I was wondering if you guys know of an A2 style carry handle with good sights to go out to 600yds that is quick detachable. My web searches have turned up a random grouping of junk. I figured if i really wanted i could put it on a QD riser rail but figured that would be far from ideal. I have a national match upper A4 with standard detachable handle but would love one with levers instead of screws.
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A2 Carry Handle
- Thread starter NY700
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Re: A2 Carry Handle
I think you are SOL on a "quality" QD carry handle setup. There are companies that make them, but they are less than adequate. UAG (Ultimate Arms) makes one (Chi-com, pot metal s#!t) that has a single, left-side throw lever. You can probably find one for $30 or so, then spend some more money to replace the rear sight with a NM setup and you might be able to get decent results (or you might not).
Putting a standard detachable carry handle on a riser mount won't work because your front sight post will be waaay too low to get zeroed.
I think you are SOL on a "quality" QD carry handle setup. There are companies that make them, but they are less than adequate. UAG (Ultimate Arms) makes one (Chi-com, pot metal s#!t) that has a single, left-side throw lever. You can probably find one for $30 or so, then spend some more money to replace the rear sight with a NM setup and you might be able to get decent results (or you might not).
Putting a standard detachable carry handle on a riser mount won't work because your front sight post will be waaay too low to get zeroed.
Re: A2 Carry Handle
I understand. I just think that with the A4 upper, most people are running optics for long range in conjunction with folding BUIS that weren't designed to be of much use (accurately) beyond 300yds or so (depending on the BUIS). There just isn't a significant demand for a complete, throw-lever QD Carry Handle setup as most folks who want a service rifle or other competitive iron sight rifle either opt for the A2 equipped with NM rear sight or they run the A4 with the thumb-screw detachable handle which they don't need QD capability.
If it were me (and I have actually done this)...I'd get a WOA NM Service rifle complete upper dedicated for iron sight use and then deploy optics on your A4. I know it isn't a cheap option...but it is arguably the best option since you can keep one lower with two different uppers each equipped for a different purpose.
I understand. I just think that with the A4 upper, most people are running optics for long range in conjunction with folding BUIS that weren't designed to be of much use (accurately) beyond 300yds or so (depending on the BUIS). There just isn't a significant demand for a complete, throw-lever QD Carry Handle setup as most folks who want a service rifle or other competitive iron sight rifle either opt for the A2 equipped with NM rear sight or they run the A4 with the thumb-screw detachable handle which they don't need QD capability.
If it were me (and I have actually done this)...I'd get a WOA NM Service rifle complete upper dedicated for iron sight use and then deploy optics on your A4. I know it isn't a cheap option...but it is arguably the best option since you can keep one lower with two different uppers each equipped for a different purpose.
Re: A2 Carry Handle
Alternately, you can sort of go in reverse- mount the optic the way they did back in the A2 days:
http://www.amazon.com/AR-15-Scope-Mount-Weaver-Rail/dp/B000FX305O
(Note that I don't endorse that make, just providing an easy link).
Most are see through so you can easily still use the irons.
It may not be QD but it's just one vertical thumb screw which, IMO, is much faster and more convenient than dealing with the two side ones on an A3 handle.
Best of luck,
BB
Alternately, you can sort of go in reverse- mount the optic the way they did back in the A2 days:
http://www.amazon.com/AR-15-Scope-Mount-Weaver-Rail/dp/B000FX305O
(Note that I don't endorse that make, just providing an easy link).
Most are see through so you can easily still use the irons.
It may not be QD but it's just one vertical thumb screw which, IMO, is much faster and more convenient than dealing with the two side ones on an A3 handle.
Best of luck,
BB
Re: A2 Carry Handle
I have used several different handle mounted scopes and rails. the problem I found was repeatability. Some scope/rails fit some rifles better than others. A few were down right sloppy. The Colt 4X scopes with their spring loaded mount were good with repeatability in most handles. I have bedded handle mounts before with Devcon for a better mount fit.
As far as a detachable QD carry handle have you looked at using thumb screws(wing nuts) instead of regular nuts for tightening the handle mount?
