Eotech red dot on M1A1

[Elbert P . Suggins]

Was curious to know if anyone else has mounted a red dot system on the 308 M1A1? I used a Springfield Generation 3 picatanny mount which allows me to still use the aperture below it for up to 500 yards. A basic Eotech L3 is what I mounted on the rear portion of the rail. I have to use a chin weld to see it but even holding my head behind the sight without touching the stock does not feel strange or uncomfortable at all. I would mount a cheek piece on the stock but it makes it too high to use the peep sight. Target acquisition is great with both eyes and hitting a running coyote in 5th gear at 200 yards is quite easy to do.

 

[Jason_G]

M1A.

I'd imagine a mount like this would probably make life easier if you plan on running a red dot. I've never used it before, as I'm pretty much an iron sights only guy, but it might be worth taking a look at.

Jason

 

[henschman]

A few different folks make adjustable kydex cheek rests for the M1A, which require you to drill through your stock to mount. I would look at the ones from Karsten and Tac Pro. They are nice because if you want to switch to irons, it is as simple as loosening the thumb screws and pushing the cheek piece down.

I agree with Jason G though -- the best setup if you want to run a red dot is on an Ultimak scout mount with an Aimpoint. Mounting it with a low ring, you can get a co-witness with your iron sights. This is awesome 1) because you have the same cheek height with the RDS as with your irons, and 2) because you don't have to adjust anything to go to your iron sights if the RDS goes out of commission -- your irons just look through the red dot sight.

It looks like you can get an absolute co-witness out of an Aimpoint Micro, and a lower 1/3 co-witness out of a full-size aimpoint. I realize if you already have an EOTECH you may not want to go out and buy something else; but it really is a better way. Plus the Aimpoints have a longer battery life than EOTECHs anyway.

FYI those Springfield mounts don't have a good reputation. I have heard a lot of stories about them loosening up. And not to break balls, but it is called an M1A, not an M1A1.

 

[Jason_G]

A few different folks make adjustable kydex cheek rests for the M1A, which require you to drill through your stock to mount.

If you do decide to go that route, you can make a kydex riser pretty easily at home I'd imagine.

Jason

 

[Elbert P . Suggins]

I must have been thinking Abrams Tank when I posted M1A1. And I have the full length rifle instead of the Scout. I had a laced leather cheek piece when I had SS scope mounted but noticed the acid in the tanning process was discoloring the walnut stock. Do they make a cloth or canvass cheek rest attached with velcro?

 

[Jason_G]

And I have the full length rifle instead of the Scout.

That doesn't matter as long as you have a standard barrel profile. I'm not sure if a heavy barrel profile will fit under the Ultimak or not. I wouldn't think so. The length of the barrel doesn't matter though.

Do they make a cloth or canvass cheek rest attached with velcro?

I have seen cloth pads/risers that lace up, but I can't remember where now. Seems like the ones I saw were not that great of quality, but it's been so long ago that I can't remember for sure now. Seems like they were OD canvas.

Jason

 

[henschman]

Yeah, there are some nylon cloth type cheek risers. TNVC and Smith Enterprises make velcro ones, and Blackhawk makes a lace-on one.

 

[Elbert P . Suggins]

Thanks Henschman, I just ordered the tall cheek riser from Smith Enterprise for $60. And if I need to use the irons I can remove it within seconds whereas the Cabelas leather one was laced up. Like I said, the chemicals used to preserve leather really seem to do a number on wood stocks.

 

[henschman]

Good, glad I could help a fellow M1A shooter! Please post and let us know how it works out for you.

 

[fragout]

I have also been looking at the Ultimak rail for mounting/co-witnessing a red dot sight for, but am not sure if the added weight/shift in balance... is worth it or not. They are designed for use with std contour bbls in mind, and wont work with the med or heavy weights. They will not work with SEI std weight tubes either...from what I have gathered so far. The rifle I plan to use it on if I go this route, will be an M1A-A1 Bush rifle.

The Ultimak M8 rail gets about the lowest in profile as one can get with an M1A/M14 to my knowledge.

I'm also looking into mounting a mini/micro type dot sight on an Arms 18 mount, and have decided to to try this first.

Very compact/lightweight/rock solid receiver mount, and has a very low profile.
( Not low enough to achieve co-witness with irons sights however)

The current model ARMS 18 mount sports a solid rail, while mine is actually the older "split rail" design....so, I'm looking at one of the mini/micro dot types to mount on the front (op-rod end) portion of the rail.

The ARMS 18 idea should give me the set up I am looking to achieve, but without co-witness, vs the extra weight/balance (Ultimak M8 rail)shift that I do not want for this particular set up.

Thoughts?

11B

 

[henschman]

Yeah, with the ARMS mount, you could put the Micro on a QD mount so you could pop it right off if you need your irons. It would probably sit low enough that you wouldn't need much, if any, added comb height to get cheek weld. I've been thinking of doing the same thing on mine to give it some night vision compatible optics. I could have my ACOG on there normally, but if I needed to use NVG's, just switch it out for the Aimpoint.

As far as weight of the Ultimak, I've heard they aren't too bad. Heck, it probably adds about as much as an ARMS #18, being that the ARMS is solid steel (Ultimak is aluminum), and an Aimpoint Micro adds miniscule weight. Of course the weight would be farther forward though. Yeah, it only fits on a standard GI-spec barrel.

I wish they made the Aimpoint Comp M4 with a low mount option so you could put it on rifles other than the AR... the only bases for it are AR flat-top height. It sure would be nice to have that 8 year constant on with one AA battery. They need to make a 30mm tube version.

 

[fragout]

Here is another mini/micro dot sight that might be of interest...
http://www.vortextactical.com/product/vortex-sparc-red-dot-scope

the SPARC sells with a modular mount( risers/shims) that allow it to be used on different rifles, and also sells with a 2X magnifier.

Night vision compatible, and also has settings allowing it to be used in mid day sun.

* 2MOA dot
* 5.2oz
* 3in total length.
* Vortex lifetime transferable warranty.
* 4 different mounting heights (.725in/.875in/1.425in/1.575in)
* Battery type : CR-2354
* Battery life: (6 hr auto shutdown feature)
Normal mode of operation = 120hrs at maximum to 3400hrs minimum.
NV mode = 4200 hrs max to 4600 hrs min.
* Operating temperature rating: -40 to 140 drgrees F.


Even sports an ARD, but will cost extra for it.

A good friend of mine has recently decided on the SPARC, and plans to set it up on his wife's M1 Carbine/Ultimak rig, but neither of us have any hands on with one as of yet.

Regarding the M8 rail: The rail itself is aluminum, but the bbl mounting brackets are of stainless steel, so I'm fairly certain it would weigh more than the split rail ARMS 18, but it's best feature is allowing for co-witness.

One issue I might run into with this sight mounted on the ARMS is that of ejecting brass smacking the sight on their way out. No issues with the Ultimak, as it should keep any optic mounted to it away from the action.
A few pics of the split rail ARMS 18 mount for better clarification as to what I am referring to as a possible issue....



11B