A side charging AR 15 that uses a forward mounted, non reciprocating design lets you charge, press check, and clear malfunctions without breaking your firing grip or losing your sight picture. Critical Objectives builds an ambidextrous side and forward charging system that is optics friendly, non reciprocating, field tested, and made in the USA.
What Side Charging Means
Rear charging: The traditional T handle at the back of the upper receiver. It works, but reaching under or around optics costs time and disrupts your position.
Side charging: The charging handle is moved to the side of the receiver for easier access. Many designs are non reciprocating and some are reciprocating.
Forward mounted side charging: Critical Objectives takes the concept further by placing a non reciprocating handle forward on the handguard and upper. The handle is reachable by the support hand, can be mounted on the right, left, or both sides, and is designed to work with virtually any optic without getting in the way.
Why Choose a Side Charging AR 15
Faster manipulation with less movement
With the handle where your support hand already lives, you can charge, clear, or press check the rifle without moving your firing hand or lifting your head off the stock. That saves time and helps you maintain your sight picture through the optic.
Better optics compatibility
Large LPVOs, magnifiers, night vision, or thermal optics often crowd the rear charging handle. Side and forward charging systems eliminate interference at the back of the upper so you can mount optics for ideal eye relief instead of working around the handle.
Improved performance with gear
A forward charging handle stays clear of your plate carrier, sling, and chest rig. Because the handle from Critical Objectives is non reciprocating, it will not move back and forth with the bolt carrier, which helps reduce snag risk and protects your hands when shooting around barricades.
More comfortable suppressed shooting
Traditional ARs vent gas near the rear charging handle opening. When you add a suppressor, that can push extra gas toward your face. Moving the handle off the rear reduces that open vent at your cheek. You still need to tune the gas system, but the forward side charging layout can make suppressed shooting more pleasant.
What Makes Critical Objectives Different
- Ambidextrous mounting: You can configure the forward charging handle on the right side, left side, or both for a fully ambidextrous setup.
- Non reciprocating design: Once you charge the rifle, the handle stays in place while the rifle cycles. That is safer around barricades and gear and feels more natural for shooters who are used to modern carbines.
- Optic agnostic layout: The system is designed so that any reasonable optic setup can be used without blocking the handle or forcing awkward mounts.
- Built for real use: The components are field tested, made in the USA, and intended for duty use, competition, and serious hunting.
- Standard compatibility: The system integrates with standard AR components. You do not need a proprietary lower receiver, and you can keep familiar controls while gaining the benefits of forward side charging.
Side Charging vs Rear Charging in Practice
| Task | Rear Charging | Side and Forward Charging |
|---|---|---|
| Chamber a round or return to battery | Reach back around optic, often breaking position | Use support hand to pull the forward handle while staying in position |
| Press check | Usually requires lifting your head or rotating the rifle | Minimal movement, easier to keep a cheek weld and stay on glass |
| Clear malfunctions | Over the top reach that can be slower under stress | Linear pull with the support hand that feels natural and fast |
| Optic placement | Can be limited by the need to access the rear handle | Optic placement is no longer constrained by the charging handle |
| Snag and interference | Rear area is crowded with slings, stock, and gear | Forward handle sits out of the clutter and does not reciprocate |
Use Cases for a Side Charging AR 15
Home defense
In tight hallways and rooms, you often end up in awkward positions behind cover. A side charging AR 15 lets you charge or clear the rifle with smaller, simpler movements. You can keep the firing hand on the pistol grip and your eye behind the optic while your support hand runs the handle. Always follow local laws and safe storage requirements and pair the rifle with a quality white light.
Law enforcement and military
Duty rifles ride in cars, on slings, and over armor. Officers and soldiers need fast, repeatable manipulations while wearing gloves and carrying full kit. A forward, non reciprocating handle that remains accessible around a plate carrier, sling, and chest rig makes immediate action drills more efficient and reduces the chance of snagging gear.
Competitive shooting
In competition, every fraction of a second counts. Being able to press check, clear a malfunction, or charge the rifle without coming off the optic can save real time over the course of a stage. The forward handle fits naturally into modern competition techniques where the support hand is already high on the handguard.
Hunting
For hunters, the forward side charging system shines in blinds, tree stands, and field positions. You can quietly chamber or clear a round while staying on target and keeping the stock in your shoulder. The setup shown in the hunting image, with an LPVO, bipod, sling, and suppressor, is a good example of how a side charging AR 15 can be tuned for real world hunting scenarios.
