AR-15 Uppers, advantages of A2 over A4?

[jad0110]

I've got an AR-15 noob question here. I've done a lot of research, and can't quite nail this one down.

FYI, I have a sweet Yugo M70 (semi auto AK clone) at the moment. Nice gun, but I just can't seem to find a shooting position/hold that feels at all comfortable for me. I figured I would over time, but that has not happened. I don't have that problem with ARs, including carbines. So I'm considering violating my rule of not selling guns and trading my AK clone, which I am not attached to, for an AR carbine in 5.56 (5.56 because as I understand it, 5.56 chambered ARs can safetly fire any .223 Remington or 5.56 ammo, while the same isn't necessary true for .223). And yes, I could swap stocks on my AK. But I figure at that point, I will have sunk as much money into my AK as I would into a box-stock AR carbine. Kinda like that guy I knew 10 years ago in college who bought a brand new six-cylinder Mustang and then sank $4,000 of performance mods into it. He ended up with a 'Stang that cost as much (if not more) than a V8 GT but had a voided warranty, sounded like a tractor with it's dual exhaust and it was still slower .

Anyway, I know the A2 uppers (as well as the A1) with their integrated rear sight are fixed in place. But the A4 flat top variant (called A3 by some manufacturers) has the option of a removable carry handle, ala A2. This appeals to me, as I would rather shoot irons for a while, then mount a red dot or something of that like much later when I become proficient with the irons. Plus, the asthetics of an AR with the carry handle are just more appealing to me. And as I understand it, scope mounting is simpler on a flat top, and more choices are available.

Question: what advantages does the A2 configuration have over the A4/A3? It seems to me, AR noob as I may be, that the A4 has greater flexibility.

I am in no way bashing the A2 configuration, by the way. I'm just curious and would like to learn more.

One additional question while I am making this post: As I understand it, it can be more cost effective to build your own AR. Though I don't totally trust myself to build an AR from scratch, would it still be an advantage (price wise) to assemble my own AR (carbine length) from complete lower and upper assembly kits and just buy the Mags in addition? What kind of price advantage (%) are we talking?

And just FYI, these are the ARs I'm looking at (primary use will be range fun, possibly my wife's primary HD weapon and God forbid, Hurricane Katrina style SHTF scenarios):

DPMS Panther AP4: http://www.dpmsinc.com/firearms/firearm.aspx?id=36

Bushmaster Superlight Carbine with A3 upper: http://www.bushmaster.com/catalog_xm15_BCWA3F16SL.asp

Rock River Arms Mid-Length A4: http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=224

 

[Onmilo]

The A2 offers only the advantage of a rock solid rear sight mounting platform for iron sight Match shooting and even this requires more modification to the sight base.

The A2 rear sight was originally designed for a light machinegun variation of the M16 and later adapted to the A2 per a Marine requirement for a more finely and redily adjustable rear sight than the original M16 and M16A1 offered.

The flattop upper receiver offers so many advantages that the majority of M16 rifles now produced include the option.

I own three A2 upper receivers now, one is on my early Bushmaster Dissapater carbine, One is used on a rifle built specifically for Service Rifle Match shooting and the last is used on my 20" barrel A2 Government rifle.

 

[Canuck-IL]

As Onmilo noted, the rear sight quality and the useable range are the main differences. Match A2s are available with pinned 1/4" * 1/4" rear sights while the detachable carry sights are not. Also, I believe only RRA offers a detachable that will reach to 600 yards - a std distance for Service Rifle competitions.

For your uses, it would seem that a flattop would be more practical.

As to assembly, buy a complete upper with bolt and carrier which will already have been headspaced. Pick up virtually any stripped lower (DPMS, Delton, CMMG, Stag, etc.) and a lower parts kit. With the instructions available all over the net (start at AR15's web site), you can assemble the lower with a parts kit in under an hour. The stock trigger will suck but use it for 500 rounds and determine if you want to invest in an upgrade ($80 - $250 or so) or have someone tune it ($35). I just began w ARs last fall and assembled two lowers with no problems at all....a couple of punches, a screwdriver and a vise grip w duct tape on the jaws - dead easy.
/Bryan

 

[jad0110]

Thank you, I greatly appreciate the assistance. A flattop upper it is.

After doing more research, it looks like the Del-Ton 16" mid-length kit with detachable carry handle, Rock River Arsenal 2-stage trigger and a stripped lower from a local gunshop will be the way to go. I can already see that this is going to be addicting .

Just to confirm, these rifle kits (sans stripped lower) can be shipped right to my door? As I understand it, the stripped lower would have to go to an FFL (hence the preference for buying a stripped lower locally).

Time to start saving some money and sell my Yugo M70. I think by August I'll be ready to go!

 

[Onmilo]

Yep, everything to your door except the lower.
You better start ordering now and I mean right now.
I have had barrels on order, some since April, and the manufacturers are telling me 6 to 8 more weeks before ship time.

I don't think there are any restrictions on AR rifles in North Carolina, you guys can have short barrels and happy switches if you can find a legal lower.
Not so sure about suppressors over there.

 

[Canuck-IL]

For most, they are addicting...kinda like 1911s. Given the current political climate, if you find a respectable local deal on stripped lowers, buy more than one - - they don't go stale!

 

[Nhsport]

There is a 11% federal tax built into the price of all new firearms. If you buy the parts seperate you only pay this on the striped lower. The difference is about $80 . This is the big savings of building.If you can find the configeration you desire you might as well buy your upper as a completed unit useing the computer to find the best price. By building you can get a gun closer to your "ideal" on the first go around and won't a bunch of spare parts that you swap off a factory gun.
Unless you are building an all out match gun or desire a ultra simple KISS firearm there is no good reason to consider anything but a flat-top. The slightly higher price is justified by the greater flexibility and beter resale .
There are some who mount an optic of some sort on a A2 but I don't see any options that are as satisfactory as the many choices for the flat-top

 

[DMK]

The flattop AR is so much more flexible. Really the only disadvantages are cost and weight. Both are very slight.

Still, I like the aesthetics of the fixed carry handle. It's got that traditional AR/M16 look.

My M16A1 Clone

My M16A2 Clone

These midlength carbines give up nothing to their fixed carry handle safe mates

 

[rantingredneck]

I'm in the process of my first AR build too, and I notice you are in NC. If you are ever in the Mebane area check in with Cardinal Armory/Kotonics. They stock a very nice stripped lower from Tactical Innovations. 119.00 FTF from him.