AR scope/magnifier mounting delimma

[Pred Thumper]

I need the pros on this one ... I have a 16" LMT M4 AR flat top upper and I would like to put a scope on it. I dont want to change out my fore arms which do not have railing so I was wondering if I could install a combo setup (scope and magnifier) in the available rear top rail space of about 6 inches (assuming I remove the rear sight). Am looking for fit (that includes the ability to co-witness with the front sight) so without any attempts to hijack the tread on personal preferences on scopes ...what would work best an Aimpoint scope with a forward cantilever ring mount or the EOTech scope with a riser.

Thanks in advance for your candid yet note worthy input.

[phsieh10]

You could try a cantilever mount with an Aimpoint and then a 3x behind it. The eotech 557.4x might be able to fit also.

[Pred Thumper]

ok but wouldnt I need a riser if I went with the EOTech for the magnifer so it would line up correctly?

[Teletiger7]

some models of the eotech are already correct heaight for the magnifier just have to check. I think the newer version like the 553 and 557 are higher for that exact reason. You can go either way eotech or aimpoint just depends on your preference. There are ways to mount both with magnifier on the rail of a flat-top upper with standard handguards. You might not have any space for a BUIS if that matters to you.

[Pred Thumper]

Thanks for the info ... and advice .... best case would be to keep the BUIS on the weapon for quick backup but I am willing to go without for the 2 piece setup at this time. thanks

keep the opinons rolling!

[SuperSet]

As already mentioned, you have a few choices and none of these will require you to remove your BUIS:

1. Aimpoint ML3 on LaRue cantilever mount with Aimpoint magnifier and LaRue standard pivot mount
2. EOTech 512 on LaRue riser with Aimpoint magnifier and LaRue low pivot mount. The pivot mount will sit on that little hump on the LaRue EOTech riser.
3. EOTech 516, 517, 553, or 557 with either the Aimpoint magnifier and LaRue standard pivot mount or the EOTech 3X/4X magnifier. The mentioned EOTech models have integral risers so you don't need the LaRue riser.

Hope this helps.

[Pred Thumper]

Thanks ... but maybe I forgot to mention that my rear BUIS is made by LMT (and is non-folding)... do you think it would still fit? I mean it takes up about 1 1/2 of the 6 inches on the top rear rail I have to play with. I will undoubtly visually compare the set-ups suggested here but just wanted to know what options I might have. Thanks fellow Calguns for your continued help....

[maxicon]

The key to BUIS fit on the rail is how many slots it covers and how much space the rest of the rig takes up. Many BUIS' cover the rail in front of the rearmost slot, but a few also cover the next slot.

For the Eotechs, it'll also depend on which model you get and which handguards you have. The fat M4 style handguards stick up above the rail about 0.1", and can prevent you from mounting an AA Eotech far enough forward. Newer AA models, like the 557, are higher off the rail in front so they'll fit over the handguards. The riser may take care of that for the older models.

[Pred Thumper]

Roger that

[aplinker]

If you want the "best" set-up:

1.) Aimpoint 3X magnifier in LaRue flip-to-side
2.) Aimpoint CompM4s w/LaRue mount, like shown here
3.) Troy folding BUIS to replace the LMT fixed

It will look like this:


Cost cutting:
Use Aimpoint CompML2 with the LaRue cantilever mount.

You can use the 30% off eBay w/Live.com (do a search) to get the Aimpoint & magnifier for a discounted price.

I wouldn't buy another EOTech - they've shown serious issues in hard use and I wouldn't bet my life on one. It's upsetting, considering that many people, myself included, once did and wish they could again - considering how nice the EOTech reticle is.

[SuperSet]

Thanks ... but maybe I forgot to mention that my rear BUIS is made by LMT (and is non-folding)... do you think it would still fit? I mean it takes up about 1 1/2 of the 6 inches on the top rear rail I have to play with. I will undoubtly visually compare the set-ups suggested here but just wanted to know what options I might have. Thanks fellow Calguns for your continued help....

That's a problem. The LMT BUIS is sorta like having a chopped charging handle and it will interfere with your magnifier. So, if you insist on keeping the LMT, you won't be able to use the magnifier since it'll bump into it.
As UCLAPlinker said, get a flip-up BUIS to solve this dilemma.

[Pred Thumper]

That does look real good and I bet works as well as it looks .... Thanks for the pic that was worth 1000 words.

[Pred Thumper]

Yeah ... I hear ya Super and the more I think about it, I should make sure I have a back up sight in place.