Carry Handle Mounted Optics w/ Iron Sights Still Usable?

[DMW1116]

Are there any optics that mount to a carry handle but still allow access to the iron sights, preferably with some magnification?

 

[DrDeFab]

With this mount, or one like it, nearly anything: Mark 4 AR15/M16 Handle Mount Matte | Leupold

 

[earlthegoat2]

The Brownells Retro Colt 4x carry handle optic accommodates this.

 

[12Bravo20]

Back in the day the is all we had for our M16A1 and A2 rifles. You didn't see mounts very often unless you were assigned to certain types of units. The NVG scopes we used had their own built in mounts to fit the carry handle.

Yes a carry handle mount works. But the problem is that it puts the optic extremely high over the bore.

 

[243winxb]

The Colt orginial https://www.brownells.com/optics-mo...s/retro-4x-carry-handle-scope-prod124965.aspx

Like on my old & sold m16a1 carbine.

 

[DMW1116]

Back in the day the is all we had for our M16A1 and A2 rifles. You didn't see mounts very often unless you were assigned to certain types of units. The NVG scopes we used had their own built in mounts to fit the carry handle.

Yes a carry handle mount works. But the problem is that it puts the optic extremely high over the bore.

I wondered if that might be the case and the scope would be higher than the sights already are. I guess I’ll keep working with the iron sights. Yesterday was disappointing and I thought this might give different options.

 

[chicharrones]

Colt used to make a cheek riser for this situation.

Otherwise, installing a different stock would accomplish the same thing. Going to need a carbine receiver extension and buffer set up for this one, though.

Funky looking, but probably functional enough.

 

[12Bravo20]

Model 1 Sales still has their versions of the Colt Delta cheek riser. I can't comment on teh quality of them.

https://www.model1sales.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=476

 

[herrwalther]

Personally, I would use a Z mount to get an optic closer to the bore while still attaching to a carry handle.

https://www.amazon.com/Global-Military-Gear-Handle-Z-Mount/dp/B00420SOX4

 

[shoobe01]

Yes. I think it's too high, but super high mounts are becoming the fashion for not just promasks but passive night vision use so mounting RDS to the carry handle is being tried by some, I have recently found.

Aside from the retro scopes, and ACOG bases actually (if you unscrew the picatinny bit) being carry handle mounts, there are also converters to pic rail, and a few specific adapters for some small RDSs out there by small makers to keep it lower, and slicker. Here's one: https://botach.com/kley-zion-carry-handle-mount-for-aimpoint-holosun/

If you are asking because you have a fixed carry handle and want an optical sight on it, best solutions are probably:

• Change the receiver. Pretty easy. Pretty cheap. I have done several.
• Buy a new upper. Why not have more!? Modular, so you keep the original unchanged.
• Get a gooseneck mount. "Z-mount" is not the right term. Aimpoint sold many, many of the gooseneck to the military when they were first issued, as most guns had carry handles still. Make SURE it comes with all the pieces. The clamp between front of handle and middle of mount is important.

 

[army_eod]

ACOGS all will.
Works great. A tack driver.

 

[trackskippy]

Ill second the "goose neck" mount, but I dont think youd want to use it with anything that got some power to it. The would work well with a good red dot though.

Id also go with one of the better "name-brand" mounts. ARMS, etc.

 

[DMW1116]

I’m asking because I was shooting with my iron sights and kept missing. I built this rifle with the intent of using it with just the carry handle but failed to consider my lack of skill. The carry handle is removable but I’d rather not.

 

[trackskippy]

If youre not going to be using the irons, youre better off with the carry handle gone. Anything mounted on top of it is going to be annoying and unnatural to shoot with. I have an old SP1 with the old Colt 3x for it, and that sits in the box, just for that reason.

With the right optics, you can always put a rear BUIS on the gun if you feel the need.

 

[army_eod]

If you have the removable handle, remove it and use an optic.

 

[DMW1116]

I’ll try again with the current set up then decide if I want to change it. If I do change I’ll likely get some version of a fixed 3x scope with back up sights. Is there a backup sight with an elevation drum like the carry handle?

 

[trackskippy]

You said you were "missing" using the irons. This may sound silly, but you did zero them, right?

Is the carry handle on tight and solid?

I have MagPul and Troy BUIS and they don't have any elevation adjustment. With a 50 yard zero, you're good to around 250 yards or do, so, do you really need more?

Keep in mind too, you likely won't be able to mount both the scope and the rear sight. At least I haven't been able too.

I've never really been a scope guy, and preferred the irons until I got my first red dot, which is my preferred choice for the AR's now. I did recently get one of the Vortex Strike Eagles, and it's really starting to grow on me. It's a 1 x 8 with a lit reticle, so it can be a red dot of sorts as well.

My eyes are starting to go more quickly now it seems, and that added power at longer ranges is a help. I normally just leave it set at 1x, and it's fast and easy to shoot with

 

[jmorris]

By “allow access” do you mean instantly or once you remove them?

There are setups I tended to worn in conjunction with the iron sights but are further forward than most magnified optics.

Cmore made these, I still have a couple Cmore sights on pistols but they are not the most adjustment friendly optic or very tough or have decent battery life or even use a very common battery.



If you have a tube with a rail on it, that’s another option.



Magnified optics also tend to make the front sight “disappear” anyway, unless the entire optic is way above the iron sights and you view them from underneath.

Personally, I went that route many years ago. Back when carry handle rifles were the most common ones. I own many more optic friendly “flat top” AR’s and don’t even consider using the mounts I have for the carry handle ones.

If I want better results than the factory irons on the fixed rifles I really like the KNS posts.

https://www.knsprecisioninc.com/product/ar15-m16-ar10-sr25-post-sight-assortment/

 

[DMW1116]

I did have them zeroed for about 2.5” high at 100 yards, but now I’m not so sure. I’m going to have to try again then make a decision. I moved the windage just a bit and then thought it was good. It’s probably me, but I don’t want to admit it.

My intent was to be able to switch to irons without removing the optic. It’s possibly not realistic though now that I get some more information.

 

[trackskippy]

I zero mine at 50, and youre good to about 250 without diddling with the sights.

With a red dot, you can switch back and forth at will if you want. The irons are a quick zero check too.

Probably wouldnt work as well with a magnified optic, even a light one.

If you can get one under the scope, and use a lever mount on the scope, should you need to, you can just pop the scope off, and pop the rear sight up.

 

[trackskippy]

This is my one AR with the Stike Eagle on it. You can see the location and clearance problems.

 

[trackskippy]

Or not.

 

[243winxb]

Not much difference between irons & scope. May as well take a hacksaw to the handle then.

 

[trackskippy]

Looks like it doesnt like my sharing site.

This is what I was trying to post above..

 

[243winxb]

The higher the sights are above the bore, the better the trajectory. A 200 yard zero would be even better.
55 gr 224 bullet at 3000 fps. View attachment 1003881 View attachment 1003882