AR-15/M16 G4 SIDE CHARGING UPPER RECEIVER Reviews & Ratings

I love these receivers! I am now up to 5 of them. As the headline says, these are the best side cockers I have ever used. They are the non-reciprocating lever type which in my opinion are much better than the reciprocating type. Yes, they are normally about twice the cost of a standard receiver, but consider that you do not need to add a standard cocking handle, so that offsets the price some. They are great! Try one, and you will probably want at least one more!!

If anyone is wondering about Fightlite SCR comparability, yes it functions well. However there is an aesthetic issue in that about 2mm of material must be rounded off the back of the upper in order fit flush. The color of the finish does not match either and ended up cerakoting it.

I did a lot of research for my first build for my wife. she has shot my LH AR, open sights, but I thought I would build her a right handed one with a scope for better accuracy/enjoyment. So I found this and thought it sounds ideal for my build, and it was. Very easy for her to operate with a full size scope. I was a little leery of price compared to standard uppers. But best value for none reciprocating. Very glad I decided on Gibbz and I'm considering on making me a Lefty Gibbz.

First off I have nothing bad to say about this upper. Gibbzs makes some really great quality gun parts. As this is my first side charger upper build, I was impressed with the quality and functionality of the charger along with the fit and finish. Feels natural to charge from the side rather than from the rear. I had no problems mounting the barrel with the Mil Spec "D" Ring and 2 piece drop in handguard. I like the ability to keep my hand by the trigger, my eye on the target and be able to charge the rifle without hitting my face. This side charger should be the new normal on all AR rifles. I have some future builds and I know I am going to change some to the Gibbz side charger. I was so proud of my purchase I decided to paint it in Multicam. You get your moneys worth on this one guys so don't hesitate or have any worries, its a great buy.

This is the perfect AR upper I even built one off the 308 platform that everyone wants when I go to the range. The + & - of the system is the proprietary cam pin and if you are building a piston upper Gibbs site offers a brass piston fitting for the upper and you can also order an extra cam pin, I highly recommend doing both of these things. I have built about 50 ARs with this upper and I have yet to get one back or have anyone not satisfied. This action is exceptionally smooth I have never needed the forward assist. You get that billet smooth look, with the potential for a very light gun and I have never had extraction problems because the ejection port is so big. The only 2 draw backs are the charging handle is a bit short so at times you hit your knuckles on the scope mount (Gibbs now makes a comp handle on there site) and you need a Geissele rod to install the barrel but this is just another excuse to get another tool, there is also a Brownells version of that tool on this site. To sum it up for the money you can't best this upper, I don't have to waist money on a way to expensive Charing handle and on mag changes my cheek weld stays intact this gives me faster fallow up shots. Highly recommended and with Brownells lifetime guarantee it's a no brainer.

Put this upper on a SBR with a 10.5" barrel. Looks great. I never used a forward assist in the Marines, and the dust cover is a waste of materiel. Over a thousand break in rounds and no malfunctions. My only problem was putting the barrel nut on. I turned a barrel clamp on a lathe and went that route. Overall I think it's a great unit, runs good, looks good. If you want to step out of the normal AR scene pick one up.

I've build twenty one AR-15s with left side charge. Fifteen utilizing the Gibbz left charge receiver with my choice of bolt carrier. Six with the excellent ASA left charge that includes their proprietary bolt carrier. Both fine products. ~ Bob, Houston Collection

I purchased this to use for building a rifle for 3 gun. I installed a Samson handguard to it, it required fitting of the handguard tabs between the upper and the handguard. These are anti rotation tabs. I put a Criterion barrel on it and that fit very well. The upper to lower fit was tight. I used a tactical machining lower that I got off a prize table. When you charge the upper, a slide comes back with the charging handle. This hit my lower receiver where you screw in the buffer buttstock tube. I had to either file down the lower or the charging slide. I relieved a little bit on the charging slide. I don't think it affected the functioning at all. I added a JP LMOS bolt carrier which works great. I practiced a little with it and then shot the rocky mountain 3 gun match...about 200 rifle rounds, then the noveske 3 gun match....about 125 rounds. It is holding up great and I had no malfunctions with it. The brass does make a mark on the rear of the ejection port cutout, since there is no brass deflector on this thing. I also noticed it kicks the shells to about my 5 oclock. But this could also be attributed to my gas system. I would buy another one. I used a magpul BADD lever and this allows me to rack the bolt and lock it to the rear with one hand.

THIS UPPER IS IDEAL FOR ANY OPTICS THAT EXTEND OVER THE CHARGE HANDLE AREA. MAKES CHARGING AND CLEARING THE WEAPON A ONE HANDED JOB. IT ALIGNS SMOOTHLY WITH THE YHM SLANT HAND GUARD MOUNTED. THE TOLERANCES ARE VERY TIGHT, WHICH IS A PLUS,BUT BE PREPARED TO HAVE TO TAP THE BARREL TO GET IT TO SEAT.

Ok this is great for a scoped rifle while laying prone. If your rail buts up even to your upper then this will work if. If it has any prongs it wont work. I used a JP tube hanguard, Larue scope mount and Magpul UBR stock. Love it. One complaint would be its a little heavy. I would think they could lighten it. Also one neat feature is the spring loaded trap door for removing the bcg. Also the gas tube port appears to be threaded in maybe for a piston bushing?