AI AW scope mount. AI dovetail or Pic rail?

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FORESTBARBER

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Minuteman
Mar 21, 2010
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Fort Worth, TX
#1
I'm going to buy a AI .338. AI supplier says he prefers AI's dovetail receiver and scope mount vs. pic rail in that lower optic height. Less op for scope installation errors if taking mount off. He does have one of those in stock. Six months on pic rail rifle.

It seems pic rail guns are generally what is available. I am thinking of eventual resale of rifle down the road.

Thoughts?

Thanks
 
#2
Re: AI AW scope mount. AI dovetail or Pic rail?

I have an AW with the Pic rail but would prefer the dovetail at this point. From a mechanical standpoint I think the dovetail is superior. The down side is that generally you have to use the AI mount/rings (which are excellent), and it may limit your mounting flexibility. As you pointed out, in the US most folks want the pic rail and this may affect resale. However, you never really sell AIs, just buy more so resale should not be an issue.
 
#3
Re: AI AW scope mount. AI dovetail or Pic rail?

It is 6 one half dozen the other. Get what you want. There will alwaysz be someone who will buy it from you when the time comes.
 
#4
Re: AI AW scope mount. AI dovetail or Pic rail?

AI rail is better than pic. The pic rail is zero cant so you will want a canted AI base either way. I would prefer the AI rail because it mounts lower.
 
#5
Re: AI AW scope mount. AI dovetail or Pic rail?

Get the dovetail and add a pic rail in the future if needed. I think USO makes or made a pic rail for the AW. Thankfully I took Zak Smiths advise on this one and went with the dovetail. His advise has been spot on and saved me allot of money and grief.
 
#6
Re: AI AW scope mount. AI dovetail or Pic rail?

sickeness covered it. Since the pic rail needs a canted scope mount, your optic winds up about 3/8" higher than it would on the dovetail.

My AW has a dovetail and I have no regrets in getting it. If the pic rail were as low and had a 20 or 30 MOA cant then things might be different.

The pic rail has an advantage if you're trying to standardize mounts across a team or department full of various rifles. If you're a single shooter, get the dovetail. How often are you going to be changing scopes/bases anyway?
 
#7
Re: AI AW scope mount. AI dovetail or Pic rail?

I had originally ordered a dovetail- but a couple a years ago when AI rifles weren't as readily available I did purchase an AIAWSM with a Pic Rail. With the factory scope mount and the S&B 5x25X56 PMII I don't think it really makes that much of a difference.

It does however save you $$$ to get the dovetail.
 
#8
Re: AI AW scope mount. AI dovetail or Pic rail?

I have an AI with the dovetail and really like it. I saw no benefit to pic rail on AI since all I am going to mount on it is scope. Saves money, less to go wrong, and lower scope mount, all pluses to me. I really don't think it would have any impact on resale value. Some like pic rail and some don't.
 
#10
Re: AI AW scope mount. AI dovetail or Pic rail?

I have an AI with the dovetail and really like it. I saw no benefit to pic rail on AI since all I am going to mount on it is scope. Saves money, less to go wrong, and lower scope mount, all pluses to me. I really don't think it would have any impact on resale value. Some like pic rail and some don't.
 
#11
Re: AI AW scope mount. AI dovetail or Pic rail?

My AIAW is in dovetail. The AIAWSM is in Pic rail. Neither has a cant in it, so mood point for that. The dove tail has a sightly lower scope height as opposed to the pic rail. In the end, I don't think there is a huge difference after I have mounted my scopes. Both are very sturdy. So, like I said before, 6 is one and half dozen is the other. Get whatever tickles your boat. Have fun with the AW.
 
#15
Re: AI AW scope mount. AI dovetail or Pic rail?

I have the dovetail rail on my AE MkII and I like it. Since both rails are 0moa then I recommend getting a mount with some moa built in. AI offers an 18 moa 1 piece which is good and NF offers a 20 moa base which is my favorite.
 
#16
Re: AI AW scope mount. AI dovetail or Pic rail?

I opted for the pic rail on my AW and would do so again. I use the AI mount (which is the bee's knees) so it really doesn't make much difference. However, I just like the option of being able to use different rings/mount/whatever should the need arise.

At the end of the day, I don't think it really makes much difference.
 
#17
Re: AI AW scope mount. AI dovetail or Pic rail?

I've had both and like both.. It really does not matter as both have zero can't and will require something with built in declination. So with my AEs I went with an AI mount to mount my premier since the near mfg was too pricey for my needs. On my dovetail AW I again went AI mount...

It doesn't matter as AIs dovetail or pic rail mounts are very cost effective, quality, products.

There is something to be said about the integral nature of the dovetail and it's added strength vs a normal bolt-on pic rail... However, the pic rail AWs are dovetail guns that have had a rail slid over the dovetail, epoxied, and held in place with 4 screws.. Per Stacey, these will not come off without machining them off. I don't think anyone can argue the integral nature of the dovetail offers anything vs the pic on an AW in terms of strength.

Why is my AW a dovetail? Pic rails are an option that cost a little extra... A very popular option that many distributors only order.. The dovetails are a little cheaper new and the mounts are around 50$ less then the pic rail versions as well. I don't need it, why spend money on it.
 
#18
Re: AI AW scope mount. AI dovetail or Pic rail?

Dove tail all the way. I personally can't think of a reason for a pic rail. Must be an American thing. Putting a glued and screwed pic rail on top of an existing dovetail just seem dumb to me, especially when AI has the proper mounting solutions.
 
#19
Re: AI AW scope mount. AI dovetail or Pic rail?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cpl Snafu</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dove tail all the way. I personally can't <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">think of a reason for a pic rail</span></span>. Must be an American thing. Putting a glued and screwed pic rail on top of an existing dovetail just seem dumb to me, especially when AI has the proper mounting solutions. </div></div>

Night vision scope....
 
#21
Re: AI AW scope mount. AI dovetail or Pic rail?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DesertHK</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cpl Snafu</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dove tail all the way. I personally can't <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">think of a reason for a pic rail</span></span>. Must be an American thing. Putting a glued and screwed pic rail on top of an existing dovetail just seem dumb to me, especially when AI has the proper mounting solutions. </div></div>

Night vision scope....


</div></div>

I'm no night vision expert. I see mostly day optics in combination with PVS-22's. I don't recall the last time i saw a dedicated night scope on an aw.
 
#22
Re: AI AW scope mount. AI dovetail or Pic rail?

Wouldnt a pic rail on, then an ai mount on top increase the distance of the scope to bore line?vise just dovetail and ai mount?I see no use for the pic rail unless i only had one scope for two rifles that werent both AI
 
#24
Re: AI AW scope mount. AI dovetail or Pic rail?

Between the 2 threads there is some very good information. If you have need for further assistance, call me at the office and I will be glad to assist you.

It truly is a "personal" and/or "equipment" decision. Very simple, once you get the details and a visual of the Pro's and Con's. Best wishes.
 
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