Why do you like the A2

So I'm curious why everyone here likes A2's? Me, I originally didn't like them cause I was drinking the kool-aid wanted a M4gery. I ended coming across my rifle for $800. I bought with the intent of changing it to a flat top but the sites grew on me. Made me wish my A2 on deployment would've been a bit shorter.

The fullsize A2 with a 20 inch barrel is the end of a long historical line of weaponry where the shooter was a real rifleman and not just
some guy popping off rounds at 25 yards while looking through a magic looking glass.

(PS: I'm an old man from the old school)

Speaking as yet another old guy, I got an A2 just because it looked like the old A1 Hydra-Matic my rich uncle first gimme. Since I had more training with the A1 than all my other guns put together, I put in on standby as my HD weapon. But then I figured out other configurations were better for that job and it morphed into something more flat top carbine-like. The extra parts then morphed into another A2, and that's my favorite range gun.

I carried an A2 or A2/M203 for my 7 years in the Army Infantry.......

Never had a problem qualifying as Expert. Just lay the M203 on the sandbags and she wouldn't move from recoil. Just breathing and trigger press.

We used A2s, SAWs and M60s training in the largest MOUT Site in the world, at the time, in Berlin, Germany. Even crawling thru 4' diameter concrete pipes in the sewers to breach different buildings. We used what we had to great effect.

Mortars switched to M4s shortly after I got out, and weapons qualification took a hit. Those who were already marginal, had problems with the shorter sight radius, mistakes, breathing, jerking the trigger all multiply the angle errors with the shorter sight radius.

The longer barrel would do well in Afghanistan, help reach out a bit, keep the M855 more lethal a bit further out. Switch to the Mk 328 SOST with the copper and lead bullet instead of the steel penetrator, give better terminal effects on flesh. Its still a war of 7.62mm weapons. PKM vs M240 or Mk48.

We did a familiarization day, firing our A2s on the MG range, firing out to 800m using burst. Concentrating on Basics, and having the advantage of Known Distance, we found it wasn't too difficult to hit the silhouettes at 800m. That was the only time we even messed with the elevation adjustment. The rest of the time was on the 300m range. The C7 upper would have worked just fine for how we trained the rest of the time.

My C7A2 is actually lighter than my C8 SFW, the SFW having more 0.74" OD barrel making her feel front heavy. She has a 16" barrel but most of that is the full 0.74" OD vs the longer skinny section under the handguards of the C7.

A2 Stock is just too long, especially now with the more frequent use of body armor. Back in my day, we didn't wear our PASGT Vests all the time. We had to have them on the mortar range, but only wore them during misfire procedures. Once in awhile we'd do a Flak Jacket PT Run or something. Then when we deployed to Operation Able Sentry, Clinton sent us to Yugoslavia under the United Nations, UNPROFOR.... we wore them whenever on guard duty or while out on mounted patrols. A1 stock or a 4 or 6 position carbine stock goes a long way to make the weapon system fit the soldier instead of the soldier trying to fit the weapon system.

While it may be nice to have an M4 when kicking in doors, clearing rooms and such, especially when you can't just toss in a grenade and hose the room, can't have collateral casualties these days. Carbines were originally issued to weapons crews and other personnel like drivers, whom a full-sized rifle is a burden. I don't know if it falls under the same mentality as issuing everybody a beret these days to make them feel special, give everybody an M4 so they can feel special like SF.....

Its true, its quicker to train these kids with the RDS, you react faster and can hit your target quicker. But what happens when technology fails? You have to resort back to basic skills. We ran into the same problems when we got the GPSs, PLGR and TrimPac........ soldiers would use the technology first as primary with the compass and map as secondary, until they would completely blow off the compass. We had one Sgt who was like Rainman on the PLGR...the first tan/grey ones that looked like Fisher Price toys...... imagine 4 armored vehicle driving around in circles because Sgt Rainman was intent on getting us to the exact grid coordinate with the PLGR instead of getting us within 50 meters then laying the mortar section in with the aiming circle survey instrument... But give him a map and compass, he'd get lost every time.

Point is, while technology and gadgets help make a soldier perform better, training can make that soldier become too dependent on the technology, then basic soldier skills suffer.

