Where do you position your red dot sight?

[Grayrock]

Got a little reflex red dot sight to put on my daughter's AR that I built for her. It has a 15" rail on top plus the one on the upper receiver. Where do you position your sight? Close in, far out on the end or somewhere in the middle? Is there a general rule of thumb? Does a certain position promote using both eyes? I realize every person has his own favorite opinion, I'm just trying to poll the masses. Thanks.

 

[Telekinesis]

General consensus seems to be on top of the receiver for ARs. I have my red dot roughly over the ejection port. On my AK I have the red dot forward (over the gas tube).

Both positions are fine for shooting with both eyes open but if you decide to shoot with only one eye you will get a better field of view (through the optic) the closer the optic is to your eye.

 

[Klint Beastwood]

Yes you can put it where ever on the receiver. It’s going to be what’s comfortable to you. Putting it on the quad rail, even if it’s free floated you will run the risk of having some inconsistencies

 

[sota]

over the ejection port, forward of the center line of said, based on testing and desired eye relief. YMMV based on a whole host of factors.

 

[Wisco]

As far forward as possible with still having a solid mount. Usually that’s as far forward as possible on the upper receiver. If you’ve got a rock solid rail system, you can go all the to the front. It’s really personal preference.

 

[imashooter]

Most folks position them forward-most atop the receiver or over the ejection port. I prefer mine rearward with just enough space for a MBUS. I am less distracted with that. And even less distracted again with a tube type,be it micro or otherwise, as compared to a reflex. Both eyes open.

 

[michaelc246]

I like to mount the red dot more forward on my top rail. It just gives more rail space for other things like back up iron sights and I find that it breaks up tunnel vision a little bit because my eye isn't forced to be too close to the back lens. This article kinda goes through it: Click here for article on mounting red dot sights.

 

[Chuck R.]

As far FWD as possible, while still on the receiver. I also use cantilever mounts to push it out a little further:




I find with it FWD it doesn't obscure as much of my vision.

 

[saiga308]

i have both sks and ak 47 folder on the front tube rail
http://djthemacster.smugmug.com/Other/Gunz/i-mZx8vbm/0/L/DPP3322-L.jpg

 

[GunnyUSMC]

As far forward on the receiver as possible. There is no eye relief on a red dot. Mounting far forward gives you a wider field of view when scanning the area without having to move your head fron the rifle.

 

[Klint Beastwood]

I agree above. However with a magnifier and a PEQ it kind of makes the descision for you

 

[chicharrones]

For me, on the receiver far enough forward to clear a back up rear sight, whether that rear sight is fixed or flips up.

 

[Captains1911]

As far forward as it will go on the upper receiver rail. It tends to balance the rifle best for me in that position, and isn’t as obtrusive to my vision as it is more rearward.