What's new

AR 15 left side charging handle

YROC FAB

OG irate
Joined
May 19, 2020
Member Number
50
Messages
132
Loc
Utah
Well because i like to fix things that aren't broken and i have a fancy new mill that loads of fun to play with, I thought it would be a good idea hack up the upper on my pistol AR.

Pictures>
Precision layout with a sharpie measured with my calibrated eyeball.
29025830_1644346988986918_6244822658144272384_n.jpg - Click image for larger version  Name:	29025830_1644346988986918_6244822658144272384_n.jpg Views:	0 Size:	124.0 KB ID:	29966

I milled out a 3/8 wide slot.
28870264_1644346958986921_3560019085083279360_n.jpg - Click image for larger version  Name:	28870264_1644346958986921_3560019085083279360_n.jpg Views:	0 Size:	121.8 KB ID:	29967

Then I installed the bolt and secured it with a high dollar clamp while i machined it.

29027917_1644347102320240_364074602336354304_n.jpg - Click image for larger version  Name:	29027917_1644347102320240_364074602336354304_n.jpg Views:	0 Size:	115.8 KB ID:	29969


Initially i tried a HSS mill to spot face the bolt and the HSS would not even scratch it, these bolts are wicked hard. So i had to wait a few days while amazon shipped me some cabide end mills. 3/8 spot face.

28951334_1644346972320253_9115826807382212608_n.jpg - Click image for larger version  Name:	28951334_1644346972320253_9115826807382212608_n.jpg Views:	0 Size:	142.3 KB ID:	29970

I used a 1/8 carbide end mill to drill through it and followed it up with a 3/16 drill and the final 7/32 drill.

28783251_1644346945653589_6248575776661176320_n.jpg - Click image for larger version  Name:	28783251_1644346945653589_6248575776661176320_n.jpg Views:	0 Size:	113.3 KB ID:	29971

Tapped out to 1/4" 28 very very very carefully. Wicked hard bolts.
28870167_1644346962320254_1694429589717123072_n.jpg

29027917_1644347102320240_364074602336354304_n.jpg - Click image for larger version  Name:	29027917_1644347102320240_364074602336354304_n.jpg Views:	0 Size:	115.8 KB ID:	29969

Originally i was going to make the handle out of brass. While melting down some brass brazing rod into a cylinder big enough to turn i realized copper would do and the torch tip would be perfect for it. Also the holes in the torch tip made for some sweet knurling texturing, Bonus! I plan on using the brass on my rifle upper soon.

28783402_1644346705653613_1086146690278227968_n.jpg
28958993_1644346695653614_7753942495146278912_n.jpg


28872346_1644347095653574_8654214906502971392_n.jpg


28783402_1644346705653613_1086146690278227968_n.jpg
 
Last edited:
Finished. Over all the upper and bolt work was less than a 20 min project. The small copper handle took way more time.

The ergonomics with the left side handle feels much better than the rear charging handle and i get to watch that shinny copper handle cycle with every shot which i find incredibly intriguing.
yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7



28951553_1644346718986945_8620514140672229376_n.jpg
28870218_1644347062320244_6482550700000673792_n.jpg

Unforeseen handle to bolt release interference made me have to grind the bolt release down a little, but it still functions perfectly fine and with the side charging handle a slight pull back on it will release the bolt anyway.
28795995_1644346675653616_9101372039112949760_n.jpg
28795330_1644346692320281_1695465810706825216_n.jpg
 
Last edited:
Got my new upper from palmetto and before i have even had a chance to shoot it i chucked it up in the mill and did the side charging handle mod.
This palmetto bolt was not newly as hard to drill and tap as my pistol upper. I don't know what they are made of or the different types of bolts used in these guns are but i would like to put these in a hardness tester and know the actually difference. I don't foresee the softer bolt being a problem with this application.

