mounting a Mako 7x Magnifier behind an Aimpoint PRO

[piesandcheese]

Hi guys, I'm having a hell of a time trying to mount a Mako 7x Magnifier behind an Aimpoint PRO.

I'd like it to be a flip to the side mount, or at least a quick detach.
What mounting option will line up the magnifier with the pro?

I'm trying to avoid returning a bunch of mounts that won't work with my setup.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[BCmJUnKie]

Youre trying to mount a $50 magnifier behind an actual quality optic.....:secret:



Just playin. Check out youtube buddy, I have seen those things before, should give you a better idea.

Will the Larue mount work? Its wrong on so many levels but it would be funny.....the mount costs more that the Mag. haha

[piesandcheese]

lol, yeah. I bought the aimpoint knowing I didn't want to mess around with crappy red dots, but the magnifier is more for kicks than anything.

If I were taking the rifle to iraq, I'd go with an actual aimpoint magnifier, but for the range, I'm ok playing with a mako.

I'd prefer to stay away from a mount that costs more than the $150 magnifier. Really, I'm just trying to get the height correct.

[BCmJUnKie]

I own an Aimpoint Magnifier. I use it once in awhile, mostly for getting a zero. Thats about it.

Those things are more of a pian in the ass than its worth.

Being too high or too low is what Ive heard when used with an Eotech.

I imagine its the same thing with the Aimpoint

[piesandcheese]

that's exactly why I didn't spend $500+ on the thing. I don't expect it to be "battle worthy" or anything. More just for fun

So the question still stands...
Anybody know what mount I should use to get the correct height for an aimpoint pro?

[hikeeba]

I'm sure you already know this, piesandcheese, but if the Mako 7x magnifier has a bell on the objective end, you will need to use a mount that has a 2-piece ring; i.e. the LaRue LT755 fts mount won't work.

However, for reference, I threw my Vortex magnifier mounted in a LaRue LT755 behind my PRO, and it will work. The centerline height of the LT755 above the top of the receiver is 1.725", which is slightly taller than the PRO's centerline in the QRP2 mount. ADM's lower 1/3 swing off magnifier mount may provide a better alignment with the PRO + QRP2, as it should be slightly shorter at around 1.69" centerline height. Bottom line, most mounts that have a 2-piece ring and provides a lower 1/3 cowitness should work fine with the PRO in the QRP2 mount.



Height example pic - LaRue LT755 -

Pretty close fit with PRO entirely on the upper receiver, but it works:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b349/_hikeeba_/Hobby%20Stuff%203/PRO_LT755_A.jpg

Move the PRO forward one spot so as to overlap the HG slightly, and the fit is more comfortable:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b349/_hikeeba_/Hobby%20Stuff%203/PRO_LT_B.jpg

(Edit: Rifle is unloaded and hammer is down/released,hence selector on FIRE.)

The magnifier is mounted as far back as it will go. Other mounts may have a smaller footprint, thus allowing more flexibility as far as where it goes.

If you don't need a flip mount, look into any QD 30mm ring with a 2-piece ring.

Extra-bonus content - If you can live without flip and QD, get a nutted mount and a cheap 1/2" combo wrench - cut off the box end of the combo wrench short enough to store it in a pistol grip or VFG (A chunk of Kleenex, lens cloth, or other material keeps wrench from rattling around). Not exactly QD, but a small enough tool to stow on the rifle or keep in you pocket when using the magnifier.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b349/_hikeeba_/Hobby%20Stuff%203/Semi_QD_tool02.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b349/_hikeeba_/Hobby%20Stuff%203/Semi-QD_tool01.jpg

[jwfuhrman]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b349/_hikeeba_/Hobby%20Stuff%203/Semi-QD_tool01.jpg

thats just genious

[piesandcheese]

Hikeeba, thank you for your help! You have saved me quite the headache.
You're awesome. :)

[hikeeba]

I'm glad I could help you out, piesandcheese. And thanls for the comment, jwf.

[uwe1]

I bought a Mako 5x magnifier a few years ago, during my "stupid" early years of AR ownership. After ~6 months of benchrested range use, the adhesive(?) around one of the internal lenses developed a bubble and created an artifact at the edge of the lens. I contacted Mako and they offered to replace it free. At the time, the 5x was back ordered with no ETA in sight, so they offered to replace it with a 7x and I accepted.

I believe the 2 are dimensionally identical, but the eye relief on the 7x is shorter.

It's been a while since I messed with mine, but due to the length of this thing, it was very difficult to mount behind an Aimpoint ML3. My Aimpoint is mounted in a ADM cantilevered mount. The Mako 7x was mounted in a 30mm Burris Extreme Tactical extra high scope ring.

I think I had to remove my rear BUIS in order to get this arrangement to work. I had a 1/2 wrench in my toolbox to attach/reattach the Burris mount. Being the total pain in the ass that this was, I gave up on it. I decided it wasnt worth more money to get this range toy set up to work better.

[piesandcheese]

Thanks for your comments and help everyone!
I had ordered a ring set along with the magnifier in hopes of getting lucky. Well the parts came in over the weekend and I actually got it right the first time.

UTG Max Strength, LE Grade, Quick Detach, High Profile 30mm ring set

It lines up almost perfectly and gives me a full view of the Aimpoint.

So far the combo has been working beautifully. I put 500 rounds through it over the weekend and everything held zero and stayed on the rails tight.

I know UTG is usually known for making garbage, but it looks like they made a decent piece of equipment with these rings.

Here's a couple pics of the current setup for those interested...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-99fA8Z_Jtd4/UAT2iAUyJAI/AAAAAAAAAnM/dfwzMunC1h4/s800/DDM4V5-1-web.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iFgAQjEOghM/UAT2iUDNLkI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/eTWHk_gTxRU/s720/DDM4V5-2-web.jpg