AR - Flat Top or Carry Handle???

[briang2ad]

I am considering getting an AR. You can get a decent one now for the same price as a nicer AK.

What are the advantages of a flat top vs. carry handle? I do want to stick to an M4 configuration, and no need for a heavy barrel, unless they are 'much more' accurate. Considering Smith. But, the choices are myriad. Want to stick at $800 or less, so there are about 2 choices - carry handle models seem to be about $100 more, but I like the flat top with flip sights. (Carry handles look OK, but as I learned in Ranger School, you NEVER use them).

 

[jem375]

flat top is the way to go, you can scope or red dot them very easy and also put on flip up iron sights in case the scope goes down...

 

[jpwilly]

Flat top all the way. You can even get a removable carry handle for it

 

[Fremmer]

Why not just buy the same version of the AR you used in Ranger school?

 

[Victor1Echo]

The only reason I have a carry handle on my ar is because like Fremmer said, I wanted an AR like the one I was schooled on--that was the m16a1. No way would I buy one with a handle if I didn't want a retro AR.

 

[Wildbillz]

If it were me I would get the flat top. Its easyer to mount the accesorys on and you can get the removable carrying handle and have them both.

But thats just me (I like the ACOG).
WB

 

[wally]

Unless you are committed to iron sights, the flat top is the way to go. Can get a detachable carry handle for when you what irons only, but an optical with fold down BUIS is the current trick setup.

 

[MrCleanOK]

Carry handle upper receivers have turned into a niche product, for consumers who specifically want them for X, Y or Z reason. Flat-top uppers are the new standard because of the myriad options they afford.

 

[Dallas Jack]

You can always add a carry handle to a flat-top. Also easier to add optics to a flat-top. A friend put a scope on his carry handle Colt. It sits way high. He had to add a cheek piece to use it.
Dallas Jack

 

[jimmy0622]

The only times I would consider getting a fixed carry handle over a flat top are:

1. Found a great deal that I just can't pass up, in which case there is always the option to add a rail via the hole in the top of the carry handle.

2. I'm getting a full length A2 / A4 and just want to keep that classic look.

 

[John Parker]

I used to piss of my platoon sergeant on road marches by carrying my rifle by the carrying handle. I mean, it IS a carrying handle!

 

[Maj Dad]

I mean, it IS a carrying handle!

It's really a vestigial remainder of the AR-10's cocking piece protector, kind of like whales and dolphins have vestigial legs. I never understood why the military kept it, except that it made it look "futuristic" in the late 50's, early 60's. Or they were too lazy to redisign the sights...

 

[cbrgator]

Flat top for sure. Can always add a handle to a flat top. Can't make a flat top out of a fixed carry handle...

 

[Quentin]

I'd also get a flat top, you can't ignore the flexibility. But I love the look of a carry handle so would pick up a decent one to have handy. If you shop around on eBay or even locally you can get a used milspec with a genuine forge mark like Cardinal, Cerro or Anchor Harvey for under $50. Avoid the Chinese knockoffs like Mako, Leapers, UTG, CAA and others.

If you spend some time learning how to use one and maybe reindex it to the IBZ zero you can do amazing things with the carry handle sights.

 

[rcmodel]

eBay lets you buy & sell AR-15 parts now??

Don't think so!
Not for the last two years at least.

Anyway, just get a flat-top with the removable carry handle and you have all your bases covered.

Later on, if you want optics, you can mount them on the flat-top after loosening the two screws and taking the carry handle off.

rc

 

[Rexster]

Now that my eyes really do need optics, if I buy another AR, or another AR upper, it will be flat-top. My present one is A2, a real pain on which to mount optics. Possible, yes, but a pain, especially if I want to mount both a scope or ACOG and a back-up red-dot sight.

 

[Welding Rod]

Personally I really like the A2... but then that is with the better sight radius of the 20" barrel. If I was going to get a carbine, I might get a flat top. I could go either way on a mid-lenght gas system. If I was going to get a carbine with a carbine length gas system / sight radius I would definitely get a flat top and use an optic.

 

[JHK94]

eBay lets you buy & sell AR-15 parts now??

Don't think so!
Not for the last two years at least.

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_tr...nkw=Ar+carry+handle&_sacat=See-All-Categories

I believe that eBay's policy is that you cannot sell firearms parts that are required for its operation. EG: Firing pins, barrels, etc. Sights, scopes, handguards, etc, do not fall under this.

 

[Kwanger]

Another vote for flat top unless you are going for retro

 

[strambo]

Flat top (whether it comes w/ detachable handle or not) since the handle serves no purpose other than to get in the way of mounting optics. Consider Spikes for the AR, much better quality than others in that price range.

http://www.spikestactical.com/z/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=113&products_id=387

 

[RainDodger]

Well, just like everyone has already told you, if you have to ask the question, you're not specifically looking for a carry handle, so get a flat top. No doubt.

I have an A2 with a carry handle for the exact 2 reasons that jimmy0622 said: I got a spectacular deal from a guy, and I also wanted an old school rifle with a 20" barrel. I became a happy new owner of an A2 bought via private sale, with a carry handle. It's a limiting rifle though, without rails.

 

[LRS_Ranger]

Flat top lets you configure your rifle however you want.. so you aren't locked into one thing.

 

[briang2ad]

Thanks folks!

 

[JKHolman]

Briang2ad,
while a scope mount can be attached to the carry handle of a standard AR 15 (mine is a Bushmaster XM15 E2S with carry handle), the mount will not be as stable as that on a flat top. I do like my AR-15, but if I could do it over, it would be a flat top.

- JKHolman

 

[RoosterCT]

Personally, I like the retro look. I'm looking into the Stag uppers that come with a removable handle, and a normal rail underneath.