LPVOs and Mounts

[Havok7416]

I'm looking to change the optic on my AR to an LPVO but I seem to find more questions than answers at this point.

I have a Caldwell brass catcher that takes up 1-2 of my Picatinny rails right near the ejection port. I am trying to find a scope mount that will clear this accessory (ideally the mount will be placed as far to rear of the rail as I can get it) while still providing me with enough eye relief to use the scope.

Is this within the realm of reality? Virtually all the pictures I have found online show LPVO mounts almost centered over the ejection port area. I assume an LPVO has similar eye relief to a traditional scope, so the rear of the scope will likely be sitting somewhere around the charging handle.

If you have pictures that would likely help me out also. Besides, everyone likes pics!

 

[Chuck R.]

I've got 3 ARs with LPVOs mounted in cantilever mounts (ADM Recons).

I've also got the Caldwell, with with the QD and mounts that attached to the rails. Not one of mine has enough clearance for the Caldwell mount to work either due to lack of rail space and/or there's not enough clearance between the scope and height of the mount with the brass catcher installed. I've only managed to use the "QD" Caldwell on my ARs with RDS cantilever mounts.

Even when I take off my offset BUIS , the Caldwell fits, but the catcher and mount don't have enough clearance. It might be possible to use a non-cantilever mount, or mount the scope mount further backward and place the Caldwell mount in front of the mount, but the way I shoot.."nose to charging handle", it would screw up my eye relief.

I think you'll find that most LPVOs have quite a bit of eye relief, mine seem to have more than a standard scope. I also mount mine so the base is as far forward on the upper as is possible:

 

[Havok7416]

I'll have to check how I sit behind my AR but I'm fairly certain my face is a ways back from the charging handle. Additionally I don't plan on mounting BUIS on the gun, so that will hopefully provide a bit more real estate. My AR isn't used and abused nearly enough to warrant backup anything.

 

[Chuck R.]

This is my SPR setup, no BUIS, plenty of rail space behind the mount, but the ocular eye bell is too large for the Caldwell to fit under it:



After trying and failing I just went with a Caldwell that straps on. IF I was to look at another catcher I'd probably go with the Brass Goat, it seems to work well without attaching to the rail.

 

[Havok7416]

I like that Brass Goat! It might cause minor issues for me as I'm a lefty but I'm sure I could work around it.

I guess I'm going to have to get a LPVO and fiddle with things until everything works.

 

[Zerodefect]

1-4x have good eye boxes.

1-8x gets trickier. Not as bad as a big scope though.

 

[Havok7416]

1-4x have good eye boxes.

1-8x gets trickier. Not as bad as a big scope though.

I've been eyeing a 1-6x. I think it will be about perfect for Blackout.

 

[Zerodefect]

I'm rocking the Trijicon Credo 1-8 right now.

 

[BigBL87]

Nikon used to make cantilever rings that were 2 split rings instead of a one piece mount. That might leave room to attach what you're wanting to. When they discontinued their scopes, though, I think they also discontinued those mounts so you'd probably have to find a used set. UTG and Monstrum still make knock offs, but I wouldn't use those on a rifle I wanted to use for anything serious.

 

[Havok7416]

Nikon used to make cantilever rings that were 2 split rings instead of a one piece mount. That might leave room to attach what you're wanting to. When they discontinued their scopes, though, I think they also discontinued those mounts so you'd probably have to find a used set. UTG and Monstrum still make knock offs, but I wouldn't use those on a rifle I wanted to use for anything serious.

View attachment 1019993

Those are pretty slick. I found some for around $50. I'm definitely not looking to spend a fortune and for what I'm doing with my gun (punching holes in targets) it would be a waste. All-in I'm probably looking at spending no more than $300 on scope and mount. I realize this will leave me with a lower-end LPVO. If I like it enough and it doesn't hold up I can always buy a more expensive optic later.

Oddly I don't seem to have any photos of my gun in its current configuration but I will fix that soon enough. I'm looking to replace the 3-9x scope currebtly on the gun for weight savings and faster shots up close. My wife's AR (also a Blackout) is set up with a Holosun 510c and a 3x magnifier which I originally intended to replicate on my gun. It would appear I can get a less expensive yet more versatile optic setup with a LPVO.

Neither of our guns is intended for anything serious. We simply don't have enough familiarity with the AR platform to make them viable for emergency use, not to mention they are a bit unwieldy with cans on the end too.

 

[BigBL87]

If you happen to be a first responder, current military or veteran, Primary Arms will give you a discount. Their LPVOs are pretty solid in their price range. They also have a 12% off code right now, and they'll let me use that on top of my discount. So, after both discounts this scope comes down to $229 for me. Seems like it would fit the bill for you pretty well

https://www.primaryarms.com/primary-arms-1-6x24mm-sfp-scope-w-acss-300blk-7-62x39-reticle

FWIW, I'm a probation officer so their definition of first responder is pretty wide. Even without that discount, with the 12% off coupon you should still have some room left for a decent mount.

