Would like to put a scope on AR-15 carry handle
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David E
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It puts it way too high. I took mine off after a short time.
You don't have to trade or sell that Colt, just swap out the upper receiver for a flat top. Would run about $150 for just the receiver. Or have a gunsmith mill the existing one and affix a rail to it. Option #1 is better.
4x fixed from Colt or the illuminated Leaper's clones will work, you need a delta cheek piece or a riser for the carbine stock, most don't fit the M4 stock.
docnyt
Member
Agree on the Leaper's scope. It's one of the few low profile ones that will work for a fixed carry handle.
madcratebuilder
Member
Colt scope, you can still find NOS if you want to pay that much, used are very affordable.
You can do it. A high mount scope does have a disadvantage, nothing to do with it being an AR. It forces a trajectory into a rainbow pattern, because the barrel is about 2 !/2" lower and actually has to shoot up to the point of aim at closer ranges. After the mid point, it falls further.
Imagine if it was 36" above the bore, at 100 yards the barrel would be noticeably tilted up. On the AR handle, it will expand the normal 3" group that you get out to 300 yards to string a 6 or 7" group at the ranges in between.
Sighted in for one specific distance, it's not a major bother. Making up a range chart to know how much elevation to dial in and correct it is normal for precision shooters anyway. Live target shots are where the flattop is preferred because it won't have as much vertical spread.
Imagine if it was 36" above the bore, at 100 yards the barrel would be noticeably tilted up. On the AR handle, it will expand the normal 3" group that you get out to 300 yards to string a 6 or 7" group at the ranges in between.
Sighted in for one specific distance, it's not a major bother. Making up a range chart to know how much elevation to dial in and correct it is normal for precision shooters anyway. Live target shots are where the flattop is preferred because it won't have as much vertical spread.
Zerodefect
member
Just replace the upper reciever and have it built right.
It's easy to do. Need a barrel nut wrench, some grease, vice, action block, and a little time.
It's easy to do. Need a barrel nut wrench, some grease, vice, action block, and a little time.
duncan
Member
Dude, swap out that upper for a flat top or put it aside for another project. I used an A2 upper for a 45 acp pistol caliber AR-15 build and love it in that short radius.
amd6547
Member
No need to swap the upper. Scope on the carry handle works fine. I've been doing it for years.
Darthbauer
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- 677
While being high and expensive the ACOG without a mount is made for carry handle. I think it looks pretty cool up there too but that's just me.
Big44mag
Member
Not your typical setup, but it works great.
You can do it. A high mount scope does have a disadvantage, nothing to do with it being an AR. It forces a trajectory into a rainbow pattern, because the barrel is about 2 !/2" lower and actually has to shoot up to the point of aim at closer ranges. After the mid point, it falls further.
Imagine if it was 36" above the bore, at 100 yards the barrel would be noticeably tilted up. On the AR handle, it will expand the normal 3" group that you get out to 300 yards to string a 6 or 7" group at the ranges in between.
Sighted in for one specific distance, it's not a major bother. Making up a range chart to know how much elevation to dial in and correct it is normal for precision shooters anyway. Live target shots are where the flattop is preferred because it won't have as much vertical spread.
This is all wrong. All sights are mounted higher than the barrel. All rifles shoot upward for a distance until the bullet crosses the line of sight. All bullets travel in a rainbow pattern. Mounting the scope higher(like on an AR carry handle) actually is a way of cheating the trajectory and make the bullet appear to shoot flatter at longer ranges. It will have zero effect on group size at longer ranges or cause stringing. The 6"-7" you refer to will happen regardless of how your scope is mounted or if you use iron sights.
A typical scope is mounted about 1.5"-2" above the bore. Most irons are about 1". Going to 2.5" on an AR handle will have very little effect on the bullets trajectory. It's main problem is getting a good view through the scope with it mounted so high.
