I have a AR platform with a full length pic rail, I have Mbus3 open sights on the gun. Were should I mount the red dot? I have tried two positions one was as forward on the receiver as I could get it and the other was as far back on the hand guard as I could get it. This AR is new to me your thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks
Red dot placement ?
- Thread starter joneb
- Start date
Buzznrose
Member
What red dot? Something like an Aimpoint or a RMR?
AT3
herrwalther
Member
- Joined
- May 1, 2013
- Messages
- 8,130
The AT3 is a 25 mm red dot. I was among the first generation of Army soldiers to train with a red dot compared to iron sights (but sighting both) we could experiment a lot with where the sight was most comfortable for us. I liked my red dot as close to the backup iron sights as possible. The Army standard backup sight the is Matech iron sights with an A2 front sight.
https://www.matechsolutions.com/buis
I have never seen a reputable trainer place an optic above the handguard on an AR rifle. Namely because the handguard rails move too much to be accurate enough for important accuracy on an AR. Mount the red dot on the receiver, where best for you. Experiment the best to find where and stick with it.
https://www.matechsolutions.com/buis
I have never seen a reputable trainer place an optic above the handguard on an AR rifle. Namely because the handguard rails move too much to be accurate enough for important accuracy on an AR. Mount the red dot on the receiver, where best for you. Experiment the best to find where and stick with it.
Buzznrose
Member
I agree it should be on the receiver. The main question in my mind isn’t where as much as it’s “how high”?
Most AR red dots have some type of riser that lift the sight around an inch above the pic rail.
Like Herrwalter said, experiment but if you don’t have the riser, that would be a consideration to add it.
More here from AT3
https://www.at3tactical.com/blogs/news/co-witness-explained-absolute-vs-lower-1-3-cowitness-on-ar-s
Most AR red dots have some type of riser that lift the sight around an inch above the pic rail.
Like Herrwalter said, experiment but if you don’t have the riser, that would be a consideration to add it.
More here from AT3
https://www.at3tactical.com/blogs/news/co-witness-explained-absolute-vs-lower-1-3-cowitness-on-ar-s
And when it comes to absolute co-witness and 1/3rd co-witness it is really more of a personal reference on which one you use. The article that Buzznrose posted is a good one for explaining the differences along with the pros and cons of each. You won't go wrong with either height so go with what works best for you.
As others have stated, keep the optic mounted on the receiver only. This goes for any type of optic from a simple red dot to prism scopes to LVPO or high magnification scopes.
As others have stated, keep the optic mounted on the receiver only. This goes for any type of optic from a simple red dot to prism scopes to LVPO or high magnification scopes.
Chuck R.
Member
I mount mine on receiver, FWD as possible using cantilever mounts.
Initially I was a lower 1/3rd co-witness fan, but I've got 1 setup with an absolute and I've grown to like it. Focus on the TGT and the dot get's to where it needs to be.
My RDS setups:
Initially I was a lower 1/3rd co-witness fan, but I've got 1 setup with an absolute and I've grown to like it. Focus on the TGT and the dot get's to where it needs to be.
My RDS setups:
Thanks folks I have a 3/4" riser that works well with the Magpul M-Bus sights, maybe the .83 would have been a better choice
I will mount the red dot as forward on the receiver as possible, and see if there is a difference with mounting on the hand guard. I like the idea of moving the dot farther away to increase my view outside of the sight.
I will mount the red dot as forward on the receiver as possible, and see if there is a difference with mounting on the hand guard. I like the idea of moving the dot farther away to increase my view outside of the sight.
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
Optic positioning on the receiver is a tradeoff between visibility through the tube, vs. visibility around the optic. I am in the camp that prefers a red dot to be as far forward on the receiver as possible so that the optic body doesn’t block so much of the view forward.
Phaedrus/69
Member
I like mounting my RDS as far back towards the eye as I can get. But to be fair, I'm reconsidering this a bit as I'm interesting in trying a flip up 3x magnifier. In that case the dot has to be fairly far forward.
trackskippy
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2010
- Messages
- 3,509
I like it as far forward on the receiver as I can get it with a cantilever mount. If the rails were more solid, Id move it forward still. With my AK's I mount them on a Ultimak rail that replaces the upper handguard and find thats the better place to put them if you can.
With the red dots, you dont "look through" the tube, you "look at" the target, and the tube is simply a means of putting the dot out there where your eye can see it and not something you focus on. Focusing on the tube or dot isnt how this works. You focus on the target and the dot just appears on it where youre looking.
If you mount it to the rear like a traditional scope, all it does is block your field of view and peripheral vision and generally just gets in the way.
With the red dots, you dont "look through" the tube, you "look at" the target, and the tube is simply a means of putting the dot out there where your eye can see it and not something you focus on. Focusing on the tube or dot isnt how this works. You focus on the target and the dot just appears on it where youre looking.
If you mount it to the rear like a traditional scope, all it does is block your field of view and peripheral vision and generally just gets in the way.
