Wrist Pain

[NightFighter]

I just attached a red dot optic to the top rail of my rifle. When I hold the rifle to align my buis and the red dot I have to twist my wrist a little in order to get the perfect sight picture.

I have not had this pain when i use my buis. I have taken my rifle to the range several times to zero my buis and just for some range time.

Any suggestions on how to make the pain go away or just lessen the pain. Do I need a different pistol grip. Do I need a different optic?

Oh, I have the red dot positioned over the ejection port on the top rail.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or information.

[Preliator]

Maybe I am missing something, but why do you need to align the red dot with the iron sights? The red dot should be used by itself and you should look through the iron sights only if the red dot fails for some reason.

Other than that, good luck.

[PatrolRifleGroup]

You should never have to align both the red dot and your iron sights when you are shooting. That's actually a common error we find when teaching others to shoot on the range, though most will typically try to align the red dot with the front sight post. Each system is stand alone.

The only time I will purposely align the red dot with my BUIS, is to make adjustments/ballpark zero the red dot with iron sights. I usually do this after my irons are zeroed, and I'll adjust the red dot so it falls on the tip of the front sight post when looking through the irons. Then I'll flip my BUIS down and finish zeroing my red dot with 3 round strings. I find this to cut down on the number of adjustments/relays, as it usually only takes me 1-2 strings of fire to zero after doing so.

My guess is that you are contorting into position trying to align both sighting systems. Try extending your stock a notch or two if it's collapsible. A good prone shooting position should be comfortable enough that you can stay in it for an extended period of time. If you have to fight it, then you need to change your position up.

[trlcavscout]

I always site my optics off my front site post so I have a reference when takeing longer shots. I generally use the same setup for everything includeing coyote hunting.

Do you have your stock collapsed all the way? I get wrist pain when shooting with the stock collapsed but not when its extended. But if you don't notice it when just useing your irons it could be how the optic is mounted?

[DeltaSierra]

I always site my optics off my front site post so I have a reference when takeing longer shots.

The whole issue here is that you don't need any "reference point" for the dot, regardless of the range.

[!Nvasi0n]

What Red Dot Optic are you using. If its not paralax free and you are trying to force the dot on top of the FSP, you are likely not going to get accurate shot placement. And the fact you are fighting yourself to get a good sight picture/cheek weld tells me you are set up bad. Something be crimping your style. I run an EOtech XPS, with irons and EOtech Magnifier. When i am running courses <50M i have my BUIS down, Magnifier to the side, and simply raise the gun into my line of sight and shoot when my 65 MOA ring is on the Center Mass.

My set up is on the factory 7 Riser/QD. So it's running as a lower third co-witness. I don't have to drop down into my irons unless i have/want to. I train with irons, RDS on/off, magnifier on/off. And i am comfortable in every way. I Do have to run my stock down to 2nd or 3rd detent to get a proper sight picture with the magnifier, which is basciallly NTCH (Nose to Charging Handle).

Check your set-up, something ain't right. I'd say without looking you are likely running a RDS that is simply not optimal for the gun. And it's probably a generic RDS. You would be so much better suited with an optic designed with the M4 in mind as the target platform.

Flat out, it shouldn't hurt...if it does STOP. You are only training bad habits. Get it figured out. Go to a reputable LGS, and have someone examine your shooting form...

Better yet, post a few pics from various angles, and most of us will be able to better tell you what's going on. Unless you are 80, and suffering from Rhumatoid Arthritis, something is dead wrong. Good luch

[feedramp]

You should never have to align both the red dot and your iron sights when you are shooting. That's actually a common error we find when teaching others to shoot on the range, though most will typically try to align the red dot with the front sight post. Each system is stand alone.

The only time I will purposely align the red dot with my BUIS, is to make adjustments/ballpark zero the red dot with iron sights. I usually do this after my irons are zeroed, and I'll adjust the red dot so it falls on the tip of the front sight post when looking through the irons. Then I'll flip my BUIS down and finish zeroing my red dot with 3 round strings. I find this to cut down on the number of adjustments/relays, as it usually only takes me 1-2 strings of fire to zero after doing so.

My guess is that you are contorting into position trying to align both sighting systems. Try extending your stock a notch or two if it's collapsible. A good prone shooting position should be comfortable enough that you can stay in it for an extended period of time. If you have to fight it, then you need to change your position up.

Thanks, good to know.

[NightFighter]

You should never have to align both the red dot and your iron sights when you are shooting. That's actually a common error we find when teaching others to shoot on the range, though most will typically try to align the red dot with the front sight post. Each system is stand alone.

The only time I will purposely align the red dot with my BUIS, is to make adjustments/ballpark zero the red dot with iron sights. I usually do this after my irons are zeroed, and I'll adjust the red dot so it falls on the tip of the front sight post when looking through the irons. Then I'll flip my BUIS down and finish zeroing my red dot with 3 round strings. I find this to cut down on the number of adjustments/relays, as it usually only takes me 1-2 strings of fire to zero after doing so.

My guess is that you are contorting into position trying to align both sighting systems. Try extending your stock a notch or two if it's collapsible. A good prone shooting position should be comfortable enough that you can stay in it for an extended period of time. If you have to fight it, then you need to change your position up.

Thanks for the information. That is what I was looking for from this forum. I admit I am new to AR rifles so I am probably making a lot of mistakes. And like G.I. Say " knowing is half the battle."

[NightFighter]

I always site my optics off my front site post so I have a reference when takeing longer shots. I generally use the same setup for everything includeing coyote hunting.

Do you have your stock collapsed all the way? I get wrist pain when shooting with the stock collapsed but not when its extended. But if you don't notice it when just useing your irons it could be how the optic is mounted?

Yes, I have the stock collapsed all the way. I will make some adjustments as described above and from your input. Thanks.

[NightFighter]

What Red Dot Optic are you using. If its not paralax free and you are trying to force the dot on top of the FSP, you are likely not going to get accurate shot placement. And the fact you are fighting yourself to get a good sight picture/cheek weld tells me you are set up bad. Something be crimping your style. I run an EOtech XPS, with irons and EOtech Magnifier. When i am running courses <50M i have my BUIS down, Magnifier to the side, and simply raise the gun into my line of sight and shoot when my 65 MOA ring is on the Center Mass.

My set up is on the factory 7 Riser/QD. So it's running as a lower third co-witness. I don't have to drop down into my irons unless i have/want to. I train with irons, RDS on/off, magnifier on/off. And i am comfortable in every way. I Do have to run my stock down to 2nd or 3rd detent to get a proper sight picture with the magnifier, which is basciallly NTCH (Nose to Charging Handle).

Check your set-up, something ain't right. I'd say without looking you are likely running a RDS that is simply not optimal for the gun. And it's probably a generic RDS. You would be so much better suited with an optic designed with the M4 in mind as the target platform.

Flat out, it shouldn't hurt...if it does STOP. You are only training bad habits. Get it figured out. Go to a reputable LGS, and have someone examine your shooting form...

Better yet, post a few pics from various angles, and most of us will be able to better tell you what's going on. Unless you are 80, and suffering from Rhumatoid Arthritis, something is dead wrong. Good luch

Thanks for taking the time out of your day to post this info for me. I am using a generic red dot. Vortex Sparc. I have it set up wrong as I now know from previous post. I have the have the red dot sight set up to co witness with my iron sights. Yes I am going to take my rifle to the range and zero the red dot with out using the iron sight. I am going to make an adjustment and have the red dot co witness my buis in the lower 1/3 of the optic.

I will take some pics of how I have the optic set up now and try to post them so people and tell me now to fix my problems.

I will also start saving up for a better red dot optic.