Imagine if it was 36" above the bore, at 100 yards the barrel would be noticeably tilted up. On the AR handle, it will expand the normal 3" group that you get out to 300 yards to string a 6 or 7" group at the ranges in between.
Sighted in for one specific distance, it's not a major bother. Making up a range chart to know how much elevation to dial in and correct it is normal for precision shooters anyway. Live target shots are where the flattop is preferred because it won't have as much vertical spread.
This is all wrong. All sights are mounted higher than the barrel. All rifles shoot upward for a distance until the bullet crosses the line of sight. All bullets travel in a rainbow pattern. Mounting the scope higher(like on an AR carry handle) actually is a way of cheating the trajectory and make the bullet appear to shoot flatter at longer ranges. It will have zero effect on group size at longer ranges or cause stringing. The 6"-7" you refer to will happen regardless of how your scope is mounted or if you use iron sights.
A typical scope is mounted about 1.5"-2" above the bore. Most irons are about 1". Going to 2.5" on an AR handle will have very little effect on the bullets trajectory. It's main problem is getting a good view through the scope with it mounted so high.
Sport45
Member
I took mine off too. I found there was no way to get any kind of cheek weld on my A2 stock for accurate shooting.
Hmm Its about 50/50 I would say. I wanted to hunt coyotes with this AR rifle.
My Mohawk 600 has see threw rings & the Ednar scope that just broke sits really high on it.
So I am used to the high scope.
I guess my next question is
Who makes the best hand rail adapter for the scope to mount to. I wanna try a cheaper scope I have lying around & see if its something I like or dont.
PS thanks for all your help guys.
My Mohawk 600 has see threw rings & the Ednar scope that just broke sits really high on it.
So I am used to the high scope.
I guess my next question is
Who makes the best hand rail adapter for the scope to mount to. I wanna try a cheaper scope I have lying around & see if its something I like or dont.
PS thanks for all your help guys.
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benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
If you are interested in a red-dot type optic, Trijicon makes a Reflex that cantilevers forward off the carry handle and sits low enough to cowitness with the irons. It is pricey, though.
Joe Demko
Member
I've used handle mounted scopes a lot. The lack of cheek weld is really the only problem as far as shooting goes and a Delta-style cheek piece solves that. I use a Tasco scope that was originally made for the Colt Delta Elite. It's a rubber-armored 3x-9x variable scope with an integral mount that fits the handle. I believe a similar scope is still manufactured if you want to go in that direction.
If I had a criticism of handle mounted optics, it would be that you can end up with a pretty tall rifle when a 30 round magazine is in place.
If I had a criticism of handle mounted optics, it would be that you can end up with a pretty tall rifle when a 30 round magazine is in place.
No problem Rexter
I no very lil about the Colt I own. or Ar-15s cross the board.
The AR-15 sport-er was bought as a pop can killer. It's being pressed into yote service. kinda over night. The 2 reviews that I liked best Baraska? #1 guy said it works good in low light.
& second was solder that said it was almost as good as his 10x $$$ expensive one he had over in the sand lot. Really only bad review was a wire came off & it wouldn't turn on. That comment was on most all batt operated scopes, if you read all the reviews.
Ps thanks for he pics guys they all helped.
I no very lil about the Colt I own. or Ar-15s cross the board.
The AR-15 sport-er was bought as a pop can killer. It's being pressed into yote service. kinda over night. The 2 reviews that I liked best Baraska? #1 guy said it works good in low light.
& second was solder that said it was almost as good as his 10x $$$ expensive one he had over in the sand lot. Really only bad review was a wire came off & it wouldn't turn on. That comment was on most all batt operated scopes, if you read all the reviews.
Ps thanks for he pics guys they all helped.
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radshooter
Member
I have an Ar-10 with the scope on the handle. It is not a problem for me unless I go prone. I have a hard time cranking my neck back far enough to get a good sight picture. If I am shooting offhand, sitting, or bench, it works great for me.
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