How far forward do you mount your red dots?

[Misery Loves Shotguns]

I like my optics pretty close to my eye because I feel like it makes it easier for me to target focus and not see the housing of the optic obstructing my target. However, it's generally accepted that having the optic as far forward as possible on the receiver is correct because it reduces obstruction caused by the optic and increases situational awareness ... Both can't be true, can they? Let's discuss. Let's use the Holosun 507C as a starting point for my fucked up eyes and strange preferences; I hate it on a pistol because it's so far from my eye and the size of the reticle combined with the thick housing around the optic make it cover too much of the target but love it on a rifle or shotgun when I can mount it right in front of my face.

[bogey1]

I had mine mounted far forward. Its just a preference.

[NathanB]

Mine are all about 2/3 of the way forward on the receiver.

Do you shoot both eyes open? If you do you don’t really notice the housing

[Misery Loves Shotguns]

Mine are all about 2/3 of the way forward on the receiver.

Do you shoot both eyes open? If you do you don*t really notice the housing

I do shoot with both eyes open

[SgtRecon]

Generally towards the front of the receiver about centered on the ejection port

[Lycanthrope]

I've run them anywhere from the front of the receiver to just behind the gas block on the handguard. The handguard may be less stable for precision work, but is extremely fast in close quarters. A wider field of view and less visual clutter typically always helps transitions.


Lycandon'tknockitthrope

[JoshIronshaft]

More forward is more better for most people, but if you find you prefer it closer to your eye then do what works best for you. Either way should get the job done.

[Misery Loves Shotguns]

I've run them anywhere from the front of the receiver to just behind the gas block on the handguard. The handguard may be less stable for precision work, but is extremely fast in close quarters. A wider field of view and less visual clutter typically always helps transitions.


Lycandon'tknockitthrope

Yeah, the strange thing about that is that I've done it every imaginable way over the years and the reasons I have for mounting so close to my eye is exactly the same as why most people mount it much further forward. Aside from the reticle being smaller, mounting a 510C on the front of the receiver above the ejection port and having a 507C all the way back present an almost identical sight picture. Window size doesn't matter when I mount it so close that the housing disappears haha.

Lycanspecialeyesthrope haha

[DavidH]

I like them close as well, when I*ve used them. I*m not a big fan of the Dot! Prefer the Chevron. I*m an eyes open shooter as well. Least, I always was in better times.. 2010 my left eye was completely blinded. Thankfully, I*m Right handed & Right eye dominant. But even the Right is corrected & Astigmatism. Gets the job done though. I do prefer a scope above 4x though, for any distance.

[imashooter2]

As far forward as I can get and keep them on the receiver. I don*t like them on the rail.