Long-Eye Relief Scopes

[Nightcrawler]

A lot of different semiautomatic rifles out there now have mounts that allow mounting (go figure) of long-eye-relief optics.

Ultimak makes such rigs for AKs, Mini-14s, and M1 carbines. Somebody else is making one for the M1 Garand, and various other rifle types have rail handguards with a top rail that allows mounting of such.

Though, you don't see a lot of them on ARs. I assume that this is because the front sight tower would likely be in the way, unless it folded down.

Question. Are free-floating handguards necessary to mount one of these types of optics, if you're using rail-type-handguards? I'm curious about this.

Also, if you remove the handguards for cleaning (not necessary after shooting, usually, but if you crawl through the dirt, yeah) will re-zeroing be necessary? Or does this vary from rifle to rifle? (I've taken apart my FAL several times, including completely separating the upper and lower receivers. Despite the fact the foresight is on one and the backsight is on the other, I've never lost zero. But perhaps handguards have less exacting tolerances?)

That new little Ruger frontier rifle has me intrigued. It's kind of cute, really. Too bad they won't make a left-handed version.

So, who has a long-eye relief scope? Anyone have 'em on their semiauto (scary-type) rifles? What scopes are best? Will any handgun scope work, or is one specifically designed for the purpose best? What magnification do you prefer? (2.5x seems to be the standard, but I've heard of up to 4x.)

Got pictures?

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Though, you don't see a lot of them on ARs. I assume that this is because the front sight tower would likely be in the way, unless it folded down.

Not an issue unless the scope is less than 3x. The focal length of the scope is usually long enough that the sfront sight base is just a faint blur, if it is noticeable at all.

Question. Are free-floating handguards necessary to mount one of these types of optics, if you're using rail-type-handguards? I'm curious about this.

To be honest, I've had the Knight's FF rails and the Daniel Defense. You can mount a scope to either; but it isn't an optimum solution. They can still work loose and twist and it doesn't take much to change the zero on a scope. There are several receiver mounts for scopes that move the scope forward though and are very solid.

The cheapest I've used is the Armalite one-piece mount. The downside is, it doesn't really move the scope that far forward. If you are using a scope with 3-4" of eye relief, you'll still need your head back on the stock.

The other two mounts are more expensive; but high quality. The Larue SPR was designed specifically for the AR15. It has quick-release levers and good return to zero and was designed to work with the Leupold MR/T. It mount a scope a bit further forward than the Armalite.

The second mount is the Larue EER (Extended Eye Relief). It is similar to the SPR but mounts further forward for use with long eye relief scopes like the Trijicon TR21.

So, who has a long-eye relief scope? Anyone have 'em on their semiauto (scary-type) rifles? What scopes are best? Will any handgun scope work, or is one specifically designed for the purpose best? What magnification do you prefer? (2.5x seems to be the standard, but I've heard of up to 4x.)

If you don't want to spend a ton of money, a 1-4x shotgun scope (Leupold makes a nice one for $179) is tough to beat. The only downside is that you would probably spend more than the scope on the mount in order to get the eye relief right if you shoot nose-to-charging handle.

 

[rbernie]

So, who has a long-eye relief scope? Anyone have 'em on their semiauto (scary-type) rifles? What scopes are best? Will any handgun scope work, or is one specifically designed for the purpose best? What magnification do you prefer? (2.5x seems to be the standard, but I've heard of up to 4x.)

I have a couple/three scout rifles. I have scary rifles. But my scary rifles don't wear scout scopes - they either sport irons or Aimpoints or traditional scopes mounted in traditional locations. It appears that you can get supercalifragilisticexpealidocious free-floating forearms for the AR that will be bloody near as solid a mount for the optics as a flattop, but they are priced accordingly. (My HD-oriented AR sports a YH rifle-length freefloat forearm over a 16" barrel, but the rails are used to mount a front BUIS out at the end of the barrel and not to mount the Aimpoint or a scout scope.)

Leupold makes a 2.5x Scout/IER (intermediate eye relief) scope. Burris makes a 2.75x IER scope. That's about it for dedicated IER scopes.

Many pistol scopes will actually NOT work in a scout configuration because their eye relief will be too long. I've tried Leupold M8 2x and 4x and Burris 4x and Nikon 4x - all needed to be mounted too far out to be useful on the rifles/mounts that I have. Also, bear in mind that most 2x and 4x pistol scopes will be parallax-adjusted for 50 yards instead of 100. I don't know how much, if any, this can affect things - just mentioning it.

I have found that the Weaver handgun scopes offer short-enough eye relief to be useful in scout rifle configuration. In fact, that's what I used last weekend deerhunting; a Weaver 2x on a levergun, set up using a AO scout mount and Burris QD rings. The Weaver 2-6x28 is supposed to be set for 100 yard parallax; I've got one on order and we'll see if it offers short enough eye relief to be a useful scout scope. If not, well I can always put it on a Ruger BH.

 

[DMK]

I have found that the Weaver handgun scopes offer short-enough eye relief to be useful in scout rifle configuration. In fact, that's what I used last weekend deerhunting; a Weaver 2x on a levergun, set up using a AO scout mount and Burris QD rings. The Weaver 2-6x28 is supposed to be set for 100 yard parallax; I've got one on order and we'll see if it offers short enough eye relief to be a useful scout scope.

I put a scout scope on a Mosin 19/59 carbine and I'm putting another on a K31. I found that the Weaver Classic variable pistol scope has about a 11 or 12" ER, which works perfectly for my application. Very nice scopes, for a very good price.

And yes, both pistol and shotgun scopes may have a 50 yard parallax.

Whatever you buy, carefully read the specs.

 

[Atlas Shrug]

Re/scopes, also consider the Burris Pistol scopes. If you look at their web page specs, some are in the "correct" eye relief range.

Right now, I'm testing a Burris 2-7x pistol scope with Ballistic Plex reticle on an M1 Garand utilizing the AmegaRanges forward mount. Initial tests are very promising.

FWIW, I also have Scout Rifles set up with both Burris and Leupold Scout Scopes and like them very much. If hunting game is your plan, then the traditional fixed powered IER scout scopes are just fine, with very few weaknesses. If, however, you want more precision capability in your battle rifle, then the forward mounted scopes with reticles such as the Ballistic Plex offer value. They're not perfect, but a step in the right direction IMHO.

 

[tkesurvey596]

Hi everyone. Well I found out that what I thought was an unfinished project of my grandfathers, was actually a Swiss Schmidt-Rubin K31/55, an actual sniper rifle. Seeing as the original scope and mount were long gone, as well as a few other items, I started doing some more research, and found this page, (http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews2005/skswissk31mount/index.asp). So, after reading it and mulling it over, I went to a local gunshow and purchased a 2-7x32 NcSTAR Pistolero Rifle Scope. After about a week, I was able to scrounge enough up for S&Ks' SCOPE MOUNTS and ordered their #3165 SCHMIDT RUBIN K-31 SCOUT mounts. They were extreamly easy to attach to the barrel where the old range and elevation bar had been. After getting the scope on the paper, and testing it, I must say I am well pleased. I now have a terrific "new" hunting rifle, and also the satisfaction of knowing that I finished a project my grandfather never got to finish.This hunting season I have killed 2 doe's , a spike and 1 female sow with this unique rifle. All for around $150.00 parts, and ammo.Well as far as "Scary" guns, not yet, I still use iron sights on the SKS. My dad has purchased a K31, but it is a standard issue Swiss Karabiner 31. But he ended up also getting the bayonet, 2boxes of ammo, the sling, and a few other goody's from the same gunshow. Go figure.