AR carry handle scope suggestions.

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vanfunk

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Hi all!

Yesterday I acquired a late-eighties Colt Delta HBAR. It’s a transitional rifle with the older, slab-sided receiver, A2 upper with flash hider but no bayonet lug. It appears to have had about 200 rounds through it so it’s pretty minty. These were outfitted with Tasco rubber-armored 3-9x scopes mounted on Colt-marked ARMS carry handle mounts. The scope is surprisingly “ok” but of course it can be improved upon. Does anyone out there have any suggestions for a nice, clear scope for shooting out to 200 yards? I am considering an ACOG of some sort but I think I’d prefer something with variable power. I’d also like a crosshair reticle with BDC capability and illumination might be nice to have as well. I’d like to keep the overall size and weight down as the HBAR is already a bit of a pig. Thanks for any guidance you can provide!
 
https://www.mountsplus.com/carry-handle-optic-mount.html

Get a good mount first.

Sig MSR
CHM-03.jpg

Colt
pix023173323.jpg

The problem with these are the single mounting point. If you put a big scope on them, they're more prone to moving.

The mount has to fit tight and the mounting screw has to be tight also. A small scope, weighs less and isn't hanging out there to get hit.

I would keep the scope as compact as possible.

uby8AML.jpg
 
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Personally, I would just get another upper or install a better post and use the irons, KNS makes an assortment.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1003367825

I will be honest and say I do have and have used them though, anything above the aperture (not co-witnessed with rear sight) is a stretch, why Colt had the big cheek riser on their delta model, in an effort to make it less awkward.

7E9783A8-7CC5-43AD-93E1-29BD3A92BD53.jpeg
 
I like the little Primary Arms micro prisms.

They bolt right up to a carry handle with the included hardware even.

index.php
 
Thanks for the suggestions, guys! You’ve given me a lot to consider. I plan to keep the carry handle upper receiver but may do some experimentation with different scope setups. My rifle, like all Delta HBARs, is equipped with the Colt cheek riser on the buttstock. It’s not attractive but quite functional. These Deltas were supposed to be “selected” at the factory for exceptional accuracy. I’ll have a chance to try it out at 200 yards next week.

thanks again!
 
Had a CHPs heavy barrel; neat rifle, with full length rifle sights. But yeah, it was a tank.
I tried the little Colt scope, but couldn't warm up to it.
Keep the original, and put a flat top on your lower.
Moon
 
I used a Weaver AR scope on mine but they are gone, I would consider Jmr40's. suggestion or a 1-4 mini scope. Just be sure your mount is solid.
 
Bunch of ways to get this done.
There's an ACOG (1x IIRC) that is specifically made for the carry handle. Not easy to find, and will be $$$$.
The 4x "Colt" carry scopes are cool--and the original Japanese company has turned out another batch to the exact specs of the originals--Brownells was cataloging those around $200 or so, a ways back.

Your "want list" suggests an LVPO, but getting that feature set might be a pretty big pile of dollars.

As noted above, Primary Arms will likely have something very suitable.
 
jmr40 said:
This.

Amazon.com: BURRIS FullField II 3-9x40 Scope, Ballistic Plex Reticle, Matte Black (200162) : Everything Else

Those used to sell for $200. I'd rather have it than a $400 Leupold.

Not the lightest, but IIRC they are about 13 oz which isn't bad for a 3-9X40 scope. You can probably find a 1-4X20 that would be closer to 10 oz.
Click to expand...

Those are good scopes for the money. Probably not on that platform tho.

Edit: Ahh, cheek riser on your Delta. Then the Burris may work well. Apoligies to jmr40.
 
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Hi All:

I ended up taking the stock Tasco optic, ARMS mount, and Delta cheekpiece off, so now my rifle is basically a stock HBAR. Obviously I kept all the “Delta” bits for restoration if desired (plus, those cheekpieces are like $300, when and where you can find them). I ordered a 3x Primary Arms microprism; it looks pretty neat. @gotboostvr, are you running yours with any other mount than what came with your prism? I like that it’ll mount so far back and it seems pretty low over the sights. I’m going to give it a try and I’ll let you all know how it does.
 
This is the mount I used before buying flat top receivers.

BB623C00-F281-44AF-AC2A-A13E305D9802.jpeg

Used in conjunction with the lowest rings I could find. I was never disappointed in accuracy, just ergonomics.
 
vanfunk said:
I ordered a 3x Primary Arms microprism; it looks pretty neat. @gotboostvr, are you running yours with any other mount than what came with your prism? I like that it’ll mount so far back and it seems pretty low over the sights. I’m going to give it a try and I’ll let you all know how it does.
Click to expand...

I just used the cantilever base, and one of the screws that came with it.

There is a kit specifically for carry handles, that's a washer and a screw, but I got along fine without it.

Good news, you can still use your iron sights with the scope mount. Bad news, you can only use the large aperture, and it's partially obscured a little bit at the very top.

I really like that little 3x. Very nifty little scope.
 
You all don't know what bulky or hard to use optics are unless you have had to use the AN/PVS-4 night vision scope mounted on a M16A1 or M16A2. Yes I have had to use both rifles with the AN/PVS-4 mounted.

M16A2 pvs-4.jpeg

If you had to or really want to use an A1 or A2 upper and a scope, I suggest going with as small of a scope as you can. Even the Colt cheek riser won't help with a big scope.
 
jmorris said:
Personally, I would just get another upper or install a better post and use the irons, KNS makes an assortment.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1003367825

I will be honest and say I do have and have used them though, anything above the aperture (not co-witnessed with rear sight) is a stretch, why Colt had the big cheek riser on their delta model, in an effort to make it less awkward.

View attachment 1145599
Click to expand...
I remember those Colts with the rubber armored Tasco 3 x 9 that didn't need rings.

12Bravo20 - Thanks for your suggestion. The sight reminds me of the WW II German cheek weld on their sniper rifles. I've only seen one image of a German K98k with a cheekpiece carved onto the stock. I think it was made for a German aristocrat but am unsure if it was something ever pressed into service.
 
As an AR builder who started during the Federal AWB, and who has seen the rapid and extreme evolution of the market since then, I can’t pretend sticking a scope on top of an A2 carry handle in 2023 makes any sense at all.

I used an A2 handled Hbar M4gery with a scope for my primary coyote hunting rifle for several years, and had a clip on cheek riser on the stock. It still sucked. I put scopes on A1 and A2 handles for a lot of rifles back in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, but today, man, we’re selling buggy whips on the curb of the car lot…
 
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