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Member Section => Tactical Rifle & Carbine => Topic started by: fightingquaker13 on July 17, 2009, 11:39:25 AM

Title: Going red dot
Post by: fightingquaker13 on July 17, 2009, 11:39:25 AM
As many of you very patient folks know, I have, with your help, finally gotten off the fense and chosen an AR as opposed to an AK. (I'm sorry Rob, but you always were into the retro thing and I'll follow you when cash permits ;D). Anyway, I was torn as to what sights to put on a DPMS flat top. I was leaning towards USAA's advice of a 1-3 Weaver. Then I saw on offer a new(ish) in box eotech 512.A65 for $200. I jumped on it. The sight is perfect. My problem is I can't get the damn thing on my gun (easily). I obviously don't want to horse it. I've never used a rail system before. Is there a trick to this? It won't open wide enough to go on top like a weaver mount and it won't just slide on from the end either, even with thee screw completely loose. I'm sure I could force it on, but that seems like a very bad idea. Thoughts?
FQ13 who is feeling pretty silly, but better embarassed than killing an expensive sight out of ignorance. Pride is cheap, eotechs run $400. :-[ ;D
Title: Re: Going red dot
Post by: tombogan03884 on July 17, 2009, 11:44:12 AM
 Force is ALWAYS an absolute last resort, and then you probably DON'T want to do it (Pins and dovetails are the only friction fit items I can think of off hand)
I'm not familiar with the Eotec set up but if you take the screws all the way out can you THEN slide it on from the side ?
Title: Re: Going red dot
Post by: long762range on July 17, 2009, 11:46:43 AM
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=359657
Title: Re: Going red dot
Post by: fightingquaker13 on July 17, 2009, 11:53:42 AM
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=359657
Thanks, but the sight already has the mount. All I need to do, theoretically, is slide it in. I'm just looking for tips from someone with experience as to how to do so.
FQ13
Title: Re: Going red dot
Post by: tombogan03884 on July 17, 2009, 11:58:37 AM
Thanks, but the sight already has the mount. All I need to do, theoretically, is slide it in. I'm just looking for tips from someone with experience as to how to do so.
FQ13

When M25 gets off work and logs on he will probably get you squared away if  some one else doesn't beat him to it.
Title: Re: Going red dot
Post by: mosbear on July 17, 2009, 12:18:25 PM
Why don't you give the Eotech a call?

Here is a link:
http://www.eotech-inc.com/warrantycontacts.php (http://www.eotech-inc.com/warrantycontacts.php)
Title: Re: Going red dot
Post by: ericire12 on July 17, 2009, 01:18:56 PM
$200 is well bought
Title: Re: Going red dot
Post by: Ichiban on July 17, 2009, 01:54:44 PM
I, also, am fairly new to ARs and I just put that exact same sight on mine - I had it out at the range this morning sighting it in.  Try opening the mount as far as it will go, hook one side on and drop the other over the rail.  You need to make sure that the retention screw lands in one of the notches in the rail or it will never fit.  HTH.
Title: Re: Going red dot
Post by: fightingquaker13 on July 17, 2009, 02:11:42 PM
$200 is well bought
Indeed. I got it off AR armory. The guy had two for $400 or one each for$210. The sale lasted less than an hour. I just got lucky. (An occasional advantage of insommnia as he posted at 11pm). His handle is 12131 and he shipped when I told him I wanted the scope. He dind't wait for my check to arrive, much less clear, even though I am very new on that board. He also ate fed ex shipping AND threw in two sets of batteries. He said some some scrapes and dings, there are two very small scratches. He has a good rep there for a reason.
Now back to the thread.......Many here have said I'm an idiot, many more have thought it. I am forced to admit its all very true. In my defense, I am very new to rail systems. This rifle is the first I've owned or handled. I assumed (and we all know where that goes) that the slots were for fore and aft mounting and the weaver rails underneath were for mounting abeam. It was pointed out that this was not the case. The slots are for a horizontal mount. When the seller graciously (no overt sniggering) pointed this out, lo and behold, the sight went on perfectly. It's bright and sunny here in So. Fl. and there was zero wash with this thing. The holographic projection makes other red dots look like jokes. No hunting for the dot, no moving your head back and forth. Both eyes open and head up on a sunny summer day and it looks like the reticle is painted on your target's forehead. Best $200 I've ever spent.

FQ13 Who is embarassed, but still glad I played it safe by seeking advice on how to mount it right before doing something stupid :-[ but still ;D
Title: Re: Going red dot
Post by: tombogan03884 on July 17, 2009, 04:19:35 PM
 Only think you're an idiot in some of your politics. The fact that you asked about something you didn't understand BEFORE using the hammer shows you have your head on right about technical stuff.
Title: Re: Going red dot
Post by: Big Frank on July 17, 2009, 04:43:13 PM
+1. Always ask first before using the hammer.
Title: Re: Going red dot
Post by: GASPASSERDELUXE on July 17, 2009, 04:50:10 PM
FQ, UNSCREW THE LARGE SCREW ON THE LEFT SIDE AND THE SMALL CLAMP THER WILL FALL OFF. THEN PLACE THE EOTECH ON THE BASE WHERE YOU WANT IT, HOOKING IT FROM THE RIGHT SIDE, THEN PUT THE OTHER SMALL PEICE BACK ON AND REINSTALL THE SCREW AND TIGHTEN. THAT SHOULD  CURE YOUR PROBLEM.
Title: Re: Going red dot
Post by: Pathfinder on July 17, 2009, 05:45:20 PM
I, also, am fairly new to ARs and I just put that exact same sight on mine - I had it out at the range this morning sighting it in.  Try opening the mount as far as it will go, hook one side on and drop the other over the rail.  You need to make sure that the retention screw lands in one of the notches in the rail or it will never fit.  HTH.

What he said, exactly right. The little pins in the sight sit into the notches in the rail. You can even - if you have to to avoid forcing the issue - remove the side screw nuts completely, mount the sight, put the nuts back on and tighten.
Title: Re: Going red dot
Post by: True_Texan on July 18, 2009, 02:45:23 AM
I've have that exact same Eotech mounted on my AR. Really do love the thing. Plus the fact that is uses plain ol' AA batteries makes it even better. Did you get the Revision F model?

I'm guessing that you are new to all red dot optics and if you are, you should try this and then show your friends.

It's amazing how your brain works.... With the rifle shouldered & both eyes open, take a playing card or something along those lines and cover up the objective side of the sight from the right side (if right eye dominant, reverse if needed). Even without your dominant eye able to see through the optic and only the reticle, your brain will link the image seen by your other eye together.

A video in DRTV video section actually shows this being done with the Aimpoint:  http://www.downrange.tv/show2/  Part 2 to be exact.
Title: Re: Going red dot
Post by: True_Texan on July 18, 2009, 03:03:33 AM
I forgot to mention, make sure to pick up a set of BUIS. Never know when electronics or optics will fail.

I picked up a Yankee Hill Manufacturing flip up rear sight for mine. It matched the fold down front sight/gas block I had already put on it.

Available at Midway (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=124330)
or
At Brownells (http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=46749/sku/Rear_Flip_Sight)

Certainly not the only brand out there, but probably the least expensive and still well made IMHO.

There are other places you can get that, but those are my favorites. (Midway is the best of course for sponsoring certain things ;D)
Title: Re: Going red dot
Post by: Ping on July 25, 2009, 09:37:43 PM
+100 True Texan

make sure to pick up a set of BUIS