Flat top vs Carry Handle on AR-15 upper

[chaled]

I'm in the process of building my first AR. My only experience with this type of rifle is with the M16 A2 in the Marine Corps nearly 10 years ago. I'm very fond of the carry handle look , and i plan on using my iron sights only for now. Are there any advantages to the carry handle or is this style out-dated and unecessary in the modern AR world?

[Noonanda]

I'd say go with a flat-top upper, you still have the option of carrying handle sights and also have the option for using optics. I Know what your talking about (active duty jarhead 16+ yrs) and like the iron sights, but also like using optics. When I first built my AR I used an A2 upper and later down the road ended up getting a flattop upper and like it better. a A2 rifle with optics mounted on the carrying handle isnt as easy to use as a flattop.

[5hundo]

Get the flattop.

If you like the handle look, get a detachable handle. If you get bored with the handle, switch out for some optics of flip-up sights. Flattops are more versatile...

[aplinker]

I'm in the process of building my first AR. My only experience with this type of rifle is with the M16 A2 in the Marine Corps nearly 10 years ago. I'm very fond of the carry handle look , and i plan on using my iron sights only for now. Are there any advantages to the carry handle or is this style out-dated and unecessary in the modern AR world?

A2 definitely has its advantages if you never, ever want to mount an optic to your rifle.

Most people can't resist doing so, at some point.

The A3 will also be cheaper, and might even be cheaper with a detachable carry handle if you find one on the cheap ($40-50).

I would suggest you think long and hard about whether you'll ever want an optic. As an aside, should you ever want to sell the rifle, an A2 upper is much harder to move.