Carry handle mounts?

[XTR]

I've got an A2 style AR that doesn't see much shooting. It's an old pre-ban Colt HBAR so it doesn't play well with other parts, I don't really need a backup service rifle, so I've been pondering the idea of putting some kind of low magnification optic on top of the handle. I've seen that there are a number of adapters that use the hole in the carry handle to put a pic rail on top to mount things to.

My question is has anyone tried any of these?

Are they functional or is the optic so high up that you feel like a giraffe trying to see through it?

I'm kicking the idea of a SWFA 1-4 or maybe a 1-6 when they come out. Can you get a reasonable eye relief set up on the handle?

In general I'm looking for feedback from anyone who's used one.

 

[slothlacrosse]

Re: Carry handle mounts?

The optic is very high and I've found that they come loose.

I swapped all my A2 uppers for flattops.

 

[ORD]

Re: Carry handle mounts?

I have never seen a carry handle mount that was really worth a damn by in large because they shoot lose unless you do something to "permanently" affix them to the sight channel. By "permanent" I mean bedding the rail into the carry handle sight channel and attaching the mounting screw with loctite at a minimum. Also, not all carry handles are built to any meaningful or consistent tolerances. As a result, finding a mount that fits into the sight channel properly can be a tall order in and of itself which just further complicates your woes.

On top of all that trouble, you end up with a chin-weld instead of a cheekweld once you get any optic mounted, necessitating some gawdawful add-on to your stock like a Delta cheekpiece to get any sort of consistent cheek placement/consistency behind the rifle.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Carry handle mounts?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ORD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have never seen a carry handle mount that was really worth a damn by in large because they shoot lose unless you do something to "permanently" affix them to the sight channel. By "permanent" I mean bedding the rail into the carry handle sight channel and attaching the mounting screw with loctite at a minimum. Also, not all carry handles are built to any meaningful or consistent tolerances. As a result, finding a mount that fits into the sight channel properly can be a tall order in and of itself which just further complicates your woes.

On top of all that trouble, you end up with a chin-weld instead of a cheekweld once you get any optic mounted, necessitating some gawdawful add-on to your stock like a Delta cheekpiece to get any sort of consistent cheek placement/consistency behind the rifle. </div></div>

+1

 

[ksthomas]

Re: Carry handle mounts?

Okay, so I'm just piling on here, but dittos to what everyone else has said here. Designed to be used with the standard iron sights, with scope mounting little more than an afterthought. And one that wasn't adequately resolved.

 

[mtrmn]

Re: Carry handle mounts?

I have one from Brownell's on a A2 308 AR---no problems here but it's not in serious duty. I only shoot on my range but it's not given any trouble. I did have to loctite the mounting screw. Head position is not hard to get used to. I can utilize the great accuracy with the scope-my eyes are not good with irons at all. The front sight is nothing but a blur with or without my glases.

 

[Sespe]

Re: Carry handle mounts?

Want one for free? I have this sitting on my shelf, haven't used it in awhile. It's yours for the price of shipping...

 

[rideHPD]

Re: Carry handle mounts?

I've used this set-up before and it worked well. The clamp on the bottom makes good contact with the underside of the carry handle, and the mount bows to place greater tension on the screw threads to keep it from loosening.

http://ultimak.com/pic13.htm

 

[Badknees]

Re: Carry handle mounts?

I've used a ARMS #39 AR-15 A2 mount in the past with a red dot mounted out over the handguard. I suppose you could mount a scout scope with extended eye relief in about the same position. I used it for some 3 gun matches. The mount was solid, it attaches in two places and never came loose. The weak link was the red dot at extended ranges. If you want to try one out, let me know.

Never the less,

Wade

 

[kvwpwr]

Re: Carry handle mounts?

I needed one to do load development for my service rifle. I got the DNZ one piece mount. The rings are integral so the scope sits a bit lower than a rail with separate rings. You still need something to raise your cheek weld though.

If you must put an optic on it I'd recommend the DNZ mount or put an acog on it.

 

[338RUM runner]

Re: Carry handle mounts?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sespe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Want one for free? I have this sitting on my shelf, haven't used it in awhile. It's yours for the price of shipping...


PM sent

</div></div>