Bear Creek Arsenal AR-15 Side Charging Handle: Good or Bad?

I am a huge AR-15 fan, but I’ll admit I’ve never loved the rear T-handle used on AR-15 rifles. It can be hard to change the design of a rifle and keep it working properly. There is no question the AR-15 design works great, but there’s something about the rear-mounted charging handle that just seems overly cumbersome to me. That got me thinking about the Bear Creek Arsenal side charging handle system and whether or not it’s a good investment. Are they? Well, let’s find out.

If I were to limit myself to owning one AR-15, I’m not sure if I would try a side charging handle or stick with a traditional model. But, thanks to advancements in machinery and technology, prices have drastically fallen over the years, making it easier to own multiple rifles. With lower prices and the addiction to building or modifying an AR, it’s hard to resist.

Some purists would disapprove of a side charging handle on an AR-15, but some might love the idea as well. One of the arguments about this type of modification is that, because the bolt reciprocates, a side-mounted charging handle could impede the bolt’s ability to travel and cause the gun to malfunction. Further, the charging handle would reciprocate with the bolt and could pose a snag hazard, further increasing the risk of malfunctions.

Is that true with the Bear Creek Arsenal charging handle? Well, let’s take a look!

How does it work?

The Bear Creek Arsenal upper receiver features a milled port on the side of the upper receiver, allowing the charging handle to move freely with the bolt. They attached the handle to the bolt, eliminating the need for a charging handle at the back of the rifle like traditional AR-15 rifles. There is a threaded plug in the back of the upper receiver where the charging handle normally goes. A rubber seal helps block gas from escaping through it and keeps the BCG (bolt carrier group) in place.

To remove the BCG, a single screw on the side allows the handle to come off. Remove the plug in the back to allow the BCG to slide out of the receiver, and that’s it. The downside to this is you can’t take the BCG out of the gun without a tool. I’ve had a few times over the years where I needed to pull out the BCG to inspect a malfunctioning gun, but most people never take their rifles apart in the field. If it’s important to have that ability, just pack a small 5/32 hex key in your range bag or even the handle of the gun.

Other than having two holes drilled in the side for the charging handle to attach, the BCG looked to be mil-spec. Because of the modification of the side charging handle, the upper receiver is thicker than standard uppers. I kind of like the looks of this, however. The upper receiver sides are wider than the lower, giving it just a little character and a custom look.

On the range with the BCA side charging handle

I didn’t buy the lower from BCA because I already had a stripped Aero Precision lower at the house. Once I had the lower put together, I placed the BCA upper on it and headed to the range. Using standard 55gr target ammo, my buddy and I put a couple of 30-round mags through it. The heat caught our attention right away. Guns get hot when you shoot them, so a little heat is normal. But, after 60 rounds, the handguard was so hot, he had to move his hand back a little.

I’ll admit, I wanted to try to get it to jam. I was pumping ammo through it as fast as I could before handing the rifle off to my buddy. He finished the second mag and commented on the heat. We proceeded to shoot two more mags through it, but it got so hot that we had to set the gun down before the fourth mag was finished. Before proceeding, we wanted to make sure the gun was still safe to shoot and operating as it should. The 16-inch barrel has a carbine-length gas tube and appeared to be functioning correctly. Though dirty, everything else was in working order. So, once it cooled, we started shooting again. This time, though, we didn’t make it sound like a machine gun by shooting as fast as we could.

It still got a little warm, but it wasn’t too hot to hold on to. I’m guessing the heat was a combination of the ultra-slim handguard, our rapid-fire, and the direct Missouri sun on the black gun. By the time we left the range, we had fired about 450 rounds through it. It had not one cycling issue, and I was a bit surprised to find that I love the idea of a side charging handle on an AR. It just feels more natural, smoother, and faster.

Side charging handle: good or bad?

The charging handle is on the right side, which means I had to move my shooting hand to chamber a round. I started changing mags with my right hand and then racking the bolt before I took up a shooting position again. This motion took about the same time as doing this with the left hand on standard AR-15 rifles. I’m not used to using my right hand to switch mags or rack the bolt, but with a little practice, it wasn’t bad at all.

I never had any issues with the charging handle getting stuck or hitting on anything, so I definitely trust it. Bear Creek Arsenal makes its barrels from 4150 Chrome-Moly Vanadium and a billet upper receiver. I kind of like the looks of the thicker upper receiver because it’s different from the norm. I purchased the complete upper from BCA on sale for $220, which included the BCG. The Aero Precision lower was $100, plus the lower parts kit and stock. Overall, I think I have about $400 in this rifle, which isn’t bad at all.

Considering it has a side charging handle, decent handguard, and muzzle device, I would call this a good deal for the money. I think the side charging handle feels more natural than the mil-spec handle, but that’s just me. While it’s not a competition gun, it would make a great gun for recreational shooting, hunting, and home defense. So, if you want a quality budget AR-15 or part of one for a custom build, give the BCA side-charging upper a try.