Pictures>

29216809_1651475714940712_9058094720277807104_n.jpg
29249869_1651475851607365_4685153001688530944_n.jpg
29261722_1651478444940439_3926284189460070400_n.jpg
29257604_1651475804940703_7926021201674108928_n.jpg
29257604_1651475804940703_7926021201674108928_n.jpg
29313475_1651475938274023_6004482945459421184_n.jpg
29314450_1651475658274051_7856190011308244992_n.jpg
29257604_1651475804940703_7926021201674108928_n.jpg
 
Last edited:
Sounds cool. It would be neat to see how you did it. Unfortunately your video link is the only image that is visible. ;)
 
Sounds cool. It would be neat to see how you did it. Unfortunately your video link is the only image that is visible. ;)

I figured the pics wouldn't work as I copied and pasted them off another forum. This is wht I left my self extra space to fix them. I'll get them fixed later today.:homer:
 
i got an right side charging handed. i like it. going to do a left for my son.

I shoot right handed and much prefer the left sided handle. It lets ms keep my right hand on the grip and trigger ready where it belongs. I'm not a fan of my AK's right side handle.
 
I figured the pics wouldn't work as I copied and pasted them off another forum. This is wht I left my self extra space to fix them. I'll get them fixed later today.:homer:

Cool, Just wanted to be sure you knew they weren't there. Sometimes you can see them cause they are on your computer but no one else can. :beer:
 
I can’t see pictures but guessing the reason for the difference in hardness is the bolt carrier in rifle calibers is gas operated and pistol calibers are blowback. No squish between the cartridge firing and the bolt unlocking. Just my thoughts, no facts to back them up.
 
i'm getting ready to make a left side charging handle, though there is good odds it will end up ambi just because.

plan as of now is to make use of the space the regular charging handle uses and make a solid block shaped like an L. have the short leg catch the bolt in the same spot the regular charging handle grabs the carrier, then slot just under where the rail is, where it is square. Make the long side of the L long enough to stay up and out of the way while the bolt carrier cycles, then put a hole through the L so that i can have the handle stick out on both both sides and thread in to itself.

only current conundrum is figuring out a decent detent that will hold the L so that it doesn't want to wiggle loose during use.

left side is the more comfortable way to go :smokin:
 
I can’t see pictures but guessing the reason for the difference in hardness is the bolt carrier in rifle calibers is gas operated and pistol calibers are blowback. No squish between the cartridge firing and the bolt unlocking. Just my thoughts, no facts to back them up.

This pistol had a gas system. If i recall now it was a nitride hardned bolt that came with that pistol upper kit.
 
i'm getting ready to make a left side charging handle, though there is good odds it will end up ambi just because.

plan as of now is to make use of the space the regular charging handle uses and make a solid block shaped like an L. have the short leg catch the bolt in the same spot the regular charging handle grabs the carrier, then slot just under where the rail is, where it is square. Make the long side of the L long enough to stay up and out of the way while the bolt carrier cycles, then put a hole through the L so that i can have the handle stick out on both both sides and thread in to itself.

only current conundrum is figuring out a decent detent that will hold the L so that it doesn't want to wiggle loose during use.

left side is the more comfortable way to go :smokin:

I think they already make something like what your describing if im understanding you right.

7238.jpg
 
That's neat. Left side has to be way more comfortable.
 
Are they working now?

Yes! Very cool.

If I had a mill these days I'd be very tempted. It would act like my FAL then.

The charging system of AR is one of the things I don't like. It's just clumsy and you can't charge with your gun at the ready. Minor issue though.
 
I think they already make something like what your describing if im understanding you right.
ttachmentid":29992}[/ATTACH]

not at all, i'll take pictures when i get it done though. large part for trying to do it different than drilling and tapping is because i'm working with a blowback only 22lr BCG and don't want a reciprocating bolt or to add any more mass to the BCG



thanks for going back and getting your pictures up :smokin: looks like it works really well
 
Really well done! I’d have to get out an AR to put to the shoulder. But I would have thought the left side charger on a rifle configuration would be awfully close to your face. Must be more room than I’m picturing?
 
Dont let your thumb get in the way of that bolt projection.

It will take it clean off.

Would rather do this like a FAL charging handle.
 
Really well done! I’d have to get out an AR to put to the shoulder. But I would have thought the left side charger on a rifle configuration would be awfully close to your face. Must be more room than I’m picturing?

shit tons of space. Depends on who you are and what you are doing, but in general it lets you keep your firing hand on the grip, so the support hand just has to move. similar to slapping a bolt release.
 
Top Back Refresh