A2, A3, A4 ?????????

[Old Griz]

:cb2: OK guys, I know absolutely nothing about AR type rifles, however, they look pretty neat and I might just get one. What is the difference between an A2, A3, and A4 rifle?

[Gregory]

Here's an A2
http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/weapons/pcwa2y16sl.asp

Here's an A3
http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/weapons/pcwa3s16.asp

Here's an A4
http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/weapons/pcwvms16ah.asp

[Old Griz]

So the only difference is that:
     A2 has a handle,
     A3 the handle can come off,
     A4 does not have a carry handle?

[Gregory]

So the only difference is that:
     A2 has a handle,
     A3 the handle can come off,
     A4 does not have a carry handle?

Yup, the A4 is commonly called a flattop.

[NYH1]

So the only difference is that:
     A2 has a handle,
     A3 the handle can come off,
     A4 does not have a carry handle?

I can help you with this a little bit.

The "A2" rifle has iron sights that aren't removable. Their easier to adjust then on the older "A1" rifle. The "A2" also has a 1 in 7 or 1 in 9 inch twist depending on the manufacture. I think the "military" uses the 1 in 7 twist. The 1 in 7 and 1 in 9 twist work better "in most cases" with the heavier "SS109" 62 gr. bullets. The U.S. military calls them "M855 Ball" The older "A1" had a 1 in 12 inch twist. They worked good with the U.S. M193 55 gr. bullets.

The "A4" is the same rifle as the "A2" but without sights. They come with a Weaver style scope mount. Other then that they are the same rifle.

I'm not familiar with the "A3", but you might be right as far as the handle coming off.

I bought a new Rock River Arms AR 15/A2 Tasc Rifle last fall. It has a 16 inch barrel with the 1 in 9 twist. I got to tell you, this rifle is unbelievable. I was shooting it yesterday using "SS109" ammo and was shooting around 1 inch groups at 50 yards with the factory sights. I started to shoot at 100 yards but had a "shell case" break and I had to go home and remove it. It broke on the side, the rim I guess where the ejector grabs it.

The guy that got the rifle for me has a Rock River Arms AR 15 Varmint rifle with the EOP (elevated optic platform) a 24 inch heavy barrel and his has a 1 in 12 inch twist for use with lighter bullets 40 to 55 gr. His shoots 5 shot 3/8 inch groups at 100 yards. Thats a little better then my remington model 700 223.

If your looking for a rifle to have fun with and thats cheap to shoot, the AR 15 might be just what your looking for. I would look at Rock River Arm's, Olympic Arms or DPMS. They make high quality rifles at a lot better price then say Bushmaster or Colt. My good friend has a Colt and a Bushmaster and I don't think their any better then my RRA.

Hopefully when/if the "assault weapon's ban" end these guys that are hanging on to their "preban" AR 15's that think their worth their weight in gold come back to reality. $1000 or $1200 for an basic AR 15/A2 (used at that) you got to be out of your mind, in my opinion.

[SURVEYOR]

So the only difference is that:
     A2 has a handle,
     A3 the handle can come off,
     A4 does not have a carry handle?

Old Griz,
Well the A2 has the carry handle sight adjustable to windage and elevation. It's the same rifle, as the A1 except the sight doesn’t have the rear elevation adjustment. Now keep in mind on both the A1 & A2 elevation adjustment made for battle rifle zero is to be made with the front sight. The elevation adjustment no the A2 is for range adjustments. The A1 and A2 rear sight have a flip aperture for close range sighting and long range sighting.

The A3 and A4 is really the same flat top receiver that has a Weaver style base built in to accept an A2 removable carry with the A2 sights. Or a scope can be mounted, a red dot, a reflex holo sight, or night vision. The only difference between the A3 and A4 are the cuts in the barrel to attach a grenade lancher to. So really the is no A4 receiver, but a A3 receiver with an A4 barrel.

I'm putting together a A3 Upper with a 16 HB Bushy barrel. I can make it an A4 just by having the Barrel Contured to A4 specs.

Surveyor

[NYH1]

The only difference between the A3 and A4 are the cuts in the barrel to attach a grenade lancher to. So really the is no A4 receiver, but a A3 receiver with an A4 barrel.
Surveyor

Surveiver, I read in "American Riflemen" (Oct '03 I think) the "recess" under the hand guard was part of the "A2" upgrade. Along with the sights, barrel twist (1 in 12 to 1 in 7 inch for the A2)and "three shot bust" (M16). The article said that the "M203" grenade launcher could be mounted to all "M16A2" rifles. I have the article at work, I'll check to make sure thats what it says!
Is your barrel gonna have a 1 in 9 inch twist? If so what weight bullet do you plan on using? :-)

[SURVEYOR]

It's a 1:7. True, an "M203" grenade launcher can be mounted to all M16s and AR15s. There is really no difference in the A3 upper receiver or A4 upper in the outer dimensions. Same specs as far as mounting sights or other sighting devices. The M4 took the place of the CAR. There is an A2 CAR, and an A3 CAR, and now there is an M4. Colt did cut the feed ramp a little different in their receivers and barrels of the M4 for ammo feeding. I did a lot of reading on the ammo subject, so I should be fine with M193 55 grains to M855 62 grains, and up to the 75/77 grain loads. I could have gone either way but went with the 1:7 twist barrel. 2 to 1 inch groups will be fine with me. An A3 CAR 16in HB was what I was looking for. Carry handle A2 sights, Arms #40 or any other BUIS, Scope, Aimpoint M2, OKO, Eotech, NightVision, what ever will mount on an A3 or M4 to use, because they are the same flat top upper receiver. I really have no use for an M4orgery. 1 pound of weight is not going help me at all. But if I wanted to, I would just build another upper. I've got the tools now. We have to remember, ARs are cousins to the M16s, their almost the same, but not completly the same. But that same A3 upper receiver is the same on both.

This link may help some.

http://www.combatsimulations.com/ar15/evolutio.htm



Surveyor.