The M16A2 is a good rifle. The US Military has kicked lots of ass with it. Many nations are still kicking ass with the weapon system. It kills just like a complete SOPMOD M4. Just learn to use your weapon, whatever the barrel length, know its limitations.

I know how to use it and now that I am a bit more experienced know how to range targets. There are no detachable iron sights so its one less thing to check on a PCI, and you can beat the piss out of someone if need be. You can still attach optics to the carry handle via either the optic or a rail attachment to the carry handle. Besides out of all quals but one in 15 years I have shot that weapons system... I shot only one qual with a M4.

I am gravitating back to KISS anyway, I know that 1913 rails have their place and they are here to stay but I still find my way back to the A2 upper configuration.

While I only have a 727ish/GUU clone right now, I am looking forward to getting a 20" A2 upper to finish a build so I can have increased accuracy and range.

Simplicity.

Gotta keep it pretty dumbed down for me.

Personally, I like them because it reminds me of the A2 that I was issued and carried during my time in my beloved Corps. I know the new generation of rifles and optics is a great thing, but at the end of the day, batteries die, optics break and a BUIS can fail. With all that, a 20" barrel and iron sights firmly affixed will always work.

There is something to be said for a rifle that was basically unchanged for 30 years. I guess that is why my favorite pistol will always be a 1911. I guess that I fall into the category of old guy from the old school like the posters above.

Ron

Easy, the Alpha Deuce is simply the sexiest member of the AR famiily. It has lots of real world advantages, which you will no doubt
read about here, but for me it's an emotional tug. There's something inherently correct with this piece. AFAIC, any member of the
AR clan is improved with the addition of the A2 upper.....but the 20" rifle is the supreme example of Alpha Deuce goodness !

I am a relatively young man of 24. I have never been attracted to Carbines, of any sort. I like rifles, I like iron sights. I like the fact that you have to practice to get good with it. I own many rifles, and not a single scope. To me there is no point in shooting, if there is no challenge involved in getting it right.

Also, none of my rifles have a single inch of railing on them.

very true...

I love 20" AR's, and I love the fixed carry handle and adjustable rear sight combination of the A2. Not to mention, it's the best looking AR variant, in my opinion.

Because it is a Rifle. I remember going to the mall in about 84 or 85 and seeing the Army display set up and they let us hold the M16's. A2's. When I went through Basic I had an A2 and Qualified Expert. A2 in the Guard too. Active had M4's but Really like the perfect size feel and look of an A2.

OK, here are some ramblings from an old Marine. I started life in the Corps with the A1 built by Hydra-Matics. It was an abused Parris Island rifle and shot OK. When I got to my first FMF (Fleet Marine Force) Unit I was issued another well worn A1. In 1984 I was issued a BRAND NEW Colt M16A2, much more shooter friendly and my range scores reflected it. I'm not knocking A1's they can shoot if maintained, while stationed in Quantico in the mid 80's my first trip to the KD range was with a Colt A1 that had only seen the light of day once or twice a year. At the KD range, 200-500 yds, with M193 it delivered a solid expert score of 235 out of 250 . Shortly after that I was again issued a BRAND NEW Colt A2 and my average rifle score remained in the 230's. ARMY guys we didn't get to use sand bags.
Over the years I've owned several A2's and I am in the process of building another upper to shoot some local SRS matches. I have everything from a 14.5 M4 to a Navy Mk12 but still perfer the look and feel of the A2. I used a modified 20" A4 with iron sights at the Ft Benning 3Gun2010 and held on pretty good for mid 40's eyes. One of the Rangers told I shoot Irons real well, I should he was probably in daycare when I started shooting AR platforms.

I've also hunted and killed deer with an A2.

Searching for the right 20" barrel (cheap).

Semper Fi.
Retired Jarhead
USMC Conpetition in Arms
Highpower shooter
3-Gun
Tac-Carbine
IDPA
Tin Can Killer

Another one here who was issued an A2 and believes in iron sighted shooting because optics are not infallable. I am way more confident when shooting at range with a full sized A2 than a carbine. Plus I believe I have grown out of my tacticool phase and am at a point in my life where my needs outwiegh my wants. And after spending too much money outfitting carbines and still not be 100% satisfied the full sized AR15 surprisingly suits me just fine.

