which is perfered? a2 a3?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - which is perfered? a2 a3?

Posted: 10/10/2004 4:55:45 PM EDT

which do you perfer a a2 or a3 config.?
i got a bushmaster m4 style a2 config.
now im wishing i would have gotten the a3 config so my scope would be a lot closer to the barrel?
does it make that much difference?
thanks

Posted: 10/10/2004 5:03:04 PM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:
does it make that much difference?

Yes.

Like you said, you wish your scope was closer to the barrel; it's uncomfortable, you're having a hard time maintaining a proper cheek weld, you'll also find it's difficult to get hits on targets close in unless you aim high. Also, the A3 rail allows you to quickly and easily change optic systems, mount multiple systems (NVG, LASER, etc.,), it's infinitely more versatile.

Posted: 10/10/2004 5:21:53 PM EDT

[#2]

right now im in college and im 19 so as always, money is tight, especially when im paying truck payments on the silverado im buying from my mom.] i got it this past summer when i got through with a big job with my dad. i got bout $3k, my dad said i worked hard enough (18hr saturdays and few hrs sundays, along with when i got off my other job at 4 or 5, i would go help him till 12 or 1 in the moring) so he went ahead and bought it for me. it was bout $850, i am thinking about taking it to the next gun show and tryin to trade it for the same model except A3 config. hoping i dont have to pay anything, does that sound reasonable?
i only have about 400 rds through it so it is practically new. and i havent rapid fired it. i actually waited a few seconds between shots.

Posted: 10/10/2004 5:22:42 PM EDT

[#3]

I love the A2 as my iron sights are my primary and the red dot goes on the handle as I only use it for night shooting.How ever I own a flat top and its more optic friendly although I use a BUIS also and I have an A1 type carbine probably the simplest and strongest plat form as far as iron sights go.Hell for the real world ranges I adjust just the front sight any way on my A2s wich is all thats needed for carbines.My full size on the other hand,its rear sight gets used a bit more as I use this one for CMP competition and shoot at ranges longer than a hundred yards.

Posted: 10/10/2004 5:25:33 PM EDT

[#4]

+1 for the A3

Posted: 10/10/2004 5:29:30 PM EDT

[#5]

Im going to suggest selling it here on the EE. Dealers at gunshow will rip you off. The A3 is better if you plan on getting a scope or red dot, unless you forward mount it.

Posted: 10/10/2004 5:33:41 PM EDT

[#6]

It really depends on what you want to accomplish with the weapon and how you are going to use it. I chose an A2 for the simplicity and reliability of the iron sights. I also knew I was going to mount a red dot on the rifle so I chose the ARMS 39A2 mount and can co-witness the optic. If I want to put a regular scope on the rifle I still can by using the top of the carry handle. I could have gone with the A3 or even a flat top but I would have had the added expense of a BUIS and another type of mount for my optic. Since money was a factor along with the other issues I went with the A2. To date I have never regretted my choice.

Posted: 10/10/2004 5:38:50 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
Im going to suggest selling it here on the EE. Dealers at gunshow will rip you off. The A3 is better if you plan on getting a scope or red dot, unless you forward mount it.

Don't sell the whole rifle. Sell the upper and buy a new one.
If you are mechanically inclined, you could buy just the flat top and swap.
If it were me, I'd just keep it like it is, until next summer, and then get a second one.

Posted: 10/10/2004 5:57:02 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Im going to suggest selling it here on the EE. Dealers at gunshow will rip you off. The A3 is better if you plan on getting a scope or red dot, unless you forward mount it.

Don't sell the whole rifle. Sell the upper and buy a new one.

I was talking about just the upper. Sorry for the confusion.

Posted: 10/10/2004 6:02:08 PM EDT

[#9]

a3 for optics and overall

but i still like the simplicity of the A2

Posted: 10/10/2004 6:14:59 PM EDT

[#10]

A3 if you want to put optics on. But if you want to put a red dot or something small on it you should try to mount it on the carry handle and see how you like it first. But like DOA said, you should just buy an A3 upper. Then you can have both should you choose to change them around.

Posted: 10/10/2004 6:17:34 PM EDT

[#11]

Im not a big fan of A2 anything.

I'll take a flat top or an A1 upper please.

Posted: 10/10/2004 6:31:55 PM EDT

[#12]

I'm building my first AR and I'm still debating whether to get the A2 or A3 config. I don't plan on gtting any optics, but even if I did, I still plan on doing the majority of my shooting with the iron sites. As far as the iron sites go, are the A2 and A3 config both as good?

