![colt a2 carry handle colt a2 carry handle](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DdNMkAH6Pss/maxresdefault.jpg)
Now just because two rifles feature the same spec parts from the same contractors that doesnt mean two rifles are equal. Colt and Bushmaster get the same part from the same batch built to the same specs. Bushmaster orders the same part from company X.
![colt a2 carry handle colt a2 carry handle](https://palmettostatearmory.com/media/catalog/product/cache/7af8331bf1196ca28793bd1e8f6ecc7b/1/9/1935.jpg)
I'm going on the belief that you think that because Colt 'specs' them out to a company that they are Colt and still Colt even if they don't end up in Colt's hands? Is that what you are saying? That's like saying I've got a Colt firing pin because it's the same one Colt uses, even though made by another company.Įxample: Company X makes a part for Colt. That's an interesting way to look at it! if colt has someone else make carry handles they aren't "Colt" if they end up in someone else's hands before they make it to Colt. The problems are when people start mixing barrels with the wrong type upper.Īnyway, I hope this made sense and helps clear up the issue." Is slightly below flush with the housing and did not need to be screwed up to zero. Since you have the correct upper (Colt A3 Flattop matched to the correct "F" marked front housing), then you are good to go with any add on type of rear sight.Īs an example, I have a 16" RRA barrel that came from the factory with a Flattop upper and it had the "F" marked front sight housing so I have no problems using a DPMS A3 carry handle on it. If this were not the case, then all types of rear sights, carry handles and the Colt Cmore red dot and other coexisting red dot type sights and mounts would have had to be made it 2 versions, one for Colt and one for everyone else. Stick with this rule and any brand or type of sight will line up correctly (As long as it was made to the proper height in the first place) A1 or A2 standard carry handle upper (any brand) = non "F" marked front sight housing. A3 or A4 Flattop (any brand) = "F" marked front sight housing. This is why when someone uses a non Colt barrel without the "F" marked housing along with any brand of Flattop, they have to crank their front sight up to zero it regardless of what type of rear sight they use onīasically it is the type of upper (not the type or brand of sight) that has to be matched. The only problem comes when you use a shorter A1 or A2 upper with a F marked M4 front sight housing in which case the front sight will be too tall or an A3 or A4 upper with an non "F" marked front sight housing in which case the front sight will be too short. they are all the same height unless someone screwed up machining them.
![colt a2 carry handle colt a2 carry handle](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-jkwzatsr05/images/stencil/1280x1280/products/174/748/img0089__63276.1565567204.jpg)
As for as the A3 flat top receiver and all detachable rear sights and carry handles. 032 taller on the M4A1 using a flattop with detachable handle (thus the F on the front sight housing means matched to flattop) The early M4 with A2 upper did not need the higher sight since it did not have a flattop but a regular A2 upper and thus did not come with the "F" marked front sight.Ĭolt chose to increase the height of the front sight housing and other manufactures chose to either add a taller front sight blade (such as Bushmaster) or just screw it out one or two turns to make To make up for the increase in height of having the rail / carry handle combo on the flattop, the front sight had to be. The DPMS, Bushmaster and Colt all use the same handle from Cardinal Forge and machined to the same specs and height. "I'll try to explain this because there is a lot of misinformation out there on the "F" marked front sight. Here's an email I received from a "reputable" dealer that we all use, and thought it had some really good info in it: The different forge companies only supply an unfinished blank to the manufacturer, and then the company finishes them. I can't perceive a difference in quality between the different forging blanks of my handles. Some companies use the standard 8/3 elevation wheel from a rifle to save a few bucks.Īs far as quality goes, it's probably six of one vs a half dozen of another. It's a good sign that your handle has a 6/3 elevation wheel, rather than an 8/3 wheel. They do have a variety of forge marks like a splintered "A" (Anchor Harvey), or a birds head (Cardinal Forge). Does this tell you anything?Ĭolt detachable carry handles don't have specific markings that identify them as a Colt. He said that the handle has a Z on it and a 6/3. How can I tell? Are there any markings on a Colt unit that will prove it one way or the other? Also, are there any Colt handles that are preferred, or are they all the same as long as they are Colt? I'm trying to buy a detachable A2 carry handle, and I'm talking with a guy that is *being told* that it is an authentic Colt piece but doesn't know for sure.