AR15 Carry Handle

[res308]

Maybe I haven't looked enough, but I'm going to have to admit on this one that I just don't know everything I need to know. The only sight my son wants for his AR is the old fashioned carry handle, so I gave him my word I'd find him one. So that part's settled. Just the "doing of it" needs to be done. I got him one at Midsouth Shooters Supply a while back, and it turned out to be one of the worst pieces of junk I have ever picked up. I've since learned that there are "milspec" and "commercial" varieties (haven't looked into this in a long time). He does have the "F" marked front sight, and I do know we need the milspec. The commercial height will be too low. Picked one up at an Army surplus the other day, should have taken my calipers with me.

 

So the question is: where on this green earth can I find a mil spec carry handle for an AR without paying over $100 like I've seen in some places? And, which ones are good to go as far as measurements and quality? And which ones should be avoided?

 

They used to be common as dirt many years ago, but I know things change. I know there are a lot of good detachable sights out there, such as the Matech, which I use on mine, and the Magpul. But, that's not what I told him I'd find for him. So, here we are. This little adventure has gotten a little bit frustrating, so any help would be appreciated.

Edited July 13, 2015 by res308

[Garufa]

Palmetto State carries a good one....http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/1393/....but it's $80 now/this week.  They go on sale from time to time though.

 

Or you could post up a WTB ad in the Trading Post.

 

You're right they're not as common anymore.  I tried finding a used one at the gun shows but they are usually pretty beat up.  I'd rather pay the extra $20-30 to look good during my operations.

Edited July 13, 2015 by Garufa

[Oh Shoot]

I don't know of any "mil-spec" vs "commercial spec" with detachable carry handle sights. There are just crummy ones and better ones.

 

"F" marked front sights are correct for detachable carry handles, which sit a bit higher than the original integral carry handle sights.

 

edit: As per Garufa, I have a PSA one, and it seems quite up to snuff, and I did get it for more like $58 about a year ago on sale.

 

- OS

Edited July 13, 2015 by Oh Shoot

[Garufa]

I don't know of any "mil-spec" vs "commercial spec" with carry handle sights. There are just crummy ones and better ones.

 

"F" marked front sights are correct for detachable carry handles, which sit a bit higher than the original integral carry handle sights.

 

edit: As per Garufa, I have a PSA one, and it seems quite up to snuff, and I did get it for more like $58 about a year ago on sale.

 

- OS

 

There is a difference.  "Mil-spec" handle has a higher shelf that the sight assembly itself sits on.

[res308]

I don't know of any "mil-spec" vs "commercial spec" with carry handle sights. There are just crummy ones and better ones.

 

"F" marked front sights are correct for detachable carry handles, which sit a bit higher than the original integral carry handle sights.

 

edit: As per Garufa, I have a PSA one, and it seems quite up to snuff, and I did get it for more like $58 about a year ago on sale.

 

- OS

I had heard of such a thing with Bushmaster at some time or other not using the F marked front sight post on flat top rifles and having a lower height carry handle. I've heard of the same thing with DPMS. I've read the measurement is supposed to be .835 from the bottom to the top of the "shelf" that the sight assembly sits on. And you are correct about the crummy ones. I have two of those now that I can testify to.

Also, Palmetto is where I'm doing most of my shopping nowadays. I just looked at that one today. I might have to wait and catch it on sale.

[runco]

This mil spec is $40,

 

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=494435765

[Oh Shoot]

There is a difference.  "Mil-spec" handle has a higher shelf that the sight assembly itself sits on.

 

News to me, thanks. I've never seen one advertised as other than "mil spec" or "A2",  unless they don't mention spec at all, though.

 

Still don't quite get it though, as only reason front sight is higher is because when military went to flat  top, they didn't (or couldn't) make a carry handle that sat as low as the integral one and retain the rest of the milspec parts, so they went to the F front sight?

 

- OS

Edited July 13, 2015 by Oh Shoot

[Oh Shoot]

This mil spec is $40,

 

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=494435765

 

Who is "GT"? How does one know if this one is any good?

 

- OS

[res308]

Who is "GT"? How does one know if this one is any good?

 

- OS

Good question. I was wondering if it was a typo and they meant "GI." I haven't been on Gunbroker or Ebay in a very long time. May just start looking there.

