Mounting Ideas

**romegg** · August 18th, 2010, 09:56 AM

I just purchased a new Bushmaster AR-15,it has a fixed carry handle. I want to mount a red dot sight on it. I went to a gun shop and the salesman told me the best way to mount it would be to get a Z-style rail/step down. Is this the best way to go? Please send me your suggestions. Another thing,could you let me know of some good red dot sights other than the expensive AimPoints,Eo-Tech's,etc. I got this for plinking and in case SHTF,but don't want to buy a sight that costs more than the gun. Thanks,all ideas are welcomed

**JB19Kilo** · August 18th, 2010, 10:19 AM

I don't know if I would recommend the z style, as you may want to upgrade your handguard to a rail system in the future and that may interfere. Some sights are specifically made for the AR carry handle so that might be worth looking into. To be honest, I'm not a snob about a lot of things, but I am kinda when it comes to optics. You can spend $100 on a so-so red dot but it will break soon enough and then you'll have to replace it. You're better off saving up and buying a used Eotech, you can find them for around $300. If you really don't wanna spend the money, I have a BSA red dot that I got from Cheaper than dirt for less than a hundred, and it has worked very well, but it does not have the durability IMHO for a SHTF situation.

**JoshIronshaft** · August 18th, 2010, 10:42 AM

I'm a fan of 40mm+ red dots. I don't like the small 30mm or 32mm red dots. On one MBR I have Barska red dot I got from Dicks for about $50 and on my other MBR I have a BSA red dot I got from Cabela's for about $50. The Barska has about 500 rounds on it and still is aimed at the same location. I'm very happy with it. Battery life is also great. The BSA only has about 50 rounds on it so far.

**orionz06** · August 18th, 2010, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by romegg

I just purchased a new Bushmaster AR-15,it has a fixed carry handle. I want to mount a red dot sight on it. I went to a gun shop and the salesman told me the best way to mount it would be to get a Z-style rail/step down. Is this the best way to go? Please send me your suggestions.

The fact that no reputable maker produces a carry handle rail should be a clue that they are less than ideal. That being said: http://www.google.com/products?q=car...N&hl=en&tab=wf

You could also swap the upper for a flat top. You will get a better result. I would caution against the "z style" cantilever mount as mentioned, it would be less stable than the above mentioned solution.

Originally Posted by romegg

Another thing,could you let me know of some good red dot sights other than the expensive AimPoints,Eo-Tech's,etc.

Primary Arms makes excellent red dots that will hold up to most anything. Just remember what it is, it is a $100 red dot, not an Aimpoint.

Originally Posted by romegg

I got this for plinking and in case SHTF,but don't want to buy a sight that costs more than the gun. Thanks,all ideas are welcomed

For plinking it will be fine, for SHTF, depending on what that may be, you might be less excited about the purchase. If SHTF is a hypothetical scenario that will never happen, you will be fine.