Collectors and builders
If you enjoy building and collecting unique AR platforms, a forward side charging system offers a distinct manual of arms while staying compatible with standard components. You keep the modularity and parts availability of the AR 15 while adding a more modern and ergonomic way to run the rifle.
Running a Suppressor on a Side Charging AR 15
Adding a suppressor increases backpressure, which can send more gas through the action. On a traditional rear charging setup, a lot of that gas escapes around the rear charging handle near your face. A forward side charging system reduces that gap and can make shooting suppressed more comfortable.
To get the most from a suppressed side charging AR 15, consider:
- Gas tuning: Adjustable gas blocks, adjustable carriers, or buffer system changes can help balance reliability and recoil when suppressed.
- Suppressor choice: Some modern suppressors are designed to reduce backpressure and gas blowback while still keeping sound levels low.
- Inspection and alignment: Always confirm proper thread specs, torque, and bore alignment before shooting suppressed.
Follow all federal, state, and local laws regarding suppressor ownership and use, and follow manufacturer guidance on installation and maintenance.
Caliber Options for Side Charging AR Platforms
Critical Objectives supports a range of AR platform calibers with its forward charging systems. Popular options include:
- 5.56 NATO and .223 Wylde: The most common AR calibers with excellent parts availability and a wide variety of ammunition. .223 Wylde chambers are known for good accuracy with both .223 and 5.56 loads.
- .300 Blackout: A great match for short barrels and suppressor use. It offers both supersonic and subsonic loads and is very efficient in shorter gas systems.
- .350 Legend: A straight walled cartridge that is legal for deer hunting in many states that restrict bottle necked rifles. It offers mild recoil and solid performance at modest ranges.
- .450 Bushmaster: A heavy hitting straight walled option for larger game within shorter ranges, with more recoil but a lot of energy on target.
Always confirm hunting regulations in your state, as caliber and cartridge rules vary. Some cartridges such as .277 Fury and other higher pressure options may require a larger frame rifle rather than a standard AR 15 receiver set.
Compatibility and Installation Overview
Critical Objectives designs its side and forward charging systems to integrate with standard AR components. In most cases you do not need a proprietary lower receiver or a completely custom bolt carrier. The system is engineered to work with familiar AR parts while providing features like an enlarged ejection port and a functional dust cover.
Other side charging designs on the market may use different approaches such as upper receivers with built in side handles or carriers that require special cam pins. When comparing systems, pay attention to whether the handle is reciprocating or non reciprocating and whether special parts are required that could complicate long term maintenance or parts sourcing.
If you are not experienced with armorer level work, it is wise to have a qualified gunsmith or armorer handle the installation and verify headspace and function before live fire.
Training and Transition
Switching from a rear T handle to a side or forward charging system is straightforward, but you should still plan to train with the new layout. Dry fire and live fire drills that focus on press checks, emergency reloads, and malfunction clearances will cement the new motion pattern. Most shooters find the change intuitive because it lines up with where the support hand already lives on the rifle.
Common Questions
Is the handle reciprocating?
The Critical Objectives system uses a non reciprocating handle. Once you charge the rifle, the handle stays put while the bolt carrier group cycles.
Is it left hand friendly?
Yes. You can set up the handle on the right, the left, or both sides for an ambidextrous configuration.
Will it work with my optic?
The system is designed to be optic agnostic. It is meant to clear common scope mounts, red dots, magnifiers, and night vision devices without forcing awkward mounting positions.
Does side charging completely eliminate gas blowback when suppressed?
It reduces gas escaping at the rear of the receiver because the traditional rear handle opening is no longer used. However, the gas system, buffer setup, and suppressor design still play a big role. Think of forward side charging as one part of a well tuned suppressed rifle, not the only solution.
If you have ever fought a rear charging handle under a scope or struggled with manipulations around armor and gear, a side charging AR 15 is worth serious consideration. A forward mounted, ambidextrous, non reciprocating system like the one from Critical Objectives keeps your firing hand on the controls, keeps your eyes on target, and lets your support hand do the work from a natural position on the handguard.
Whether your priority is home defense, patrol use, hunting, competition, or building a distinctive rifle that still uses standard AR parts, a side charging AR 15 offers real ergonomic and functional advantages while preserving the modular DNA that makes the platform so popular.