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3/12/2017 5:00:29 PM EDT
This, to me at least, is a new one.  A post in the Comments and Question section of the EE states that the are differences in "milspec" and commercial removable carry handles.

OP states:
"Makes a big difference to buyers who have commonly marked 'F' FSB"

From everything I (thought) know of the "F" versus non"F" FSB that has to do with shorter barrels versus rifle length.

Am I more clueless than I thought?  Or am I track for what I thought?

Post in EE.

Edit-simply posting the link so his exact statement can be seen.
3/12/2017 5:07:25 PM EDT
[#1]
Just to confirm that I think his comments are not valid, there is only one carry handle listed in the maintenance manual for all four railed receivers (M4, M4A1, M16A3, M16A4).

That tells me the same carry handle is used for any length barrel system and FSB.
3/12/2017 5:14:59 PM EDT
[#2]
What up bro!

The F marked FSB is to be paired with a flat top upper receiver regardless of barrel length. The M4 and M16A4 both use the F marked FSB.

The M16A1 and M16A2 both use the non F marked FSB to match the height of their built in rear sights. (The built in carry handle rear sight and removeable carry handle rear sights sit at different heights than each other)

This is all regardless of barrel length
3/12/2017 5:21:06 PM EDT
[#3]
This thread explains it pretty well:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_18/551032_Mil_spec_vs__non_milspec_carry_detachable_carry_handle.html


ETA: The difference between mil-spec and commercial is 0.04 same as the difference between F marked and non marked FSB.  You just have to match the two accordingly.

ETA2: As seen in the pictures in the above post it is fairly easy to tell the difference with a good picture of the rear.
3/12/2017 5:49:42 PM EDT
[#4]
Thank you for the quick answer.
3/12/2017 6:03:34 PM EDT
[#5]
Ok, so for me that just leads to confusion as to why two separate carry handles are made.

If one FSB is for a flat top receiver and one is for a receiver with the carry handle built in, then why the need for two different heighted carry handles?

Unless the simple answer is some commercial manufacturers of ARs simply use one standard barrel/FSB on all (A1/A2/A3/A4) rifles or carbines.
3/12/2017 6:07:52 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote History
Quoted:
Ok, so for me that just leads to confusion as to why two separate carry handles are made.

If one FSB is for a flat top receiver and one is for a receiver with the carry handle built in, then why the need for two different heighted carry handles?

Unless the simple answer is some commercial manufacturers of ARs simply use one standard barrel/FSB on all (A1/A2/A3/A4) rifles or carbines.
View Quote

That's most likely the answer. Just done out of stupidity, complicating shit even further. Making A2 height removeable carry handles to match A2 height FSB's, instead of using the proper setup for the platform. Which would be F marked and F marked height.
3/12/2017 7:47:52 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote History
Quoted:
Ok, so for me that just leads to confusion as to why two separate carry handles are made.

If one FSB is for a flat top receiver and one is for a receiver with the carry handle built in, then why the need for two different heighted carry handles?

Unless the simple answer is some commercial manufacturers of ARs simply use one standard barrel/FSB on all (A1/A2/A3/A4) rifles or carbines.
View Quote


Yes, some manufactures use non F marked FSB in carbines.  I know bushmaster used to (don't know if they still do) and windham  weaponry currently does.

You can use a mil-spec carry handle with a non F marked FSB using a tall sight post.
3/14/2017 10:54:55 AM EDT
[#8]
I have a few DsArms uppers (M4) without "F" marked fsb.

I generally have no issues sighting with either carry handle inside 100 yrds.

Some replace the front post. 0.040" is correct difference. If the rear sight is bottomed out it is easy to tell them apart visually.

Alot of guys go off of "heard it from so and so" information, and thus spread the confusion.


I posted pics in that thread, of both types. They were in fact two seperate handles. Forge marked left side on one, right side other.
3/14/2017 11:21:34 AM EDT
[#9]
The two mil handles are different for the rifle and carbine, one marked 6 the other marked 8 (600 and 800 meters) on the rear sight elevation drums.

Some of the commercial units have two identical apertures (cheap copies), same plane apertures, national match or interchangeable apertures.
The National Match type drums can have different click calibrations too.
3/14/2017 11:25:23 AM EDT
[#10]
Quote History
Quoted:
The two mil handles are different for the rifle and carbine, one marked 6 the other marked 8 (600 and 800 meters) on the rear sight elevation drums.
View Quote



Great point. I forgot to add that.
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