Due to weakening vision, I’ve been trying to mount a scope to my vintage AR with integral carry handle. I’ve tried 2 different brands of the carry handle thumb screw type picatinny rails without success. I first attached the mount using only as much force as I could apply by finger tightening the thumb nut, I took my Colt AR Carbine to the range and the mount became loose after only firing a few rounds. On my second attempt, I de-greased the mounting bolt and thumb nut, applied some blue loctite to the threads, finger tightened as much as possible, and then turned the thumb nut about another 1/4 turn with griping pliers. I let that set a few weeks and then went back to the range. This time the mount stayed secure through firing 2 magazines but half way through the third magazine it was loose again. Anyone have any suggestions? This particular AR has a 14.5” M4 barrel and I know I’m over gassed by the 2:00 ejection pattern, I’m wondering if a heavier buffer might help the problem…
A BRT tube is always better than overweighting the buffer. What kind of barrel?
How badly do you want to keep it vintage? Might be time to get a $60 bcm blem upper receiver to reassemble it on. Then you could use a proper scope mount.
My first AR and 4x. Integrated mount keeps scope as low as possible (near identical height to my Unity/T2). Spring tensioned mechanism. Brownells sells a Colt 4x replica with similar mount design. There’s dime store options on Amazon.
I don’t believe changing buffers will remedy anything related to your mount nut loosening. I might try a nylon nut or lock washer. Mount screw generally isn’t robust so I’d caution using much torque when tightening.
Actually wasn’t familiar with BRT tubes until I read your reply and googled it. My barrel is a standard 14.5” M4 5.56 chamber.
Gotta find another solution as I want to keep the current configuration.
I’m going to give my mount one more try and if it still won’t hold, I may go your route. Sweet looking setup btw.
This is a Hardwear Problem, the bolt is stretching and with the correct hardwear that shouldn’t be happening.I would say you need new mounting hardwear or a new mount.
I would leave that upper receiver alone, and just buy a current Colt flattop complete upper receiver to mount an optic to.
Carry handle scope mounts are more of a pain in the butt than an enabler.
If you insist on carry handle mounting, the best bet is an original style Trijicon ACOG.
Yeah… separate carry handle mount plus scope rings creates a height issue and often results in less than desirable scope placement / eye relief with conventional magnified scopes. An integrated mount and magnified scope designed for a carry handle is the way to go.
I built a Gordon Carbine rifle and wanted to add an optic to my A1 carry handle upper. The advice I was given was to find a A.R.M.S. #2 M16A1/A2 mount that uses a standard nut to tighten it down. The ARMS #2 mount is nice because it allows you to use your irons through a channel on the mount. I couldn’t find a regular size but did find a used extended, but It’s a bit longer than I like and I’m considering cutting down about an inch. I mounted it with blue loctite and dropped on a RDS. to it and it held zero on two trips.
I see a lot of carry hanlde 30mm mounts with Aimpoints on Instagram. Must be some cloner thing.
^^^This. I’ve never had an issue with an A.R.M.S. product. The #2 is the easy button but I’d also look around and try to find a A.R.M.S. #39 A2 Plus ‘Gooseneck’ Mount which have long been discontinued. And yes to the BRT EZ tune tube for overgassed issues
I’m really wondering what can be determined by ejection direction with a brass deflector.
I don’t know a lot but, I do know that mixing a “Carry Handle” with a “Delicate Optical Device” along with Soldiers is a recipe for a lot of broken glass and stuff.
I don’t know who invented it but thank goodness for the Guy who decided to add a rail and delete a carry handle.