Both of my BCA side charging uppers have completed the carbine 1 and carbine 2 classes at Peacemaker National training center. I have run all brands of ammo through them. Hundreds of rounds without fail.

I appreciate what you guys are providing. Keep it up. I tell all my psa buddies. A few of em switched after hitting the range. Love yall

All of my ARs are standard rear charging except one from BCA. After comparing and considering the two types, I’ve concluded that the side charging is superior in every way. Charging handle on the bolt is more natural and intuitive than a separate charging handle in the rear, and the back of the receiver is closed, which is much better for shooting suppressed. It also cleans up the receiver by getting rid of the unnecessary forward assist.

Just got mine and inspected, cleaned and oiled then I was looking at sling attachments in my gun parts and then realized that BCA did us a favor and gave us 2 options per side for qd attachments cut into the handgaurd. Thanks BCA!

Thanks for good info in your videos. Just bought 2 side chargers 3 weeks ago. Just waiting on ammo to get restocked to try them out.

Bought two of your complete uppers. One in 556 and one in 300 bo. Have to say, so far I'm very pleased. Only ran about 100 rounds through each. So I can't speak to much on long term. But the finish is great. The action on both of them was buttery smooth. Seems gassed properly. 10/10

2 year report here I absolutely love my side charge 18” hevy barrel 308 the greatest thing about it is i can use any kind of rear stock and accessories for it without a rear charge handle interfering in that day to day set up no worries raising and lowering cheek riser over and over plus i put 5 rounds on an ar500 steel plat in less than a 1/2 inch group i took a pic with my pinky finger nail next to it for proof i tell everyone I meet that asks me these bad boys are well worth the money thank you Bear Creek !! 😎🪖🧸🇺🇸👍🏻👍🏻

I have the side charger in 5.56 love it.

Great timing for this upload, I just started to look into side charging uppers today, seems like the best option for the Fightlite SCR lower if you can drill and tap their proprietary BCG to take the side charging handle.

Just got my 7.5 upper for my pistol build this afternoon and i can't wait for tomorrow. Assembled it reminded me of my buddies kel-tec pl-16!

Have a duel charging upper and a side charger, havent had any issues with part fitment or assembly. Both work just great.especially one with the contour barrel and the Grendel is awesome.

Excellent explanation of both BCGs. I was iffy about purchasing one but, after watching this video I pulled the trigger and made my order. I can't wait to have to slap it on to my 6mm Arc build.

Love my side charge 350 legend. I'm wanting a side charge 20 inch bull barrel in brake just a clean crown chambered in 6mm arc for bench shooting. Anyway love u guys keep building freedom 👍

I love the Side Charger .556 so smooth great performance.

I built a DMR style rifle based on a BCA side charger upper. Works well and the look stands out in a crowd.

Great video. I'm just starting to get into building side charging upper receivers, and you've answered the questions I already have, plus some that I haven't yet thought about. Thanks for the info! 👍

Great video I like the side charging so much better and looks cleaner thanks for sharing

I love this idea of the side charging thank you guys for answering all my questions

This really is a very good video explained a lot about the side charger upper I purchased not too long ago from Bear Creek which is an excellent uper that works flawlessly for me thanks for the video we'll be purchasing another side charger soon if they are still available

Thanks for video, I had thought these questions just out of sheer curiosity, thanks for my 7.62x39 side charger, what a beast, this thing will eat up any ammo!

just got my 10.5" side charging upper from BCA in .223 wylde. I LOVE it!! well actually i wish i could say that. under gassed short stroking and the bolt locked up twice in less than 30 round, never once fully cycled. sending it back....

i been wondering about these.. looks like, a side charging upper and BCG.. is just as good and can be easily used. During this Covid, a lot of Side ones have been on the shelves, and people haven't been buying them,.. looking for the more original type.. a smart person, would use and purchase a side charging upper.. great video, answered my internal questions., thank you

Thanks for the information

I personally use the Magpul Bev Block when working on my side charging uppers.

keep doing what you're doing. love my side charging ar47!

I'm a "OL SCHOOL" rear charger type guy, but that's what I had in the mil, a long time ago, lol. But I do dig your rifles, they just work period, thx .