[runco]

Who is "GT"? How does one know if this one is any good?

 

- OS

"any good" might be in eye of the beholder ............when price shopping.

[Oh Shoot]

"any good" might be in eye of the beholder ............when price shopping.

 

I'd say buying from an unknown source,  once it's on the rifle for a while is when you find out. First thing that happens with some cheapos is that the dual aperture just starts flopping loosely rather than firmly click into place, or the elevation wheel strips, or ...

 

- OS

Edited July 13, 2015 by Oh Shoot

[res308]

I'd say buying from an unknown source,  once it's on the rifle for a while is when you find out. First thing that happens with some cheapos is that the dual aperture just starts flopping loosely rather than firmly click into place, or the elevation wheel strips, or ...

 

- OS

Or, it slides back and forth even when over tightened like the junk Sun Optics brand I bought from Midsouth. Learned my lesson there.

I appreciate the link, Runco. I hadn't even thought about looking on Gunbroker, it's been so long since I've done any shopping there. This has been an aggravating search, but I have, after all, learned a couple things from it. I didn't know before this about the mil spec and commercial differences, and, if I'm going to buy a used one in person, I'll take my calipers with me. Sometimes keeping a promise can be an ordeal, and I know it'd be easier (for me) to tell him "here, just go with this sight instead," but it'll be worth it to keep my word.

[Danger Rane]

Is he wanting a full blown carrying handle or just the sight ability it affords? If he's just wanting the sight ability you might look at the LMT Tactical Rear Sight. These were developed for SOF around the time they went to the MK18. Prior to that they were cutting the handle portion of the issued carrying handles off and just using the sight portion. You can find them for $90-120 online.

[EssOne]

If you want to stay low in price and yet get a pretty good product, I've had a lot of good luck with the UTG line of target sights for not much money. Their adjustments are positive and their click values accurate. I've compared them against my LMT and RRA units and I honestly can't find any difference at all in workmanship, fit or finish. Unless they're using crap springs, they are good sights. They have a carry handle rear sight at MidwayUSA for $40 here: 

 

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/610684/utg-detachable-match-grade-carry-handle-with-a2-rear-sight-ar-15-aluminum-matte

Edited July 13, 2015 by EssOne

[raildog]

Wish you would of posted this Friday I gave two away Saturday morning ill go look in the spar parts box and see if i can find one

[res308]

Wish you would of posted this Friday I gave two away Saturday morning ill go look in the spar parts box and see if i can find one

Now that is usually the story of my life right there. :)

[res308]

If you want to stay low in price and yet get a pretty good product, I've had a lot of good luck with the UTG line of target sights for not much money. Their adjustments are positive and their click values accurate. I've compared them against my LMT and RRA units and I honestly can't find any difference at all in workmanship, fit or finish. Unless they're using crap springs, they are good sights. They have a carry handle rear sight at MidwayUSA for $40 here: 

 

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/610684/utg-detachable-match-grade-carry-handle-with-a2-rear-sight-ar-15-aluminum-matte

Thanks. I'll check that one out.

[res308]

Is he wanting a full blown carrying handle or just the sight ability it affords? If he's just wanting the sight ability you might look at the LMT Tactical Rear Sight. These were developed for SOF around the time they went to the MK18. Prior to that they were cutting the handle portion of the issued carrying handles off and just using the sight portion. You can find them for $90-120 online.

He's wanting the full blown carry handle. I'm thinking about the stand alone sight myself though.

[Danger Rane]

I may have an LMT stashed away somewhere, I'll PM you if I come across it.

[res308]

I may have an LMT stashed away somewhere, I'll PM you if I come across it.

I appreciate that.

[M1_Garand]

You might want to check ebay as well. I picked up a used Bushmaster carry handle for about $50.00 a couple of years ago and it works fine.

 

I also have the PSA one Garufa cited to and its a good piece. Can't tell much of a difference between the two except for the PSA logo.

[res308]

Yeah, I'm watching and hoping that one from PSA will go on sale. If there's one thing I've learned in the last year or so it's that I really like PSA's merchandise.

[Omega]

I have one I took off an upper I traded for but it's the commercial height (.795) and has the added picatinny rail so can be used with an optic and still use the irons. I was going to use it but decided I don't really need the irons anymore, so I kept them all as flat tops.