a detachable carry handle assembly contains a first segment and a second segment that are telescopically interfitted with one another . sliding of the respective segments relative to one another selectively increases or decreases the overall length of the carry handle assembly , which may be manually manipulated into a plurality of overall length configurations . a spring biased barrel lock assembly may be used to fix the carry handle assembly into a predetermined overall length . the carry handle assemblies may contain rotating handles that to rotate out to a position of maximum width that facilitates lifting operations . collapse of the handles to a position of minimum width facilitates stowage of the carry handle assemblies in a minimum space .