How would one mount a scope on this AR?

[Peakbagger46]

What would be a good way to mount a 1" 1-4X20 on this type of upper? Trying to work on a friend's rifle and not sure how high the scope has to be mounted to have visibility with the front A post sight. He has a flip down rear sight and wants the scope to quickly detach without tools so the irons are a viable option in the event of scope failure.

 

[jmr40]

I would mount it the same way I would without the front sight. I have 1-4X and 1-6X scopes on all of my AR's including one 10" barreled pistol with one of the shorty arm braces that can be used as a stock. Some of mine have front sights, some don't. Above 2X or so you don't even see the sight anyway. On 1X, and maybe 2X it is there, but I don't notice it when shooting unless I make it a point to look for it. It doesn't obstruct the view when using a scope any more than it does when not using a scope.

In my experience he is more likely to have an iron sight failure than a scope failure as long as he stays with a decent quality scope.

 

[CraigC]

With a standard cantilever AR mount. They range from a $60 Primary Arms or AR Stoner type mount to +$200 Larue QD types.

 

[1911 guy]

Due to the focal length of a scope, the front sight won't even be visible through a magnified scope.

 

[David Hoback]

Yupper.... Like has been said. Use a standard, cantilever 1.5” base to centerline mount. The front sight will not obstruct optics picture.

Cheers!

 

[Peakbagger46]

Thanks all! I’m not real knowledgeable on AR stuff other than actually running them. Would quick detach low rings like this work as well?

 

[jmorris]

At a comfortable eye level the front sight won’t block your vision. Yes, even on an SBR.

You can see that something is there at low magnification but it doesn’t hinder use.

That one looks a lot like mine but with different plastic.

 

[BigBL87]

If you are REALLY concerned about height, I can say with certainty the Rock River Arms Hi-Rise mounts will clear the front sight post as it's what I had on my old upper with such a post. I didn't find the scope to be uncomfortably high as a result, BUT I do have a big head so take that with a grain of salt. They are semi-QD since they have thumb screws.

https://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=1742

If you want true QD, though, I imagine one of the Burris PEPR mounts would probably do the job.

 

[Chuck R.]

For my ARs with LPVOs I use ADM Recon mounts.

Not cheap, but they return to zero when re-installed. The cantilever design lets you get the scope out where it needs to be, especially if you're a nose to charging handle kind of guy.



https://www.amazon.com/American-Defense-AD-RECON-STD-Riflescope/dp/B002E6USZK

 

[OrangeCat]

In good direct light I can pick up the front sight on mine at 3x (20 inch barrel so maybe not directly applicable to your upper) it's blurry but it's there. But once I get on target it just blends into the sight picture and we're good to go. I think personally it would be more of a pain trying to get a good cheekweld trying to get above it than the little bit it impinges on my sight picture. But I am one of those guys who tries to get the charging handle up his nose so again maybe not your situation.

 

[mustanger98]

Not as expensive as some other mounts, but I've seen the Weaver Tactical mount... so far, Walmart carries it. You'll need a wrench for one nut, but it's real simple, plus it'll accommodate 1" and 30mm tubes. For a 1-4x20, the eyepiece can ride above the flip-up rear sight and eye relief shouldn't be too big a problem. I've looked through a 2.5x20 in one those mounts... can't see the front sight.

 

[skeeterfogger]

If you intend to use a scope why not, if possible, remove the front sight?

 

[LoonWulf]

Thanks all! I’m not real knowledgeable on AR stuff other than actually running them. Would quick detach low rings like this work as well?

View attachment 928682

no, the scope will be too low to see thru.

Your looking at xtra high or taller. Id also recommend a cantilever. If your being cheap the monstrums are pretty good, if you want better then id start at an aero.

 

[mustanger98]

If you intend to use a scope why not, if possible, remove the front sight?

Some people, while using an optic, like to have iron sights as insurance. In this case, removing the front involves swapping out gas blocks.

 

[greyling22]

1) the linked low rings won't work. The reason all ar scopes are mounted high, as well as why the front post is so high, is that there is no drop to the stock like on most guns. Your cheek cannot get low enough to the barrel to use low sights, so the sights have to be raised.

