Are all carry handles created equal?

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I am currently shopping around for a detachable A2 style carry handle. Looking on eBay, I have seen anywhere from an Armalite brand for $100.00 down to some no name brand for $15.95. They all look the same to me. Is there really a difference? Its going on a M&P 15 sport.
 
That's a tough one. I've got a hunch that Armalite doesn't actually manufacture the A2 carry handle sights. Most likely they sub-contract out the part and slap their brand name on it. It's been my experience that there is a difference when you go to the bottom of the barrel, rock bottom price, no-names. The adjustment isn't the same. Sometimes they are not dimensionally (height) the same from sight to sight from the same no-name brand.

IMO, keep an eye out on message boards and Flea-Bay for Colt carry handles. Some folks buy a Colt with a carry handle only to ditch the carry handle in favor of an optic, folding sight combo.

If you'd rather want to buy new, I highly suggest buying from Amazon. Be sure that the seller is Amazon fulfilled by Amazon so that you are covered by Amazon's return policy. I own a UTG carry handle.

Leapers, Inc. - Hunting/Shooting, Sporting Goods and Security Gear

It's around $50. Quality is nice. Click adjustments are consistent and firm.
 
Bravo Company, Rock River, DPMS, Bushmaster, and other brand name carry handles will all be around a Hundred Dollars or so new. However, I have purchased old Colt carry handles for $10.00 which were like new, from gun/pawn shops.

No experience with UTG carry handles but have purchased some of their AK stuff which has held up well. No personal experience but I have heard about problems with no name discount/bargain priced carry handles, i.e. small parts being loose or not holding after adjusting, etc.

AR15.com used to have some kind of a data base type post listing the forge marks on various brands of carry handles which helped with identifying their manufacturer.
 
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I saw some "Colt" stuff too. They were around $45.00. I really want a carry handle, because I am used to A2 sights from the Army. Some stuff was marked USGI, but they were $85. Perhaps I will go somewhere in the middle. Really appreciate the responses, keep 'em coming!
 
Browse Equipment Exchanges/Classifieds on Forums. I got an LMT Rear Sight for $70 on ARFCOM, and I see Carry Handles going for much cheaper.

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The Finish and Metal on UTG Products (UTG Pro is a different story) is very soft/poor in comparison. On the UTG Sights/Carry Handle that I owned, the thumb screws deformed from a screw driver... The finish appeared to be a cheap, spray on gloss. On the LMT I had no issues. The metal was hardened, durable, and finished nicely.

They are great for plinkers, but for serious use pick up a take off colt/psa/spikes carry handle or a take off LMT rear.
 
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Isn't a carry handle, but Troy makes a fixed rear battle sight that works very well (around $60). A1 type adjustment, both aperatures on the same sight plane.
 
The main difference will be in the quality of the rear sight.

However, I just have to ask, why do you want one? You won't carry your rifle by this handle as it would be unsafe and a violation of rule #2. I think your money is better spent on a quality rear sight or a decent optic.
 
Agreed, I have a off brand no name handle, and the handle part is fine but the rear sight and adjustments are ****. It's for my retro 15-22 build, so didn't really want or need to spend a lot of coin, plus the markings aren't going to work anyway - but if I run across a lower priced Colt handle I will grab it for sure.
 
I think the carry handle protects the rear sight from dropping or bumping into something. I want a carry handle too and besides it looks cool. :)
 
Palmetto State Armory makes a nice carry handle for around $50, IIRC, but they're often OOS.
 
Have been looking at these the last few months and I would stay away from a cheap one. Bought one listed as being a Spikes carry handle for $70 shipped from AIM. A friend recently bought one from PSA for $59, both had the same forge mark, a square. I love the m16 look of having a carry handle, but like Moore said the Troy is a great sight.
 
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If the sights themselves are important, you can spend extra and get 1/2 or 1/4 MOA adjustments. You can also get them "pinned" so they stay square with the axis of the rifle and the sight picture is round instead of oval. These sights do get kinda pricey, but if you shoot long distance, they can be worth every penny.
 
I replaced the MBUS rear on my Sport with a NIB LMT A3 I bought off of fleabay for $65. The apertures on the LMT seem to be better suited to the sight radius than the MBUS- or maybe it's my aging eyes.

I also bought a no name carry handle with an adjustable sight. It is serviceable, but the sight doesn't adjust as nice as the LMT.
 
Thanks for all the responses! Back at Rastoff, I want a carry handle because they look cool also, it's the classic look of an m-16. If I could afford this http://www.fulton-armory.com/images/products/detail/LegacyRifle.2.JPG, I would have but it's cost prohibitive. Instead, I'm going to build some kind of Franken-AR carbine thing with a carry handle and some triangle handguards. By the way, if anyone has built a similar M&P 15 sport, I'd like to see some pics!
 
You'll always want what you want. My advice to you is to slowly acquire the parts to build a replica A1. Get a lower receiver, A1 upper, a rifle tube & stock. Get a 20" barrel, rifle length gas port, the triangular handguards and triangular end cap. Etc...

Buy a part here and there. Keep an eye out for promotions and sales. Eventually, you'll end up with all the parts you need to start assembly.
 
Aimsurplus carries spikes tactical carry handles for around $70 shipped.

If I'm going to run a fixed rear sight I LOVE the Daniel defense a1.5 sight. No elevation adjustment but I rarely shoot past 100 yards anyways.
 
Make sure that your fsb is "f" marked. Not sure if S&W uses them or not. If so, you will need a mil-spec height carry handle. Colt or BCM. An "f" marked fsb designates it is calibrated for a flat-top upper. Non "f" marked fsb require a commercial height carry handle. Windham, Bushmaster and the like will carry those since they use A2 fsb and not "f" marked.

The LMT rear sight mentioned above is a fine option as well. I have one on a 14.5" BCM mid length and it is rugged and precise. LMT, Colt or BCM will be worth the little extra money in terms of precision of adjustments, correct height and overall build quality. My 20" BCM A4 wears a factory BCM carry handle. My buddy has a factory Colt carry handle on his 14.5" BCM carbine. All of them work as they should are are build to the proper specs.
 
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