Whether you intend to buy or build your next AR or AR-style rifle, one of the decisions you will need to make, in addition to caliber, cartridge, and barrel length, is what type of charging handle it will sport.
There are two basic configurations: rear charging, which comprise the vast majority of the market, and side charging, which comprise a small but dedicated subset.
Here are a few things you need to know.
Why Rear Charging?
The overwhelming majority of AR15 charging handles are rear charging handles. These are engaged from the back of the rifle and have a latch that must be engaged in order to unlock the handle and pull it to the rear.
Because rear chargers are so common, it’s easier to find parts that are compatible with them, like standard bolt carrier groups. There are also a wide range of AR15 charging handles themselves, including ambidextrous and oversized charging handles that are easier to engage in the dark, or when wearing heavy gloves in the cold.
Because rear charging is the de facto standard, and by way of popularity, rear-charging models, and parts for them, are usually considerably more affordable than AR15 rifles that sport side charging designs.
Some operators also swear by the improved handling of rear chargers. Because there is no charging handle sticking out the side of the receiver, there’s less to get snagged on clothing or other gear with a rear charger, which is another potential advantage.
And then of course there is familiarity. Some believe in the ergonomics of rear charging AR15 rifles simply because that’s what they’re used to, and for better or for worse there’s something to be said for that.
Why Side Charging?
While the majority of AR15 rifles are rear chargers, there are still some that sport side charging configurations. In a basic side-charging configuration, the charging handle sticks out the side of the receiver rather than at the rear. As in the case of a rear charger, there is a linkage between the bolt carrier group and the charging handle that enables it to be manually cycled.
There are a number of potential advantages and disadvantages to side charging AR15 rifles, which will be covered here; first for the advantages.
Side charging AR15 rifles enable the operator to maintain a cheekweld while manipulating the action. You don’t need to remove your face from the comb, or your hand from the fire controls, to cycle the action, which is a huge ergonomic advantage. It also speeds up manual cycling.
Side charging rifles also tend to have more room over the receiver for oversized optics, which makes them ideal for those that like to accessorize with larger scopes, especially for long-distance shooting or competition.
On the flipside, some side charging AR rifles will need proprietary components such as special bolt carrier groups. They also tend to be significantly more expensive than their rear charging counterparts. However, some companies, like Gibbz Arms, have skirted the first issue here; their AR15 charging handles are compatible with mil-spec bolt carrier groups, as long as you swap out the cam pin.
Another potential advantage of this company’s AR15 charging handles is that they are designed to be snag-resistant, and on top of that, they sport a design that helps keep operating gases in the rifle; this makes them better for suppression and also helps prevent gasses from being vented in the face of the operator.
Rear or Side Charge?
Ultimately, it’s up to you whether you buy or build a rear or side charger, and either can be a highly serviceable rifle. Before you commit to the project or the purpose, spend some time considering the relative advantages and disadvantages of each configuration, then go from there.
