When it comes to using sighting devices on AR15 rifles, Red Dot optics are one of the best choices available. There are so many reasons why shooters prefer Red Dot over other sight optics. For starters, it has a simple and easy-to-use design for a better shooting experience.
Those who find it difficult to get the target can install a Red Dot on their AR rifle. Before that, you need to know the steps to mount it in the right position.
You are lucky to have found this page. In this guide, we will provide full details of where and how to mount a Red Dot on AR.
Guide To Mount Red Dot On AR
A Red Dot is a useful tool only if you mount it correctly. We recommend you get a high-quality Red Dot to enhance your overall experience. Luckily, several brands are offering Red Dot. But your concern should be to choose the most reputable brand in the market.
Coming back to the topic, the best position to mount the Red Dot is the forward end of the rifle’s rail. For a better and smoother experience, you must fix it tightly in its place. Red Dots are provided with screws that will help you to tighten the sight on the spot.
An AR rifle has more than one place to mount a Red Dot. You must decide on the position based on your comfort level.
How to mount a Red Dot sight on an AR rifle?
Mounting a Red Dot sight on an AR rifle might be difficult for first-timers. However, if you know the correct steps, you will find the process easy to complete. There are different ways you can mount the Red Dot sight on your rifle. The one explained below is probably the easiest method of all. It is a three-step method that is perfect for beginners. That being said, let’s take a look at the steps below.
Step 1: Use thread locker
Usually, we use screws to mount a Red Dot on an AR rifle. In case, there are no screws, you can use a thread locker to mount the sight.
Before fixing it in the correct position, make sure to drop the blue lock of your threads. This will enable the optic to work perfectly.
Step 2: Position the optic on your rifle
The second step is to position the Red Dot on your rifle. You are required to place it on the top of the gun rail. There are two legit reasons to mount it this way.
Firstly, it will give you sufficient space behind the sight on your rail. This will allow you to mount other accessories if needed.
Secondly, it will put less strain on your eyes when seeing through the dot. What we mean is that you will have more space for your eyes.
By fixing it in the correct position you can improve your shooting experience.
Step 3: Push the sighting optic forward
The final step is to push the Red Dot optic forward. By doing so, you can tighten the sight in the correct spot.
However, there might be a little wiggling when you try to tighten it. Just push the sight forward in its correct position, and it should be fine.
Once you are done with these steps, set the optic at zero for accurate shooting.
By following these simple steps, you can mount a Red Dot on an AR rifle all by yourself. It’s not as difficult as you think it is.
Why shouldn’t you mount a Red Dot on the handguard?
There are two main reasons you shouldn’t mount a Red Dot on the handguard of the gun.
- First of all, the handguard of your gun is unstable. It is more susceptible to movement and vibrations which can throw off the zero on your sight optic.
- Secondly, AR15 rifles get dirty easily, and therefore, they need to be cleaned regularly. When cleaning the barrel and gas system of your rifle, you will have to detach the handguard. So if you place the Red Dot on the handguard and remove it, you will need to set up the zero every time you clean your rifle. To save the hassle, you should place the Red Dot in a more suitable place.
Note: You should always mount a Red Dot as far forward as you can. This will help increase the peripheral vision while shooting.
Right Way To Use Red Dots
Now that you know how to perfectly mount a Red Dot on an AR rifle, let’s learn how to use it. This will be helpful for shooters who are not yet accustomed to using Red Dots.
Red Dot is a versatile and user-friendly tool. The first thing you need to learn is to target the Red Dot by focusing your vision. Once that is done, the Red Dot will do the rest.
The advantage of using a Red Dot is that it allows you to shoot by keeping both eyes open. Every Red Dot is different in terms of intensity, which depends on multiple external factors. For example, if the day is too bright, you will need a more luminous dot. Similarly, during night time, you require the light drop for shooting.
It is not advised you use a bright dot in a dark setting. It will make the dot blurry, making it difficult for you to shoot. The same applies to using a dark dot in a bright environment.
The good thing about Red Dots is that they provide accurate vision when focusing on the target. Additionally, they are faster than iron sights. Using the Red Dot correctly will give you better results.
Final Words
To sum it up, you are required to mount the Red Dot in a suitable position on your AR15 rifle so you can get a better shooting experience. Follow the steps mentioned in this guide, and you should be good to go. Mounting the Red Dot correctly will give you accurate shooting results.