A Fixed Stock's & Fixed Carry Handle's Love Is Very Different From That Of A Square....

[Miami_JBT]

Sure, I have the modern stuff. But I love my fixed stocked ARs with fixed A1 and A2 carry handles. They're just handy, simple, reliable, and classic.



Factory built Colt SP1, I swapped the A1 handguards for some A2s.



FN Dissipator upper on a Core-15 Lower with Colt BCG, FCG, and CS stock.



Factory built Bushmaster A2 HBAR Patrol Carbine. I swapped A2 handguards for some Magpuls and the A2 pistol grip for an A1 pistol grip.



Factory built Bushmaster A2 HBAR, I swapped the factory A2 buttstock for a Colt CS and a A1 pistol grip.

The Bushmasters were before the Remington buyout. They're both Windham, Maine built guns.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Also a fan of the OG Colt-

She's wearing a silent sling now.
Got this HBAR lower mated to a flat-top upper, quad-rail, Fab Defense stock, and a glued-on Barret-style muzzle break, along with a box full of the original Colt parts and a .22 conversion kit.
Fortunately, almost all the bits were still there to restore her full glory with enough parts left over to mostly finish two more builds.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Well, I do like fixed carry handles. Sometimes I find one with a fixed stock too.

I also like C7 uppers.

 

[Miami_JBT]

Well, I do like fixed carry handles. Sometimes I find one with a fixed stock too.

I also like C7 uppers.

View attachment 1194891


View attachment 1194890

I had a DPMS C7 20" that I stupidly traded away over a decade ago.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I had a DPMS C7 20" that I stupidly traded away over a decade ago.

They are both presumably DPMS uppers.

 

[brewer12345]

I don't give a rip about retro ARs, but I do love the reference.

 

[AlexanderA]

I'm also a big fan of the A2. Except that I prefer the A1 buttstock over the A2 buttstock. That 5/8" shorter length fits me better.

 

[jmorris]

You've got to have them, if you want one of everything. I started there because that was the only choice back then.

edit: Kids these days, don't know how well they have it!

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

Sure, I have the modern stuff. But I love my fixed stocked ARs with fixed A1 and A2 carry handles. They're just handy, simple, reliable, and classic.

View attachment 1194883

Factory built Colt SP1, I swapped the A1 handguards for some A2s.

View attachment 1194884

FN Dissipator upper on a Core-15 Lower with Colt BCG, FCG, and CS stock.

View attachment 1194885

Factory built Bushmaster A2 HBAR Patrol Carbine. I swapped A2 handguards for some Magpuls and the A2 pistol grip for an A1 pistol grip.

View attachment 1194886

Factory built Bushmaster A2 HBAR, I swapped the factory A2 buttstock for a Colt CS and a A1 pistol grip.

The Bushmasters were before the Remington buyout. They're both Windham, Maine built guns.

Nice! I have an A2 Stock 16in rifle gas 5.56 rifle I put together myself but its a flat top with a Leopold RDS.
So a hybrid of sorts. It's a super smooth shooter. Runs awesome with or with out a can.

 

[Miami_JBT]

I'm also a big fan of the A2. Except that I prefer the A1 buttstock over the A2 buttstock. That 5/8" shorter length fits me better.

Colt CS stock is perfection.

 

[orionengnr]

Had a bunch of old school ARs; these days, don't have room in my safe or my bank account for one of everything.
Pretty satisfied with a couple modern configuration ARs, which to be honest I don't shoot much these days anyway....

 

[.455_Hunter]

It's amazing how light and handy my early 80's Colt SP-1 Carbine is compared to today's overaccesorized Barbie guns.

 

[ontarget]

A2 style for me also. But there is room for a few others.
Had to have a middy and a carbine just for comparison sake right???

No frills, just like me.

 

[rhino465]

I never "liked" the A2 stock because it's way too long for me. The A1 is better, but still too long. Back in the late 90s and early 2000s when adjustable stocks were a problem due to the bad laws in effect, I found a fixed stock solution. In those days, you could get a stubby little "entry" stock that was about the same length as most collapsible stocks that are closed all the way. That was a little too short, but I found a little spacer that combined with the entry stock made it about the same length as a collapsible opened one notch, which is perfect for me. It was a fixed stock solution for guys with short arms, thick torso, and no neck like me and it's still a viable option if you can find the parts.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

A2 style for me also. But there is room for a few others.
Had to have a middy and a carbine just for comparison sake right???
View attachment 1194907
No frills, just like me.

Have you tried a 16in rifle gas 5.56? Those are the best of both worlds.

 

[bannockburn]

Another fan of the fixed carry handle models.

The SP1 I have is original with the exception of the round handguards. Still have the rectangular ones; just never liked their overall shape.

