Tactical handle or A3 handle?

[Freeper57]

Although I'm not new to firearms, I am looking into picking up my first AR-15 this summer, and am looking real hard at the RR Arms Entry Tactical. But I'm not sure which type of carry handle to get. What are the advantages of getting the tactical carry handle over the A3 carry handle? Which would you recommend for a new guy?

I will be using it primarily for recreational shooting and general SHTF purposes. Thanks for your comments.

 

[mmike87]

I have the tactical carry handle. It has a rail mounted on the top for attachment of some optics or something. However, I am not currently using it and have my Aimpoint mounted directly to the flat top receiver.

I personally think carry handles are useless on rifles. If it were an option to omit that part entirely I'd not even get one if you plan on mounting an optic.

 

[blackhawk2000]

I've fondled it. I would call it more of a raised rail, than a handle.

 

[AK103K]

I think the flat top is a lot more versatile. I also think if you get one, you will rarely put the handle on it. If your going the flat top route,I'd also suggest you get the front sight that also dismounts.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

The "Tactical Carry Handle" designed for a bottom 1/3 cowitness with an Aimpoint using low mounts. If you are planning on doing an EOTech, the Dominator mount would be better.

I would suggest only looking into those mounts if you are planning on sticking with one kind of optic. If you want more flexibility, go with another rear sight.

 

[mmike87]

I have been tossing around the idea of sticking my tac handle back on and mounting the Aimpoint on it to bring the optic up to my face rather than trying to bring my face down to the optic. It's easy enough to try and it takes like 6 rounds to re-sight the rifle with the Aimpoint ... so why not?

 

[Jeff White]

mmike87,

If you mount your aimpoint on top of the carry handle you are getting it high enough that the height over the bore may cause you problems. Your offset and holdover at close range will be very high. You may be holding 4-6 inches over your intended point of impact to make the hit. It could also cause issues with finding a good battlesight zero that will let you hit from point blank range out to whatever max range you want to shoot at.

You're also going to have to deal with an additional mounting point to worry about. Instead of just worrying about keeping your mount secure to the flattop, you will have to worry about keeping the mount secure to the carry handle mount and the carry handle mount secure to the carry handle and the carry handle secure to the receiver rail. That is a lot of chances for something to work loose.

A better solution is to use a squared off stance and put the toe of the stock up near your collar bone. The old style standard collapsible stock will require you to put the toe of the stock on your collar bone. This is corrected on the newer stocks and most of the aftermarket ones like the VLTOR and Magpul.

Stand somewhat square to the target, bend slightly at the knees and at the waist. Place your strong side foot back about 8 inches. Keep your elbows in and bring your hands up like a boxer (strong hand in, weak hand out). Keep your head up. You'll find that you are now a very stable shooting platform yet you can move in all directions. Bring the weapon up placing the toe of the stock high in the pocket of your shoulder. If you have an old type collapsible stock you'll need to have it up against your collar bone. You can now keep your head up and use the sight.

HTH
Jeff

 

[mmike87]

Jeff, thanks for the tips. I will give that a try and see what happens. I have an ACE SOCOM stock if that means anything.

 

[kentucky_smith]

Sometimes I like the scope, sometimes I like the open sights, sometimes I like the retro look, sometimes I don't.

 

[mrmeval]

The military won't let the soldiers in training use the carry handle. It points the rifle at their buddies back and it's low enough a branch could fire the weapon if not on safe. I'd say screw the carry handle, get the A3 and put excellent optics and a BUIS on it and call it tacticool.
Spend the money saved on getting a good sling.

I love the flat top uppers.

 

[Coronach]

I'm far from an expert, but I personally see no point in anything but a flat-top upper, no carry handle of any sort (tactical, standard or optic-specific), unless one is going for a retro look or one intends to shoot only with iron sights. A pure flat-top enables you to add a BUIS and whatever optic you want. And if you later decide that you must have a Dominator or some sort of tactical handle, you can add it.

If you are using this as a general rifle and have no optic, at present, to add to it, I'd either:

1. Get the A3 carry handle. It's pretty cheap, and gives you iron sights.

2. Get flip-up irons and no carry handle. This might cost a little more in the short term, but in the long run you won't be buying an A3 handle, then an optic, then flip up irons. The downside is that the rifle looks a little odd with flip-up sights and no optic, but pretty is as pretty does.

EDIT: On send thought, depending on the BUIS, it might not cost more. It could even be cheaper.

I would not worry about a dismounting or flip up front sight post. When using a red dot or optic I never even notice the post, and it is one more expense and one more thing to go wrong.

JMO,

Mike

 

[mmike87]

I would not worry about a dismounting or flip up front sight post. When using a red dot or optic I never even notice the post, and it is one more expense and one more thing to go wrong.

Agree - the front sight disappears especially when trying to quickly acquire targets.