I have a .308 Mega MaTen with an 18" Lilja barrel and adjustable gas, but do not have side charging. My experience is that side charging is unnecessary since you have to load single rounds in competition. I have a "mag-block" (I forget the nomenclature) that locks the bolt to the rear when fired...
But interest rates are low, and have been for years. They've had to change their business models accordingly. Add in the stricter lending rules (both internal and gov't mandated) that came about as a result of the subprime housing market crash, and some banks make very little from the...
It all started when they banned shorts and halter tops from the pits... IOW, they went went "corporate in an effort to maximize profits, thereby alienating their base. All the rest of the rule changes have been a (lame) attempt to recapture those fans.
I converted mine several years ago, and it wasn't difficult. I kept the Bolt Hold Open, and radiusing the tab so it didn't rub on my finger is about the only thing I remember... it was painless.
Standard pressure HST's, usually 147's but I keep 124gr in my wife's subcompact. I've found that all our EDC pistols "like" HST with respect to overall reliability and accuracy, but I wouldn't have a problem carrying something else as long as I know it will reliably cycle in the gun.
I bought a used, unconverted Saiga 7.62 in 2011 for $299, and it's been rock solid for many thousands of rounds.
Here he is after puberty (aka "conversion").
Here she is after gender reassignment surgery...
I have a similar mindset about revolvers, and went on the same journey that you're contemplating a few years ago. I now own four revolvers, 2 S&W (686-4 and a 29-10, both have 4" barrels) and 2 Rugers (4" GP-100 and a 2" Alaskan). That's more than your average American, but (probably way) less...