M1A - red dot sight mounted on a stripper clip guide base?

I was in the Leapers web site looking for a set of high 30mm rings for another project. (Installing a scope on a Norinco TU-KKW M98, 22 Long Rifle)

I saw a UTG Tactical M14-M1A Charger Guide Rail, MNT-M14RO2 that mounted on the M1A rifle by replacing the charger clip guide. The rail appeared to be about 1.50 inch long and had two rail mounting, positional slots. I thought it might hold a single point red dot ring/mount.

I had been considering installing a mini red dot sight on my M1A rifle, but did not like the forward, scout style mounts.

In the past I had tried several of the standard M1A scope bases, but had never been really satisfied with them because of holding zero reliability and the scopes had to be mounted too high to clear the rear sight. I felt the height of the scope made the M1A cumbersome and out of ballance.

I thought about mounting a red dot scope on the clip guide base. Has anyone done this before? Did it work well or was the single mounting not strong enough to hold the red dot sight.

Your thoughts?

Tried that, it didn`t work well for me. It didn`t seem stable or straight.
So, i went with a A.R.M.S#18. Now i can use a scope with QD rings,
or a red dot. the ARMs is about as low as a scope rail gets, i think.
I took the Burris fastfire off one of the other rifles, and tried it on the
Scout, and really liked it.
Keep in mind, the eyes are almost 58 years old, and have some defects.
The Burris will stay on the gun, and i won`t even mess with the iron sights.
You younguns with the clear long range eyes, count your blessings.


rant off
scruff

I did it to my m1a SOCOM. It's great for CQC but not good for 100 yard+ shots as your cheek rest will move the dot a few inches.

Great for reflex fire, bad for long range shooting.

Do a search on here in the m1a section of ARFCOM and I had some photos with this setup.

As you can see in the picture the stripper clip mount puts the micro red high enough that you would need a cheek riser. I wanted a micro red dot on my Socom as well. The mount keeps the optic low enough that you dont need a cheek riser and the beauty of the gun is retained.

Stripper clip mount and a Hopco USA test mount.


Hopco USA MRD mount with a Leupold Deltapoint


www.hopcousa.com

Just wanted to throw out another option here...

I looked at the stripper clip guide mount as well, but I wanted the optic to be removeable, so I could use irons if needed.

I really like the hopco mount, and it looks fantastic, but I don't like not having irons.

The Sage mount would not work with the Larue mount that I wanted to use.

I put a Pride Fowler MRD in a Larue QD mount, and stuck it on the factory rail. I know you said that you don't like the scout mounting option,
and I wasnt sure it would work, but it actually works out pretty good. It does not co-witness, but my personal preference is to not have a dot co-witnessed
anyway, so thats no biggie to me. Also, with this Larue mount, you have an added aluminum protective "shroud" a-la Eotech-ish... and it can be removed in 1 second, if you need to use irons. It will return to zero when remounted also, which also only takes a couple of seconds.

This setup (including QD mount) weighs 3 oz. I removed my stripper clip guide anyway, as I won't be using it, which saved an ounce, so I got a reflex sight with only 2 ounces of added weight!






















––Tim

The scout mount works very well but during testing I found that the closer the red dot was to the eye the faster I could pick it up. Even with the rear sight removed you can still reference aim and be minute of man accurate.

(Both Hopco USA mounts are in the "white")
The Jpoint MRD even has a rear notch for aiming.


Or you could use the MRD has a large ghost ring, like you would with an eotech or aimpoint on an AR-15 if you only had the first sight up. Leupold Deltapoint.


One of our customers is using a NcStar optic, making the entry level cost very reasonable. $79 for the optic and $99 for the mount. As a note he said the NcStar has a lifetime warranty and even covers recoil damage.


info@hopcousa.com

joe,

I am definately not bad mouthing the hopco. I think you guys have a great product!

I really like that the mount basically makes the MRD 'fit' within the original "lines" of a classic like the M14/M1A.

It's just a personal preference for me wanting to retain the regular irons.

––Tim

I have had no problems with this set up. You can scroll down, and read all about it in my post to this thread.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_6/367805_M1A_Scout_w__Aimpoint_PRO_and_QRP_mount.html&page=1#i3391516

I would say the problem with this setup is if your dot goes out, you are SOL.

Placing the dot on the stripper clip or the scout rail will give you the option of removing it and using your irons as backup if you're in a pinch.

With 100 yards or closer quick shooting, a cheek riser is not needed as it's only a few inches and not a problem with a man sized target.

For target shooting, you are absolutely correct.

In a pinch you could remove the Hopco USA mount and reinstall your irons. It is held in with the factory windage/elevation control know so you would only need to carry the sight itself and a flat blade screwdriver. Just remember your clicks.

Insight on a Socom.


Either way a red dot really shines in run and gun. (Having a hard time embeding)
Run and Gun

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