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ccase39
29 April 2013, 10:01
I am looking to mount a red dot scope and magnifier on my Bushmaster AR15. I really like these and they are in my price range


https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_3X_Red_Dot_Magnifier_GEN_III_p/pa3xgeniii.htm

https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_MultiReticle_Red_Dot_Sight_PAM3M_p/pam3m.htm

The problem is I would rather not replace my existing stock iron sights if I don't have too. Is there a way to mount these where I can still use my irons sights or will that front sight just be too high and or field of view be blocked by the scope mounts. The mounts would have to be angled as I don't have a floating rail. If I was to add a rail to the carry handle and mount the scope there how would that work out?

Hmac
29 April 2013, 12:11
With an optic mount of the proper height and a magnifier mount that allows it to flip to the side or quick-detach, you don't have to do anything with your iron sights. You can still use them to sight through the optic.

ccase39
29 April 2013, 14:04
Yea but the rear site is attached to the carry handle, wouldn't I have to take it off and get another rear sight and shorter front sight, or can I mount the scope and magnifier directly to the carry handle?

tpelle
29 April 2013, 17:35
It's possible to buy a rail that mounts the optic to the top of the carry handle, but I really don't think you'd want to. You end up with, not a cheek weld, but more of a chin weld. I presume that we are talking about a removable carry handle rear sight on a flat-top upper?

One option is to use one of those mounts that clamp to the carry handle but has a sight rail attached that goes out in front of the carry handle over the handguard. A red dot sight with no magnifier has infinite eye relief, so you can mount it that far away from your eye with no problem. Something like this:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c354/tpelle/prod_FixedCarryHandleMount_zps45f83aa8.jpg (http://s31.photobucket.com/user/tpelle/media/prod_FixedCarryHandleMount_zps45f83aa8.jpg.html)

On the rifle, with an optic mounted, it looks like this:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c354/tpelle/DSC_1249-L_zpsada1da2f.jpg (http://s31.photobucket.com/user/tpelle/media/DSC_1249-L_zpsada1da2f.jpg.html)

Of course you can just bite the bullet (figuratively speaking, of course) and just put a quality picatinney rail handguard on the rifle, but it would have to be very solidly mounted, and since you mention a budget this solution might be out of your price range.

ccase39
29 April 2013, 18:46
That answers everything. I was wondering if mounting directly on top of the carry handle would change where I rested my cheek. I don't want that. I don't like the aesthetics of the other picture either. For now I am going to enjoy what I have and then swap my snap in quad rail for a free float, get a low pro gas block, and folding front and rear sights. Thanks!