AR second thoughts ? ?

[velocette]

I decided a while ago to build me another AR. I already have a RR varmint and a DPMS LR308, I wanted a smaller & lighter rifle.
I found an M16 style upper for a good price, Bushmaster by the symbol near the rear sight, carry handle part of the casting. Fwd assist, rear sight and dust cover installed & bought it. Then started thinking. Old eyes (I'm 68) & iron sights don't work too well together, perhaps a flattop with an optic would be better. The carry handle does not come off this upper. Have folks installed optics on the carry handle somehow or would I be better off trading the M 16 style upper for a flattop?

Roger

 

[youngsait]

There is a carry handle mount for optics. It's a little bit high for good cheek welding to stock. It's doable but I would take a flattop AR.

 

[madcratebuilder]

My eyesight is borderline for using irons and I recently finished a iron sight build. It is working OK for me. I installed a smaller NM aperture but found I do better with a larger aperture. I can do the rifle and mid-length sight radius, the carbine sight radius is just to short and the front post disappears.

Mid-length build.


The carry handle uppers are handicapped for using optics. The only thing I have used that worked well is the old school Colt 4X scopes that mount on top the handle. They do make cantilever mounts that well place a optic or red dot in front of the handle. I've never used a cantilever so I can't really comment on them.

Colt 4X21 handle mount.


My latest built was a flat top and I used a red dot co-witnessed with irons. I've only had this out one time but so far I really like it.



I have another flat top with a 1-4X scope that's eye sight friendly.


If irons are really difficult for you I would swap or sell the A2 upper and go with a A3 flat top. Weaver has a very nice 1-3 VR scope, this scope in a Burris PEPR mount would be affordable and very serviceable.

 

[velocette]

Mad;
That lower photo shows what looks like a 1911 handgrip.
Where did that come from?

Roger

 

[7thCavScout]

Mad, those 1911 pistol grips on your AR are AWESOME!!!

 

[mljdeckard]

I was issued an A-2 and a CCO red dot optic for deployment, I had to use the cantilevered mount, it was very cumbersome and felt ridiculous. I would buy a flat-top upper and transfer everything.

 

[gatorjames85]

I would much rather have a flattop if I was going to run optics.

Madcratebuilder- what handguard is that in the first picture?

 

[Walkalong]

http://www.google.com/search?q=1911...fficial&client=firefox-a&source=hp&channel=np

AR 15 1911 Grip search