I liked the idea of a side charging handle too, so decided to try one.
BCA had a sale last year, so I bought one of their 16" carbine uppers in 7.62 X 39 cal, I have a PSA upper also in this cal., & have been impressed with it's accuracy & reliability. Wanted to try a side charger, so went for it & learned there are a couple of downsides to them.. (side chargers)
1st is.....you need an allen wrench if you want to remove the bolt. Not a big deal, but it is a difference .. and could be an issue , if you don't have the wrench with you when need it. 2nd.. (& this is a bigger issue to me ) : I use a brass catcher on all my AR's. As a reloader, I save all my brass & hate having to track it down/ pick it up off the ground, if not using a brass catcher.
The side charging handle interferes with the brass catchers I use, so I can't use them. Tried moving the catcher bag more rearward, in the hope it would then work..it didn't. I have used the baseball cap method ..hanging a ball cap over my scope so the cap catches the brass as it's thrown out of the ejector port.
This at least allows the brass to fall @ my feet..(but I still have to pick it up off the ground.)