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1/24/2008 7:46:32 AM EDT
Being that my last AR was an A1, with no FA, it goes without saying that my knowledge is pretty dated.
I just completed building a lower, and am "boning up' on my options for uppers.

I'm confused, specifically, about the differences between an A2, an A3 with a detachable carry handle, and, most confusing to me, the M4. Thougts and guidence appreciated!
1/24/2008 8:05:24 AM EDT
[#1]
A2 has a 8/3 sight drum

A3 with a removable carry handle has a 6/3 sight drum and needs a F marked front sight base.  Easier to mount optics onto the A3 because of the integrated pic. rail.

M4 is a carbine, you can put either the A2 or A3 upper on it

M4 barrel options are....

14.5" with $200 tax stamp to ATF for a short barreled rifle
14.5" with perm flashider to bring it out to 16" or more
14.7" with perm A2 to bring it out to 16"
16" M4 profile barrel


now just to confuse you even more....

carbine length gas systems
mid length gas systems
rifle length gas systems

rifle length is the longest, carbine is the shortest, mid length is a bit longer than the carbine but shorter than the rifle.

personally all my rifles are A3's....except for my one KISS rifle I'm building which will be a bone stock 20" A2 rifle (not your usual A1 KISS...but hey it's a very loose definition anyways).  A3's allow you to mount optics in a better position and if you want irons it's easy to throw on the carry handle or buy a BUIS that you can use.  I only have carbines and rifle lengths, I don't mess around with the mid lengths just because they don't look right to me.
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