I built the XM177E2 kind of a look-alike from parts I had on hand at the time, along with a Colt BCG and a Colt aluminum folding stock.

 

[ECVMatt]

I am into carrying handles and fixed stocks.

One of my favorites is my first AR, and Eagle Arms ER15 A2. This thing just shoots great and is very soft on the shoulder.



I also recently built a C7 Dissy. This is my Planet of the Apes AR, but I love it.



In addition to these two, I recently built a couple of 723 style carbines with A2 uppers and 14.5 P/W factory Colt Socom barrels.

I love them too.

I think I just love AR's in general.

 

[Ignition Override]

My friend has an '84 or '85 Colt Classic "Green Box" which doesn't have much wear. He bought it nib in 1985 and Lost the box.
His six horses prevent any regular chances to shoot his many guns.

He wouldn't sell the 20” barrel Colt AR, and whichever handle it has works well, although very seldom used as a handle, because he shoots it maybe once/twice per year. A box or two of ammo each time.
Don't assume that people who Grew Up in Germany (and who were introduced to guns in the US) like to clean their guns. I've cleaned his AR twice because I sort of like cleaning-with background music.

These are the only types of carry handles on any of my guns (two imported FALs): wimpy handles vs. Classic AR, but effective.

 

[Charlie98]

Actually, I just recently bought a complete H&R A1 retro lower from PSA... I want to build a usable M16A1 copy of what I carried in the '80's Army. I'm not a stickler for period correct parts... I don't have that kind of pocketbook... but I've always admired how clean, uncluttered, and handy the basic A1 was.

I still have my Colt A2 H-bar... which is a fine rifle (minus the horrible trigger...)

H-bar snuggled up next to my first AR build, a lightweight LRB/RRA carbine...

The H-bar is still 100% stock with the exception of the Magpul grip and trigger guard.

 

[Demi-human]

Hmm…
A retro thread with no triangle hand guards?
What is this world coming to?

I don't give a rip about retro ARs, but I do love the reference.

Me either. I like the functionality of the enhancements…

But, I think there is still nothing better looking than an A1 fore end and a butt-strokable stock.
Like a Sting-Ray Vette, always in style.

 

[Miami_JBT]

Hmm…
A retro thread with no triangle hand guards?
What is this world coming to?




Me either. I like the functionality of the enhancements…

But, I think there is still nothing better looking than an A1 fore end and a butt-strokable stock.
Like a Sting-Ray Vette, always in style.

A1 handguards never fit me right. Love A2s and proper skinny carbine A2s. I hate the fat M4 handguards.

 

[trackskippy]

One thing nice with the A1 handguards, they are "adjustable", just slide your hand to where it "fits".

I still have the SP1 I bought back in 74. Its got a ton of rounds through it over the decades and is still going strong. Of the fixed stocks, I very much prefer the A1 stocks over the A2.

As much as I do like "the originals", if I had to use one, Id still much rather have a newer version. Just a lot more versatility and options available. They only get out of hand if you allow it.

The couple of AR's I have that I would grab if needed, are just as handy as my SP1, if not more so, and not really any different weight-wise. They bring more to the table too.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

I don't have a picture on my phone to show off, but when I lived in a freer state, I built an M16A1 knockoff. The fixed stock was the best part of it. nothing to fiddle with, and the A1 length fit me perfectly. I am 5'7" with proportionate arms, so pretty much the normal man's size that gun designers were fitting for in mid 20th century. Most WWII milsurps fit me really well for the same reason.

The carry handle was pretty good too. The aperture was the right size, unlike the A2 where you've got a flipup with one sight that's too small and one that's too big. And yes, it had the triangle handguards! They're funky but you get used to them.

The only part I didn't like was the 20" barrel. I went with a pencil barrel upper for weight, so the whole gun is fairly light. But it's physically bulkier than you'd think... the full-length barrel, the tall carry handle, the full stock, they all add up to take up a lot of space. It's pretty amazing how svelte an 16" M4 knockoff feels in comparison.

I'm thinking the answer is a CAR-15 repro, or maybe building one with a fixed stock. But Gavin Newsom really frowns upon those. Maybe I'll get it done when I move one day. I haven't been in CA for long and don't plan on staying for long - this is pretty much just a tour of duty for some tech work.

 

[CapnMac]

Yeah, old school OG can be cool

Been to a Service Rifle match or two, too.

Does not mean I don't embrace the new .

 

[WestKentucky]

My first AR was a beat to snot Colt HBAR Match rifle that had rode around behind the seat of a truck for about 30 years with zero cleaning or maintenance. I bought it cheap and ripped it apart, cleaned everything up and got it where I thought it might actually work again and sold it back to the guy I bought it from without ever pulling the trigger. I need another HBAR match style rifle in my life. Got other things more pressing, but I need one.