AR15 A2/A3

[GunnyUSMC]

Just so we are all on the same page, to me--

A2 = Classic stock; carry handle; 20" HBAR barrel with semi-birdcage flash suppressor (solid at 6 o'clock).
and
A3 = Classic stock; flat-top upper (w/ or w/o clamp-on carry handle); 20" HBAR with a "modern" flash suppressor
and
A4 = adjustable or fixed stock; flat-top; 18" barrel in any contour, with any flash suppressor.

Agree/disagree?

The A2 did not have a HBAR barrel. It had what is known as a Government profile barrel. It’s heavy from the gas port area to the muzzle. It is tapered under the handguards.

 

[RPZ]

Wish I could have taken home an A1 when I was discharged. Well... and a CAR-15. Oh ok... an M60 as well.

 

[entropy]

I would like to have been able to keep my issued M16A1, even if it had to be 'neutered' to semi, because it was a rare specimen; Harrington & Richardson, made in 1964. (shortly after I was made....) I think every other A1 in my Arms Room was a General Dynamics. (GM Hydromatic)

 

[Coal Dragger]

I liked my A2’s and the last A4 I had while I was in the Corps. The A4 was an FN, liked my Colt’s better from a finish machining standpoint and triggers, the FN was brand new when I got it so the barrel was comparatively outstanding. Shot my best qualification score on the KD course with the FN. It also served me well in Iraq in 2004 while USMC infantry was still issuing the 20” rifle.

That said I like the overall package of a 14.5” or 16” barrel M4 carbine more. The A2 style stock is too long when running body armor, or a plate carrier for one, and the 20” barrel is a bit cumbersome in dwellings, and a real pain in the ass in vehicles. I personally feel the sweet spot is a 16” M4 with a telescoping stock, intermediate gas system like my KAC SR-15, and a relatively light weight barrel (not a pencil barrel but not a medium contour either). I’ll post up a review of the KAC at some point in here for anyone interested in Stoner’s final improvements to his platform.

If I had to choose between a 20” rifle and a 14.5” carbine with a carbine length gas system for shooting characteristics and durability the 20” rifle would get the nod. For duty use I’d take the 14.5” carbine due to size, but optimal would be a 16” with intermediate gas because you get close to 20” ballistic performance, same recoil characteristics and reliability of the rifle, and rifle like durability in a more maneuverable package.

 

[ifit]

My next build will be an A2, I think I'll skip the A3 as I just picked up the Fnh m16A4
Then concentrating later on the retro type carbines

But love the pics posted of them A2s

 

[someguy2800]

I love the A2 stock. It’s by far my favorite stock I’ve ever handled on an AR. Makes it feel like a real rifle to me whereas the collapsing stocks all feel like toys

 

[burrhead]

My last build is a sorta A4 clone; A2 butt stock, 20" Govenment profile barrel, clamp on carry handle with A2 sights and round handguards. I have a 12" gong at 230 yds that's almost a snap standing offhand. Had most of the parts laying around so built it just for fun. This is supposed to be fun isn't it?

 

[bannockburn]

Still old school with my ARs:

 

[imashooter]

20" government Windham. Replaced handle w/ scope and installed 3lb Timney. Very nice rifle.

 

[cdb1]

20" government Windham. Replaced handle w/ scope and installed 3lb Timney. Very nice rifle.

View attachment 791123

Pretty much what I did with mine.

 

[ping]

a2 is great. And you dont need all those darn optics. The rifle will shoot

 

[taliv]

of course time moves on, and i think the newer stuff is more efficient and practical and a better fit for the modern techniques, but i'm still quite fond of them after all the years of shooting camp perry and CMP and NRA service rifle matches. ahh, nostalgia. BUT... they must be equipped with a quality 1907 leather sling, and the owner should know how to use it

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I would't say that I "prefer" my fixed-handle CARs or ARs but they do hold a special place in my shooting heart and are likely to go nowhere anytime soon.
After a fashion, the clinical; "never-miss" nature of a well scoped and well loaded M-16 based gun leaves me a little cold compared to the satisfaction of good iron sights on a good gun.

This is one of the reasons that generally, no matter what else I'm shooting or why - I finish with one of my Garands.

Too, much like my affinity for revolvers, it comes down to hypothetical practicals in that sights-is-sights excepting the rarity of damaging to the point of uselessness. A scope or battery-powered optic has several different ways to become non-op and I've likely experienced all of them.

Iron sighted firearms - as with the revolver - are gonna generally operate effectively as long as they are well fed. Semi-autos have left me stranded behind a mag going south.

And back-up-sights? Barely that to me. I can't stand little floppy-foldy crutches slathered over a firearm "just in case".


Todd.

 

[bannockburn]

ping

a2 is great. And you dont need all those darn optics. The rifle will shoot

Though I have used a scope from time to time on my AR, with the right ammo (Black Hills 55 gr.), I can still hit 1 liter water bottles out at 200 yards with the iron sights.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Got one of each.
Like them all.

 

[M1key]

Colt A2. Why? Just because I like having one. I never carried one in service to our country, but on this Memorial Day I thought it appropriate to post a picture.



M

 

[ifit]

Sorry wrong post

 

[Hasaf]

I keep thinking of building one with wood furniture. I would probably go with .223 wylde . . . yes, I have been looking; but I have other projects before I get to that.

 

[bannockburn]

Hasaf

Thought about wood furniture too a number of years ago but somehow it just didn't seem right.

 

[CapnMac]

The A2 did not have a HBAR barrel. It had what is known as a Government profile barrel

Well, that's where my memory want to be fickle.
I'm remembering what "everyone" (including Colt) called an "HBAR" was, in fact, the government profile (which usage I had intended above). The "whole barrel" HBAR contour coming along well after the A4.

But, I could be wrong.

 

[AlexanderA]

Just so we are all on the same page, to me--

A2 = Classic stock; carry handle; 20" HBAR barrel with semi-birdcage flash suppressor (solid at 6 o'clock).
and
A3 = Classic stock; flat-top upper (w/ or w/o clamp-on carry handle); 20" HBAR with a "modern" flash suppressor
and
A4 = adjustable or fixed stock; flat-top; 18" barrel in any contour, with any flash suppressor.

Agree/disagree?

The "A2-A3-A4" designations really refer to the military M16 series and, properly speaking, are not applicable to civilian AR's.

M16A2 -- fully adjustable rear sight, "government profile" barrel (heavier in front of the gas block, thinner under the handguards), round handguards, birdcage flash hider closed at the bottom, 5/8" longer buttstock, 1:7 twist rifling, 3-round burst selector.

M16A3 -- same as the A2 except it returned to the FA selector. Limited issue.

M16A4 -- flat-top receiver and full length quad Picatinny rail, 3-round burst selector. May or may not have a removable carry handle.

 

[cdb1]

Wood furniture on an AR looks seriously funky to me.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

M16A3 -- same as the A2 except it returned to the FA selector. Limited issue.

The A3 also introduced the flat top receiver with detachable carry handle.

 

[Gtscotty]

I put together an A3 style rifle for iron sighted plinking out to 400yds or so. The upper shoots well, but I honestly use my 18" SPR style upper on that lower pretty much all the time now.... kind of have the accurate longer range AR bug now. I do really like the Magpul rifle stock better than the carbine stocks I've had, will probably put one on my next build as well.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

Wood furniture on an AR looks seriously funky to me.

Yeah, and I don't know what it is either. The FAL also has a pistol grip, box magazine hanging down, and a carry handle, but it looks really classy. Something about the AR makes a wood stock look wrong. I think it's the matte aluminum receiver.