I struggled where to put this topic, but settled on here... I need some help with an old friend of my family, "Doc", who is a decorated Veteran of the Vietnam War. I'm in Indiana this weekend with Doc to celebrate his and my late father's birthday (they were born on the same day and became friends during the war). Unfortunately, he has been suffering the effects of exposure to Agent Orange, and cancer will be his last fight. Doc and his wife have lived on the same sprawling piece of land since they purchased it after the war, and they have a constant coyote problem.

 

In his prime, Doc was an expert shot. However, treatment for his cancer and other medical problems have deteriorated his sight significantly, and he has much greater difficulty keeping the coyote away from his chicken, old hounds, and his home. I witnessed this for myself this evening with what should have been an easy ~90 yard shot. He needs more than irons at this point to get it done.

 

Doc's varmint rifle is a true-to-form A2, and it's not much of a leap to understand why. Nonetheless, we are dealing with a fixed carrying handle. I have no direct experience with optics of any sort on an AR as I shoot my own by irons only, but given my experience with them on my shotguns I think a red dot type would be his best bet. I am aware that a "Z" mount is made that can attach to the carrying handle for mounting the red dot forward of the handle on an A2, but don't know who makes a quality one. I could also use some suggestions for the optic. I need choices in the 100s of dollars range and not the 1000s in this case so I can get it done for Doc.

 

I appreciate the insight!

How about swapping in a flat top upper receiver instead? Much easier to mount the red dot that way.

came across this page googling quickly.... lots of ideas here for mounting to carry handle. not too expensive either.

you can use the see-thru mounts so he still has his irons, and still add a scope or red dot.

http://www.thecountryshed.com/ar15_m16_scope_mounts.htm

 

red dot only, or does he need magnification - bigger dot and target together? there are 3x magnified red dots, burris and primary arms comes to mind.

primary arms even has a photo mounted to the A2 handle

http://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_3X_Compact_Scope_PAC3X_p/pac3x.htm

burris

http://www.burrisoptics.com/ar332.html

 

could even find a 4x on ebay to keep with the true A2 look if that helps keep his pride up. colt originals are like $400

BSA is significantly less... decent quality on their rimfire scopes.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BSA-Optics-4x20-Rifle-Tactical-Scope-for-AR-Riflescope-BLACK-4x-Magnification-/350682626388?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51a6503954

Don't bother with the Z mount. The see through mounts that go right on the "handle" bolt through the scope mount bolt hole.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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How about swapping in a flat top upper receiver instead? Much easier to mount the red dot that way.

 

I hear you, but you try to change up an ornery ole Vet's rifle that much!

Do you have a barred flat top upper to lend him?

 

I hear you, but you try to change up an ornery ole Vet's rifle that much!

Do you have a barred flat top upper to lend him?

 

Unfortunately, not in 5.56.

How about using a regular A2 railed scope mount and use a tube type red dot? I've looked through my Ultradot Matchdot at 2" eye relief with no problems.