This is something I’ve wondered about for awhile just for curiosity and history’s sake (I’m definitely not subjecting mine to anything extreme enough to matter lol). They started putting optics on there pretty quickly after these guns came out so there were plenty of years and situations for issues to crop up or research to be done by either the military or Colt/private companies. Intuitively the interface between a typical carry handle mounting solution is obviously going to be weaker than a Picatinny rail but I’m curious to what degree it is or if there were any notable problems when it came to hard military use.

I’m sure there will be variation there between different directly mounted optics, mounts for optics, etc but they’re all going to be relying on the carry handle and the one hole with the screw or whatever else that’s put through it. The only somewhat specific thing I’ve heard is the old Starlight scopes having some problems in regards to mounting but that’s of course a rather extreme edge case compared to most optics.

My form 1 is APPROVED. Type 2 kit.

Ahhhh so here in NJ our AWB have been overturned. I can make my 12.5” barrel NON NFA “other” into a rifle with a CAR15 stock now. What retro flash hiders are we using that are 3.7- 4 inches that I can pin and weld? Thanks

going for a mix of xm177e2 and gordy carbine. Was my dads rifle when he was on the HRT in the fbi. Trying to make a 90s era build with modern features any recommendations? Next for the build will be a colt 4x20 retro carry handle scope I think!

Was reading some article about Hamas, and they used this pic with an awesome VFG. It looks pretty strong, and I'd like to find one for my CAR-15.

US Air Force still using M16A1 rubber duck rifles.