M1A Loaded EBR over the reciever rail conundrom

[Ianski]

Hello all,
I recently traded my early production SOCOM 16 for an M1A Loaded in an EBR chassis. I am now encountering the dilemma of what over-the-receiver rail i should use.

What I've heard so far:

-LaRue Tactical manufactured a diving board style cantilever rail that i have hear good things about, but from what i understand, they are currently fairly hard to put hands on.

-Sage Int. manufactures a 2 contact point cantilever style rail. I like the 2 contact points idea because i would think it would help with rigidity.

-A.R.M.S #18 Mount is the only non-Cantilever style mount i have looked at. Still has the three contact points, not sure if it is any better or worse.

what I am looking for is some knowledge from people with first hand experience with these rail systems to let me know there own opinions of Pros and Cons. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks all!

 

[sgtbutt]

Re: M1A Loaded EBR over the reciever rail conundrom

I used the ARMS on my wife's loaded w/synthetic stock and had a SAI Gen 3 on mine that had the EBR chassis. The ARMS is a rock hard solid mount and is nearly the lowest possible. The only problem that you will run across if you go ARMS is the set screw at the front of the mount. You'll have to get a shorter set screw that is able to be screwed all the way in so it doesn't interfere with the EBR top rail. the Gen 3 pretty much sucked and I wouldn't get one the next time I own an M1A.
Others to check out are Sadlak and Smith Ent.

 

[Ianski]

Re: M1A Loaded EBR over the reciever rail conundrom

Thank you!
that is what i had heard about the SAI Gen 3's as well.

 

[DeSnifter]

Re: M1A Loaded EBR over the reciever rail conundrom

The Larue is not hard to acquire at all, it just isn't advertised on their website. I called them up, asked to order it, and had it later that week. It is rock solid and the zero is repeatable. It is a heavy bastard though.

 

[Ianski]

Re: M1A Loaded EBR over the reciever rail conundrom

Awesome! The previous owner used the Larue and was very happy with it as well, i just don't know if it will make a substantial difference to have the Sage that locks into the stripper clip guide dovetail and have the rail as opposed to the fixed rings.

Thank you for the advice DeSnifter!

 

[Ianski]

Re: M1A Loaded EBR over the reciever rail conundrom

figured i should at least put some pics up of her

 

[Ianski]

Re: M1A Loaded EBR over the reciever rail conundrom

Anyone had any experience with the sage cantilever?

 

[bcw1284]

Re: M1A Loaded EBR over the reciever rail conundrom

IIRC, the LaRue is LT-608 for the cantilever picatinny rail. You can also use an spr-e mount backwards, I have seen guys do that on railed forends like the sage, vltor, and troy chassis have.

nice looking ebr! I got to check out SgtButt's ebr and it is a nice platform for sure.

This guy (I have no affiliation with seller) is selling an LT-608 on m14 forum: http://m14forum.com/px/105341-sage-mod-1-sei-vortex-gas-lock-sight.html

 

[BrokenSailor]

Re: M1A Loaded EBR over the reciever rail conundrom

The best mount for over the receiver I have found is to use the Fulton Armory Scope Mount, SAGE Clip Guide Mount. This $65 part will give you a little rail mounted out where your clip guide is.

Then you can mount your second ring on the top rail.

Anything that mounts on the side will come loose in combat, or just banging around.

 

[bcw1284]

Re: M1A Loaded EBR over the reciever rail conundrom

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BrokenSailor</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Anything that mounts on the side will come loose in combat, or just banging around. </div></div>

that's not entirely accurate... several of the "side mount" rails also mount to the clip guide. SEI uses their mount of that design on the DOD builds seeing action right now in the shitholes of the world.

 

[sgtbutt]

Re: M1A Loaded EBR over the reciever rail conundrom

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BrokenSailor</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The best mount for over the receiver I have found is to use the Fulton Armory Scope Mount, SAGE Clip Guide Mount. This $65 part will give you a little rail mounted out where your clip guide is.

Then you can mount your second ring on the top rail.

Anything that mounts on the side will come loose in combat, or just banging around. </div></div>

A problem with this mount setup is that you have two entirely different mounting interfaces. You have the stripper clip rail, and then the top rail of your Chassis. If you take your scope and chassis off to clean you have just moved everything and won't have a RTZ. If you don't torque your rail to what it was there will could be a slight shift in POA/POI.

Many individuals have used this set up and not had a problem.... But it's your set up. Another way to think of this set up is using a ring on an AR reciever and the other on the rail. Once again, others have done it and will continue to do so, I won't though. And as far as a side mount coming loose from banging around, yes the Gen 3 will as it did once on me, but those I've seen with a Sadlak or Smith never had any problem. And there is no way the ARMS will come loose, the ARMS is one of the best damn mounts out there.

The next time I build another platform would be utilyzing an LRB M25 reciever with a rail machined in already. If I were to snag another M1A I would definitely get a Sadlak or ARMS.

