AR Upper

[xjjeeperx]

What is the difference between the A2 style and a flattop, besides the carry handle missing. I'm thinking of building my first AR and I really like the way the flattop looks, just wondering if there is any performance difference. I'm thinking of going with a flat top rail with a 20 inch bull barrel by DPMS. Any thoughts suggestions appreciated.

 

[Oodin]

Re: AR Upper

As far as I know, the only difference (depending on company options) is that the flattop has a Picatinny rail instead of the carry handle.

Don't know what you want to do, but that sounds like a good choice. The flattops are more versatile than the A2 uppers, in my opinion.

 

[Strangedays]

Re: AR Upper

There is no performance difference. Flattop is better for being able to change and add optics and such. Get some BUIS and skip the handle. get the flattop with the removable handle if you want.

 

[9H_Cracka]

Re: AR Upper

There are two major performance differences. One, the integral (A2) carry handle increases the rigidity of the upper over 50%. You can guess what the performance benefits of that are. Duh. Two, if you form your fingers in the shape of a C, then slide them under the handle, then let go with the other hand, on the A2 the rifle will stay suspended in mid-air. If you do that with the flattop then it falls to the ground. I would consider that a pretty major performance difference as well.

I have found that shooting the vastly superior A2 upper homeboy style with handguard mounted optics gives you the best of both worlds - a rigid and carryable A2 upper yet still a friendly optics platform like the flattop.

 

[Strangedays]

Re: AR Upper

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: _9H</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There are two major performance differences. One, the integral (A2) carry handle increases the rigidity of the upper over 50%. You can guess what the performance benefits of that are. Duh. Two, if you form your fingers in the shape of a C, then slide them under the handle, then let go with the other hand, on the A2 the rifle will stay suspended in mid-air. If you do that with the flattop then it falls to the ground. I would consider that a pretty major performance difference as well.

I have found that shooting the vastly superior A2 upper homeboy style with handguard mounted optics gives you the best of both worlds - a rigid and carryable A2 upper yet still a friendly optics platform like the flattop. </div></div>
Where are you getting your information from? 50% more rigid?

 

[jwn8552]

Re: AR Upper

Yeah, I'm wondering about that to? And what is the homeboy technique? I have A2 and flattop uppers. I have never seen any difference that I would have attributed to not having a carrying handle.

 

[bcw1284]

Re: AR Upper

go over to M&A parts. They have a whole new batch of stuff in stock, including some lightweights, 14.5' uppers, varminters, stainless HBARS, as well as the typical 16 & 20 & m4.

I just got a chrome lined lightweight for a "truck gun" and I am very pleased with the quality and the service. I had it in under a week, price is great, and the quality was top notch for a parts gun. I called them regarding an email request after I ordered online, and they had already taken care of it by the next day. I was impressed, alot of places don't stay on top of their emails.

 

[carbinero]

Re: AR Upper

Definitely get a flattop. Next, think about the bull barrel and your purpose. If you're scoping, look hard at a Larue one-piece mount, which will take care of any supposed rigidity problems you may be concerned about versus the A2 carry handle version. Next, think twice about DPMS. That will be a weak link in your search for quality. If you don't need the heavy barrel, go to BCM ASAP. They have 20" uppers, BCM is Quality, and the price is Right. If you must have a heavier barrel, check out WOA.

 

[xjjeeperx]

Re: AR Upper

Has anyone had experience with the DPMS stuff? My local FFL has a lot of DPMS parts, lowers and trigger parts and such, so they will be easy to obtain. I'm not looking to build a perfect match rifle on my first build, but I would like it to be nice and shoot true with not a lot of problems. I figure I could upgrade parts as money will allow. Also has anyone seen the AR-10's in .338? How are they for long range shooting? The one I was looking at cane be seen here. Thanks for the advice! rifle

 

[Donut]

Re: AR Upper

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: strangedays</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: _9H</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There are two major performance differences. One, the integral (A2) carry handle increases the rigidity of the upper over 50%. You can guess what the performance benefits of that are. Duh. Two, if you form your fingers in the shape of a C, then slide them under the handle, then let go with the other hand, on the A2 the rifle will stay suspended in mid-air. If you do that with the flattop then it falls to the ground. I would consider that a pretty major performance difference as well.

I have found that shooting the vastly superior A2 upper homeboy style with handguard mounted optics gives you the best of both worlds - a rigid and carryable A2 upper yet still a friendly optics platform like the flattop. </div></div>
Where are you getting your information from? 50% more rigid? </div></div>

Triangulation. Like the roll cage in a race car.

 

[Billyboy]

Re: AR Upper

My flat top 223 and 6.8 with good barrels both shoot .5 moa at 200yds. Rigid enough for me. I think the barrel is more important than the upper receiver.

 

[Sterling Shooter]

Re: AR Upper

One difference, a flattop requires an "f" marked front sight base. Also, the BDC has less elevation range, not that there's much meaningful difference, unless the flattop is going to be used for Service Rifle competition.

 

[bcw1284]

Re: AR Upper

There isn't anything wrong with DPMS. If you can get ahold of one that suits your needs at a reasonable price, buy it and shoot the hell out of it. I've shot a couple, they shoot great. It may not be a 1/2 moa gun, but after you use it a while and improve technique, you can rebarrel with a high-end tube (rock, krieger, WOA, etc) and shoot even better.

I also had a hesse/vulcan back during the first AWB that shot 1/2 moa... go figure.

 

[Powder_Burns]

Re: AR Upper

I guess I'm silly because I don't see why I need to carry a rifle like a briefcase. <span style="font-style: italic">Especially when it has a pistol grip.</span> My hacksaw doesn't have a carry handle, neither does any other tool I use. Carry handles are for flower baskets, buckets, suitcases, and happy meals.

 

[oneshot onekill]

Re: AR Upper

Still trying to figure out the 50% more rigid thing.... When and how would that be a factor in performance??? I have to ask if that person is familiar with how an AR works.... "Homeboy Style"???

 

[Afghanvet09]

Re: AR Upper

OP, like anything else, there are trade-offs but overall when everything is weighed, I think the scale tips toward the detachable handle for most. The answer you get is probaly going to depend on who you ask also.

Ask a someone shooting DCM/CMP competition, they are accustomed to fixed handle and for them a standard detachable handle on a flattop will likely run out of elevation shooting long distance (flattop elevation dial only goes to 600 yds) while fixed handle elevation dial goes up to 800 yards.

If you plan on mounting optics to a fixed handle, my experience has been the glass is too high for good cheek weld for me. I've also always been told you want the scope as low as possible in relation to the barrel -- not higher.

If you want to use some of the newer red dot sights -- i.e., M68 CCO (aka AIMPOINT RED DOT) or a Eotech 550 series --I don't think these are compatible with fixed handle.

Finally, I think if you want a carry handle for the flat top, with a flat top you have the option to add it. A fixed handle can't be removed and no options there.

The 50% stronger argument if factual would be an interesting point of fact, but in terms of practical importance and necessity -- I'm not sure what that actually means.. My 2cents.