2) I'd buy a utg accusync scope mount for 30 bucks, or an aero for $70, pull the front sight block off and add a block with a rail. I think those look best with that Magpul forend, though they are not my favorite style. Example block: https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...5-m16-picatinny-rail-gas-block-prod29340.aspx

3) don't install irons and a scope. Never seen a scenario that would destroy a good scope but leave the irons intact, where you would!d still want to shoot the gun. I think backup irons are a boondoggle.

 

[CraigC]

The linked rings won't work. You need "AR height" mounts and a cantilever mount is really the best option. That's because due to the AR's geometry, a scope has to be further forward on the receiver compared to a bolt gun. You want your optic mounted to the receiver only and not bridge over to the handguard (not an issue in your case). I've had a bunch of cheap scopes fail and it wasn't "damage" that killed them. Even though I no longer fool with cheap scopes, it still sticks in the back of my mind what 'can' happen. So for me, backup iron sights are cheap insurance. Since you already have a standard fixed gas block front sight, it's nothing to add a folding rear. Here's an example of a Primary Arms 1-6x in a Warne mount, over a folding Magpul rear sight. You can see from the picture that the scope hangs over the handguard and I don't even press my nose to the charging handle.

 

[Zerodefect]

Larue Lt-104.

 

[Peakbagger46]

The linked rings won't work. You need "AR height" mounts and a cantilever mount is really the best option. That's because due to the AR's geometry, a scope has to be further forward on the receiver compared to a bolt gun. You want your optic mounted to the receiver only and not bridge over to the handguard (not an issue in your case). I've had a bunch of cheap scopes fail and it wasn't "damage" that killed them. Even though I no longer fool with cheap scopes, it still sticks in the back of my mind what 'can' happen. So for me, backup iron sights are cheap insurance. Since you already have a standard fixed gas block front sight, it's nothing to add a folding rear. Here's an example of a Primary Arms 1-6x in a Warne mount, over a folding Magpul rear sight. You can see from the picture that the scope hangs over the handguard and I don't even press my nose to the charging handle.

View attachment 928721

That setup looks stellar. Would that work OK with the A post gas block/sight?

 

[Hookeye]

Reg rings work if put atop riser blocks.

 

[David Hoback]

Thanks all!

Those are too low. Also, you want a cantilever(extended) scope mount. The ADM are nice, but expensive. I use an ADM Recon on my Bench Rifle. I’ve spent many years researching mounts, and I’m lucky enough to have studied metallurgy for the last 8 years.

This is the best dollar for dollar mount made. It’s made of 7075-T6 instead of the 6061 most mounts are. I’m using this same mount in 30mm. I was skeptical because of the price, but it’s actually very nice, and incredibly strong. https://www.amazon.com/IORMAN-Hunti...=1594484966&sprefix=cantilever+scope+&sr=8-30

Here is mine. It even has bottom recoil lugs. I was blown away.

 

[CraigC]

That setup looks stellar. Would that work OK with the A post gas block/sight?

It would. You'll see a blurry front sight at lower magnification but it'll disappear at higher magnification.

 

[David Hoback]

Any option with 1.5” base to centerline height. Will work. Stay way from rings. 1-piece cantilever mounts are the more practical choice.

 

[LoonWulf]

Some people, while using an optic, like to have iron sights as insurance. In this case, removing the front involves swapping out gas blocks.

Or a hacksaw......

 

[Chuck R.]

It would. You'll see a blurry front sight at lower magnification but it'll disappear at higher magnification.

I'll add that IF you're focusing on your TGT, you won't even notice the blurry font sight.

I've run a fixed FSB carbine with a LPVO in matches and in carbine classes, really is a non-issue IMHO even at 1X. I also run an RDS with a fixed FSB using a lower 1/3rd co-witness without an issue. The pistol below has fixed irons and an RDS at an absolute co-witness and it's also not an issue for me as long as I'm tgt focused.



I'd get the correct mount and shoot the gun for a while, run some drills etc. Then IF it still bothers you, swap out the fixed FSB for a low profile gas block and a FF handguard.

 

[CraigC]

I never said it was an issue, only that you will see it. Which is true. It 'can' be something of a distraction at first and a distraction is something that takes your focus away from the target.