Mini red dot mounting

[Rittmeister]

I've got a Rock River AR15 that until recently I was using with a Burris MTAC 1-4x scope. Out of a desire to make it lighter and more mobile, I've decided to go a different direction with the rifle.

The MTAC came as a package with a mini red dot - a FastFire III reflex sight to be specific. I've ordered a mount to put it on the rifle (Burris' own AR-F3 mount) but in fooling around with the sight on the gun I've found that not only will the sight mount directly to the 1913 rail on top of the gun, it also should work fine with the BUIS folded down - they're completely out of the way when looking through the red-dot. When I put the iron sights up they look directly over top of the FFIII and there's no visual interference.

Granted, I haven't shot it this way; I don't feel any discomfort in shouldering and sighting down the rifle when the red-dot is mounted that low, nor does it feel particularly different from using the irons or the MTAC when it was on there.

Does anyone have a feeling for using the FastFire with, or without, the mount? The real difference will be that the mount will raise the red-dot to a height that will co-witness it with the irons.

I suppose I could try it both ways; all it should cost me would be more rounds to zero it. I'm curious what others think though - comments appreciated.

 

[Jackal]

If its comfortable for you, go for it. Most people need a riser simply to bring the optic up to eye level.

 

[Hookeye]

I'd clock it and leave the irons up.

 

[gwpercle]

Go shooting and see how you like it. Most likely will be fine.
Add the riser if too low, I personally like red dots mounted low, the idea being to get things less bulky and lower is less bulky and that is slimmer and trimmmer.
Give it a go.
Gary

 

[wally]

Play around with your options and see what works best for you. With a red dot you are trading accuracy for speed.

I like my AR dot optics co-witnessed with the irons -- either absolute or lower 1/3rd is fine what ever is easiest for me to mount. IMHO it helps to have the iron sights as a reference when adjusting the red dot as these often have less than clearly visible markings for the adjustments making it easy to go the "wrong way".