Optic options for SA58 carbine

[Q-Ball]

I just picked up a used DSA SA58 Carbine with the DSA Quad rail HG and DSA scope mount. I want to mount some sort of dot sight on the quad rail. I pulled an the EO tech off my M4 and stuck it on the rail but didn't like the fact that I have to come so far up off the stock to get a good picture through it. Plus it looks clunky perched out there over the barrel. What ever I put on it is going to have to sit lower than the EO. I have an old BSA red dot with the mount integrated into the tube casting and I like the height and the look but I want a better quality sight. Does anyone have any experience with this configuration and can make some recomendations?
The other option I am considering is a Leupold CQ/T or similar scope on the DSA topcover mount but I don't really want to drop $700 to $800 into an optic and mount.
Thanks in advance.
Q

[MichonRAFW]

A aimpoint using the factory ring puts the optic as low as possible to the rail and is the best option for maintaining a good cheek weld with a scope on a FAL.
Ryan

[shootist87122]

Originally posted by MichonRAFW
A aimpoint using the factory ring puts the optic as low as possible to the rail and is the best option for maintaining a good cheek weld with a scope on a FAL.
Ryan

+1. They also make a thumbscrew low mount that is a nicer ring than comes in the box. IIRC, mine was about $20. A pic of one on a FAL is here:
http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=174591

[StarPD]

I've had iron sights on an L1A1 and a Burris Scope on my SA 58. Didn't like either configuration, got rid of both.

Now I have a 50.63 "Para" with a DSA "Extreme duty" Para dust cover, an A.R.M.S. toggle lever mount, and a Trijicon "Reflex" sight. It works for me.
I can regularly hit 10" objects out to 350 laser measured yards, which is about as far as I can see unaided well enough to identify, acquire, and aim at a target.
AFAIC, that means that in a SHTF or other serious defensive situation, I could make a head shot reliably out to 300 yards. That's good enough for me.

And it's fun to shoot at and hit 10" rocks consistently at that range.
Old guys are so easily pleased. :smile:

Of course, "different strokes for different folks", but this is the combination that I like.

YMMV

[Colt]

big +1 to the Aimpoint. I'm running a Comp3 on my DSA stainless carbine...I tried using an Eotech (I really prefer the Eothingey reticle over the Aimpoint dot), but just couldn't get a decent cheekweld without using a stock attachment.

[bigant]

Originally posted by Q-Ball
I just picked up a used DSA SA58 Carbine with the DSA Quad rail HG and DSA scope mount. I want to mount some sort of dot sight on the quad rail. I pulled an the EO tech off my M4 and stuck it on the rail but didn't like the fact that I have to come so far up off the stock to get a good picture through it. Plus it looks clunky perched out there over the barrel. What ever I put on it is going to have to sit lower than the EO. I have an old BSA red dot with the mount integrated into the tube casting and I like the height and the look but I want a better quality sight. Does anyone have any experience with this configuration and can make some recomendations?
The other option I am considering is a Leupold CQ/T or similar scope on the DSA topcover mount but I don't really want to drop $700 to $800 into an optic and mount.
Thanks in advance.
Q

If a Eotech is too high I would think that a Aimpoint is going to be also...Same with the CQ/T....How about a Trijicon TR 21 with low or Med rings that will put is very close to the rail and you have 1-4x which can be fast if need be, but not as fast as a Eotech or Aimpoint.

ant

[gcmj45acp]

I'm doing the same research myself. It'd be cool if there were a FAQ or sticky that combined all the answers to this question over the last few months. AR15.com has some good info as does Tactical Forums and Warrior Talk.

The Aimpoint should mount just as low as any traditional scope. The battery compartment and electronics of the EOTech and CQT are on the bottom of the scopes, making them mount higher than the Aimpoint. Aimpoints and other reddots also offer infinite eye relief. This advantage enables you to mount the Aimpoint way out on the handguard if you want. By doing so, you don't give up as much of your peripheral vision as you might with traditional scopes that usually have fairly short eye-relief. While I do know lots of folks using reddots out to 400m, that's usually under range conditions only and in good lighting and it's on larger 10-inch or 8-inch static targets at worst.

Don't get me wrong. I acknowledge that in general, Red Dots are the fastest thing going for close in targets by far. But, the effectiveness and speed of the reddots drops off quickly as distances increase depending on the shooter and lighting conditions. Worst case for me is a night time or twilight head shot on a moving/partially occluded target which makes a non-magnified, red-dot a 50-75 meter sight at best for my eyes. This is what lead me to decide I really wanted/needed a magnified optic.

At the moment, it looks like I'll be going with a variable 1-4x(Schmidt and Bender), 1.5-5x(Leupold), or may be even a 2-8x/2.5-10x(NightForce) scope myself. Cost and value added are also huge factors which for me, put Leupold at the front of the pack because of their warranty and customer service history. In the back of my mind, there are some potential faults with such a setup that also have me thinking of other options.

I have been worried about the ruggedness of traditional scopes. Another option that I'm seriously considering is probably a compact ACOG 0(standard ACOGs mount too high). I've also recently become aware of a US Optics 3.5x scope that might be a good fit too. So many options, so little money. If I had the cheddar, I'd just buy them all and then sell off anything that doesn't work.

[shootist87122]

Originally posted by bigant


If a Eotech is too high I would think that a Aimpoint is going to be also...Same with the CQ/T....
ant

The CQ/T looks like a high-only type mount, but the Aimpoint can be mounted very low (I can co-witness the Irons through mine using a Williams SL mount). The Meopta 1X4X22 K-Dot might just be the best of all options (unless you can afford a S&B Short Dot). I've not seen one in person but Tactical Tim has and will probably try one for his upcoming Optic mounted 3-Gun FAL. A 1 MOA dot and variable power would be a hard combination to beat. If it works as expected I'll be next in line.


Low mount Aimpoint:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y141/shootist87122/CAIArgyorImbelUpper016.jpg

Edit: The Meopta 1X4 is also available with cross hairs which is yet another option. The low power is a true 1X also, which makes for a great CQB setting.
http://www.skdtac.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=691

[bigant]

Originally posted by shootist87122


The CQ/T looks like a high-only type mount, but the Aimpoint can be mounted very low (I can co-witness the Irons through mine using a Williams SL mount). The Meopta 1X4X22 K-Dot might just be the best of all options (unless you can afford a S&B Short Dot). I've not seen one in person but Tactical Tim has and will probably try one for his upcoming Optic mounted 3-Gun FAL. A 1 MOA dot and variable power would be a hard combination to beat. If it works as expected I'll be next in line.


Low mount Aimpoint:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y141/shootist87122/CAIArgyorImbelUpper016.jpg

Edit: The Meopta 1X4 is also available with cross hairs which is yet another option. The low power is a true 1X also, which makes for a great CQB setting.
http://www.skdtac.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=691

Right! I dont know, maybe he has the optic to close to the rear sight....Just doesnt make sense. oh well.

Ant