AR upper reciever question...

[Mity2]

I've always liked how AR with carry handle. My Bushmaster AR is like that(A2 upper?).

While I love how they look(the defining look of classic AR I guess), I do feel carry handle limits my option of optics.

I tried red dot optics, and several scopes mounted on my AR, but they all look stupid.
So I'm thinking Get flat top reciever, that I can mount red dot optics, and buy removable carry handle to mount scope so that I can interchange them.

Is this a good idea?
If so, what am I looking at for just upper reciever? so that I can move my carrel and internal from my current upper reciever?

and who makes cheap/good upper reciever?

[RocketFoot]

I'm with ya there...I love the A1 look, but it does limit your glass options. Personally, I am going to try a bi-level carry handle mount and mount a red dot above the fore grip in a co-wittness config. I think that would look cool and be functional.

[fultonCoShooter]

well you will need to get

a complete receiver (receiver, dust cover and forward asst)

a barrel wrench

and a set of receiver blocks

or you can let BRD set in and end up buying a new upper which will evolve into another rifle

rocket you have a A2 receiver

this is a A1



this is a A2


A3


the A4 is the same as A3 but has feed ramps

but i could be wrong but i think im right

[RocketFoot]

well you will need to get

a complete receiver (receiver, dust cover and forward asst)

a barrel wrench

and a set of receiver blocks

or you can let BRD set in and end up buying a new upper which will evolve into another rifle

rocket you have a A2 receiver

this is a A1



this is a A2


A3


the A4 is the same as A3 but has feed ramps

but i could be wrong but i think im right

I actually have an A1 upper...that pic I posted isn't mine. That A1 pic you posted is strange...I have always seen the tear drop forward assist on A1's??

ETA: I guess you can always use a different assist...

This is the assist that mine has (only with an A1 handle)

[fultonCoShooter]

yeah the A1s did have tear drops

interesting enough is that the lower receiver also differs between the A1 and A2 designation



people who do retro builds actually modify A2 lowers to look like A1 lowers



nodakspud also makes a retro A1 lowers (differnt progressions)





here is a A2 for comparison

[Mity2]

A3


the A4 is the same as A3 but has feed ramps

Yeah thats what I was thinking.
Get that, mount red dot optics for close distance, and mount lenz optics on removable handle for long distance shot.

Probrem with mine is that even tho they say that my scope retains zero if you remove it and put it back on, it doesn't. And gun don't fit in my case with scope on it. I currently have to dissassemble it to fit in the case.
But if I want to switch it with red dot optics, and it won't retain zero, then its stupid.
my current set up


how I carry it in my case


So how much does loaded A3 upper with dust cover and forword assist installed going for these days?

[CoyoteJack]

Yeah thats what I was thinking.
Get that, mount red dot optics for close distance, and mount lenz optics on removable handle for long distance shot.

Probrem with mine is that even tho they say that my scope retains zero if you remove it and put it back on, it doesn't. And gun don't fit in my case with scope on it. I currently have to dissassemble it to fit in the case.
But if I want to switch it with red dot optics, and it won't retain zero, then its stupid.

So how much does loaded A3 upper with dust cover and forword assist installed going for these days?

Likely the issue of retaining zero is do to the mount configuration rather than the scope. Most of the setups that retain zero involve the flat top, pic rail and quality mounts. There is too much play in those z rails that bolt thru the A2 handle (I have one as well.)

edit: Just noticed your not using the z rail. Still the handle mount adaptors usually have too much wiggle room for a good rezero swap.

http://dynamicarmament.com/items/ar-...ete-detail.htm Here is one for $95

[Lycanthrope]

Not to mention that mouting an optic as high as on the carry handle is very susceptible to cant unless you are using a scope level to make sure you are true.

Why buy a removeable carry handle at all?

It's a much better option to just use high rings on a flat top receiver.

Lycancarryhandleopticshavebadcheekweldsthrope

[Mity2]

Not to mention that mouting an optic as high as on the carry handle is very susceptible to cant unless you are using a scope level to make sure you are true.

Why buy a removeable carry handle at all?

It's a much better option to just use high rings on a flat top receiver.

Lycancarryhandleopticshavebadcheekweldsthrope

Yes this is true.
Its just that I like way it look with carry handle on AR.
Sort like SVO Mustang. 4 banger turbo, although was faster then 5.0 of same era, it just didn't sounded right.

What i really should to is built one with flat top, free float heavy bbl target model with optics, so that I can leave one I have well alone..

[RocketFoot]

Yes this is true.
Its just that I like way it look with carry handle on AR.
Sort like SVO Mustang. 4 banger turbo, although was faster then 5.0 of same era, it just didn't sounded right.

What i really should to is built one with flat top, free float heavy bbl target model with optics, so that I can leave one I have well alone..

There ya go! Black Rifle Disease is starting to set in!