A2 Carry Handle - Fixed or Removable?

[TonyKat]

So does anyone out there use a detachable carry handle? As far as sighting goes, is an flat top style receiver with a detachable carry handle as good as having a fixed A2 style receiver?



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[aplinker]

I'm trying to figure out how to answer this, since your question is a bit awkward...

How about I spell out the +/-'s of both...

the A2 is lighter than A3+carry handle, strong, simple, and cheaper.

The A3 flat-top gives you a lot more flexibility in optics choices and is cheaper if you skip the carry handle. Most people don't use a carry handle, but rather an optic and BUIS. However, a carry handle is a viable option.

[tlillard23]

Buy the A4 and PRETEND you bought the detach carry handle. You will never EVER use it, unless you shoot a DCM/CMP hipower match (and you'll get chidded the whole time for having a detachable sight/handle)

get a flip up rear sight

[TonyKat]

I like to use military style iron sights and want this rifle to be the real deal, but i'm torn because I've read that the detachable carry handles are not as good of sights as fixed. But the flexibility is nice.

[phish]

I remember a handful of people experimented with John Holliger's pinned carry handle rear sights. I don't think it really caught on. I haven't heard much about them since, and this was 3-4 years ago.

[ocabj]

If you get a flat top, you may as well get an optic. I don't own a flat top, but if I did, I wouldn't use flip-up BUIS as a primary sighting system like lots of people do. It would have some Aimpoint/Acog/Midrange scope, or match sights if it were a spacegun.

[maxicon]

I have an A2 and a few flat tops, and I'd definitely go with flat top over an A2.

You can always turn a flat top into an A2 style with a carry handle, but you can't go the other way. A fixed handle really limits your optics options.

[jcaoloveshine]

As long as you get a good quality detach handle you'll be fine. Anything over the $50 made by Stag, RRA, BCM, etc will do fine and the Colts run for about $70-90.