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Got my hands on a Trijicon RM-06/RM34 combo. Weight of the RM34 mount: 3.65oz.
The combo weighs 4.9oz with the 1.25oz RMR mounted on it.
Previously I thought this mount/optic combo would be the lightest based on some erroneous specs published for the weight of the RM34 mount, but it is not.
I considered the RMR for a lightweight build but decided the T1 was better and, surprisingly, is lighter when mounted. The T1 mounted on a Fortis F1 weighs 4.35oz measured (3.05oz+1.3oz). The RMR only weighs 1.25oz but the RM34 mount weighs 3.65oz and the ADM RMR mount weighs 3.5oz, for a mounted total of 4.9oz and 4.75oz respectively. In both cases the T1/F1 is lighter. As far as features go, I would rather have the T1/F1 combo with 2moa dot, mounted battery changes, longer battery life, 1/2" at 100yd click adjustment (vs 1"@100yd), lower 1/3rd co-witness, and a proven track record. But, unlike the RMR, the lightest T1 mounts (Fortis F1 1.3oz and DD Micro 1.7oz) are not QD. But QD may not be wholly necessary on some guns. After watching the DD torture test video it is clear the T1 will survive where the shooter will not. Short of taking a round directly to the optic, the main thing the optic is realistically susceptible to is fog and rain which may not be a big concern if the gun is dedicated for defense inside the home.
Someone really needs to make a lighter mount for the RMR on the order of 1oz or less, something like the Fortis F1 scaled down to the size of the RMR would be perfect and scary light (if strength was a concern it could be made out of the aluminum alloy V7 uses) the weight benefit might be worth the feature trade off at 2.2oz mounted.
I can echo many of the previous responses- I tried to like having an RMR on my 8" 300BLK pistol, but I replaced it with a T1 by the time I got my stamp back to SBR it. There is no comparison, really.
The RMR is a great idea on paper, but it just doesn't live up to what I want it to be on a rifle.
I was considering an RMR as a 45 degree offset solution. The sights I've handled seemed okay and it seemed like it would be sufficient in a back-up role.
The emitter on this type of MRD is easily blocked or distorted by a drop of water or other debris. This one fact takes them out of the running for any serious use. Even home defense may take you outside. What if you are taking incoming fire causing debris to fly? What about a drop of blood? Any sight can be damaged, but I feel a lot better running a T-1.
Excellent point. I run Burris FastFires on Burris AR mounts on a couple of my rifles and absolutely love the sight picture and function, however for the reasons you listed I don't make them serious use rifles.
As for the RMR, I found the blur tint to be annoying and the dot harder to aquire. Couple that with the high price and I see no upside.
I've been using the same optic on my MK-18 for almost two years, in several carbine courses, with several K rounds down range...and it was an acquired taste for me. I would classify is as an OK choice for carbine use. It is by no means a parallax free device and it is not on par with the Aimpoint micros. It was a curious experiment on my part after seeing Mac use it in one of his carbine courses, and I'm seriously considering reassigning it to one of my M&Ps. If I had to do it again, I wouldn't have purchased it. I've let others use it and it's like the black licorice of optics, either you love it or you don't, with most in the 'don't' category. If you can get a loaner to try it for a few range sessions or a carbine course, I'd go that route first, then decide if it's the cat's ass for you.
I really like the rmr as a primary on an ar, cant go wrong with the weight savings
Can a lower 1/3rd cowitness actually be attained in a mini red dot? GDI is the only company I know that claims to do this with an RMR and I haven't tried their mount. I have both an RMR06 and the Insight. I have tried a few mounts and either it sits too low for a lower 1/3rd or slightly too high. Mounting both in similar heights that would actually be lower third height blocks sight of the front post. This is because the lens of the minis is so small and the base is relatively quite tall. All other red dots have much more glass below the dot to allow viewing of the post in the lower portion of optic. To get this same picture in my experience the minis must be set slightly lower.
-Jax