**BE WARNED: The A3 carry-handle on a flattop IS NOT LEGAL for Service Rifle Competition**
...at least not yet, a few elite people are trying to get them to make the A3 legal, but as of yet the CMP says "eh-eh". If you want to enter competition with the gun, buy the A2 and just use a carry-handle mount and a scope + high rings like I do. Sure it's farther away from the bore, but at 400-600 yards, assuming you've got that baby zeroed in correctly, it's not gonna matter. Remember: you don't lose accuracy, you just have to account for drop differently.
Suggestion: overall, the A2 is better, and if you're like me I think you'll fall in love with the design. Besides, if you can shoot ironsights at 300 yards flat, plenty of practice and a scoped shot at 600 isn't going to be ANY problem with you. Think of it as training, that's what I do [;)]
Jewbroni~