The resurgence of carry handle uppers blends nostalgic style with functional upgrades. The iconic A2-style carry handle is making a comeback on AR-15 platforms. What was once a standard feature of every service rifle for decades had largely disappeared in favor of flat-top rails – but lately, enthusiasts and service members are rediscovering its charm. In fact, a resurgence of carry-handle AR-15s has been noted at recent industry events, with many shooters proudly running them again. This is the The Return of the A2 Carry Handle.
thefirearmblog.com. Love it or hate it, there’s no denying that seeing a carry handle atop an AR evokes a bit of old-school cool. For older vets, it’s a throwback to the rifles we carried; for newer shooters, it’s an unexpected blend of retro style and practical function. This revival isn’t just about looks – it’s about combining nostalgia with modern performance in a way that has people talking at ranges and on social media.
A Brief History of the A2 Carry Handle
To appreciate this trend, it helps to know where the A2 carry handle came from. The AR-15/M16 family’s carry handle traces back to Eugene Stoner’s early designs in the 1950s
ozarkarmament.com. On the original AR-10 prototype, the charging handle actually ran along the top of the receiver, so a raised “carry” handle both protected the charging mechanism and provided a mount for optics in an era when scopes were still relatively fragile
breachbangclear.com. Even after the charging handle was relocated (the AR-15’s familiar T-handle at the rear of the receiver), the raised upper with an integrated rear sight remained. The M16A2 carry handle we know (with its dual aperture and adjustable drum for elevation and windage) served as a robust rear sight housing that could also double as an optics mount for early scopes
breachbangclear.com. Anyone who went through boot camp with an M16A2 or carried an M4 in the early days of GWOT will remember being told “It’s called a carry handle, but don’t actually carry your rifle by it!” – it was more about function than lugging your rifle like a suitcase. The handle gave the rifle its distinctive silhouette for over 40 years
breachbangclear.com, until evolving battlefield needs led to a change.
By the late 1990s and early 2000s, flat-top Picatinny upper receivers (often called “A3/A4” uppers) became the new norm. Rifles like the M4A1 and M16A4 ditched the permanently fixed handle in favor of a removable carry handle or just backup folding sights, so that modern optics could be mounted directly to the top rail
ozarkarmament.com. This was a game-changer – now soldiers and Marines could easily attach reflex sights, scopes, and night vision devices at the optimal height and eye relief. The detachable carry handle (essentially the A2 rear sight assembly on a Picatinny clamp) was often issued as a backup, but many users left it off to run an Aimpoint, ACOG, or other optic. Over the past two decades, most civilian AR-15s likewise have shipped with flat-top receivers, and the old-school carry handle became a rarity. It survived mostly in retro clone builds, military collections, or as a nostalgia piece. But as with any cycle, what’s old becomes new again – and that’s where products like the AL-1950 A2 Carry Handle and XT005 adaptor come in, letting shooters revive the classic configuration on today’s rifles.
Modernizing a Classic: The XT005 Carry Handle Adaptor
One big limitation of the classic fixed carry handle was optics mounting. Yes, you could clamp a scope on top of the handle (Colt’s 4×20 scopes in Vietnam proved that concept), but it sat very high and wasn’t ideal for cheek weld or accuracy. This is where the XT005 Carry Handle Adaptor steps in to modernize the concept. The XT005 is a simple but ingenious optics mount designed specifically for AR-15 carry handles. It attaches securely into the handle’s top slot (using the existing screw hole/clamping mechanism) and provides a short Picatinny/Weaver rail section above the carry handle. Essentially, it converts your carry handle into an optic-ready platform in seconds, with no permanent modifications needed
With the XT005 adaptor installed on an A2-style handle like the AL-1950, you suddenly have the freedom to mount a modern red dot sight, holographic sight, or even a compact scope without removing the handle. Want to run a micro red dot for quick target acquisition? Just attach it to the adaptor rail and you’re set. The XT005 is built from lightweight, sturdy aluminum (the same type of aircraft-grade aluminum used in many AR parts), so it adds minimal weight while handling recoil with ease
backwoodsports.com. It’s designed to sit low in the carry handle channel, meaning the optic isn’t towering ridiculously high – and many such mounts even incorporate a “see-through” design, allowing you to still use the iron sights underneath for backup
mdshooters.com. In practice, this combo lets you co-witness or at least retain the option of iron sights in an emergency. The result is a best-of-both-worlds setup: you keep that nostalgic carry handle and rear sight, and you get to use your preferred modern optic. No more choosing between old-school irons and new tech – you can have both working together.
