Best Side Charging AR-15 Uppers

The AR-15 is one of the most versatile platforms in the gun world. With the ability to basically build these things like Legos, you can really customize the gun to fit your wants and needs.

Side-charging AR-15s can offer some advantages over standard systems, all while giving you a more unique build.

So, let's dive into why you might want to upgrade to a side-charging AR, how they work, and talk about some some of the best side-charging options out there.

How We Chose the Side-Charging Uppers

Input for this article came from the editorial staff and freelance writers at Pew Pew Tactical. We have hands-on experience with various models on the list, ranging from full reviews to recreational use to hunting and field use.

Models on this list were selected based on features, price, value, durability, and user-friendliness. Every side charger mentioned is compatible with any standard AR-15 lower, so you won't have to worry about buying a complete rifle! So, if you're sold on the idea of a side-charging upper, you have a surprising number of options to choose from.

Best Side-Charging AR-15 Uppers

1. Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Gen 2 - Editor's Pick

Editor's Pick

Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Gen 2 Upper

$523

at BattleHawk Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$523 at BattleHawk Armory

Brownells (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .223 Wylde
• Operating system: Modified direct-impingement
• Barrel Length: 9" - 16"
• Charging handle side: Left
• Reciprocating charging handle: No

The Foxtrot Mike FM-15 upper has quickly become one of the most popular alternative AR uppers on the market.

It utilizes a monolithic upper with a forward-mounted left-side charging handle, much like the HK G3. The charging handle can be adjusted in four different orientations depending on user preference.

However, the biggest draw is the proprietary self-contained recoil system that allows the upper to function without a buffer tube on the lower.

This means you can put any folding stock on that your heart desires. You can even fire the gun with the stock folded. Couple this with a solid 41v50 .223 Wylde barrel that is available in a few different lengths, and you have yourself a winner.

Foxtrot Mike also offers buffer tube to Picatinny adapters to be able to easily convert your existing lower into one that can accept any standard 1913 folding stock.

While Foxtrot Mike has upgraded some things with their Gen 2 version, we were still impressed with the original model. You can check out our full review here!

2. Brownells BRN-180 Gen 2 - Best for PDW Builds

Best for PDW Builds

Brownells BRN-180 Uppers

$499

at Brownells

Prices accurate at time of writing

$499 at Brownells

Specs

• Caliber: .223 Wylde, .300 Blackout, 7.62x39mm, .350 Legend
• Operating system: Short-stroke gas piston
• Barrel Length: 10" - 18.5"
• Charging handle side: Right
• Reciprocating charging handle: Yes

Brownells was on a bit of a retro kick a few years ago. They released various classic AR-15 designs, but also something that no one was really expecting.

They took the design of the original Armalite AR-180 and modernized it into what we now know as the BRN-180.

The BRN-180 features a short-stroke gas piston system, reciprocating charging handle, quick-detach handguard, and captured BCG/bufferless design.

As mentioned, this charging does reciprocate, and it is also located on the right side --- think AK-47. Like the FM-15, the bufferless design means you can run a lower without a buffer tube if you so wish.

Brownells offers the BRN-180 in .223 Wylde, .300 Blackout, 7.62x39mm, and .350 Legend. Various barrel lengths are available depending on the caliber.

A BRN-180 in .300 Blackout with a short barrel and a folding brace is a compelling choice for those looking to squeeze a lot of firepower in a compact package.

Want to know more? Check out our video and full review of the BRN-180 Gen 2 upper!

3. Faxon Firearms ARAK 21 Upper - Most Unique Upper

Most Unique

Faxon ARAK-21 Upper Receivers

$1069

at AR15 Discounts

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1069 at AR15 Discounts

Optics Planet (see price)

Faxon (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 5,56 NATO, 7.62x39mm
• Operating system: Long-stroke gas piston
• Barrel Length: 12.5" - 16"
• Charging handle side: Ambidextrous
• Reciprocating charging handle: No

Let me get this out of the way now...I freaking love the Faxon ARAK-21 Upper.

This upper is designed from the ground up to be a side charger. It moves the charging handle forward a good bit, like on the FM-15 and HK guns.

The ARAK was also designed to be a cross between the AR-15 and the AK-47. It truly brings you the best of both worlds.

Like the AK, the ARAK operates via a long-stroke piston that also features a dual recoil spring system. But like every other gun on this list, it slots right on top of your standard AR-15 receiver.

The charging handle is located further forward and can be swapped to either side of the upper. Another neat feature is that this gun can be set up to eject left or eject right, meaning it is completely ambidextrous!

The upper is extremely reliable and comes with a 4-position adjustable gas system, so you can tune your gun for suppressed use or even manual operation with the charging handle. It is available in 5.56 NATO or 7.62x39mm.

These uppers were unobtanium for some time, and are still tough to find, but Faxon has recently rolled out a production run. If you are looking for something truly unique, this is your guy.

What do you think of the Faxon ARAK-21? Give it a rating below.

4. Gibbz Arms G4 Side-Charging Upper - Best for Builders

Best for Builders

Gibbz Arms G4 Side-Charging Upper Receiver

$240

at BattleHawk Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$240 at BattleHawk Armory

Brownells (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: Multi (barrel-dependent)
• Operating system: Direct impingement
• Barrel Length: N/A
• Charging handle side: Left
• Reciprocating charging handle: No

Gibbz Arms specializes in side-charging uppers, and their G4 upper receiver is a good-looking and hard-working upper that won’t let you down.