Great Video thanks

Another awesome video

Thanks very helpful

you guys should sell just the bolt and barrel-less stripped uppers together as well, It would be much appreciated if you could.

I enjoyed watching him talk. I felt like I was in 6th grade gym class.

That shit with the 3/8 by 16 headless screw was super useful. Thanks👍

If you use the clamshell to hold the side charging upper without the BCG inside it could crush the upper enough to interfere with semiautomatic function. And, the bottom block can also be used to clamp the upper on irs side, picatinny rail against one has of the vise and bottom block against the other.

I just bought a 458 Socom upper this morning from you guys.

an absolutely amazing upper

By far one of the best enunciated presentation. Informative, precise, and sincere. Suave Javv approves!

I've been training and shooting AR-15's since 1982. So, I like and have developed muscle memory to operate the rear charge system over 40+ years. I see some benefits to side charge (like my M1A, M1 Carbine and Garand). There is a disadvantage to the AR side charge system, attaching a brass catcher. That is my biggest/only complaint since I save my brass to reload.

I like the sidecharger for shooting suppressed, less gas up the nose. I’d be cool if you could lock the bolt closed for manual cycling

I have 2 side charging uppers one 350 legend and 6.5 grendel love them both. What I like about the side charging compared to rear charging you can put your optic anywhere.

Answered my question i couldn't find a answer for! lol wanted to see if i could run a CCMG .22lr conversion on my BCA side charging 5.56. All i need is a rear charging handle and conversion and im in business with this ammo shortage lol

Went side charger with XCR's back in 2006. Fortunately they were all left side chargers per Robinson Armaments. Now there is such a variety on the market I have branched out to BCA (and other) versions (still left side) but they are rarer......

So in other words folks, if you're paying attention to every word this guy is speaking right now, he is basically saying that the side charger eliminated the mil-spec forward assist because the handle IS basically the forward assist and triples its function by serving as a rearward assist as well. Just tap or rack back the handle the old-fashioned way. I'll be ordering a BC-10 side-charger upper for my rifle soon. This will be awesome. EDIT: I forgot about Bear Creek Arsenal talking about their 4th function of the side-charging handle acting as a brass deflector. Neat!

Thank you.

I have five side charges from BCA and are proud to own them...

Great product and looking forward to receiving my order. One suggestion to Bear Creek would be to specify the thread pitch used on the muzzle. Can't find the information anywhere on the website.

wicked awesome

I bought an upper awhile back, all light primer strikes. Replaced with their newer bolt and enhanced firing pin, nothing. Replaced hammer spring with Wolf extra power, about 50/50 light strikes no matter what kind of Soviet ammo. Installed an h2 buffer and red Sprinco buffer spring, no change.. Bought a whole different upper from BCA and put all my innards in it (to keep it scientific), works great. That means the first upper was out of spec in the chamber causing the round to sit too far forward, preventing the pin from reaching the primer enough much of the time... Doesn't take much. Wonder if they'll let me return or replace the out of spec upper? (Posted several places in hope of helping someone else who may be in my same spot, gun Smith confirmed my thoughts)...

I am just now considering 300 blackout and been searching for a good upper assembly,im a LH shooter & i have a hard time with charging my ar15(have to have ambi charging handles) this side charging looks interesting & thinking on buying a 101/2 inch upper & a 16in & a crapton of 220 grain ammo to run suppressed. Great video & you showed me a lot,question is,why dont they include that little (headless allenscrew) with the purchase in case the lower is to high for the original bolt/nut? Or do they include it,i would just run it that way & keep my allen wrench handy. Great vid & im a sub now. Thanks for explaining it all in good detail for the learning crowd like me.

I just ordered one from yall can't wait to review it

BCA's SC BCG (handle removed) works great and looks mighty fine in a no-cover type slick-side upper receiver. Too bad it can't be had without the threaded handle hole.

Just ordered side charging in 5.56.

Thinking about modifying an A1 upper for a fallout: new vegas service rifle clone. The NCR service rifle uses a side charging bolt as well as a funky looking upside down dust cover.