And to be completely honest here my "A2" is actually an A3. (20" barrel, carry handle rear sight, A2 stock, standard A2 handguards and G.I. sling.)

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It's full auto, or do you mean that it's a flat top with a detachable carry handle? OR do you mean that a semi-auto A2 can either be called an A2 or an A3?

When I say "my A2" I am referring to my personal AR15, which was modeled after the U.S Navy's M16A3. Not the M16A2 issued to me by the U.S. Army.




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Why the A2? It's looks, ergonomics and its just a plain sexy rifle. I'd prefer a plain jane A2 over any of these silly railed out "tacticool" rifles.

I can relate, being the same age as well, I remember my dad getting his Colt Hbar when I was probably 6 years old and instantly loving it! My first AR was a 16" carbine that never really 'did it' for me, I changed uppers out for various other carbine uppers over the years and the AR still never felt right. Fast forward to now and I have a 604 clone, A2 clone and an A4 clone, all 20s. While the A4 is really nice with the rails and ACOG, its a little sterile: put the chevron on the target and pull the trigger, its on every time. The 604 and A2 feel like what a rifle should be, to shoot accurately you need to know what you are doing with your sight alignment, breathing, etc. I intend to try out service rifle this summer and really learn to shoot my A2!

Having been in the Army in the U.S. and Europe in the late 80s I got to use both with regularity.

I truly adore A1s.....for a field gun I can think of no better.....

but for sittin' down ( or standing.....or prone ) and doin' some good old fashioned shooting????

The A2 is just the bomb. It's truly a shooter's rifle.

Gotcha

Don't get me wrong I love the A2 Rifles but I'm not big guy so its a little too long for my short arms, however I still prefer my A2 Carbine. The issue I've had with the A2 stock is having to stretch my neck out a little more than comfortable. Thats also with the IOTV, honestly if I had a plate carrier or even the IBAS I would go with a rifle because I can tuck it into my shoulder they way I want to. The other reason I like the A2 is the sights will never fall off the rail or loosen up and if and even if the ACOG requires batteries, try using one when the glass breaks due to gunshot, explosion, or the weapon had one hell of fall from the ground. I'm not saying it happens all the time but you always have to paln for the worst. I do like the flat tops and plan on using one for a SDM clone, but for me, I'm more at home with an A2. By the way I qualified expert with an M4 in Basic at Knox (2007). Never thought in my life I'd get an A2 because I thought they were outdated, I guess Black Hawk Down really fed into the obsession with A2 Carbines. I guess the A2 is like coffee now days for us younger people, its an acquired taste that you learn to love.

I'm a month from age 21 and this is how I see it.

When I was 14, I was upset because everyone in the 3-gun matches had the fancy gizmos and I didn't. The long range rifle stages were designed for optics, and I couldn't even see the targets. Plus, the 20'' hbar was too heavy for me to hold.

My dad told me as soon as I made master class in NRA high power, he'd buy me whatever rifle/optics I wanted.

As I got older, I came to see he was right. I went back to shooting smallbore. Then moved up to high power. And, I really suck at high power. But I'm getting better. And since I started shooting high power, I've begun to do quite well on the long range 3-gun courses, even when I can't see the targets.

I went so far as to purchase a white oak upper/lower with geissele trigger for high power, and a colt 20'' A2 rifle just like the one I grew up with, with one exception; mine is NOT an hbar.

Now that I'm mature enough to not be swayed by arfcom public opinion like I was at age 13, I've come to respect and enjoy iron sights. And in my opinion, the AR15A2 is the best stock military type rifle for shooting with iron sights. My stock Colt is capable of 1.5 MOA with prvi partizan 75 grain. It is plenty capable of hitting things at 600 yards. It's just easier with the white oak.

