(Dis)advantage of front mounted red dot

[Kobun]

What is the advantages / disadvantages of mounting a red dot sight up front on the handguards.
Of course this depends on that you have a stabile system (RIS/RAS etc).

Is this for mounting nightvision behind the dot sight, or are there other reasons aswell?

(Posted same question at TFL but it seems like the respons time over there is a bit on the slow side)
K.

 

[BillL223]

I find mounting a red-dot as far forward on the flat-top as possible as very fast while allowing you a good field of view. I tried a handguard mount and didn't like it as it seemed to slow target aquisition.

 

[Harry Tuttle]

Whats kinda funny thou, is that i see pix of all these "SPR" railed free float configured AR15s,
but i have yet to see one with the reddot mounted any farther up front
than a extended reciever mount puts one.

i seldom see the red dot mounted on the FF rail.

on the .mil rifles they have the laser designator up front,
but in a .civ configuration you could slam the aimpoint right behind the front sight

 

[SIGarmed]

Most of the red dots scopes like the Aimpoint don't have any parallax. Eye releif doesn't matter so much with no magnification. It would be personal preference.

 

[Redlg155]

We use Trijicon Reflex sights on a scout type mount with our AR15 A2 Sporters at work. Not too bad of a setup, but I don't really like it for low light conditions. You also have problems with contrasting light conditions due to the sight being so far forward and the coating on the lens.

When using the Aimpoint Comp M mounted on the flatop rail I find that the scope pretty much dissapears when shooting with both eyes open. With the sight mounted further forward I still see the scope. Not a disadvantage, but I personally prefer to just see the dot.

You'd also have to look at sight protection. With the scope mounted on the flatop it is a little better protected since that section is always close to near to the centerline of your body. With the scope mounted over the handguards and close to the FSB you run the risk of hitting or snagging it on something.

It also puts the controls out farther away from you and making them a little less accessible. A right handed shooter with short arms using a rail on a full length rifle could potentially have problems adjusting the dot to the existing light conditions while trying to sight through the rifle.



Good Shooting
Red

 

[c_yeager]

I don't really think that there is all that much to be gained by mounting a reddot THAT far foreward. And the handguards free floated or no are going to be subject to a lot more movement than the top of the reciever which could possibly effect the zero of the sight. For real close quarters type stuff it probably doesnt matter though.

 

[Citadel99]

I think it's just personnal comfort. I dislike the site mounted forward due to the fact that it is much more noticable in your vision than when it's mounted further back.

Mark