The UAG Carry Handle claims to be forged. "forged from aircraft aluminum and hard anodized finish. All steel parts are Manganese Phosphate for corrosion resistance" ORD's idea of replacing the sights with a NM set just may work.
I have used several different handle mounted scopes and rails. the problem I found was repeatability. Some scope/rails fit some rifles better than others. A few were down right sloppy. The Colt 4X scopes with their spring loaded mount were good with repeatability in most handles. I have bedded handle mounts before with Devcon for a better mount fit.
As far as a detachable QD carry handle have you looked at using thumb screws(wing nuts) instead of regular nuts for tightening the handle mount?
The UAG Carry Handle claims to be forged. "forged from aircraft aluminum and hard anodized finish. All steel parts are Manganese Phosphate for corrosion resistance" ORD's idea of replacing the sights with a NM set just may work.
Re: A2 Carry Handle
Alternately, they *do* make small rear sight blocks you can add to your rails that have as wide a travel range as an NM sight (they're basically just the rear chunk of an A3 handle with the rest removed). AR15.com can probably give you recs for the best models.
That way you can mount your optic on a QD and always have your 600y rear sight ready to go.
Alternately, they *do* make small rear sight blocks you can add to your rails that have as wide a travel range as an NM sight (they're basically just the rear chunk of an A3 handle with the rest removed). AR15.com can probably give you recs for the best models.
That way you can mount your optic on a QD and always have your 600y rear sight ready to go.
Re: A2 Carry Handle
Personally I like the Matech back up sight as it will fit under lots of optic applications, and it has elevation adjustments out to 600
Personally I like the Matech back up sight as it will fit under lots of optic applications, and it has elevation adjustments out to 600
Re: A2 Carry Handle
+1 on the Matech. It will do everything a handle will and give you room for a QD optic. When I built my A4gery it was a toss up between the Matech and a detachable handle. The only reason I chose the handle is to prevent myself from spending money on some optics
+1 on the Matech. It will do everything a handle will and give you room for a QD optic. When I built my A4gery it was a toss up between the Matech and a detachable handle. The only reason I chose the handle is to prevent myself from spending money on some optics
Re: A2 Carry Handle
Be careful with that Matech. It looks like the elevation adjustment is a rough "BDC" style and not a precise MOA-based incremental. Not a problem if you just want something for rough backup, but definitely one if you intend to do highpower or other target-based shooting.
What I was recommending was something like this:
http://rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=320
Not sure if that one specifically goes out to 600 (aka about 16 MOA), but there are others like it that do.
Be careful with that Matech. It looks like the elevation adjustment is a rough "BDC" style and not a precise MOA-based incremental. Not a problem if you just want something for rough backup, but definitely one if you intend to do highpower or other target-based shooting.
What I was recommending was something like this:
http://rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=320
Not sure if that one specifically goes out to 600 (aka about 16 MOA), but there are others like it that do.
Re: A2 Carry Handle
If he wants to do Highpower or precision shooting he shouldn;t he looking at QD back up iron sights in the first place-pute a small apertre hooded sight in an carry handle with NM parts if that's the objective.
If he wants to do Highpower or precision shooting he shouldn;t he looking at QD back up iron sights in the first place-pute a small apertre hooded sight in an carry handle with NM parts if that's the objective.
Re: A2 Carry Handle
im looking at doing some CMP comps here locally with my AR I just picked up a RRA NM A4 upper. However i do prefer optics for casual shooting and I was hoping there was a larue quality QD carry handle just to make swapping quick and easy and maybe hold zero. I have a dedicated varmint upper for my AR but its not getting alot of use so i figured i would unload and use the $400-$500 towards ammo
im looking at doing some CMP comps here locally with my AR I just picked up a RRA NM A4 upper. However i do prefer optics for casual shooting and I was hoping there was a larue quality QD carry handle just to make swapping quick and easy and maybe hold zero. I have a dedicated varmint upper for my AR but its not getting alot of use so i figured i would unload and use the $400-$500 towards ammo
Re: A2 Carry Handle
If you change the thubscrews on your removable carry handle, find nuts of the same thread you can use a torque wrench to reattach it and you will have the same or better repeatability of a LaRue.
