Opinions on AR carry handle mount optics

[Warp]

Yep, I benchrest shoot and they have held their zero for over 5 years now. My rule of thumb is no more than 30% of the cost of the rifle for a scope. Now if you were going to drop 5 grand on a guided hunt, then I could see spending $500 to $800 for a scope.

Just my two cents, MTRMN right on, if three of us get on a thread there ends up being 5 opinions. (LOL)
Jim

Given what the OP said in his OP, I believe his intended use for the rifle is more involved and potentially important than sitting on a benchrest.

 

[JShirley]

Jeff White and taliv have an enormous amount of experience between them.

I have two combat deployments under my belt- one as an infantryman- and still have much less practical experience than either of them. Yet I know enough not to buy an NCStar or Barska.

Judge carefully who you listen to.

John

 

[PlaneJain]

Just in case ya want an NcStar, here is one going for 27 bucks.

http://www.slickguns.com/product/ncstar-3-9x40-black-scoperuby-lensring-sfb3940r-2687

 

[dprice3844444]

mad,how do you like the hakko ar scope and where did you get it?

 

[MachIVshooter]

mad,how do you like the hakko ar scope and where did you get it?

I know you weren't asking me, but figured I'd chime in, since I've had a Hakko copy of the Aimpoint Comp M for 9 years now, most of which it has been mounted to .308 rifles, and currently resides on my FAL until I have the scratch to get a real Aimpoint on there (Been buying mags with every extra dime lately).



I'm sure it's no where near as durable as a real Aimpoint, but it has held up remarkably well for a $100 (at the time) optic. Holds zero no problem, battery life is excellent. It uses 2x LR44 instead of a single CR123, but I honestly don't remember if I've changed them out once or never. Combat tough? Probably not. Durable enough for civilian uses? I think so, unless you plan on throwing your rifle from elevated platforms regularly.

Worked great for me in an informal competition Sunday:

 

[Sam Cade]

Durable enough for civilian uses? I think so, unless you plan on throwing your rifle from elevated platforms regularly.

I killed that exact scope by catching it on a doorframe.

D'Oh!!

 

[Warp]

I'm sure it's no where near as durable as a real Aimpoint, but it has held up remarkably well for a $100 (at the time) optic. Holds zero no problem, battery life is excellent. It uses 2x LR44 instead of a single CR123, but I honestly don't remember if I've changed them out once or never. Combat tough? Probably not. Durable enough for civilian uses? I think so, unless you plan on throwing your rifle from elevated platforms regularly.

I don't suppose there are any videos of this sight surviving being thrown from an elevated platform? I'm not asking about "regularly", just once or twice.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I don't suppose there are any videos of this sight surviving being thrown from an elevated platform? I'm not asking about "regularly", just once or twice

Maybe I'll try it once I have the Aimpoint.

It'll be zip tied to a a 7 or 8 pound piece of steel if I do, though. I have no intention of deliberately blemishing expensive rifles.

 

[basicblur]

Head size probably makes a difference

I think so...

My first AR is an old Colt (bought about 35 years ago) with the Colt 3x scope mounted on the handle (no flat tops back then!).
When I bought a few more in recent years, I stuck with the handle mount (got an ACOG on one). If I try to scrunch my big old head behind a scope mounted on a flat top, it's darn uncomfortable.

Never discussed it with my brother, but a few months back I was looking at one of his ARs when he mentioned he was going to have to raise the scope on this flat top as it was darn uncomfortable for him to scrunch down behind it - looks to me if he raises it much, he'll be into carry handle mount height territory!
Apparently his head is as big as mine!?

One size does not fit all, despite what some folks insist.

I also defy 'conventional wisdom' and shoot with one eye closed.
Yeah, I'm constantly told that's just not 'the way', but I'm cross dominant, with the dominant eye suffering from varying pressure. Depending on what day it is (i.e. how much pressure on my eye), my dominant eye changes - probably hour to hour or minute to minute?

With something screwy like that going on with ye olde eyes, I have no confidence in trying to shoot with both eyes open, much as I'd like to.
It's kinda hard to train yourself to shoot with both eyes open when you never know which eye is going to be dominant at the moment.

 

[Warp]

Maybe I'll try it once I have the Aimpoint.

It'll be zip tied to a a 7 or 8 pound piece of steel if I do, though. I have no intention of deliberately blemishing expensive rifles.

I think you'd have to do more than zip tie. A loose connection like that won't duplicate the sturdy mounting of an optic to a rifle for actual use. All the weigh tof the rifle coming down on the optic will not be nearly the same effect if it's just zip tied.

 

[taliv]

I also defy 'conventional wisdom' and shoot with one eye closed.
Yeah, I'm constantly told that's just not 'the way', but I'm cross dominant, with the dominant eye suffering from varying pressure. Depending on what day it is (i.e. how much pressure on my eye), my dominant eye changes - probably hour to hour or minute to minute?

With something screwy like that going on with ye olde eyes, I have no confidence in trying to shoot with both eyes open, much as I'd like to.
It's kinda hard to train yourself to shoot with both eyes open when you never know which eye is going to be dominant at the moment.

huh, never heard of anything like that. if you were consistently dominant in your left eye, i'd recommend shooting lefthanded. but if it keeps switching... that's just bizarre. i guess i'd just practice both sides equally and take it day to day

 

[JShirley]

I don't think he means switching dominant side, but the pressure in the dominant eye increases or decreases.

 

[X-Rap]

Never discussed it with my brother, but a few months back I was looking at one of his ARs when he mentioned he was going to have to raise the scope on this flat top as it was darn uncomfortable for him to scrunch down behind it - looks to me if he raises it much, he'll be into carry handle mount height territory!
Apparently his head is as big as mine!?

The object is not to mount as low as possible but more to the same centerline as the sight in the carry handle. Mounting to low is as bad as to high. There are riser blocks as well as different height rings available. Get as close to the original sight height and you will be much happier.

 

[madcratebuilder]

mad,how do you like the hakko ar scope and where did you get it?

I found it on Gunbroker 8 years or so ago. I like the illuminated reticule and like the Colt it's BDC. The BDC works great with M193 in both the 20" and 14.5" barrels. I see one on evil bay occasionally. I would say it's a minor step up from the Colt version. I like these 3X and 4X scopes for shorter range work. They are more than adequate out to 200yds.

Hako made the Springfield M1A scopes, these could be problematic, some worked, some had issues. I picked up a Hake brand of that scope in 5-15X50. Very unusual reticule, you can change the color by rotating the rear ring, red, green, black and white. It uses ambient light and allows you a setting with no light assist. It works surprisingly well, I've had this on my M1A and AR-10, nice scope but it's large and a bit heavy.

 

[basicblur]

huh, never heard of anything like that. if you were consistently dominant in your left eye, i'd recommend shooting lefthanded. but if it keeps switching... that's just bizarre.

I've been called worse...
('Specially if you talk to my Ex)