Hello all. I just purchased the PSA Blem AR15 16” bbl. Its the first flat-top AR I’ve had and I’m looking forward to having a solid scope option. I’m planning to mount my 4-12x40 Athlon and need some guidance.
Is the Picatinny rail integrated into the upper the same as (or compatible with) the typical weaver style rings?
If any of you have done something similar, do you have a preferred ring/mount? Specifically which height to allow the 40mm objective to clear the MLok forward rail?
I have always gone for the Aero 1-piece ultralight mounts when the weapon would allow it. Good price, super light (ounces make pounds), never had an issue that wasn’t my own dumb fault.
Do not mount onto the rail. AR uppers use offset optics mounts because rails can and do move. There are a variety of good mounts, depending on how much you want to spend. LaRue, ADM, and Geissele all make great mounts but cost more. Aero, Vortex, and Primary Arms make more affordable options. I personally would not pay less than $50-75 for a mount unless it was on sale. I also would buy from a reputable source as mounts are often copied for airsoft (many knockoffs on amazon and eBay). Your most important accuracy components are barrel and optic (to mean the glass and mount together). Having them both solidly connected to just the upper receiver is the correct way to do it.
Thank you. Appreciate the advice. This receiver/upper has the picatinny rail machined directly into the upper so I’m assuming the rail is pretty solid and would be a good mount for either rings or one piece. I like the Aero you and others suggested.
Pretty sure there was just a bit lost in communication here. GG is cautioning against mounting along the top rail on the handguard, which is absolutely sound advice, and does need to be said at times. I assume when you mentioned the pic rail on upper, you meant the flattop upper itself, which is the correct place for mounting the rings or one piece. Sounds like you are on the right path.
This is the integrated rail. Do I need a cantilever mount to set the scope forward for eye relief? Or would traditional separate weaver style rings be better? Comparing the Aero monolithic cantilever vs the SIG Alpha traditional rings. I’m realizing I’m just going to have to give something a try and see what works, but I really appreciate the feedback on what works or doesn’t.
The UPPER is the part that is directly over the lower receiver. UPPER is short for “Upper receiver”.
The RAIL is synonymous with the handguard, which covers the barrel.
So yes, the upper (which has a picatinny rail) is where you put the mount. The cantilever mount works best instead of rings because it puts the scope forward enough so that you dont have to mount the scope to the rail (i.e. handguard).
This also puts the rear of the scope over the charging handle, allowing you to set your length of pull with your stock correctly and not interfering with the charging handle.
Like this. If using rings, the scope would be mounted with the rear ring on the upper and the forward ring on the rail (handguard). That provides a potentially less than stable/misaligned mount, which could affect accuracy/zeroing.
Yes, exactly. Thank you. I understand that the top rail of the hand guard is not the right place to mount the scope, and I’m looking for a good set of rings (or the one piece cantilever) to mount on the receiver. The Aero or similar mounts suggested may be the only good option, but I would prefer the rings, as long as a) I can achieve the proper eye relief, and b) the height allows the 40mm objective to clear the hand guard rail. So, is anybody using weaver style rings on the receiver and getting satisfactory eye relief and objective clearance?
Rings will get you clearance. But they will not give you proper eye relief, which is why you need the one piece cantilevered mount. It sounds like you are insistent on running rings though, so in order to do that you will need a monolithic top riser-like rail that keeps the upper and handguard in alignment.
You definitely want a cantilevered mount that attaches exclusively to the upper receiver, and not any mount that attaches to the upper, and the handguard. That will cause issues…
I believe LaRue and probably others make a very low profile rail section meant to attach to the upper and extend out over the handguard. That would allow you to use traditional rings and achieve the eye relief you need. Many moons ago, before the swine roamed the land, I set up a LR308 with just rings. It was okay, but when i discovered cantilever mounts, it got better. Ill see if I can find that rail section and send you the link.
GG, and all others who chimed in with suggestions, thanks! As y’all warned, plenty of ring options to mount on the receiver but no matter how I looked at it nothing would give me the right eye relief without making it way too complicated. So took your advice and found what I think is a good cantilever from Athlon. It looks very similar the the Brownell’s mount one the pic that GG shared. Very pleased with the results, and looking forward to getting out and shooting it. Thanks again.
Looks fantastic. I don’t have any firsthand experience with Athlon products, so post your thoughts after you stretch its legs a bit, if you don’t mind. WHEN (not if) you decide to upgrade something on that rifle, look at triggers, It’ll change your world.
