Aimpoint PRO with A2 front sight

[Hammer059]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/514855/aimpoint-pro-red-dot-sight-30mm-tube-1x-2-moa-dot-with-picatinny-style-mount-matte?cm_vc=S014

Thinking about picking up this red dot to put on my 6920. Although I do a lot of shooting, I'll admit this will be my first red dot optic of any kind on an AR-15.

Since this comes ready to mount, can I put this on my rifle and have the dot lined up with the front sight? Or will the front sight post completely block my line of view?

Also, do I want to mount the optic as close to the rear of the rifle as possible, or towards the front of the rail? As mentioned, this will be my first red dot, so any input is appreciated. Thanks

 

[Hammer059]

Pics of the rifle, in case that helps

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

Yes, the Aimpoint Pro can be set up to co-witness with irons. No, you won't have any problems with the A2 sight post.

As to where it goes on the receiver, there's a lot of personal preference there and a lot of operational needs. If you are going to run a BUIS, the Aimpoint will need to go more forward on the receiver than if you weren't. Most guys like to run it over the magwell to keep the weight of the sight near the CoG of the rifle and thus cut down on how it feels on the rifle.

 

[Hammer059]

Thanks. As far as placement of the optic on the rail, that makes sense.

I'll definitely keep the rear BUIS, so I guess I'll put the red dot as far back as I can but still in front of the rear sight…. Putting it all the way forward on the rail seems like it'd be too far away from me

 

[herrwalther]

When using a red dot, ignore your iron sights. Pretend they don't even exist. Red dots are supposed to be used with both eyes open to have a super imposed image on the target while maintaining a wide field of view. The front sight post will be in the field of vision of the red dot, but with enough practice you won't notice it.

However, zero both the red dot and iron sights. That way in the case of a (rare) red dot failure you can still use your iron sights. One will help you zero the other. I recommend sighting in your red dot first, just for simplicity.

 

[Hammer059]

Thanks for the tip. I'm pretty familiar with how to use a red dot, obviously I don't want to focus on iron sights with a red dot on... I just wanted to make sure the front sight post wouldn't be too tall to look through the Aimpoint PRO.

The iron sights are already "zeroed", so I'm just gonna put the red dot on and sight it in from there

 

[herrwalther]

Thanks for the tip. I'm pretty familiar with how to use a red dot, obviously I don't want to focus on iron sights with a red dot on... I just wanted to make sure the front sight post wouldn't be too tall to look through the Aimpoint PRO.

Many aren't and just wanted to get that base covered. I don't know your experience but figured I would throw in that pearl of wisdom anyway just in case. I have never used the PRO from Aimpoint but have used the CompM2 and M4 from them, they look to be about the same height. The front sight post should come up to about 1/2 but no more than 3/4 of the field of vision when looking through the PRO.

The iron sights are already "zeroed", so I'm just gonna put the red dot on and sight it in from there

Nothing wrong with that. It is backwards to how I am used to zeroing but will work just the same.

 

[Hammer059]

Yeah, I'd rather do that than have to deal with taking the front sight off and having to zero in two things instead of one.

 

[Hammer059]

When you say it should come up 1/2 to 3/4 my field of vision, does that mean the top of the sight will be higher than the red dot? That doesn't sound very good hah

 

[herrwalther]

When you say it should come up 1/2 to 3/4 my field of vision, does that mean the top of the sight will be higher than the red dot? That doesn't sound very good hah

Depends. As I mentioned I am guessing based on how tall the Aimpoint PRO is compared to the M2 and M4 models. On those models the red dot is typically very close to the front sight post. I would guess the PRO would be about the same height.

 

[Inebriated]

I mount all my optics at the front of the rail, but not touching the handguard. If you like it closer up, then just move it.

As for the front sight base... It won't be blocking your view by any stretch, but it might be a good opportunity to bring this up. Consider the proper way to use a red dot... Both eyes open, focused on the target. You aren't looking through the dot, you're looking past it. One of the major benefits of both eyes open, is that you can have the optic 100% obscured, and it still be completely usable. This is a time-tested aiming method, and it's also why that PRO comes with a clear rear cap and a black front. Aimpoint's intent is for you to be able to use it with the caps closed if you yank it out of a patrol car and need to engage quick.

But as far as the A2 goes, it won't be in the way when you're shooting. Might make itself known during a living room pew pew session, but in actual use, you won't notice it.

 

[Gordon]

With the supplied spacer installed and on the reciever it will be about lower 1/3rd co witness. Pull the spacer for co witness but that will mean you will have to scrunch down the cheek weld

 

[Sam1911]

With the supplied spacer installed and on the reciever it will be about lower 1/3rd co witness. Pull the spacer for co witness but that will mean you will have to scrunch down the cheek weld

Agreed!

Set up "right" (meaning, how I prefer) the scope is centered a bit above the line of the iron sights, and the dot appears to float a little bit above the front sight. That lets you have a very "heads-up" stance for stability and quick motion as you engage close, dynamic targets. If you want to use the irons you scrunch down into a lower cheek weld and find the iron sight line through the lower 1/3rd of the optic's field of view.

 

[Hammer059]

Gordon and Sam1911, that sounds best to me. Does the spacer come with the optic?

 

[bearcreek]

Depends. As I mentioned I am guessing based on how tall the Aimpoint PRO is compared to the M2 and M4 models. On those models the red dot is typically very close to the front sight post. I would guess the PRO would be about the same height.