Nostalgia with Practical Performance: The Return of the A2 Carry Handle
For those who grew up on the A2 carry handle, there’s something deeply satisfying about this combo. Ex-military shooters often smile the first time they shoulder a rifle with a carry handle and a red dot on top – it feels like a familiar friend, but enhanced. There’s a bit of “retro range cred” in showing up with a carry-handle AR that can still run with the latest optics. And let’s be honest, part of the appeal is just that it looks cool. As one enthusiast quipped, mounting an optic on a carry handle “might be unconventional, but it looks badass”
reddit.com. Beyond looks, it’s surprisingly functional. The height of the optic when mounted on the handle actually ends up being roughly equivalent to many modern tall mounts that are currently in vogue
reddit.com. In other words, by using a carry handle + XT005, you’re essentially getting the same optic height as some of the trendy 2-inch riser mounts that tactical shooters use today for a “heads-up” shooting posture. This elevated sight plane can be an advantage – it provides an ergonomic, upright head position that some find more comfortable, reducing neck strain
wooxstore.com. If you’re wearing night vision goggles (NVGs) or eye protection, a higher optic can also be easier to look through
Nostalgic shooters will also appreciate that the iron sights remain usable. If your red dot’s battery dies or you just want to practice old-school marksmanship, you can either flip down to look through the adaptor’s peep (if it’s a see-through mount) or quickly remove the optic/adaptor to clear the view for your irons. In fact, many military folks in the early GWOT era did exactly this – they mounted Aimpoints on carry handles so they could have red dots while retaining their trusted iron sights, and they found it a reliable setup
reddit.com. The carry handle itself is a rugged piece of kit; the AL-1950 A2 Carry Handle is forged from 7075 aluminum just like the original, provides dual aperture settings, and precise windage/elevation adjustments just as issued. That means even with an optic on top, you’ve got a fully functional backup sight system built in – something many flat-top rifles lack unless you add flip-up sights. Plus, there’s an undeniable old-school satisfaction in adjusting your elevation drum to lob rounds at distance, then flipping to a tight aperture for a 300-meter shot, all with gear that looks straight out of the Army armory.
Carry Handle vs. Modern Mounts: How Does It Stack Up?
It’s worth comparing the carry handle + optic combo to the more common modern solutions for mounting optics on AR-15s:
- Standard Flat-Top Rail (No Handle): The most common setup today is to mount optics directly on the Picatinny rail of the receiver. This keeps the optic low and inline with the bore, which is great for consistent cheek weld and co-witnessing with flip-up iron sights. Flat-tops are very modular – you can position the scope or red dot exactly where it needs to be for proper eye relief. However, you lose the one-piece fixed iron sight that the carry handle offers, and the sight picture is lower (which some find less comfortable, especially when wearing gear). Flat-tops with low-mounted optics are superb for precision and minimized parallax at close range, but they don’t give you that heads-up shooting stance the carry handle does.
- Low-Profile & Co-Witness Mounts: Many red dots are mounted on low or medium-height mounts that either absolute co-witness or 1/3 co-witness with traditional AR sights. These keep the optic relatively close to the bore (about 1.5″ above rail for absolute co-witness). Compared to a carry handle setup, such low-profile mounts will feel more “precision-oriented” – you naturally get a tighter cheek weld. They’re excellent for recoil management and speed, but in some cases can strain the neck during prolonged use, and they obviously require you to have separate backup iron sights attached. The carry handle, by contrast, includes the rear sight and sits higher, trading a bit of precision stance for comfort and nostalgia.
- Riser Mounts (Tall Mounts): There’s a current trend of extra-tall optic mounts (e.g., 2.0″ or even 2.26″ centerline heights) to allow a more upright head position – popular for CQB, use with night vision, or simply shooter preference. These risers and tall mounts can cost quite a bit, often $100-$300 for high-end brands, and they add weight by stacking additional material. Interestingly, a carry handle essentially is a big riser. Mounting a red dot on an A2 handle puts the optic at a height not far off from those pricey mountswooxstore.com. You effectively achieve the same upright, heads-up shooting position without needing to buy a separate riser – the handle elevates the sight for you (and at a fraction of the costwooxstore.com). Of course, a purpose-built riser on a flat top might have QD levers or other conveniences, but the concept is similar. The XT005 adaptor locks into the handle and gives a Picatinny rail for your optic, functioning much like a riser that’s built into the rifle’s carry handle.
