Jams happen for lots of reasons. In the heat of a firing session, understanding why is not always as important as clearing the jam and restoring the functionality of the rifle.
With that said, clearing a jam from a side charging AR-15 upper is a little bit different from clearing one from a conventional rear-charging upper, even though the fundamental issue is the same.
Here are a few things to know.
Tap, Rack, Reassess
For the majority of jams, the “tap, rack, reassess” drill, also known as the “tap, rack, bang” drill is one of the most effective methods.
This is one of the first things you should try if you hear the trigger break and the hammer fall, but the gun does not fire.
The first thing to do is tap the magazine up into the magazine chute to ensure that it is firmly seated; hence, the first word in the name of this drill.
Then, cant the rifle so that the ejection port is upward and inspect. If the bolt is fully forward, reshoulder the rifle and fire.
If the bolt is not fully forward and in battery, rack the charging handle forward to close the action (hence, rack). There’s no forward assist here since this is a side charging AR-15 upper, so just close the action.
You’ve already reassessed the rifle at this point, so re-acquire the target and pull the trigger. That may have cleared your jam.
Double Feed
Another issue with a side-charging AR-15 upper could be a double feed, which occurs when the magazine feeds two rounds or when the rifle fails to extract or eject.
Either way, the first thing you need to do is assess the rifle. If there’s a double feed, you’ll see that the bolt’s partially open and there’s a round wedged up in there against the back of the first round.
With the rifle facing a safe direction, remove the mag, rack back the charging handle, then physically clear the casings that are obstructing the action or chamber.
Stovepipe Jams
Lastly, let’s talk about another malfunction known as a stovepipe jam. This occurs when the bolt carrier group closes on a round, generally one that’s been fired, wedging it halfway inside of the action.
In this case, the spent case typically stocks out of the ejection port at an angle, like a stovepipe, hence the name.
Assuming the rifle is not experiencing any other malfunctions, this can be one of the most straightforward problems to clear.
Assess the rifle, then rack the charging handle back and cant the rifle to allow the loose round to fall out of the ejection port.
Now inspect the rifle once more. If the action and chamber are clear and the magazine is properly seated, re-charge the weapon and fire. You might be good to go.
However, if stovepipe jams continue with any frequency, you will want to take a closer look at your bolt carrier groups extractor and ejector, and possibly at the gas system, which could be the underlying causes of these jams.
Ready to Build with a Side Charging AR-15 Upper?
If you were thinking these protocols are not that different from clearing a jam from a rear-charging AR, you’d be right. The benefits of building with a side charger are, however, much more pronounced.
For those of you considering a side charging AR-15 upper for your next build, visit Gibbz Arms. They produce some of the highest quality side-chargers and parts in the industry and are highly lauded by shooters familiar with their stock. For more information visit their website or get in touch with them directly.
For more information about Ar Side Charging Upper and Ar-15 With Side Charging Handle Please visit: Gibbz Arms.
