Quality cost effective option for Detachable Carry handle

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DustyGmt

DustyGmt

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Looking for a detachable carry handle of decent quality. I used to enjoy shooting with iron sights on other guns and I also like the simple GI quality it gives a rifle, I just dont want to spend an arm and a leg and didnt know if there was really an appreciable difference in quality between say, a $60 PSA and $120 BCM and some of the other higher priced options...

Any other options in that $60-$70 area?
 
Over at a big AR site they usually have some old mil ones for about that. I have found some at Brownells for that range. I almost bit on a real cheapie for $20, but figured I might want to get one that won't melt in direct sunlight.
 
You might check on gunbroker. I picked up two Colt carry handles a couple of years back for $40 plus shipping. They each had some significant finish wear, but were otherwise in excellent condition. Touched them up a bit and they have been great. Just do a little research so you know what to look for.
 
If you are using a detachable carry handle, you should also be using an "F" marked front sight base. The sights on detachable carry handles are 1/10 inch higher than those on non-detachable handles. (The "F" -- found on the left side of the FSB -- denotes use with a flat-top upper receiver.)
 
I actually just found a nice colt handle on gun broker for $65 but the seller doesnt do Visa. Might have to go a different route....
 
FredWyn said:
You are worried about spending $70?
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I dont know how to take your question. I'm trying to figure out if there is any difference between a $70 Carry handle and the $120+ ones or if they are essentially mil spec and really have no discernible difference. I wouldn't say I'm worried about spending money, I just dont want to pay double because one is from BCM vs one from PSA.
 
Are you planning on using this to lug an AR through rough terrain? Worst case scenario?

If not, $70.
 
FredWyn said:
Are you planning on using this to lug an AR through rough terrain? Worst case scenario?

If not, $70.
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Not really. I'm not particularly nice to some of my guns though so I dont really want a wobbly POS. I in most cases subscribe to the buy once, cry once philosophy but what I want to know, what I have yet to be told is whether there is any difference between the $60 PSA and the $100++ BCM, COLT, LMT, etc......
 
DustyGmt said:
Not really. I'm not particularly nice to some of my guns though so I dont really want a wobbly POS. I in most cases subscribe to the buy once, cry once philosophy but what I want to know, what I have yet to be told is whether there is any difference between the $60 PSA and the $100++ BCM, COLT, LMT, etc......
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I built an AR with a fixed carry handle because I was going to be lugging it around through rough terrain and actually using it as it’s named. A easily gripped area on my rifle close to the center of balance to grasp while climbing over trees and through swamps.

All this is to say that you are going about this in what I would say is the correct manner. I would not want a flimsy removable carry handle. The reason I went fixed was economical because I did not want to pay for a flat top upper and a quality carry handle. so I went fixed because of economics.
 
earlthegoat2 said:
I built an AR with a fixed carry handle because I was going to be lugging it around through rough terrain and actually using it as it’s named. A easily gripped area on my rifle close to the center of balance to grasp while climbing over trees and through swamps.

All this is to say that you are going about this in what I would say is the correct manner. I would not want a flimsy removable carry handle. The reason I went fixed was economical because I did not want to pay for a flat top upper and a quality carry handle. so I went fixed because of economics.
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I dont anticipate carrying my gun through long rough terrains but you never know. I have red dots on most of my guns but truth be told I plan to lug this rifle around with me quite a bit. As in in and out of my work vehicle day in day out.

I have long since envied folks who can afford to and find the time to go shoot on a regular basis and seemingly have endless supply of ammo so I have myself a lil plan. I plan at the very least to purchase 1k rds per month, 500 of which will be shot by me, presumably through this gun I'm building whose real purpose is to just be my extra, high round count, knock around gun. I envision this gun probably not getting the best treatment. I dont necessarily want to put my $500 aimpoint on this gun and think for its purpose and for convenience of carrying this rifle to and from a carry handle should suit this gun in that role
 
DustyGmt said:
. . . if there was really an appreciable difference in quality between say, a $60 PSA and $120 BCM. . . ?
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I'll bet the PSA comes from the same shop as the BCM; that would be typical of PSA.

I have two carry handles, and have handled others; in my experience if it has a forge mark (typically Keystone, Cardinal, or a square) then it's solid gear; if it lacks a forge mark it's low quality Chinese junk.
 
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I bought a “new” Colt carry handle a few years ago. It was a take-off from a rifle the seller had bought, but planned on only using an optic. I want to say I paid in the $60 range.

Put up a couple WTB ads and see what shakes loose. You might be surprised.
 
AlexanderA said:
Nobody uses the "carry handle" to actually carry the rifle. Try it a few times and you can see why.
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Ok fella.

I don’t like trying to carry it without personally. The center of gravity is right where the magazine is. I’m not carrying it through the woods like a suitcase all the time either. I don’t use a sling and it’s nice to have a sure grip right in the middle of the rifle.

Could always get one of those single point slings to blend in with the crowd.
 
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The difference between a $20 Chinese carry handle and a $150 Colt handle is not the strength. None of them are going to break in two. The difference is the quality of the sight. The cheap ones are sloppy and wiggle.
 
earlthegoat2 said:
I don’t like trying to carry it without personally. The center of gravity is right where the magazine is. I’m not carrying it through the woods like a suitcase all the time either. I don’t use a sling and it’s nice to have a sure grip right in the middle of the rifle.
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Try carrying it with your thumb through the carry handle opening and your fingers wrapped around the front of the magazine well. This gives you good control of the weapon. Carrying it like a suitcase means that it flops around from side to side. Poor control of the weapon.

The carry handle is not at the center of gravity if you have either a heavy barrel or a short barrel.

A rifle without a sling is like a pistol without a holster. Gotta have one.
 
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