I just wish more people would at least start out on iron sights. They are the key to learning good marksmanship in my opinion.

nostalgia

its what I saw with the A1 growing up in the 80s

its a great highpower rifle but unfortunately that all the use i have for them. love em, but i dont kid myself that its better then somethign more versatile, but they are beautiful and a lot of fun.

nothing as fun as whacking targets 600-800 yards away with 80 grain matchkings from prone with irons and a sling

I like mine because it's different now to see an AR with a 20'' barrel fixed stock/carry handle/sights. It took me a while to even find a Colt A2. This past weekend while I was at the range, saw lots of AR's and my Sporter II was the only one that fit that description, I was also the only one shooting an AR taking advantage of the full range. People always give me props on my gun, especially older guys. The person closest to me was a couple stations over and was shooting his M4gery at 25 yards. There's something satisfying about blowing half dollar sized fragments of clay pigeons apart at 125 yards with the A1 irons while the guy next to you is shooting his red dot at 25 yards. There's definitely more skill involved and of course you know it isn't going to stop functioning because a nuke goes off, falls, gets submerged, etc, whatever Murphy's Law can do to the electronics.

I got an m16a2 clone almost done, lacks bolt and carrier. been doing few m4/carbine builds the last couple of years i finally decided its time to build a good ol' classic. my brother in law who is military only likes the tacticool weapons, m4 with optics and all that other stuff. he found out i was putting the a2 together and tells me its too heavy and bulky etc., and cant put all the cool shit on it. then he ask why do i want an a2, my answer, you can never go wrong with a classic.

I just ordered a new A2 Gov't weight barrel. Gonna convert my A2 uppered Frankengat into a sexy Alpha Deuce GP truck gun. All I
should need is a new gas tube! Can't get enough of that A2 goodness !!!!

Page 2 AR15.com Mobile ownage.

Anyway, the A2 FEELS like a rifle. The carbines don't for me. Plus there is the "Spronnnng" everybody remembers from basic. The noticable tone of the spring on the last round is an added bonus.

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I admit I've drunk the kool-aid, and like the tactical military M4's and M16's but I have a soft spot for A2's, I like the simple rifleman feel to it

the a2 just "feels right" when shooting. I have the collapsible stock 16" also...but prefer the 20" barrel. If given the choice,,,,,I will pick up my 20' every time.

You managing that w/out a FF tube?

My first AR15 was the Bushmaster Dissipator A2.
The last A2 was a pistol upper by RRA.

The last 2 AR's I built were 20" bbl. rifle flat-tops with A2 carry-handles and collapsible stocks.
What would I call these...besides 'versatile'?

Because I have another dedicated 'pistol lower', my favorite A2 becomes the 'Dissipator Pistol'.
The upper goes onto a MEGA Billet lower and looks particularly wicked dressed in a slinky little black C-MAG.

My A2 is by far more accurate than my M4orgery, & more comfortable IMO

Here's the thing. The key to lethality with a small caliber round is velocity. When you shorten the barrel you lose velocity, not only directly but V squared in terms of muzzle energy. 40 years ago I humped an A1 and thought it compact compared to an M14. That being said, my HD AR is an LW shorty. THAT being said, I also have a franken A3 with a 4x scope.

There's a way around the longer A2 stock. Here's a A2 style A1 length stock (5/8" shorter). That's what I put on both of mine. However, I don't know the availability since Cav Arms has had their legal problems. I didn't get mine from Cav Arms but I believe that's who made it.

Loves the M4A2 version rifle as it has its own backup optics. Plus I can add a scope to it if I needed to.

Well Like many for me it conjurs up memories of FT. Benning, Ga on a hot summer in 1997. I remember bein a bald headed teenaged infantry trainie. I remember being handed a Colt made A-2 Ser #6416747 rack # 6. I cant believe I still remember that. We were issued A-4's when I got to my unit and shortly after the M-4. With all the crap u could strap to the flattops it really added weight. So I guess the A-2 symbolizes a transition from bein a pothead wantabe Goth to a productive citizen. I havent been without an M-16/Ar-15 since that summer of 97. Chris

My all-time favorite rifle is the M1 Garand. Simple, effective, rugged, and a great deal of fun. The 20" A2 is the same for the AR world. The tactical ninja rifles have their place. I'm still hoping to get my chief to let me carry my Colt LE6920 w/Aimpoint on patrol rather than the issued Mini-14 Ranch Rifle. Of course in the city I work in, 100 yards would be a long shot.

