ArmedCorgi
.475 A&M Magnum
As some of you probably know, I've had the retro bug for some time now. Recently, I've been building a couple more clones. Something about the carry handle AR's really speaks to me. Along with this, it brings back a time when things in the AR world were somewhat simpler. This has me thinking a lot about the concept of "downgrading". With things the way they are in the world, I can't help but think more and more about what would be a more practical set up for a time when the items (batteries and replacement components) that we need to support niceties like red dots and lasers and flashlights become harder to find and one is faced with the reality of things like weight and questions like "will I be carrying this rifle more than shooting it?" (Classic bug out, evacuation type situation). Originally, the M16 platform was meant to be a light weight battle rifle, but in recent times we seem to have strayed from this idea with the realization that the platform is so modular.
I look at my more modern flat top AR's, and while I certainly don't mall ninja them with junk, things like popular barrel profiles, aluminium rails, hand grips, red dots and flash lights make them heavy.
So now I'm at a point where I am liking the idea of a carry handle AR with a pencil or light weight profile barrel, the basic slim plastic handguards and a weapon light.
With all that said, the thing I am going back and forth with now, is which carry handle iron sights? A1 or A2? I have both A1, C7 and A2 uppers. The A1 and C7 have A1 rear sights which are considered to be more set and forget and rugged, but have sight apertures that make it harder for quick acquisition and lack the adjustability for range and windage that the A2 has. The A2 being more capable in terms of better sight apertures, windage and bullet drop compensation is also more robust in material strength but is said to be more prone to accidental adjustment and thought to be too complicated for iron sights. One plan I have is to install A2 sight apertures in my C7 uppers, which solves one issue but A1/C7 carry handle/rear sight ears are thinner and not as stout as the A2.
Am I over thinking this.....Most definitely. But I wanted to put the question to the forum. Which carry handle upper would you go with and what are your thoughts on downgrading?
I look at my more modern flat top AR's, and while I certainly don't mall ninja them with junk, things like popular barrel profiles, aluminium rails, hand grips, red dots and flash lights make them heavy.
So now I'm at a point where I am liking the idea of a carry handle AR with a pencil or light weight profile barrel, the basic slim plastic handguards and a weapon light.
With all that said, the thing I am going back and forth with now, is which carry handle iron sights? A1 or A2? I have both A1, C7 and A2 uppers. The A1 and C7 have A1 rear sights which are considered to be more set and forget and rugged, but have sight apertures that make it harder for quick acquisition and lack the adjustability for range and windage that the A2 has. The A2 being more capable in terms of better sight apertures, windage and bullet drop compensation is also more robust in material strength but is said to be more prone to accidental adjustment and thought to be too complicated for iron sights. One plan I have is to install A2 sight apertures in my C7 uppers, which solves one issue but A1/C7 carry handle/rear sight ears are thinner and not as stout as the A2.
Am I over thinking this.....Most definitely. But I wanted to put the question to the forum. Which carry handle upper would you go with and what are your thoughts on downgrading?