Haha. Glad you made this. I just pulled mine out of the box and was pinning it up. It tool a minute but I figured out that the flat side of the gas screw has to face down. Excited to try it out. Do you guys have any mags for the 7.62 x 39 that are Texas compliant (30+) ? Thank you for making the video. I was wondering where the charging handle was but it seemed to cycle fine after I messed with it.

So in a pinch, you could take your side charging bcg, install it..and as you're doing that, pre load a cartridge in the chamber. Pin the upper to the lower, and then when you fire the rifle, it will start cycling rounds. But don't do that.

Are there options for extended side charging handles (BCA or AfterMarket) I have issues with my hands and being able to grip one properly to charge it due to index finger issue.A longer one or a curved handle would be great.

Side charging is not new to rifles. Hunters can tell you Browning and Remington semiautomatic rifles are side charged. I like it more than a rear charging handle when using big bell scopes and especially when “mortaring” your rifle. Pros and cons to both. Shoot what you like. Good video for those who aren’t very experienced with AR style rifles.

Since they have two videos I thought I would post this on this one too. I bought their enhanced firing pin, it broke on the very first shot. I won't buy s*** from them anymore! However, I blame myself for this because there were several comments about this but I just did not want to believe it.

Can you still use the bolt catch to release the bolt?

i like the side charge, basically like a browning semi 3060 and a semi auto shotgun. simplicity imo.

Does the gasket for the receiver plug need to be installed

I just picked up a 300 BLK from Midway. Puzzled about the rear screw that apparently stops the BCG during use. The screw comes with an o-ring. If I tightened the screw, it distorts the o-ring. If I back it off, the screw is loose in the back of the upper. Doesn't seem right to have a loose screw even though I can't come out because the flat is positioned against the lower. Thoughts??

How does it work with the MA side loader in a fixed mag setup

I have the 7.62x39 side charging upper, an love it looking to get a 556.

What grade is the Allen bolt on the side charging just wondering what it will handle?

I love my BCA side-charger in 7.62x39. My only question now is: WHEN WILL BCA GET MORE IN STOCK?? Specifically, The right-side charging, 7.62x39 in 10.5" (carbine or pistol gas system). I'm hoping soon.. Thanks!

How well does it handle the FRT?

Any way to improve the gen 1 charging handle to not come loose?

If a headless screw is used for the upper receiver plug, what is recommended to seal it as you cant use an O-ring.

Great video, just received my Bear Creek Arsenal 350 legend upper, very impressed with initial fit and finish. Minus the charging handle which looked like it was dropped or hit, I just filed it down a little. My question is my headless screw seems alil loose, can the screw be screwed all the way in? Or will that interfere with the gas system somehow?

what keeps that screw from coming out of the end AND the charging handle pin thing?

My question is do the gas block have to be tight? I just got my 7.62 upper, took it down to clean, and I'm not sure if I should leave the gas block loose, because that's the only way it fits without squishing the washer

GOT MINE IN! SOLID AS FUCK! Ordering more!!!!

Do you offer a left side charging handle version that ejects from the right?

I sanded the receiver plug to clear the lower.

I wonder if you can buy a better non side charging bcg and have it drilled and tapped for the side charger? Or can you change just the bolt to a better higher quality bolt

what type of left hand side charging ar15 upper receiver do I need for ar15 full auto bolt? Is it a special type of side charging upper I look for? cause I saw some nice left hand side charging bolts half way cheap on the internet for sale but they are all left hand side charging! and do I have to buy full auto bolt tube and trigger set?

Just bought a side charged 7.62 x 39 upper having light primer strikes on cheaper still case ammo any thing to fix it ?

Just ordered a 10” side charging upper from bca not realizing what o really bought. Now I’m even more excited about my next build! Do the uppers come with that extra screw like you showed? Also what size thread is the charging handle?

Can you switch the Bolt Carriers from regular BCG to the Side Charge BCG? I have a different caliber, not 5.56, im curious

I hated rear charge and got a bear creek right side and now i have changed my but stoch and cant even operate rear charge unless i have butt stock slid all the way back. But know my son built a left side. You hold an ar by crip and dont have to charge by reaching across scope with left charge and if you go to range use a brass trap and get by with right side. But left side use both trap if you have side discharge or even better use brass catcher that quick attaches to pickateeny rail life is then so nice.