There is just something "right" about a 20" A2. I can't really explain it, any more than I can explain why I love the Garand.

Put in simple terms, the A2 is AR-15/M16 perfection.

Oh yeah baby.

I like my A2 as well. I think it has a lot to do with age. A lot of us who grew up in the 80s were familiar with the sight of A2, and that's what's burned into your mind as THE image of a rifle. While I like the handy 16" with its flat top and red dot sight, the 20" A2 with its classic handle will always be the AR shape for me.

An AR15A2 was my first center fire rifle back in the 1980’s and over the years other rifles have come and gone. I cannot remember a time that there was not an A2 in the safe…and sometimes two or three. It just always seems to be the first one loaded into the truck when we head to the range. It just feels….right.

My 10 year old son has just graduated from his dedicated .22 M4orgy and now has a midlength A2 upper to mount on his lower…only problem is that he has been eyeing my 2 full size A2’s and started asking when those will become his. He also wants my Submariner...

I love the A2 because my first ribbon in basic training was earned using the A2.

I use my Bushmaster DCM A2 for high power rifle competitions. After four seasons of shooting ARs for those matches, the rifle is as comfortable to me as an old pair of shoes.

Frankly, the A2, even without all the nifty accessories for high power matches, is an exceptionally accurate, comfortable, and reliable rifle (with good magazines). I'm one of those odd people with long arms who actually likes the longer butt on the A2 versus the A1. When I'm in sitting or prone, I feel like I actually could use another half inch of butt length.

Still, I can see how the longer butt would be a problem for people wearing body armor.

My DCM is nearly an ideal rifle, but it is way too heavy (14+ lbs.) for anything but high power matches.

My ideal AR15 is pretty much a standard A2, except that I'd want a free float tube under the standard hand guards like on my DCM rifle, a good trigger like a Chip McCormick trigger, and (maybe) a different grip like an Ergo or Magpul grip.

Regards,

-Drew

I like a nice plain jane A2. Its fixed sights and carry handle, 20 inch government profile barrel seem right to me and remind me of the lineage of the AR breed.
A flat top rifle with a carry handle attached,may be practical and versatile, but is NOT an A2.
Ralph

My A2 I use to shoot Service Rifle is my favorite AR I have. Just re-barreled with a Frank White chambered Douglass 1/7 from Compass Lake. I have been shooting in different competitions for over 20 years and there is nothing that compares with consistantly sending 77 or 80 grain SMK's into the 10 ring at 600yds and beyond with irons and a tight sling. I have not have had a single malf in the 2 years I have owned it so far.

Also, since the 77SMK is perfect for competition as well as SHTF I just pretty much load them for all my AR's. Set up a reloading factory in the house to produce what I consider my standard load that works with all my rifles. Nice to just have one load that does it all. One of the guys I shoot Highpower with sells components in bulk, said he can now get Varget in 80lb. kegs. lol

Shooting a rifle with glass now is almost boring and I have swapped out all my scoped ones for lower power higher quality glass. Want to improve your skills with a rifle? Get an A2 and head to a local Highpower match. Best bunch of people you will ever meet on a firing line, many are retired/active .mil and go out of their way to help you, no secrets, they all want to see fellow shooters become excellent Rifleman.

Besides, no better excuse to build the best shooting A2 you can afford than to need one!!

How competitive can an A2 be without a free float tube?

Tag for answer, as this interests me too. I like my rifle with plain-jane A2 handguards. I'm curious as to whether I should even bother attending a service rifle match.

Old school and no batteries.

The things I like the most about the A2 (as compared to the A1) are;

round handguards
rear sight gross elevation capability
less slippery grip

But this is based on having to qualify with both types of rifles in the Army.

All the M16A1's were beat to sh*t and sloppy, the A2's were generally newer guns with low mileage when I was in.

I carried an M-16A2 Service Rifle from 95-01. By the time my reserve hitch was up, I hated it.

Now, 10 years later, it don't seem so bad. I've come back around, and am saving for an A2 Clone. Go figure.

Best,
JBR

I've got my Colt Gov. A2 shortly after I joined my current agency back in 2003. She is still running tride and true. Been a lot of new models out there with the goods in the window and shorter skirts, but my baby girl still takes care of me.

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