There is no "typical" height with the Comp M2 because it doesn't come from the factory with a mount like the M4 and Pro. You can get absolute cowitness or lower third cowitness mounts. I prefer the lower third version myself. The Pro and Comp M4 come with a mount from the factory which I believe are set up for absolute cowitness. Different spacers and mounts are available for each to change the height if you wish. Normally red dot's are mounted as far forward on the receiver as you can get. In fact, you can get cantilever mounts that extend them out over the handguard a little ways. You don't want it right up close to your eye. There's no benefit to doing that and it blocks your peripheral vision too much, limiting one of the primary advantages of a RD sight.

 

[herrwalther]

There is no "typical" height with the Comp M2 because it doesn't come from the factory with a mount like the M4 and Pro.

Correct. But I was going off the typical height of where the red dot actually sits when looking through the optic. I used typically as it depends on the zero of the rifle. I have had the red dot sit up and to the right of the front sight post. But also in other areas as well.

The mounts and spacers of the M2 are a new level of fun by themselves. I remember one time using the M2 without a spacer and couldn't figure out why I was missing some of my targets. Quite a few others in my unit were as well. Red dots were pretty new at this point, around 2008 or 09. A soldier from another unit pointed out the M2 needed a half moon spacer to get it to the right height. And our supply NCO hadn't ordered them as they were a separate part that wasn't included.

 

[AKElroy]

Agreed!

Set up "right" (meaning, how I prefer) the scope is centered a bit above the line of the iron sights, and the dot appears to float a little bit above the front sight. That lets you have a very "heads-up" stance for stability and quick motion as you engage close, dynamic targets. If you want to use the irons you scrunch down into a lower cheek weld and find the iron sight line through the lower 1/3rd of the optic's field of view.

I have the Aimpoint Pro on my DDM4V3. You definitely want to use the spacer, and mount it as far forward as the receiver rail will allow. You will have a nice 1/3rd co-witness, which means you can center the dot in the scope without the sight getting in the way, or "hunker down" for a tighter cheek weld, which will drop the dot visually onto the sights to the lower "1/3rd" of the scopes view.

With limitless eye relief on an UN-magnified RDS, you want it as far forward as possible, while still keeping it on the receiver for better zero retention.

 

[bearcreek]

Correct. But I was going off the typical height of where the red dot actually sits when looking through the optic in the third optic. I used typically as it depends on the zero of the rifle. I have had the red dot sit up and to the right of the front sight post. But also in other areas as well.

I don't quite follow your statement. What do you mean when you say "looking through the optic in the third optic"? If the dot is up and to the right of the front sight post when looking through the irons it means that either the irons or the RDS or both are not sighted in. Even if you have a lower third cowitness mount the dot should still sit at the top of the front sight post when looking through the irons, assuming they're sighted in at the same distance.

 

[Hammer059]

AKElroy, that sounds like exactly what I want. Regarding the spacer you're referring to: Does it come with the optic??

 

[AKElroy]

AKElroy, that sounds like exactly what I want. Regarding the spacer you're referring to: Does it come with the optic??

It comes already mounted to the optic, ready to install right out of the box. When you slip it onto the rail, push it forward in the slot so it will not move under recoil, and tighten the self-torquing nut until it clicks three times. This will be the fastest install you've ever had.

 

[Hammer059]

Awesome! I can't wait to get this.

Thanks again to everyone for sharing your knowledge

 

[Inebriated]

The QRP PRO mount is great for a factory mount. With any other Aimpoint, I usually would suggest just getting a package from LaRue with one of their mounts, but the PRO does well out of the box. The knob is massive, but it works.

 

[AKElroy]

I don't quite follow your statement. What do you mean when you say "looking through the optic in the third optic"? If the dot is up and to the right of the front sight post when looking through the irons it means that either the irons or the RDS or both are not sighted in. Even if you have a lower third cowitness mount the dot should still sit at the top of the front sight post when looking through the irons, assuming they're sighted in at the same distance.

+1. Once you get the sight, adjust until it is aligned with the BUIS, then sight-in at the range to confirm. Mine needed some adjustment to the RDS to get the dot on my POI. After getting the dot on target, you can then take your time tweeking the irons to line up with the dot.

 

[Gordon]

I allways sight in 5.56 ARs using the Buis before the final optic install (taking note of the numbered slot you tried it on and where it will live ) I sight in at 50 yards with BUIS in lowest rear range detent . This put it pretty much dead on at 200 yards plus or minus and you can and should be getting tight groups of an inch or less at 50 yards.
Then I install the optic in it's position torqued down properly and again sight the dot at 50 yards not paying attention to the Buis (why should you care ? You just sighted in the Buis ) . Then verify impact at 100 where it may be 1" or so high and 200 yards were it should be close to zero. If you want to use the BUIS someday at extended range you should trust but verify the come up are on target at the proper detent setting out to however far it ranges, but do not adjust the battle sight zero ! Same with optics, the Red dot discussed does not really have come ups for range , but it will be on to 200 yards. Other optics like ACOGS have range come ups so you verify them like you did the BUIS. By then you should be getting to know how your rifle performs

 

[TrailWolf]

I mount all my optics at the front of the rail, but not touching the handguard. If you like it closer up, then just move it.

As for the front sight base... It won't be blocking your view by any stretch, but it might be a good opportunity to bring this up. Consider the proper way to use a red dot... Both eyes open, focused on the target. You aren't looking through the dot, you're looking past it. One of the major benefits of both eyes open, is that you can have the optic 100% obscured, and it still be completely usable. This is a time-tested aiming method, and it's also why that PRO comes with a clear rear cap and a black front. Aimpoint's intent is for you to be able to use it with the caps closed if you yank it out of a patrol car and need to engage quick.

But as far as the A2 goes, it won't be in the way when you're shooting. Might make itself known during a living room pew pew session, but in actual use, you won't notice it.

Quoted for truth. OP take note of this.