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Posted: 2/15/2015 11:19:08 AM EDT
| Hello all, this is not another thread about swapping out an A2 for a flat top. I have an A2 I've been staring at for a few days. I have it in my head that I can chop the handle off of it, and mount a picatinny rail to it, turning it into a flat top. I'm not sure it's wide enough, or that there is enough space for the rail screws with out screwing up the gas system. I've been looking around on the internet for information, as I'm sure I'm not the only one who has thought of it. I was wondering if anyone here has ever attempted it and how it turned out. I'm not against buying a flat top, just looking for another project to try. Thanks in advance for any help! |
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Quoted:
Hello all, this is not another thread about swapping out an A2 for a flat top. I have an A2 I've been staring at for a few days. I have it in my head that I can chop the handle off of it, and mount a picatinny rail to it, turning it into a flat top. I'm not sure it's wide enough, or that there is enough space for the rail screws with out screwing up the gas system. I've been looking around on the internet for information, as I'm sure I'm not the only one who has thought of it. I was wondering if anyone here has ever attempted it and how it turned out. I'm not against buying a flat top, just looking for another project to try. Thanks in advance for any help! personally, Buy a flat top, don't butcher a decent A2 receiver. If you were just wanting to chop a carry handle and use it as a Rear sight, i'd say go for it, but I wouldn't personally chop the receiver flat. or chop and leave the remaining rear sight, that would be rather interesting.... 
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| That's a pretty neat build. Leaving the rear sight had never crossed my mind for some reason. The build I had envisioned this time around was going to get a set of flip up sights, at least if left the rear sight I could save a few pennies. Is that one of yours? I can't tell from the picture but it looks like there was a little cutting on the hand guard to make the rail fit. That might be the easiest route, I was thinking a free float hand guard, but it would be easier to build it like that than chop the rail down. |
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Quoted: That's a pretty neat build. Leaving the rear sight had never crossed my mind for some reason. The build I had envisioned this time around was going to get a set of flip up sights, at least if left the rear sight I could save a few pennies. Is that one of yours? I can't tell from the picture but it looks like there was a little cutting on the hand guard to make the rail fit. That might be the easiest route, I was thinking a free float hand guard, but it would be easier to build it like that than chop the rail down. |
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People use to do it back in the 90's before the flat top uppers were standard. As cheap as uppers are now it would be a lot easier and possibly just as inexpensive to buy a stripped upper.
You may find someone willing to trade on the Equipment Exchange since a lot of guys like the retro look and the carry handle uppers are actually more expensive than a flat top. |
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DPMS did a conversion similar to what you are describing years ago...like the early 90's prior to flat tops being so available on the civilian market.
I have one and don't think I'll ever do anything with it. If you are dead set on wanting one, send me a PM and we can work something out. 
Here's the product: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/444525/dpms-upper-receiver-stripped-ar-15-tri-mount-flattop-matte Wes |
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I can't add to the good advice you were already given! Stripped uppers are cheap right now. With that being said I wouldn't even attempt it unless I had access to a milling machine, it's too easy to ruin a good A2 upper. The good news is that when he does fuck it up, replacement uppers are cheap . . . 
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The good news is that when he does fuck it up, replacement uppers are cheap . . . Quoted:
Quoted:
I can't add to the good advice you were already given! Stripped uppers are cheap right now. With that being said I wouldn't even attempt it unless I had access to a milling machine, it's too easy to ruin a good A2 upper. The good news is that when he does fuck it up, replacement uppers are cheap . . . LOL!! |
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Quoted: DPMS did a conversion similar to what you are describing years ago...like the early 90's prior to flat tops being so available on the civilian market. I have one and don't think I'll ever do anything with it. If you are dead set on wanting one, send me a PM and we can work something out. http://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/880x660/Primary/444/444525.jpg Here's the product: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/444525/dpms-upper-receiver-stripped-ar-15-tri-mount-flattop-matte Wes I can see why you never did anything with it. |
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Quoted:
I can see why you never did anything with it. Quoted:
Quoted:
DPMS did a conversion similar to what you are describing years ago...like the early 90's prior to flat tops being so available on the civilian market. I have one and don't think I'll ever do anything with it. If you are dead set on wanting one, send me a PM and we can work something out. http://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/880x660/Primary/444/444525.jpg Here's the product: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/444525/dpms-upper-receiver-stripped-ar-15-tri-mount-flattop-matte Wes I can see why you never did anything with it. I purchased it right after the first big O election for a ripe price of $40. It's called the DPMS Tri Rail. I thought I was buying a DPMS Triple Rail: 
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/711554/dpms-upper-receiver-stripped-ar-15-triple-rail-matte Seller didn't have photos posted so it was on me for not getting more clarity. Live and learn. Not sure I would have built on the Triple Rail upper either though. Wes |
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Rock River sells a pre cut carry handle if you want that look, or go flat top. Rock River Arms
Anderson Arms has a light weight a4 upper for $55. Anderson Dont cut up an a2 bro. Not worth it. |
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