Will you ever do a non reciprocating side charger?

I’m hungry for clams. I own rear and side charging BCA uppers. I’m going to do science tomorrow and buy a clam block.

So if I stick a side charging bcg into a rear charging upper, can I still charge it from the side or will there be any issues?

How many inch pounds do you tighten the chargeing handel

I have a side charging 7.62x39 upper from you bca , id like to replace the bcg with a nickle plated one will any right side charging bcg work ?

getting ready to build a 300 blackout and ran across these side charging uppers. I have fallen in love with them and am going to purchase one for my build. I imagine you still use a standard parts kit for your lower, so my only question is, and it may be a dumb one, but I assume the bolt catch still works the same with the side charging BCG?

Could a threaded pipe plug be used in place of the rear receiver plug? Doesn't seem like it would need to be removed very often. Thanks your videos are quite helpful will be buying some 350 legend uppers very soon

I don't know how I got here but because of that I just ordered your completed 16" side charging upper, hopefully id doesn't take too long to arrive.

The Answers we want: BCG maintenance part replacement Gas block issues Staking issues Do you recommend a full look over before firing (quality control issues) The reddit forums are not particularly looking good for BCA and I'm nervous for my order However being infantry we shoot some worn out shit and it still functions. Replacement BCG where do we get it or do we HAVE to get a BCA BCG that would be a nuisance

Do you need a bolt catch with a side charging upper?

Any chance of a left-side charger? I've seen other companies do them.

So how would one go about changing out the BCG on the side charging uppers? If you just want to replace it or the original bcg stops working for whatever reason. , how do we replace it

I bought one I have had problems with mine having striker fire and have been waiting for like a week waiting on responses to send it back and have it fixed. Still waiting on them to help me and make it right I’ve bought 4 uppers and love all 3 of them but the one is giving me trouble would love to hear back so we can sort things out

Any plans on doing any 9mm or .22LR uppers?

Which one is better? Rear charging is easier to do maintenance especially for military personnel! Does rear charging provide more power or safety? I’m afraid if the rear bolt fails! Please advise

They should eliminate the screw into the back of the reciever to hold the bcg in and mill out this area to be accept a standard charging handle. Then you have the flexibility to use both a standard bcg and a side charging bcg. This would also be a good backup for if/when the screw loosens and the side charging handle falls off. I know this would be a cost increase, but would be well worth it.

Can a person get a ar15 side charge with a cocking handle on both sides ?

Great info, but is BCA selling the stripped uppers in rear and or side charging models? Or a side charger with a BCG, combo?

Gen 2 have a flaw in the bolt and do not cycle reliably on subsonic ammo. Out of (4) .300 Blackout uppers, (2) were chambered incorrectly and the others had serious cycle issues that can be traced to very poorly milled bolt carriers. Gen 1 have been completely reliable (have built (7) of them) with just the problem of the charging handle coming loose. Will not be buying anymore BCA side charging uppers until this is resolved. Update: I took the bolt out of the bolt carrier and using grey rouge and a commercial buffing machine was able to make the upper work fine after thoroughly buffing all components. I recommend especially buffing the head of the bolt locking pin because that drags on the upper.

I have a 223 Wylde side-charging BCA upper. Aside from the slight peening of the side-charging handle, it has run without one hitch. I have another side charging non-BCA firearm chambered in 5.56, a Daewoo K2. This side charger is a piston gun that has had thousands of rounds through it, also flawless. The big difference between the two, aside from the gas piston, is the way the side charger is attached. The Daewoo uses a simple tool free side charging handle and the rear screw on the BCA is replaced by a secure detent button that, when pressed, swivels out of the way to allow removal of the BCG. The Daewoo receiver is similar to the AR receiver. Is there any way that BCA can utilize a similar side charging system to be used without tools? I'm planning on using some JB Weld to secure the charging handle to the charging handle screw to eliminate the spin of the charging handle when it loosens. Even though I tighten the handle, it eventually loosens during range sessions. I am hesitant to keep putting Blue Locktite into the BCG to keep the side charger from loosening. Any potential future ideas on improving your design?