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Thread: Forearm Mounted Optics

  1. #11
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    I keep asking this same question in other threads. I don't run a red dot at all, but I noticed that the instructor in the magpul video runs the cantilever mount that puts the aimpoint way out front.

    So my thought was if I have a FF rail, why not use the standard mount on the rail and put the optic as far back as I can on the rail.

  2. #12
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    The front mount came from some units use of Fixed CH uppers, and wanting an optic, thus adding an Aimpoint or Eo to a RIS/RAS.
    It worked okay within 25m or so for CQB.

    The RIS and RAS, and many freefloat rails are not solid enough to mitigate shock from both firing, and impact (jump/rappel etc).

    It has some advantages, and some negatives. I think the negatives outweight the positives, and I used to do this on an issue carbine.
    Kevin S. Boland
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    FN America, LLC
    Office: 703.288.3500 x181 | Mobile: 407-451-4544 | Fax: 703.288.4505
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  3. #13
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    Some say it's a mark of a rookie.....having an optic on the rail/handguard of their AR.

    FWIW when I met my good friend Travis Haley in 2004 he had a 10" SBR with an Krylon'd OD green Aimpoint M2 or M3 on it in an ARMS mount on an ARMS SIR rail. As anyone knows he's in the top 1% of amount of combat trigger time on this forum.......so he's hardly a rookie.

    As said it works good for up close, what it gives you is speed verifiable with a shot timer. What it does bad is that it's exposed to more heat, gets banged around more and is more easily shot lose. The same thing goes for lasers mounted on rails.
    Chief Armorer for Elite Shooting Sports in Manassas VA
    Chief Armorer for Corp Arms (FFL 07-08/SOT 02)

  4. #14
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    I like to have mine as far foward as possible, but on the upper. I know alot of these rails are really good but if you use a VFG its possible, once the adrenalin starts pumping to pull the entire rail down. It might not go much but if you get it 1/8th inch lower than when you zero'd with the optic on the rail your will be shooting low. I think most here use a 50 yard zero and at that range you should still be able to have center or just lower than center mass hits, but at 200 or 300 yards you would be wasting your time. We shoot our M-4's (Marine Corps) out to 500 yards on irons just to do basic requal's. The point being the weapon has the ability to go that far. You could also keep it out there and have your BUIS on the upper set at more of a rifle zero and just go to them if you feel the range is outside what your RDS is set at.

  5. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by LOKNLOD View Post
    Well it's definitely worth experimenting with to find your personal "sweet spot" but don't do anything based solely off of my recommendations I was hoping some of our SME's and pro's might jump in on this topic...
    I'm not playing around with the position of the sight just because you said so. I'm constantly looking at my gear/techniques/etc. to see if I should change anything. I've had the EoTech on the front for a couple of years now. If I move it back then I'll try it like that for a couple of months to see how I like it. If I like it then I'll keep it, if not then I'll move it forward again.

    It's the same thing as when people ask me for my opinion on gear/technique/etc., I always say "it's not what works for me, it's what works for you."

  6. #16
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    I mount mine as far forward on the upper as possible without it being over the barrel nut. I originally had it straddling the barrel nut but was promptly smacked down here for it. They had a good point about this being the hottest point of the rifle.

    An aimpoint that doesn't sit directly on the rail or an Eotech on a cantilever mount would not be a problem mounted at the mid point since the heat would dissipate and not transfer directly to the optic.

  7. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by kwelz View Post
    They had a good point about this being the hottest point of the rifle.
    I hardly find that to be a hot enough point on the rifle that it would affect an optic in a mount. It gets warm there, but I've never had a situation where my delta ring was hot enough that I couldn't hold the rifle there.

  8. #18
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    You can get an EO hot enough to shut it down while mounted on a front handguard. Due to the design of the Aimpoints they are more isolated from that.

    Ask me how I know
    Kevin S. Boland
    Manager, Federal Sales
    FN America, LLC
    Office: 703.288.3500 x181 | Mobile: 407-451-4544 | Fax: 703.288.4505
    www.fnhusa.com

  9. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by KevinB View Post
    You can get an EO hot enough to shut it down while mounted on a front handguard. Due to the design of the Aimpoints they are more isolated from that.

    Ask me how I know
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ns/kevssfw.jpg
    I learned that lesson too. My 551 and 552 would shut down if I ran the gun really really hard.


    Chief Armorer for Elite Shooting Sports in Manassas VA
    Chief Armorer for Corp Arms (FFL 07-08/SOT 02)

  10. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by KevinB View Post
    You can get an EO hot enough to shut it down while mounted on a front handguard.
    I've heard of this happening.

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