The Colt Carry Handle: A Defining Feature
Origin and Purpose
The roar of battle, the crack of a rifle, the familiar silhouette of the Colt AR-15 – these are images etched in the history of firearms. For decades, the AR-15, and its military sibling, the M16, have been iconic, instantly recognizable by a key feature: the carry handle. But alongside this distinctive handle lies a story of scopes, adaptations, and the constant quest for improved accuracy. This article will delve into the world of Colt carry handle scopes, exploring their history, purpose, types, advantages, disadvantages, and considerations for shooters seeking to optimize their rifles. We will examine the heart of the matter: the Colt carry handle scope.
Design and Specifications
The carry handle on the AR-15/M16 wasn’t merely a design flourish; it served a crucial purpose. Born from the battlefield demands of the Cold War, it offered a way to quickly and effectively carry the rifle. More importantly, it incorporated a built-in aiming system. Integrated within the handle was a rear aperture sight, designed to work in conjunction with the front sight post. This arrangement, using iron sights, provided soldiers with a reliable means of engaging targets at varying distances. The carry handle was integral to the initial design, a testament to the era’s focus on rugged simplicity and combat readiness. It became, in effect, the “sight system” from the outset.
The handle itself is constructed from durable materials, built to withstand the rigors of military use. Its design, dimensions, and how it attached to the upper receiver became a standard, though as firearms technology advanced, the carry handle was not always a necessity. It offered a robust and dependable aiming system, essential for a rifle meant for use in difficult conditions.
The evolution of the AR-15 has seen various changes and modifications to the carry handle design, though it has remained largely unchanged throughout.
Scopes for the Carry Handle: Why and How
The Need for Optics
While the original iron sights were perfectly adequate for many scenarios, the need for enhanced accuracy and longer-range engagement quickly became apparent. Iron sights, while reliable, have limitations. Factors such as eye relief, sight picture, and target acquisition at greater distances all come into play. This is where the world of optics steps in, and this brings us to the purpose of the Colt carry handle scope. A scope provides magnification, giving the shooter a clearer view of the target. It can also incorporate reticles, or patterns within the scope, to aid in precise aiming and bullet drop compensation.
Scope Mounting Solutions
Fitting a scope onto a rifle with a carry handle, however, presents a challenge. Unlike modern AR-15s that feature a flat-top receiver with integral Picatinny rails, the carry handle offered no such easy mounting solution. This required innovative approaches to attach optics.
The standard approach was to use scope rings that attached directly to the carry handle. These rings were specifically designed to clamp onto the handle, providing a stable platform for the scope. The height of these rings was critical. They needed to elevate the scope above the carry handle, giving clearance for the shooter to view through it. Height issues can affect how comfortably the rifle can be shouldered and how quickly a shooter can acquire a target.
Types of Colt Carry Handle Scopes
Early and Classic Carry Handle Scopes
The market for Colt carry handle scopes has evolved over time. Early scopes offered simple magnification and basic reticles, serving their purpose. These early setups were geared towards combat applications.
As technology progressed, so did the optics. Many manufacturers offered carry handle scopes with better glass, advanced reticles, and improved adjustment mechanisms. These scopes often provided the same features that were available on more conventional scope setups. These scopes usually included a scope body, scope rings, and perhaps lens covers.
Modern Optics Compatible with Carry Handle Mounts
When considering scopes for the carry handle, it’s critical to understand that the focus should not be limited to the design of the scope itself. The real key is how to set up this type of system and determine its capabilities. It’s very important to understand how the rifle sights up and how the optics can be properly mounted.
Modern optics manufacturers have also explored adapting to the carry handle setup. Some offer scopes designed with the specific height requirements of the carry handle in mind, or they may offer mounting systems tailored for that purpose. These scopes seek to address some of the inherent issues of the carry handle mount.
Pros and Cons of Carry Handle Scope Setups
Advantages
There are advantages to utilizing a scope on a rifle with a carry handle. One of the main advantages is the preservation of the rifle’s classic look. For many enthusiasts, the carry handle is an iconic element of the AR-15/M16, and mounting a scope on it maintains that aesthetic. This is purely a matter of personal preference, but it’s a significant factor for some.
Another advantage can be relative ease of installation, depending on the rings used. The carry handle provides a readily available mounting point, requiring only the appropriate rings and a scope.
Disadvantages
Disadvantages are present. One of the most notable drawbacks is the potential for a high scope over bore. The scope needs to sit well above the receiver to clear the carry handle, which results in a higher sight line. This affects how a shooter aims. The bullet’s trajectory won’t match the line of sight. This is corrected by zeroing the scope, but this must be taken into account when shooting at varying distances.
There can also be issues of weight and balance. The carry handle, combined with a scope and rings, can add significant weight to the rifle, and the higher placement of the scope can shift the center of gravity.
A common challenge is the limited space available to position the scope.
The overall effect of a Colt carry handle scope can affect the speed and ease of target acquisition. It is not always as convenient or efficient compared to other methods.
Best Practices and Tips
Selecting the Right Scope for Your Needs
To make the most of a Colt carry handle scope setup, careful attention to detail is necessary. When selecting a scope, consider magnification levels. Match the magnification to the intended shooting distances. A higher magnification is useful for longer-range engagements, while a lower magnification allows for faster target acquisition at closer ranges. Reticle choice is also essential. Reticles designed for holdovers and range estimation can enhance the accuracy of your shooting.
Mounting Techniques and Considerations
The mounting process is critical. Use high-quality rings, ensuring they are properly aligned and torqued to the manufacturer’s specifications. Incorrectly mounted rings can damage the scope and affect its performance. The scope’s positioning on the rifle is very important. Make sure that the scope is placed in the proper location to take advantage of the right eye relief for each shooter.
Zeroing and Adjusting the Scope
Zeroing the scope is a must. Follow the scope’s manufacturer’s instructions for zeroing. Adjust for the correct elevation and windage until your point of impact matches your point of aim.
Alternatives to Carry Handle Scopes
Flat-Top Receivers and Modern Optics
For those seeking alternatives, the flat-top AR-15 receiver offers a more modern and versatile solution. Flat-top receivers feature an integral Picatinny rail, providing a standard platform for mounting a wide variety of optics, including scopes, red dots, and holographic sights. This arrangement allows for lower scope mounting heights, better weight distribution, and greater flexibility in choosing optics. Flat-top AR-15s are designed for modularity.
Other Aiming Solutions
Modern aiming solutions, such as red dot sights and holographic sights, offer advantages in terms of speed and close-range accuracy. These sights are generally lightweight and easy to use, making them a popular choice for tactical applications. The ease of use for a red dot sight is often a huge improvement over using a scope.
Conclusion
The Colt carry handle scope represents a chapter in the history of firearms. It has become a defining element for the AR-15 platform. While not without its limitations, this setup has provided shooters with a means of enhancing their accuracy and range capabilities. Preserving the classic look of the AR-15 is just one of the pros of a carry handle scope setup.
Understanding the pros and cons, and following best practices for selection and mounting, can help shooters make an informed choice. For many enthusiasts, this is a functional and nostalgic choice.
