Carmoney Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 I will be the first to admit I am not an AR expert, and frankly the massive volume of stuff on the internet is confusing me--so I hope somebody can help me out here. I just bought a new PSA 9mm lower that takes Glock mags, and I would like to purchase a compatible side-charging complete 9mm upper. Does anybody sell a complete upper that will function with the PSA lower? If not, what would I need to put one together? Link to comment
Bigsampson Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 (edited) Gibbz makes a great one. I have exactly what you are referring to. A PSA lower with a Gibbz upper in 9mm. Don't ever shoot it though since I got my MPX If you want to build one, all you need is the upper, barrel and hand guard. No gas system is needed. You will need a bolt and recoil spring system too. Be careful when buying the bolt. There are two styles. One for Glock Mags and one for Colt style Mags. It is not that hard to get a Colt style mag to run with Glock mags. But you need to know what you are doing. Edited October 24, 2016 by Bigsampson Link to comment
Flatland Shooter Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 (edited) Recently got a PSA 9mm lower for Glock magazines. They have not had the uppers in stock for a long time so I planned on building one to my own specs. Before I could locate all the parts I found a shop in Louisiana that had the PSA uppers in stock. A few dollars more than ordering direct, but at least I had it in hand in only a few days. Turns out to be a nice package. Once I get the gun broke in and figure what spare parts I need to keep it running, I'll replace the upper with a side charger. I have one on a match rifle and feel it's a good addition. Edited October 25, 2016 by Flatland Shooter Link to comment
Bearcave Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 I just got a upper from ar15parts.com for my PSA glock lower. Not side charging and didn't know if I would like their handguard either. I really like the handguard and will be putting rounds down range this weekend. JP Enterprises GMR-13 is a side charging upper. Link to comment
pfcchambers Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 Check out a matrix arms side charger. No special bolt needed. Pick your bolt, JP, Spinta Precision, Kaw Valley. If you order from Joe Bob's, first order a Kaw Valley Barrel, it will then give you the option of a discounted upper. Saves you 20 bucks. Been very happy with mine. Link to comment
ClaytonWelch Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 +1 for the matrix. Standard upper that works with a standard 9mm bolt. Also a +1 for JoeBob's. Link to comment
MHitchcock Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 Can also get a psc-11 upper from JP, but they are spendy :-/ Link to comment
Corey Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 I got a Matrix like the one posted above and have been very happy so far. Link to comment
Carmoney Posted October 26, 2016 Author Share Posted October 26, 2016 I appreciate all the suggestions, but are any of these presently available as a fully-assembled complete upper that I can simply purchase and pop onto my lower? Link to comment
DBChaffin Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 7 hours ago, Carmoney said: I appreciate all the suggestions, but are any of these presently available as a fully-assembled complete upper that I can simply purchase and pop onto my lower? Matrix does: https://matrixarms.com/collections/9mm-receivers/products/9mm-8-5-complete-upper Link to comment
BigBamBoo Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 I have a JP GMR-13 upper with the PSC-11 and a .223 AR with the same upper receiver (dual charger) as well as a Gibbz upper. I highly recommend the JP. The Gibbz is different and I do like it....but....they Cerakote their uppers. And the example I have the finish is chipping off. Then I tried for weeks to contact them and was ignored. Never did get ahold of them. I am big about customer service. So I can not recommend them based on their lack of dealing with the issue. Link to comment
davsco Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 On 10/25/2016 at 2:35 AM, Bearcave said: JP Enterprises GMR-13 is a side charging upper. just to clarify, their 'base' model is a normal AR top charge, but they do have a side charging option. Link to comment
Carmoney Posted October 27, 2016 Author Share Posted October 27, 2016 16 hours ago, DBChaffin said: Matrix does: https://matrixarms.com/collections/9mm-receivers/products/9mm-8-5-complete-upper No SBRs in Iowa, unless I renew my Class III license again. Link to comment
surgdog Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 16 hours ago, DBChaffin said: Matrix does: https://matrixarms.com/collections/9mm-receivers/products/9mm-8-5-complete-upper Bryan, Do you have one of these? Does it work well? I'm like Carmoney I have a PSA Glock lower awaiting the Form 1 to return and was going to order the PSA 7.5" complete upper for $400 but they have been out of stock for months. In the meantime been thinking about a side charging upper but this is $350 more than the PSA. Looks like you can buy each component at Joe Bob Outfitters except the barrel for less. Decisions, decisions. Thanks for pointing out this upper and hope you have some experience with it you can share. Mickey K Link to comment