If you change the thubscrews on your removable carry handle, find nuts of the same thread you can use a torque wrench to reattach it and you will have the same or better repeatability of a LaRue.
Re: A2 Carry Handle
I would just rock the carry handle fulltime if I planned on doing some comps. What better practice then with the rifle you "always" shoot. I'd just keep the varmint upper with some optics and the NM a4 upper with carry handle for the CMP comps. just my .02
I would just rock the carry handle fulltime if I planned on doing some comps. What better practice then with the rifle you "always" shoot. I'd just keep the varmint upper with some optics and the NM a4 upper with carry handle for the CMP comps. just my .02
Re: A2 Carry Handle
For CMP/highpower, you would be okay with back up style sights under certain conditions:
1. The rear would almost certainly have to be of the type I showed before:
http://rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=320
Supporting windage and up to 600y elevation in MOA-based increments. You could use a hooded sight with something like this. You also should not be removing it from the upper once a zero is established.
2. The front sight would have to be one that locks *solidly* in the up position, similar to the YHM ones. Also, once in the up position, I would advise against putting it back down, but I think there's much less risk for zero shifting than by full removal.
3. The front sight would have to support standard A2-style front posts that could be lowered and elevated. This is so that you can set the proper zero (say 100y) with your rear at its mech. zero. It's also so that you can use thinner or thicker posts at your discretion.
I've done something very similar to all this, which is how I know it works. For all these reasons and from my own considerations, I again advise something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/AR-15-Scope-Mount-Weaver-Rail/dp/B000FX305O
atop a standard A3 carry handle. It gives you every benefit- your irons remain locked in place for highpower, you have a relatively QD mount for your optic, and you can use the sights *with* the optic still attached. It's much, much, MUCH easier to rezero a slightly off optic when you're blasting for fun than it is rezeroing irons, especially in any type of match setting.
Besides, it was good enough for Sarah Connor
For CMP/highpower, you would be okay with back up style sights under certain conditions:
1. The rear would almost certainly have to be of the type I showed before:
http://rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=320
Supporting windage and up to 600y elevation in MOA-based increments. You could use a hooded sight with something like this. You also should not be removing it from the upper once a zero is established.
2. The front sight would have to be one that locks *solidly* in the up position, similar to the YHM ones. Also, once in the up position, I would advise against putting it back down, but I think there's much less risk for zero shifting than by full removal.
3. The front sight would have to support standard A2-style front posts that could be lowered and elevated. This is so that you can set the proper zero (say 100y) with your rear at its mech. zero. It's also so that you can use thinner or thicker posts at your discretion.
I've done something very similar to all this, which is how I know it works. For all these reasons and from my own considerations, I again advise something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/AR-15-Scope-Mount-Weaver-Rail/dp/B000FX305O
atop a standard A3 carry handle. It gives you every benefit- your irons remain locked in place for highpower, you have a relatively QD mount for your optic, and you can use the sights *with* the optic still attached. It's much, much, MUCH easier to rezero a slightly off optic when you're blasting for fun than it is rezeroing irons, especially in any type of match setting.
Besides, it was good enough for Sarah Connor
Re: A2 Carry Handle
If shooting highpower is even a consideration, keep the carry handle and put a NM drum and good aperture in the rear sight.
BB's "cut carry handle" will fill the bill, but puts the shooter in "match rifle" not "Service Rifle" class...
If shooting highpower is even a consideration, keep the carry handle and put a NM drum and good aperture in the rear sight.
BB's "cut carry handle" will fill the bill, but puts the shooter in "match rifle" not "Service Rifle" class...
Re: A2 Carry Handle
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
BB's "cut carry handle" will fill the bill, but puts the shooter in "match rifle" not "Service Rifle" class... </div></div>
Correct. I forgot to mention this. I shoot highpower more for fun/training than scoring within class, but if score is your thing, you absolutely will need to go carry handle and A2-style front sight base to remain in service class.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
BB's "cut carry handle" will fill the bill, but puts the shooter in "match rifle" not "Service Rifle" class... </div></div>
Correct. I forgot to mention this. I shoot highpower more for fun/training than scoring within class, but if score is your thing, you absolutely will need to go carry handle and A2-style front sight base to remain in service class.
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