AR-15 Scopes On The Handles vs Flat Tops

manforallseasons

September 14, 2002 15:06

Is there more accuracy with Scopes on the handle or Scopes on the Flat Tops.??

Manforallseasons

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  mark christian

  September 14, 2002 15:47

  The use of the carry handle as a scope mount is as old as the AR-15 itself and was also used on the AR-10 for the same purpose. It was never a great location due to the fact that the scope is so far up that is is nearly impossible to get a good cheek weld on the stock and sight through the scope at the same time. There are a number of cheek rests, Choate comes to mind, that will raise your eyes up high enough to use the scope comfortably. Of course if you take the scope off and have the cheek rest on the stock, you are now looking WAY over the iron sights.
  Experiments with flat top receivers date back as far as the late 1960's when Rodman Laboratories at the Rock Island Arsenal built a prototype match rifle with the carry handle removed. Although this rifle was fitted with Redfield match sights it was quickly noticed that there would be many advantages to this type of receiver when using telescopic sights. By the late 1980's there were flat top uppers availble as replacements and Colt introduced their Match Target Competition H-BAR rifle with a detachable carry handle in 1992.
  I prefer to use the flat top when using telescopic sights and then remove the scope and put the carry handle back on. You can also use one of the SWAN type mounts which runs the length of the receiver and has a pop up rear sight that can be quickly brought into use if needed. I doubt that there is any real difference in accuracy potential between the mounting systems- You see, I did not forget your original question- it is mostly a matter of choice and what you feel works for you.
  
  
  
  "Trust me, I know what I'm doing!"
  
  
  Mark T. Christian

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  james.seto

  September 14, 2002 20:39

  Mark is right. I would also like to add that in my experience, generally the closer you get the scope to the barrel (and in line with the bore/muzzle), the more accurate the rifle will be. This was what I was taught when I had trained for long range competiton.
  
  James
  
  "When the going gets tough... the tough gets a bigger gun"

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