So, how does it stack up? In terms of pure performance, a direct-to-rail mount will generally be a bit more solid and low-profile. Precision shooters or those running magnified optics may prefer the stability and consistency of a flat top. However, for typical defensive, recreational, or service-style shooting, the carry handle + optic holds its own. The slight increase in height is something shooters quickly adapt to, much as they do with any new optic height. And the benefits of having both a red dot and bomb-proof iron sights together can outweigh the minor drawbacks for a lot of use cases. It really comes down to personal preference and intended use – some folks just love the classic look and are happy to train with it until it feels second-nature again.
Pros and Cons of the Carry Handle Setup
Like any equipment choice, running a carry handle with the XT005 adaptor has its ups and downs. Here’s a quick rundown:
Pros:
- Classic Aesthetics & Ergonomics: You get that beloved retro look while still enjoying modern optics. The elevated sight plane can be more comfortable for upright shooting and works great with NV goggles or maskswooxstore.com.
- Built-In Backup Sight: The A2 carry handle’s robust iron sights are always there as a backup – no need for flip-up rear sights. They’re extremely durable and battle-proven. Many carry-handle optic mounts are see-through, allowing immediate use of irons without removing anythingmdshooters.com.
- Nostalgic Appeal: For those who learned to shoot on irons, there’s something confidence-inspiring about having that familiar rear drum and post. It can make range sessions more fun and connect a shooter to historical shooting techniques.
- Height Advantage: Functions like a free riser mount – raising optics to a heads-up position. This can reduce neck strain and speed up target acquisition in close quarters. It also keeps your optic above smoke, dust, or obstructions when shooting from prone or unconventional positions.
Cons:
- Higher Sight Offset: The optic sitting higher above the bore means you have to account for a greater offset at close ranges (e.g., inside 25 yards your point of impact will be a bit lower than where the dot is, more so than with a low-mounted optic). It’s a training issue but worth noting.
- Slightly Reduced Precision: A higher cheek weld (or even a “chin weld”) is generally less stable than a cheek weld on a low optic. For extremely precise shooting, or very long distances, the carry handle setup might introduce a bit more wobble or parallax.
- Weight & Bulk: A carry handle isn’t lightweight – it’s a chunk of aluminum sitting on top of the rifle (~8 ounces for a mil-spec handle). Plus the adaptor (~2 ounces) and your optic. This is a bit more weight and bulk compared to a simple low-profile optic mount. It can make the rifle feel a tad more top-heavy.
- Optic Access and Eye Relief: Depending on the optic, mounting on the handle could place it further forward or higher than ideal. Most red dots are fine, but some scopes with limited eye relief might be awkward on a carry handle. Also, if you wanted to use a magnifier behind a red dot, the carry handle would complicate that (since the handle occupies the rear rail space).
- Switching Sights Takes an Extra Step: If your primary optic fails and it’s not a see-through mount, you’d have to remove the optic/adaptor to fully use the iron sights. This is slower than just flipping up BUIS on a flat-topmdshooters.com. While not a deal-breaker (and mitigated if you use a see-through mount or quick-detach rings), it’s a consideration for critical use scenarios.
Overall, the XT005 carry handle adaptor + AL-1950 handle combo offers a compelling mix of old and new. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but for many it strikes the perfect balance. You get the rugged reliability of the A2 sights and the speed/tactical advantage of a red dot or scope. And let’s admit it – it’s just plain fun to shoot with.
Final Thoughts: Old-School Cool, New-School Tool
In a world of slick flat-top AR-15s adorned with the latest gadgets, running a carry handle with an optic is a bold nod to the past – yet it’s far from obsolete. This setup exemplifies a blend of technical insight and nostalgia: you’re acknowledging the proven design of the past while enhancing it for today’s needs. The fact that a product like the XT005 Optics Mount exists (and that there’s demand for it) shows how firearm enthusiasts love to modernize classics. It’s the same reason we drop modern internals into old GI 1911s or put high-tech engines in vintage cars – we want the soul of the old with the performance of the new.
The classic carry handle silhouette, once ubiquitous on military rifles, is finding new life among enthusiasts who pair it with modern optics for a nostalgic yet effective setup. Whether you’re an ex-service member who misses the feel of that carry handle or a new shooter who just thinks it looks cool, this nostalgic-yet-functional setup has a lot to offer. It sparks conversations at the range (“Wow, I haven’t seen one of those since basic training!”) but also holds its own in drills and target shoots. Sure, there are sleeker ways to mount an optic, but there’s a certain satisfaction in hitting targets with a rifle that looks straight out of the Cold War while running a state-of-the-art sight on top. In the end, if your rifle puts rounds on target reliably and makes you happy, you’ve got a winner.
Check out the XTS Carry Handle and Mount HERE