huge advantage of building a sporting rifle with a side-charging AR15 upper is that, without the need to cycle the action manually through a charging handle at the rear of the upper, you can mount basically any optic you want over the rail, with no limitations.
This gives you the flexibility to mount oversized optics, for instance, for more precise shooting at extended, even extreme long-ranges, which is a bonus for those of you that prefer the AR-15, or a similar sporting rifle, as a precision rifle or as the basis for an extreme long-range platform.
Even if your end goal isn’t to mount an oversized, extreme long-range scope over your AR, the side-charging configuration inherently puts it out of the way so the optic won’t get in your way whenever you need to manipulate the action.
Is a Side-Charging AR for You?
Ultimately, that depends. Both rear and side-charging AR rifles are perfectly serviceable, but if your goals require more flexibility with optics, or if you’ve been annoyed in the past by the fact that manually cycling a rear-charging requires you to interrupt your mount and cheek weld, then a side-charger very well may be for you.
Explore Side-Charging AR15 Uppers Here
Thinking you might want to start your next build with a side-charging AR15 upper? Explore our collection and get in touch with us directly if you have any questions; we would be more than happy to help.