Scoping an A1

[SoDak]

Just picked up an M-16A1 upper and I'm already thinking of adding an optic. About the only thing that looks like even remotely good would be a compact acog and even then I'm not so sure(not about the acog, but mounting it on the carry handle). Can anyone recomend a good compact acog or is this one of those times I should just stick with irons and leave the optics for the flattops?

[Frens]

another option would be a nice original Colt scope

as for Compact ACOG I have a TA44-5 (1.5x) mounted on my A2 carry handle...I love it but people seems to prefer 2x or 3x models.
anyway Compact ACOGs fit just right on carry handles

[SoDak]

Did you have any problems with cheek weld?

[TOrrock]

You can get an ARMS carry handle mount, they worked fine back in the day, although yes, your cheekweld isn't all that great.

This is Hackathorn's Colt 9mm subgun at the last Low Light II class:



I have a Colt 6520 that I run a Compact ACOG 1.5x TA-44R4 (red cross hair, BAC) on the carry handle and it works well. I haven't noticed a significant off-set.







This is an original Colt 3x on a Colt SP-1 from 1964. Back then, this was high speed low drag gear, but there are much better choices now:

[SoDak]

Thanks for the help Templar. I figured that by going with a 2X or 3x acog I should have a decent scope. Plus If I didn't like it, I could just stick it on some other gun. One other dumb question. Would the M16A1 upper be accurate enough with the pencil barrel to make scoping worthwhile? The upper is rearsenaled with a prety new barrel(I got this from the batch gunnys surplus is selling right now).

[TOrrock]

Thanks for the help Templar. I figured that by going with a 2X or 3x acog I should have a decent scope. Plus If I didn't like it, I could just stick it on some other gun. One other dumb question. Would the M16A1 upper be accurate enough with the pencil barrel to make scoping worthwhile? The upper is rearsenaled with a prety new barrel(I got this from the batch gunnys surplus is selling right now).

With quality 55 grain or lighter ammo, I don't see why not.

[SoDak]

One more question Templar. Have you used or seen the a.r.m.s. carry handle scope mount? Would that paired with a scope using low rings be much higher than a compact acog? I'd like to still go with an acog, but cost just migh kill that option.

[SoDak]

Sorry to bring this thread back, but I had another question that wasn't worthy of a new thread. Since mouting the carry handle puts the optics way above the bore, is there any problems with different POI at varrying distances? Say, I mounted a red dot on the carry handle and zero'ed it for fifty yards. Would there be a much different POI at 25 yards or closer?

[TOrrock]

Sorry to bring this thread back, but I had another question that wasn't worthy of a new thread. Since mouting the carry handle puts the optics way above the bore, is there any problems with different POI at varrying distances? Say, I mounted a red dot on the carry handle and zero'ed it for fifty yards. Would there be a much different POI at 25 yards or closer?

I haven't seen a significant off set.

The 9mm carbine in the first pic is using an ARMS mount with an Aimpoint. It worked fine inside a house, can't comment on at distance.

Hope that helps.

[TUFBOY]

If money is no object get the Acog. I'm limited on funds so I ordered the new Burris Ar 332. It's a 3x scope 5' long that mounts on the carry handle. SWFA has them on back order for 209.00. It does come with a flat top mount also. Just my 2 cents. Best of luck.