If you want to try our the UTG knock off rings, here's a link. Their stuff has gotten better in quality, so may be worth trying for your uses:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07752RF4X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_NJK8DYXZ7NASRDF0ZG7Q?psc=1

 

[Havok7416]

If you happen to be a first responder, current military or veteran, Primary Arms will give you a discount. Their LPVOs are pretty solid in their price range. They also have a 12% off code right now, and they'll let me use that on top of my discount. So, after both discounts this scope comes down to $229 for me. Seems like it would fit the bill for you pretty well

https://www.primaryarms.com/primary-arms-1-6x24mm-sfp-scope-w-acss-300blk-7-62x39-reticle

FWIW, I'm a probation officer so their definition of first responder is pretty wide. Even without that discount, with the 12% off coupon you should still have some room left for a decent mount.

If you want to try our the UTG knock off rings, here's a link. Their stuff has gotten better in quality, so may be worth trying for your uses:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07752RF4X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_NJK8DYXZ7NASRDF0ZG7Q?psc=1

I saw that scope and it's on my list for consideration. I'm not sure I like the reticle, but it is one of the few purpose-built Blackout optics I have come across. Unfortunately, being that I'm only in the planning stages, I won't be able to take advantage of PA's discount right now (and I definitely don't qualify for a 1st responder discount). Hopefully they will have a similar discount in a month or 2.

 

[greyling22]

If you happen to be a first responder, current military or veteran, Primary Arms will give you a discount. Their LPVOs are pretty solid in their price range. They also have a 12% off code right now, and they'll let me use that on top of my discount. So, after both discounts this scope comes down to $229 for me. Seems like it would fit the bill for you pretty well

https://www.primaryarms.com/primary-arms-1-6x24mm-sfp-scope-w-acss-300blk-7-62x39-reticle

FWIW, I'm a probation officer so their definition of first responder is pretty wide. Even without that discount, with the 12% off coupon you should still have some room left for a decent mount.

If you want to try our the UTG knock off rings, here's a link. Their stuff has gotten better in quality, so may be worth trying for your uses:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07752RF4X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_NJK8DYXZ7NASRDF0ZG7Q?psc=1

I have been very pleased with with utg accusync 1 piece mounts. sometimes you can find them open box on amazon for like $25-$30 I also have that same primary arms scope with a different reticle. Mine is a simple chevron. the KISS reticle. It's a fine optic. optically similar to the vortex strike eagle. The vortex power ring moved smoother, but I liked the optics of the PA ever so slightly better. Seemed like there was less edge distortion. And I hated the vortex reticle.

I am going to sell the PA 1-6x because it's on my blackout upper, and I think I'm going to get out of blackout completely. I'm using it to hunt with, and I think there are better calibers for that role (6.8 spc, 6.5 grendel, 277 wolverine, 300hammr....)

A great place to shop for scopes is the ar15.com equipment exchange. Lots of scope mounts for sale there all the time. AR guys play lego a lot, and there is lots of equipment turnover. as an aside, the scope in in a vortex mount, and I like the utg mounts better. And I like the aero precision mounts best.

also, maybe use a different brass catcher? https://www.amazon.com/Feyachi-Tact...NW1H8WF/ref=pd_lpo_2?pd_rd_i=B07NW1H8WF&psc=1

 

[Havok7416]

I have been very pleased with with utg accusync 1 piece mounts. sometimes you can find them open box on amazon for like $25-$30 I also have that same primary arms scope with a different reticle. Mine is a simple chevron. the KISS reticle. It's a fine optic. optically similar to the vortex strike eagle. The vortex power ring moved smoother, but I liked the optics of the PA ever so slightly better. Seemed like there was less edge distortion. And I hated the vortex reticle.

I am going to sell the PA 1-6x because it's on my blackout upper, and I think I'm going to get out of blackout completely. I'm using it to hunt with, and I think there are better calibers for that role (6.8 spc, 6.5 grendel, 277 wolverine, 300hammr....)

A great place to shop for scopes is the ar15.com equipment exchange. Lots of scope mounts for sale there all the time. AR guys play lego a lot, and there is lots of equipment turnover. as an aside, the scope in in a vortex mount, and I like the utg mounts better. And I like the aero precision mounts best.

also, maybe use a different brass catcher? https://www.amazon.com/Feyachi-Tact...NW1H8WF/ref=pd_lpo_2?pd_rd_i=B07NW1H8WF&psc=1

Perhaps you might be interested in throwing a PM my way when you get around to selling your PA 1-6x?

The Caldwell brass catcher works very well for me because I can put a separate Picatinny adapter on every gun with a Pic rail and swap the catchers (I have 2) between guns. I have some other brass catchers, but none that mount to the gun except one that specifically fits my PTR.

 

[greyling22]

Perhaps you might be interested in throwing a PM my way when you get around to selling your PA 1-6x?

The Caldwell brass catcher works very well for me because I can put a separate Picatinny adapter on every gun with a Pic rail and swap the catchers (I have 2) between guns. I have some other brass catchers, but none that mount to the gun except one that specifically fits my PTR.

Sure. I'm going to the NRA show in 2 weeks, and I'm gong to make some decisions about what to do with my setups after that.