Dual Optic Set-up for AR-15 - Diligent Pursuit

Mounting both a scope and a red dot on your AR-15 gives you the ability to quickly transition between near and far targets. However, making it both comfortable and fast to switch between the two takes some doing.

This set-up mounts a Bushnell TRS-25 directly to the body of a Leupold Mark AR 3-9x40 scope using a Tactical Night Vision SAR-1 mount. The combination is great when you're shooting a wide range of distances. Simply roll the rifle over about 20 degrees to put the red dot in front of your eye. With the red dot properly positioned, your cheek weld will not change. (Note: The set-up shown is for a left-handed shooter. Obviously, right handers would put the red dot on the opposite side of the scope.)

The TNVC SAR-1 mounts directly to the 1" body of the Leupold scope and allows the red dot to be rotated into any position. (TNVC also makes a 30mm version.) I found that having this flexibility lets you achieve a better position for your cheek weld than does using a fixed mount. The down side of the SAR-1 mount is its $79 cost. Still, I haven't found an alternative that let me tune the red dot position so well.

By the way, I've also been quite happy with the Burris PEPR scope mount. I bought it originally for its picatiny ring tops, and in fact I mounted a (different) red dot on top of the front ring initially. This worked, but in order to sight on the red dot I had to raise my cheek off the stock, moving my head upward into an awkward position. After tiring of that, I found the solution shown here.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Busnell TRS-25
• AR-15
• Leupold Mark AR
• TNVC SAR-1
• Dual Optics
• Two Optics
• Red Dot
• Scope
• Multiple distances
• Rock River Arms Coyotte
• CMMG 22LR conversion
• run&gun
• run & gun
• Burris PEPR
• scope mounting

[1LonePuma]

Interesting, but I think I'd rather use the hash marks on a scope, they give you distances, if you can count and or understand the ballistics of your caliber. No need to keep spending the bucks. Besides, someone who understands hash marks for varying distances will never see this as an issue, but if they do, take their rifle from them...lolo!

[DiligentPursuit]

@1LonePuma I will say that the side mounted red dot makes it very quick to acquire the target at very close range (e.g. 10-50ft.). All of the open class 3 gun shooters use them. I shoot tacital optics class, so for that set-up I use just a 1-4 scope.

[CUatTheEnd]

Obviously you were shooting left handed with the Bushnell scope setup on the left side, and as you mention if you were righthanded it would be on the right hand side of your firearm. With it so low on the left, do you think it would interfer with the casing ejetions setup on the rightside of the firearm for a right handed shoother? Is that a valid concern? I really like that setup. Great job!

[DiligentPursuit]

@CUatTheEnd Unfortunately I haven't tried putting the red dot on the other side but I think you'd have to play with the placement to figure out just how to avoid the ejected casings. Placed far enough back the red dot would be in the clear. Likewise, leaving it at a shallow angle could work-- but all this depends upon just where your scope is mounted too. Mine is pretty far forward. Wish I had a better answer for you.

[NWguy83]

i thought it was called "peeper" ?

[TheeBedazzler]

@DiligentPursuit Since the Bushnell has no eye relief (1x magnification) you could simply mount the sight to the front of the Leupold rather than the rear or install a brass collector/deflector to avoid the sight being damaged by ejecting rounds. Your design seems very intuitive otherwise.

[JUKEBOXX1990]

@DiligentPursuit daniel defense has an offset rail you can mount to your flat top for your red dot for about 40 bucks..

[JUKEBOXX1990]

damnnnnn i want that mount on my ar now

[flyinasscritter]

Jammmmeeeddd!!!!!!!!!! I dont like how it mounts to the side of the scope- so it actually might mess with the main scope by jarring it might be fine for a little 22 but bigger guns might jarr it horrible. 

[larrydonnelly1]

You're right! The thin TNV scope mount is (or was) not nearly as sturdy. I purchased one and mounted it; only to have it break. I never got to use it. However, I called the company and they sent another one after I sent mine back. They said that they wanted it back for testing to make improvements. I'm happy with the replacement ring. BTW - there was a long wait as a result of a large military order, which took precedence over civilian sales, which is fine with me.

[155Hammertree]

What size butler creek flip up scope covers did you purchase? Thanks!

[Caleb12top]

I use iron sites.. I have acogs and trigicons but nothing beats the iron sites! they dont break very easy and are very reliable!