I understand that because it not being “monolithic” it could perhaps present some problems if working at long (+1000 yds) distances because of minute movement, but using quality hardware and not putting undue stress on it, I really don’t see how it could cause any trouble. More even so because it is a free float.
If anything - having a “bridge” (riser) covering both rails actually increased the rigidity (is that a word?) and reduces the already virtually non-existing movement between the rails.
As said, though, I do appreciate the reasoning that in some cases it might not be a good idea.
Because different shooting positions can put different stress on the rail, and just slight shift in the rail can cause serious POI shifts. If the optic sitting on the rail was shifted one degree up it would be over 60" of POI change just at 100 yards. If one minute of angle is 1.048" one degree of shift in the rail would be 62.88".
With cantilever mounts out there I don’t really see a reason why anyone would not get the proper equipment as to put the optic where its least likely to get shifted by flex (upper receiver).
That is the reason why we have free float rails to begin with so stress from different positions and shooting styles don’t affect the barrel. Then you put the scope on the rail? Doesn’t make any sense. If not having a free float rail can affect POI so can putting the optic on there.
Now if all you do is shoot of a bench in one style the same way every time you’re probably not going to run into any issues. But buy the proper mounts, and you won’t have to worry about it at all.
Hmmmmm…OK.
So I will do a test. See what happens. With pic’s etc. Give me a week or so.
Any excuse to go shoot is good.
There are really a lot of variables. Any one test would show what one setup does or doesn’t do with one shooter one time.
Im just saying with the different mount options we all have theres really zero reason to mount a scope onto the rail, and defies the logic of what a free float rail is supposed to do in the first place. If forearm shift can cause the barrel to move and shift POI so can putting an optic on the same forearm which moves with different positions and stresses.
If someone wants to do it thats up to them. I don’t really care. Just pointing out the obvious for those that want to know why its not a good idea.
Got it. Valid point.
I’ll be doing some tests to satisfy my own curiosity - see what difference a free float and mounting positions make.
We’re given a lot of good info from people who are experts, but sometimes it’s good to do it yourself and see with your own eyes. Perhaps I’ll learn something new specific to my set-up.
Exactly
Continuous rails have served two purposes for me:
First off, they can be good for aligning your rail. Attaching a mount or something that spans across both the rail and the upper will make sure to keep it from rotating when you are installing it.
Secondly, If you have a magnifier, a buis, and a reddot sight, you run out of room on the upper. Having the reddot span across the gap is the only way to have that setup in certain circumstances.
People say to not to have optics span across the gap, but with an eotech or an aimpoint, I don’t think it is a big deal at all.
of course, with enough $…any problem can be solved.
case in point above…