M4 Z-Rail with EoTech

fireguy86 · 03-28-2008, 02:33 AM

I have A Bushmaster XM-15 .223 with the carry handle. I believe they call it an A2 model. I dont want to have to buy an A3 upper, but I hear they are a lot easier to mount equipment on with the rails on the flat top. I am looking to mount an Eotech sight on mine. Has anyone used an Eotech on their carry handle or with a Z-mount? Thats the mount that screws into the handle with rails and then drops down infront of the handle and hangs over the hanguard. Just wondering if it is practical with the permanent front sight post or if it is worth it to even put a holo sight on it or just keep open sights. Thanks all!

evilblackrifle · 03-28-2008, 07:41 PM

I've seen optics attached to the handle... I've seen them attached way up front in front of the handle..... I guess it works - not the best option though. But thats what happens when you have an A2. If'n it was me, I'd be content with the irons.

Rambo · 03-30-2008, 06:34 PM

I specifically bought an AR with the picatinny rail si I can attach a carrying handle, daytime scope or Gen III NVD. Buy a second Ar with it. You can't have enough rifles, right?

just_a_car · 03-30-2008, 10:36 PM

Check out the main picture here, this mounting method may be better than a rail that goes all the way to the handgaurd: E.O. Tech Holographic Weapon Sight, Scopes, E O Tech at Sportsman's Guide

GlockMeister · 03-30-2008, 10:47 PM

Get an NC STAR Z-mount. It mounts to the carry handle and Zees forward and down in from of the handle allowing you to mount the EoTech in front of the carry handle. You will have to get an EoTech with the controls on the side (like on the 557) and not in the back. Also, may not be able to use a magnifier? Not sure on that. Might be able to play around with mounting options? Also the EoTech won't be mounted as high if mounted to the carry handle.
This is what I'm talking about...
NCSTAR.COM - Products - Scope mounts - SCOPE MOUNT

Another option you have is to maybe get a quad rail forearm and mount your sight there? It will be a little more forward, but I've seen it done? I personally wouldn't go that route, but, it is another option.

Darkfront · 03-31-2008, 08:04 AM

People put a reflex/red dot/HWS up front on a Z mount or forearm rail so that they can co-witness both the irons and the red dot. As long as your brain can effectively ignore the iron sights and just concentrate on the red dot when your rifle comes to ready, there should be no problem. I personally hate having the irons in my FOV and would prefer to keep the red dot higher on the carry handle. It's parallax free so no need to worry about head positioning. However, if your red dot fails, you've been co-witnessing the whole time on a z-mount, so you probably won't need to worry or change your shooting position or technique at all to accommodate.

03-28-2008, 02:33 AM	#1
fireguy86 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NE Colorado Posts: 89 Trader Rating: (0)	M4 Z-Rail with EoTech I have A Bushmaster XM-15 .223 with the carry handle. I believe they call it an A2 model. I dont want to have to buy an A3 upper, but I hear they are a lot easier to mount equipment on with the rails on the flat top. I am looking to mount an Eotech sight on mine. Has anyone used an Eotech on their carry handle or with a Z-mount? Thats the mount that screws into the handle with rails and then drops down infront of the handle and hangs over the hanguard. Just wondering if it is practical with the permanent front sight post or if it is worth it to even put a holo sight on it or just keep open sights. Thanks all!

03-28-2008, 07:41 PM	#2
evilblackrifle Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 194 Trader Rating: (0)	I've seen optics attached to the handle... I've seen them attached way up front in front of the handle..... I guess it works - not the best option though. But thats what happens when you have an A2. If'n it was me, I'd be content with the irons. __________________ The patriot's blood is the seed of Freedom's tree.

03-30-2008, 10:36 PM	#4
just_a_car Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Edmonds, WA Posts: 3,414 Trader Rating: (0)	Check out the main picture here, this mounting method may be better than a rail that goes all the way to the handgaurd: E.O. Tech Holographic Weapon Sight, Scopes, E O Tech at Sportsman's Guide __________________

03-30-2008, 10:47 PM	#5
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 4,934 Trader Rating: (0)	Get an NC STAR Z-mount. It mounts to the carry handle and Zees forward and down in from of the handle allowing you to mount the EoTech in front of the carry handle. You will have to get an EoTech with the controls on the side (like on the 557) and not in the back. Also, may not be able to use a magnifier? Not sure on that. Might be able to play around with mounting options? Also the EoTech won't be mounted as high if mounted to the carry handle. This is what I'm talking about... NCSTAR.COM - Products - Scope mounts - SCOPE MOUNT Another option you have is to maybe get a quad rail forearm and mount your sight there? It will be a little more forward, but I've seen it done? I personally wouldn't go that route, but, it is another option. __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6! Last edited by GlockMeister; 03-30-2008 at 10:51 PM.

03-30-2008, 06:34 PM	#3
Rambo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 570 Trader Rating: (0)	I specifically bought an AR with the picatinny rail si I can attach a carrying handle, daytime scope or Gen III NVD. Buy a second Ar with it. You can't have enough rifles, right?

03-31-2008, 08:04 AM	#6
Darkfront Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 111 Trader Rating: (0)	People put a reflex/red dot/HWS up front on a Z mount or forearm rail so that they can co-witness both the irons and the red dot. As long as your brain can effectively ignore the iron sights and just concentrate on the red dot when your rifle comes to ready, there should be no problem. I personally hate having the irons in my FOV and would prefer to keep the red dot higher on the carry handle. It's parallax free so no need to worry about head positioning. However, if your red dot fails, you've been co-witnessing the whole time on a z-mount, so you probably won't need to worry or change your shooting position or technique at all to accommodate.