$340 out the door Bear Creek Arsenal side charger

[Bret]

I ordered these BUIS for it. The ratings were decent for the price which seems appropriate for the rifle.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[C-grunt]

How does the side charging system interface with the BCG?

[Bret]

This video shows it better than I can explain with words.
https://youtu.be/IfdBJeVtmXw?t=155

[bamashooter]

I have the Gibbz left-hand side charger. Very sweet. They should have all been made without that original dumb-assed charging design.

[HKGuns]

They should have all been made without that original dumb-assed charging design.

Said no-one ever......Yeah, let's add some unecessary reciprocating mass to the BCG, creating a huge open space directly in the receiver and a snag hazzard, expecting the same results as the design that has been sucessful for over 50 years, because "style." But hey, I'm sure Bear Creek and the others did extensive engineering to ensure that will be reliable.

What could possibly go wrong.

[Bret]

It's not about style, but ergonomics. The cons you listed are legitimate downsides, but the AK has them and has been successful for over 70 years.

[titsonritz]

It's not about style, but ergonomics. The cons you listed are legitimate downsides, but the AK has them and has been successful for over 70 years.

The AK is step backwards in ergonomics compared to the AR. Also, the AK is an heavily gassed long stroke piston, the AR is not.

[Bret]

The AK is step backwards in ergonomics compared to the AR. Also, the AK is an heavily gassed long stroke piston, the AR is not.

Agree overall except that I'd say that all else being equal, side charging is better than rear charging. I'd also say that all else being equal, left side charging is better than right side charging (assuming you're right handed). Finally, I'd say that a non-reciprocating charging handle is better than one that's reciprocating. Of course these are just my opinions based on my experience.

All that said, the fact that this particular AR15 is right side charging isn't really the primary point of this thread. I just wanted to see if an AR15 so inexpensive might actually perform satisfactorily. The fact that it comes with a non-typical feature is an interesting bonus that likely cost more for BCA to manufacture.

[Vegas]

This should be a fun thread. I've attempted to build a cheap beater rifle before, but never anything like this.

Cheap beater rifle threads made with parts of dubious quality usually are

I own plenty of BCA uppers and zero issues. with any. They all run great.

Every company and every item has a bad egg. Even the high end brands

Rejoice! The opportunity to be a QC tester for low quality brands is upon us!!

Disclaimer: I own a PSA lower I gambled on and won.

[cspackler]

I'm blasting with my $450 BCA upper/psa lower/pa red dot while camping. Side charger 10.5" x39 and has been 100%.