DBChaffin Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 (edited) 7 hours ago, Carmoney said: No SBRs in Iowa, unless I renew my Class III license again. Sorry, I wasn't paying attention and wasn't aware of law in Iowa, either. I am not aware of any others. I wonder if Matrix would consider doing a longer barrel? They sell longer hand guards and such. 6 hours ago, surgdog said: Bryan, Do you have one of these? Does it work well? I'm like Carmoney I have a PSA Glock lower awaiting the Form 1 to return and was going to order the PSA 7.5" complete upper for $400 but they have been out of stock for months. In the meantime been thinking about a side charging upper but this is $350 more than the PSA. Looks like you can buy each component at Joe Bob Outfitters except the barrel for less. Decisions, decisions. Thanks for pointing out this upper and hope you have some experience with it you can share. Mickey K Unfortunately, I don't. From what I have read, the reviews are generally pretty positive. For example, see here: https://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_15/696560_Side_charging_uppers_for_9mm.html I've been thinking about one though. Just can't decide if I am going to pull the trigger, pun intended, or go another route. Oh, and you forgot the "t". It's Bryant, but you are certainly not the first to do that. Edited October 27, 2016 by DBChaffin Link to comment
Carmoney Posted October 28, 2016 Author Share Posted October 28, 2016 OK, I hate to be so uninformed on this stuff, but I guess I am still confused. If I get something like this: http://www.gunbroker.com/item/593706222 What else would I need, and I can I assemble the rest of the upper without any specialized tools or knowledge? Link to comment
Flatland Shooter Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 The knowledge you can get reading through the forums. For tools, you will need something to hold the upper receiver. From reading elsewhere, the typical clam shell holder can be used but may need a little modification to clear the charging handle. The one side charging upper I put together was for .223. It would not fit my clam shell but instead of wasting time, I modified a couple pieces of wood to hold the upper in the vise. You will also need an AR barrel wrench and a torque wrench to do it right. Link to comment
Aircooled6racer Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 Hello: Any more news on the side charge uppers? I have heard good and bad about the Matrix Arms ones for 9mm. Just trying to decide on my next build to go to a side charge or try a Vltor MUR for 9mm with a Raptor charging handle. Thanks, Eric Link to comment
pfcchambers Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 To make an update I no longer would recommend the Matrix arms side charger. I have had the actual rod that moves the charger break. No big deal stuff happens, contacted matrix and got a new rod, easy installation. But in less than 200 hundred rounds I had it again break. This is with factory 115 grain ammo, jp bolt and SCS. I am now concerned with the actual reliability of the system. As much as I loved the feature I am going to swap over to a traditional charging handle for reliability sake. Just my experience. Link to comment
noexcuses Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 have a matrix with about 500 rounds through it and no issues. Also have a Spartan side charger (also from billy bobs) with a 1500-2000 rounds trough it and no problems either. This is with 133 pf ammo. Link to comment
TRUBL Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 (edited) right now I am running a New Frontier side charger and I do like it a lot. Seems that they are fast becoming unicorns in that they are hard to find. At the shot show, I had the opportunity to fondle a side pull charging handle made by Trojan Firearms. I had heard of these before and thought......major POS!!.....whimpy, weak, super bendable...nice gimmick and junk.......then I got to play with one. Uhmmmmmm......I was wrong? (YUP, I was).....one solid piece of work. fits on a std AR upper. Sooooooo......I have 2 coming. After playing with them a bit, the only thing I can say is that they are heavy.....but in an upper, no heavier than a side charging upper. I know others make these too......but this is the only one I've played with and it is solid and a great alternative http://www.trojanfirearms.com/en/ar-15-gen-ii-side-pull-charging-handle Edited February 17, 2017 by TRUBL Link to comment
Aircooled6racer Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Hello: Problem solved I went with a Vltor pistol caliber upper. I need to order the Raptor charging handle and put it all together. Thanks, Eric Link to comment
robertg5322 Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 On 2/17/2017 at 5:53 AM, TRUBL said: right now I am running a New Frontier side charger and I do like it a lot. Seems that they are fast becoming unicorns in that they are hard to find. At the shot show, I had the opportunity to fondle a side pull charging handle made by Trojan Firearms. I had heard of these before and thought......major POS!!.....whimpy, weak, super bendable...nice gimmick and junk.......then I got to play with one. Uhmmmmmm......I was wrong? (YUP, I was).....one solid piece of work. fits on a std AR upper. Sooooooo......I have 2 coming. After playing with them a bit, the only thing I can say is that they are heavy.....but in an upper, no heavier than a side charging upper. I know others make these too......but this is the only one I've played with and it is solid and a great alternative http://www.trojanfirearms.com/en/ar-15-gen-ii-side-pull-charging-handle Another option for bolt-on side charging handles, this one seems beefy and well made. http://www.devildogconcepts.com/hard-charger.html Link to comment
Nugget Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 3 hours ago, robertg5322 said: Another option for bolt-on side charging handles, this one seems beefy and well made. http://www.devildogconcepts.com/hard-charger.html Awesome. Got one coming. Thanks! Link to comment
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