They’re designed to work with standard AR-15 lowers. Other than a modified cam pin you have to install, there are no changes needed to the rest of your setup.

The G4 uppers are manufactured right here in America, Arizona specifically. They are some of the best-machined uppers I’ve put my hands on.

Instead of a far forward charging handle like the first few uppers, these have charging handles on the rear of the receiver right in line with the bolt carrier group.

Gibbz sells the G4 as a stripped upper, so if you want to do a fully custom build-out without any other weird (or a lot of weird) shenanigans, this is a great option.

5. Quarter Circle 10 Side-Charging Upper - Best PCC Upper

Best PCC Upper

Quarter Circle 10 Side-Charging 9mm Upper Receiver

$672

at Optics Planet

Prices accurate at time of writing

$672 at Optics Planet

Rainier Arms (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Operating system: Direct blowback
• Barrel Length: 5.5" - 16"
• Charging handle side: Left
• Reciprocating charging handle: No

Quarter Circle 10 specializes in pistol caliber parts, and their QC10 side-charging upper is simply awesome.

This upper is modeled on the left-side charging Gibbz G9 upper. Quarter Circle 10 worked with Gibbz's engineers to produce something reflective of their pistol caliber expertise.

This upper is designed specifically to work with pistol-caliber AR lowers, making it the perfect choice for PDW builds. The latching, non-reciprocating charging handle is one of the most well-designed and easy-to-operate charging handles around.

This is the upper I’d choose for a 9mm Glock-compatible lower and would be my first choice for a PDW-style build, especially a pistol-caliber SBR or AR-style pistol.

6. Bear Creek Arsenal Side-Charging Uppers - Best Budget Option

Best Budget Option

Bear Creek Arsenal Side-Charging AR-15 Uppers

$181

at Bear Creek Arsenal

Prices accurate at time of writing

$181 at Bear Creek Arsenal

Optics Planet (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .17 HMR, .22 LR, .22 WMR, .223 Wylde, 5.56 NATO, .224 Valkyrie, 6mm ARC, 6.5 Grendel, 7.62x39mm, .300 Blackout, .410 GA, 350 Legend, .450 Bushmaster, .458 SOCOM, 12.7x42mm
• Operating system: Direct impingement
• Barrel Length: 7.5" - 24"
• Charging handle side: Right, left, ambi (model-dependent)
• Reciprocating charging handle: Yes

Bear Creek Arsenal is the true champion of the everyman. They offer side-charging uppers far cheaper than anyone else, with some going for less than $200 for a complete upper.

When I say complete upper, I mean complete. Barrel, handguard, BCG, and charging handle.

Not only that, but BCA offers these uppers in various barrel lengths, 15 different calibers, and with both left and right-side charging models.

To cut costs, these models just use charging handles that screw directly into the standard bolt carrier group. This means they do reciprocate, and no dust cover can be used since the charging handle is fixed.

While they may not be the cream of the crop when it comes to features and overall build quality, they typically have it where it counts.

Our editor bought a 16-inch side-charging .350 Legend upper on a whim from BCA some years back and has gotten consistent MOA accuracy and solid reliability. Not bad for the $250 it cost him.

Why Use a Side-Charging Upper?

Besides cool aesthetics, some side-charging uppers have cool tricks up their sleeve.

For example, side-chargers with the charging handle on the left side allow you to clear a jam and charge the weapon without breaking your firing grip or changing your shooting position (assuming you are right-handed).

They also make it easier to charge the weapon one-handed in an emergency or to cycle the weapon manually in the event of a gas system failure.

Other side-charging uppers can offer further benefits, such has having self-contained gas and recoil systems. These allow you to ditch that pesky buffer tube and have a true folding stock.

Having a gun that can fire with the stock folded can make for a great compact truck gun or backpack gun, where space may be at a premium. They also just look cool as hell.

How Do Side-Charging Uppers Work?

A normal AR-style rifle charges from the rear. You pull back on the charging handle, which extends from the rear of the receiver, that retracts the bolt and cycles the gun.

On a side charger, you might have guessed...the charging handle is on the side of the receiver.

Depending on the model, they can come in various configurations. You may see non-reciprocating charging handles (they don't move back and forth), while some do reciprocate.

Some will have the charging handle on the left side, and some may have them on the right side. Some are also located further forward, like you'd see on an HK rifle. Conversely, some are further back on the receiver.

Final Thoughts

Side-charging uppers are a great way to add some pizzazz to your AR-style rifle, and they bring some practical benefits and functional improvements as well.

If you’re looking to upgrade your AR, start a new, unique build, or just want to try the side-charging life, there’s never been a better time to get one.

What do you think of these side-charging uppers? Do you want one for your next build? Let us know in the comments below! Ready to put a great optic on your rifle? Take a look at the Best AR-15 Scopes & Optics!

Latest Updates

June 9, 2024: Removed JP Enterprises PSC-12, CMT Tactical UPUR. Added Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Gen 2, Bear Creek Arsenal, Brownells BRN-180 Gen 2. Added supplemental data and media for each product. Also, added information on how we chose the uppers on this list.