converting AR15 upper to side-cocker?

HeadDamage said:
The question that of the strenght of the stock upper reciever once you cut the slot in the side of it. I've seen a heavier upper reciever that had a true FN style side cocker that didn't flap back and forth like the simpler ones do. It also keep the slot covered to keep crap. Can't remember who made it though.
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There is already a much larger slot cut on the opposite side of the upper, and for light semi-auto range duty I really don't see a narrow slotted cut being a huge detriment to reliability. Then again I don't know what Im talking about so who knows :runaway:

And yes Im sure there would be "enough material" on one of Dlask's new style uppers... but Im not gonna buy one when there's already proof of standard uppers being converted to side-cockers.

Obviously any shop I ask about this will give me an answer that will benefit their own business... so I'll have to take the information "lightly".
 
As much as I like the idea of a side cocking AR the pics I've seen of AR KABOOMS would sugest to me that that slot might bite me in the ass if something goes wrong.
 
The few pics and articles of blown ARs I've seen always attribute the kabooms to crappy hand loads.

If its gonna blow up, it'll blow up with or without a new slot in the receiver... IMO.
 
Oh and by the way, thearmsroom.com people charge a fair price for the service and I wouldn't hesitate to send the parts to them for the work, but Im worried about sending stuff across the border. I fear there's always the chance it could get held up at customs on its way back up and I'll never see my stuff again.
 
the side cocker that Dlask sold (the one with the non reciprocating handle) was not made by him, it was made by a company in the USA and he bought the upper.
 
darko said:
Well the pictures you provided certainly speak for themselves, and as I initially pictured its a very straight forward modification.

I don't quite understand Dlask's reply, as the amount of material on the upper receiver doesn't really make a difference with anything.

On the other hand the Hadaway people seemed to be kinda pushy in not wanting to sell me just the handle assembly. The response I got was along the lines of "you cant do it yourself we're the only ones in the world who can do this". No offense to them but milling a slot in a thin piece of metal and threading a hole into another piece isn't rocket science.

STILL, I'd rather test it on cheap parts first before going to town on my RRA.
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I think Lee's concern is..if someone attempts it themselves and screws it up..they will blame it on his cocking handle.
Not implying in anyway that you would darko. Just a quality control thing I'm guessing.
It looks easy but Lee had to take the time to make the jig to hold the receiver so the slot is machined in the right spot, make a jig to hold the bolt carrier so the hole is drilled in the right spot,etc,etc.
If it doesn't take an act of God to ship a stripped upper receiver and bolt carrier to him, he will be doing one for me someday.
 
greentips said:
One thing to considere is that the slot reduces the rigidity of the upper.
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I was wondering about that but I'm assuming (again) the receiver would get most of it's structural integrity from the thicker walls on the ends of the receiver and the square channel on the top for the charging handle.

That's one of the reasons all the high end builts are now done with Vltor and LaRue uppers - both of their uppers are milled from bar stock. Personally I think it is a bit anal but......hey. if they build it they will come.
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Yep.

Without seeing it in person, I dislike the idea of drilling a hole into the bolt carrier. The slot also creates a place for things to get into the receiver - that's why there is a dust cover for the ejection port.
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How far into the carrier the bolt hole goes is something I can't tell you. I played with an assembled M4 and never thought to ask that.
As for the slot..machine guns have them and it doesn't seem to slow them down. Normal weapon maintenance would take car of any dirt.
Nothing big like pebbles ,etc would get in because the bolt carrier is fairly tight to the upper.
Plus there are ar's out there with no ejection port cover.
 
"The slot also creates a place for things to get into the receiver - that's why there is a dust cover for the ejection port"

Is that really an issue for those who only shoot from the bench, etc......it's not like you are taking it into battle or anything....
 
darko said:
The few pics and articles of blown ARs I've seen always attribute the kabooms to crappy hand loads.

If its gonna blow up, it'll blow up with or without a new slot in the receiver... IMO.
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I'm not saying that it will make it more likely to blow but in a blowout the slot will reduce the recievers ablity to contain the resulting gas and other junk that will be released into the action.
 
I'll keep you guys informed. As soon as I get a spare bolt carrier and perhaps luck into finding a very cheap upper receiver, I'll attempt this.

I see no drawbacks in doing this to a bench-queen rifle. If it was going into battle I'd spend a little more time thinking about it...

I examined my bolt carriers and they seem to be quite thick. I see no issue with drilling and tapping the carrier. As a precaution I'd just use some blue loc-tite on the threads and call it a day.
 
fal_beauty.jpg
 
I have to admit, that is the best looking AR I've ever seen - probably because it looks so much like an FN. I've heard they put a "dummy" gas system on them. I love the wood furniture.
 
ian_in_vic said:
I have to admit, that is the best looking AR I've ever seen - probably because it looks so much like an FN. I've heard they put a "dummy" gas system on them. I love the wood furniture.
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That is amazing, anymore pictures available?
 
Maybe for CQB FISHing type stuff but out in the dirt and mud....I will Pass



Jamie Barkwell
 
Once again, this is strictly for a range queen... and the whole reason behind it is that my optics get in the way of the top charging handle. This isn't about having something "different" or "cool", its strictly for functionality.

Dirt is a non-issue. Besides, the ejection port cover is always open while you're using your rifle anyway and that's a much larger opening than the one Im planning to slot for a handle.
 
dangertree said:
How do you strip the rifle in the picture? Do you have to unscrew the charging handle to remove the bolt?
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Yes. Although I have an idea that would eliminate that problem.
Maybe time to e-mail Lee. :)
 
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