Optimal height to mount red dot

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1319
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Apr 20, 2015 6:02 pm

Optimal height to mount red dot

Post by 1319 »

Does anyone have any insight into the pros / cons on the mounting height (distance away from the gun's slide) of a red dot sight?

I would like to keep it further away from the rail (approximately 1") to reduce the impact of ejected casings (potential jams and constant impact to the red dot housing) but know that mounting further away from the rail increases the amount of change in the actual POI as the distance from the sighted in POI increases.

Thanks!
Rover
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Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:20 pm
Location: Idaho panhandle

Re: Optimal height to mount red dot

Post by Rover »

If you're shooting 2700s, it doesn't matter. I have also seen sights so small they fit in the rear sight cut-out. It doesn't interfere with ejection, and you can't get any lower than that.
dronning
Posts: 557
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2013 8:56 pm
Location: MInnesota

Re: Optimal height to mount red dot

Post by dronning »

1319 wrote:Does anyone have any insight into the pros / cons on the mounting height (distance away from the gun's slide) of a red dot sight?

I would like to keep it further away from the rail (approximately 1") to reduce the impact of ejected casings (potential jams and constant impact to the red dot housing) but know that mounting further away from the rail increases the amount of change in the actual POI as the distance from the sighted in POI increases.

Thanks!
Is this on a 1911, slide mount or frame mount? The dot on my 1911 is less than 1/4" above the rail. No issues with brass hitting the dot, no jams, etc.. gun runs perfect.

You really want it as close to the rail as possible especially if it's a slide mount. Having a dot 1" above a the slide on a slide mount may make it more difficult to recover during sustained fire.

If your brass is ejecting too high you may need work on your ejector/extractor.

- Dave
Certified Safety Instructor: Rifle & Pistol
They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
~ Ben Franklin
Murph
Posts: 196
Joined: Tue Aug 20, 2013 4:02 pm

Re: Optimal height to mount red dot

Post by Murph »

The 1911's can be tuned to eject directly sideways. Nice low mounts are more common than not.
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gitkrunk
Posts: 40
Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2013 11:39 am

Re: Optimal height to mount red dot

Post by gitkrunk »

as low as possible
Rreid
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun May 24, 2015 10:28 am

Re: Optimal height to mount red dot

Post by Rreid »

The lower, the better.

If the dot is mounted high, any wrist or arm movement is multiplied. Makes it difficult to pull the trigger smoothly.
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jackh
Posts: 802
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 8:51 pm
Location: Oregon USA

Re: Optimal height to mount red dot

Post by jackh »

Just a thought. Scope height can influence the arm height/angle at the shoulder. And maybe even the head position. Just like everything else in Precision pistol, there is an ideal range for this too. You have to set your own priorities.
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