THe flat top is a new design? REALLY?
Shoot, I saw them made in the early 1980s just by grinding off the handle and milling in 4 slots.
The point is, the ARs can inherently take a scope. AKs and FALs need a clunky bridge bolted on.
I really don’t see what difference it makes if the handle was original or not. The point is, the AR upper receiver is a superior design. Dust covers are crap.
Well, new is relative. The AR design dates from the middle of the last century. Original ARs and M-16s from the Vietnam era had a permanently attached handle. Mounting optics wasn't a priority.
The NEWER ARs can take a scope. FALs get a replacement dust cover. It's no different than replacing a smooth fore-end with a one with rails.
As hiredhand can attest (at one time we both had FALs) a good dust cover doesn't come off and works wonderfully.