Left-Port, Side-Charging AR Upper — Not Just for Southpaws
Here’s something you may not have seen before — a left-port, side-charging AR15 Upper. This unit was developed by John Scandale of Keystone Accuracy. While this was designed for left-handed High Power shooters, the lefty upper also works well for right-handed F-TR shooters. This design allows a prone shooter to single-load with his left hand, an efficient system for a right-handed shooter. Here is a review of the lefty upper from GS Arizona, who created the Rifleman’s Journal website. Like John Scandale, GS is a southpaw.
The Lefty AR Upper from Keystone Accuracy
by GS Arizona
We left-handed shooters are always the last to get the benefit of new firearms developments, or so it seems to us most of the time. There is no rifle more popular today than the AR15, whether for competitive shooting or plain recreational use; but even for that ubiquitous black rifle, left-handed items are few and far between. However, Keystone Accuracy run by left-handed High Power shooter John Scandale has some good stuff for us.
John is a long time High Power shooter, a member of the National Guard’s All-Guard rifle team and a Distinguished Rifleman. He knows exactly what makes a good High Power rifle — unlike many of the mail-order parts and pieces you see offered for sale by someone who only shoots his computer keyboard… John is a real shooter, I’ve known him for many years and trust his work.
The most interesting item from Keystone is the left-hand billet upper receiver for the AR15 match rifle. This thick-wall, CNC-machined piece appears to be very durable and fits all existing AR15 lower receivers.
When the AR15 was becoming popular in High Power shooting in the mid-1990s, I had a match rifle built on one. To solve the left-hand problem, I had a second port milled into the left side to allow me to load the rifle comfortably in slow-fire, single-load matches. Unfortunately, sometimes the round I flicked into the left port would fall right out of the right port! That was a bit frustrating and this receiver, along with an appropriate left-handed bolt assembly will work for the lefty just as we desire.
I’ve seen quite a few AR15 based rifles in F-TR at our local club matches over the past year. This upper would be a good choice for many right-handed shooters using the AR for F-Class as it allows loading with the left hand while the right hand remains on the pistol grip and ready to fire when the target appears. In light of the fact that the bolt release is on the left side, that makes life a lot simpler than using the right hand! So if you’re a left-handed shooter or even a right-handed F-Class shooter, give this some thought, it might be just what you’ve been waiting for and didn’t even know it!
Similar Posts:
- Bolt Configuration: The Benefits of Weakside Bolt Placement
- Switch Your Bolt Side and Shoot Better from Prone and Bench
- Weakside Bolt Placement — When and Why It Works
- Weakside Bolt Placement — The Competitive Advantages
- Benefits of Weakside Bolt Placement — For F-Class and Benchrest
Share the post "Left-Port, Side-Charging AR Upper — Not Just for Southpaws"
Tags: AR15, Billet Upper, high power, John Scandale, Keystone Accuracy, Left-hand AR15
Im left handed and had a cut made on the left side of my upper for single load in the the shoulder for slow fire. Works well.
One of my AR space gun uppers is a left-hand model. As a right-handed shooter I find it is actually a little more convenient during prone slow fire. It is easy to see into the chamber without moving the rifle around.
Since it has a built-in deflector, right handed shooters don’t have to worry about a collar-full of brass. I actually prefer it over a right-hand upper.
This is a first. As a LH shooter oft heard complaining about not having quality LH bolt-actions to choose from, I’ve grown tired of RH shooters telling me of the advantages of using a RH action. I said, “If this were true, then gun mfgs will start making LH guns in great numbers for RH people.” Time will only tell if RH guys get on the band wagon and start ordering LH gear. Then maybe Tikka, Remington if they are still around, and Savage will start making “the good stuff” in LH. Nice job, John@KeystoneAccuracy.