Bigfattyt, that second one is an Olympic Arms isn't it? That's the one that turned the .223 into a "handgun" IIRC. No, I take it back. That's the Bushmaster Carbon 15 pistol, the model 97?
I checked DPMS, and Colt and a couple of others at the time, but loved the stuff from Quality Parts (BM). I hope to get a 24" flat top upper for my lower so I can really do some long distance shooting.
Now they make the Dissipator as an "A3" option that has a removable carry handle, but when I got mine that wasn't an option. Also not an option when I got mine were the picatinny rail forends for mounting all sorts of stuff to the weapon.
I like the model because it's a lot more portable than a 20" but hits just as far IMO. I still have no idea why they put a lug on it though. Kind of ridiculous, as an M7 (or M9) will clip on, but with no barrel support it just sags down.
Norm