OP: Ditch the carry handle and get a properly mounted low power scope. Leupold, Burris, Weaver, Nikon and Vortex all make decent "entry level" optics that are suitable for a newcomer to AR 15s.
You do not need a tactical scope with tactical turrets and reticle to shoot out to 300, even 400 yards accurately. A Leupold VX-1 regular hunting scope in 2-7x33mm with duplex reticle can be had for about $230 with free shipping from most vendors. Sighted in properly, which will be about 2.5" high at 100 yards, you can easily keep all shots within a six inch circle out to about 325 yards.
Other manufacturers make similar scopes in the same price range. Don't go lower or you get junk. If you want a "tactical" scope in that price range, the best but would probably be the Nikon P-223 3-9x40mm, which is a great value.
Next up in quality and price for a tactical scope, would be the Leupold Mark AR Mod 1 line.
With any of them, you will need a mounting system that raises the scope up to the same height as your back up sights when deployed and which will also work properly with your AR stock. This means the centerline of the scope needs to be about 1.5" above the top of your receiver rail, and the scope needs to be moved forward enough so that the rear of the eyepiece is approximately even with the back of your rifle's charge handle. That, or something very close to it will give you proper eye relief to get maximum field of view from the scope. This usually means a cantilever mount that both lifts the scope up a bit, and moves its turrets forward. If you need to access your backup sights, you remove the scope. It is not likely to return to zero when reinstalled unless you get true QD mounts, but they are expensive because of the precision needed. A good baseline one would be the Burrris PEPR. A better one, perhaps the best, is the LaRue SPR 1.5 (LT-104), but it will cost as much as your scope.
You can get decent two piece cantilevered mounts for about $50 (Nikon P mounts), but return to zero will only be so-so.