 

[bcw1284]

Re: M1A Loaded EBR over the reciever rail conundrom

I have an ARMS coming for my polytech, i'll take some detailed pics when it arrives.

 

[fast freddy]

Re: M1A Loaded EBR over the reciever rail conundrom

i had the sage mount on mine and while its nice, it seems very flimsy.the rear sits on the clips slot, nothing holds it at all- i personally didnt like that fact.

 

[Ianski]

Re: M1A Loaded EBR over the reciever rail conundrom

Alrighty, well, i think i can get a good deal on an ARMS mount so i may just go with that. From what has been said here there doesn't seem to be any reason to go with a cantilever over the ARMS mount!

Thanks for all the help guys!!

 

[KM375]

Re: M1A Loaded EBR over the reciever rail conundrom

http://www.m14.ca/M14_M1A_CASM_Scope_Mount.html

This is what I went with for mine. I decided that the M1A is not the right semi auto precision rifle for me, so I got the short rail CASM mount with BUIS built in and I will put a Burris Fast Fire on top to make it more battle rifle than precision rifle.

 

[Mike Petersen]

Re: M1A Loaded EBR over the reciever rail conundrom

For my money the Sage DCSB is the best choice on the EBR Chassis. We (The Army) have used 6200 so far that went into combat with zero complaints. I had the Arms 18 on one of my guns and finally took it off and threw it in the trash can. Your choices should be

1. Sage DCSB
2. SEI or Sadlak

Just my two cents worth as I have only built a couple of thousand EBRs.

 

[frankythefly]

Re: M1A Loaded EBR over the reciever rail conundrom

I used the SAGE Clip Guide Mount but ran into a slight problem. If you plan on using a scope from say a bolt action and say you want to swap it to your m1a. One ring will mount on the clip guide but the front ring will be slightly off and you wont be able to mount it to the rail on the ebr. Or vice versa. This only happens if you are swapping an optic from a full uninterrupted rail then try mounting it to the sage with clip guide mount. I had a scope go down and I was hoping to just swap it between the 2 rifles while I waited for warranty work. Nope wont work. I recommend a continuous rail optic mount.

 

[BrokenSailor]

Re: M1A Loaded EBR over the reciever rail conundrom

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bcw1284</div><div class="ubbcode-body">that's not entirely accurate... several of the "side mount" rails also mount to the clip guide. SEI uses their mount of that design on the DOD builds seeing action right now in the shitholes of the world.
</div></div>

For the sake of this discussion I think that we need to distinguish between scope mounts that mount to the receiver and those that mount on the barrel. Any scope mount should be aligned with the barrel of the weapon, NOT the receiver. This is the MAJOR point of difference between mounts. It is just basic 101 gunsmithing.

Side mounts also have a tendency to act as brass traps causing some brass to get kicked back and stovepipe. The bolt on the side mounts also strip easy. If you take the mount on and off, or over torque it you will need another $35 bolt. Not cheap or fun.

I do have a 3rd gen side mount from Smith and one from another manf. as well as multiple M14s in my collection. The 3rd gen mounts that use the clip guide slot are not a good answer. Every time you mount your scope you have to first level the mount, then the scope. They still shake loose with abuse in my EXPERIENCE. Especially considering the price Smith charges!. Nothing I want to put on a $4000 build. I will not hold a $2000 scope hostage to a $300 mount.

That CASM mount looks better, but still no forward mount point. It is not aligned with the barrel in anyway either, although fixing it to the sight base is better. The manufacturersclaims it is not a brass trap. The Smith mount I have gave me Stove Pipes every third round or so on an old Armscorp receiver. I like that Sage DCSB. That looks like a the best solution I have seenn. You talked me into one. Considering the little clip mount is $65, its a steal! BTW http://ustacticalsupply.com/ has a less expensive clip mount ($45) as well as the M14DCSB mount in stock ($224).

As far as mounting on a forward rail and the little clip mount. I have had no problems with that installation. I use one on a JAllen Stock, and it mounts flat across perfectly. I use a UTG rail to replace the handguard on that stock for the forward mount. That said, I will be buying a DCSB mount to try. It is removable easily too. Thanks for the info.

 

[Ianski]

Re: M1A Loaded EBR over the reciever rail conundrom

Ordering my Sage DCSB rail today, I'll post a review once i get a chance to get out and use it!!

 

[Ianski]

Re: M1A Loaded EBR over the reciever rail conundrom

Talked to the guys at LaRue and they told me that on the new EBR stocks with the recess cut in the top pic rail for open irons, the LT 608 won't mount up because the lug on the quick release requires the flat style top rail

oh well, the Sage DCSB should be great!

 

[Ianski]

Re: M1A Loaded EBR over the reciever rail conundrom

Alrighty! rail got here and is installed should be able to test it on sunday!! i'll post results!!