Posted: 10/10/2004 6:48:46 PM EDT

[#13]

Get the A3 - you can always put a carry handle on, but you can't take it off the A2. Give yourself the maximum versatility, it'll save money later.

Posted: 10/10/2004 6:57:40 PM EDT

[#14]

Rutgers, the iron sights in the A2 and A3 are exactly the same except I believe the A2 elevation wheel can adjust to 800(?) meters while the A3 adjustment stops at 600 (I only have the A3); other than that they are identical.

Posted: 10/10/2004 7:00:34 PM EDT

[#15]

I personally like the A2 for the simplicity and a slight weight save. I'm also a firm believer in iron sights

Posted: 10/10/2004 7:10:34 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
Get the A3 - you can always put a carry handle on, but you can't take it off the A2. Give yourself the maximum versatility, it'll save money later.

I agree. I bought an A2 when I bought my AR, thinking I really didn't need the A3 (which at the time was true) since I didn't plan on mounting an optic. That same rifle now has an A3. Don't make my mistake, you never know what you will want in the future.

Posted: 10/10/2004 8:08:26 PM EDT

[#17]

I've made up my mine, I'm getting the A3 config. I just purchased a flat top upper from ADCO and now to find a good place to get my A2 carry handle.....

Posted: 10/10/2004 8:25:00 PM EDT

[#18]

Equpment Exchange - look under AR15 Parts New and AR15 Parts Used

Posted: 10/10/2004 8:40:53 PM EDT

[#19]

Just get a stripped A3 upper and swap that with the old one, and sell it. Don't sell the whole rifle, you can get an upper for $100 or less.

Posted: 10/11/2004 3:02:20 AM EDT

[#20]

Wanting an A3 is a great excuse to get one too.

Posted: 10/11/2004 7:12:08 AM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
I personally like the A2 for the simplicity and a slight weight save. I'm also a firm believer in iron sights

Then why not get the simpler, more rugged and lighter weight A1 upper?

Posted: 10/11/2004 7:30:15 AM EDT

[#22]

I prefer the "A1". Its simpler (less to break) and cheaper. Also, I believe the A2 sight is calibrated for a 20" barrel (with mil spec ammo). So, unless you are using that combo, the A2 sight will not represent bullet drop correctly.

Posted: 10/11/2004 9:01:50 AM EDT

[#23]

The A2 sight seems to work fine for the Marines on their 16" barreled weapons; I guess we'll manage.

Posted: 10/11/2004 9:04:30 AM EDT

[#24]

I have both and I like both

Posted: 10/11/2004 12:05:07 PM EDT

[#25]

Quoted:
The A2 sight seems to work fine for the Marines on their 16" barreled weapons; I guess we'll manage.

What 16" bbl weapons might those be?

Posted: 10/11/2004 12:14:24 PM EDT

[#26]

Maybe I'm a dumb ass, but what the hell is an A3 upper?

The M16A3 is A2 improvements with full auto instead of burst.

The M16A4 is 20" barrel with removable carry handle upper.

Posted: 10/11/2004 12:23:59 PM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:
Maybe I'm a dumb ass, but what the hell is an A3 upper?

Its the commonly used COMMERCIAL designation for a flat top reciever.

Posted: 10/11/2004 12:39:17 PM EDT

[#28]

Quoted:
Quoted:
The A2 sight seems to work fine for the Marines on their 16" barreled weapons; I guess we'll manage.

What 16" bbl weapons might those be?

Their M4s are 14.5". My mistake.

Posted: 10/11/2004 12:40:58 PM EDT

[#29]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
The A2 sight seems to work fine for the Marines on their 16" barreled weapons; I guess we'll manage.

What 16" bbl weapons might those be?

I'm sorry, their M4s are 14.5" aren't they? My mistake.

I knew what you meant. But, keep in mind the Marines are the reason for the A2 sight, they wanted a target rifle, and got one.
The A2's adjustability isn't often used in combat.

Posted: 10/11/2004 1:53:32 PM EDT

[#30]

Like the rest, I say get the flat top.

Posted: 10/11/2004 7:55:27 PM EDT

[#31]

A3, no question about it.

Posted: 10/12/2004 1:08:33 PM EDT

[#32]

A3 all the way!

Posted: 10/12/2004 3:41:32 PM EDT

[#33]

No doubt the A3. Removable carry handle and option of optics mounted in line with bore with removable carry handle. What is the logic of mounting optics over 2" above the muzzle?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - which is perfered? a2 a3?

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