AR10 Stripped Upper model Identification

[Gator Monroe]

I have an 'Older" AR 10 stripped "Used" upper it is Matte Black and it is a "Carry Handle" upper without Forward Assist (But it has Brunton Bump shell deflector) is this an A2 upper or a Carry Handle B model upper ????  

[survivalshop]

Photo's ? Not that I would know the difference , but others might .

[jtallen83]

A carry handle model is an AR-10A2 regardless of having a FA or not. A flat top would be an AR-10 A4, regardless if it is an A or B model. They have some other complicated codes to designate between A and B models and the other versions they have produced, I've never bothered to learn them. "Rare" is a subjective term. They are not common but I'm not sure I would call them rare. Search AR-10A2 on google and you'll find some for sale without the FA. I'm guessing your upper looks like this;

and not this;

If google images search is any indicator there seems to be more non-FA's around than those with the FA;

https://www.google.com/search?q=ar-10a2&hl=en&biw=1280&bih=610&site=webhp&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_vdHSrsvLAhXHqx4KHYSDAVsQsAQIGw

 

[Gator Monroe]

Ditto to the Top pic , Yes I would say the one with FA is Very Rare and the one without is moderately rare as the Flattop craze hit hard and production was diverted rather rapidly to accommodate the new market.  Thanx much for the clarification ...

[Gator Monroe]

Thanx for the pic link jtallen83 it was Faptastic AND INFORMATIVE !

[Gator Monroe]

OK Guys I have backed away from the Matrix Lower Idea (Mating my AR10 Carry Handle model upper with a Matrix Lower ) and I will pursue ordering an ArmaLite California Compliant B series Lower . ArmaLite says the Matrix Lower is not compatible with my Pre 2012 ArmaLite Carry Handle Upper. (Matrix lower takes PMags ) and my Upper desires ArmaLite Metal Mags??) Now I'm confused but not disillusioned ... 

[Gator Monroe]

Saw Pic on Gunbroker of a Matrix Build .308 for sale equipped with an ArmaLite Steel 20 Round Mag  now I'm dumbfounded

[jtallen83]

I saw the same one, not sure if that was an Armalite metal mag or another brand of metal mag.

[Rsquared]

DUDE! You're killing me calling it a "carry handle upper". It's an A2 upper just as others have said. And it's not that they're rare with or without the FA. Just that that the flat top A4 models have become more popular with the mainstream consumers. So the A2 style has fallen to the wayside. Not saying good or bad. Everybody has different tastes.

 

Here's a typical AR-10A2 carbine. It's showing the left side, but no FA. And it's never been a problem to me that it didn't have it.

[Gator Monroe]

I just have a disdain for the Bolt On Carry Handles and try to avoid confusion between the two ... BTW do you guys know if I can use M16A2 Rear sight components on my AR10A2 upper ?(ArmaLite has fewer & fewer AR10 A2 Rear sight components available)