#Scalarworks

This Photo Of The Day might look like a commercial for the featured product, but that’s not the original intention. It’s just a great photo (which is very difficult to capture correctly) of what this kind of optical setup looks like for the operator. We have a Vortex riflescope (not sure exactly which one, but likely a Razor HD Gen III 1-10×24 FFP) on magnification, and an Aimpoint Micro in a Scalarworks Kick/04 offset mount.

When it comes to red dot sights for fighting rifles, Aimpoint optics typically sit on the top tier. And when it comes to Aimpoint’s red dot models, the T-2 sits atop their Micro series‘ tiers. The T-2 enjoys the highest specs and most robust set of features of this small form factor product line and is a favorite for many shooters, including some high-level professionals. This red dot’s small size and weight, exceptional durability and reliability, and long battery life make it an excellent choice in a wide variety of shooting applications for which built-in magnification is not needed. That said, Aimpoint does also make separate magnifier units that can be installed behind their red dots in flip mounts, for greater flexibility and versatility. Longtime industry expert and former Delta operator Larry Vickers is also a proponent of this excellent little optic and has now partnered with the Swedish-based manufacturer to release a Vickers Tactical limited-edition version of the T-2.

In the world of scope mounts, there is a sea of choices from two-piece mounts to one-piece QD mounts. Previously I have gone with something from American Defense MFG for my Schmidt and Bender 3×20 and had great luck but the QD levers have snagged on clothing and gear in the past when competing. I decided to try out the Scalarworks Leap/07 30mm mount for my Vortex Razor. Over the last 4 months, I have been testing out the Leap mount and let’s jump into what my experience has been with this optic mount.

I can’t really explain why I have wanted to try an AR-10 pistol out but it’s been a long time coming. It’s something about having such a hard-hitting round in a compact package. Let’s be honest, I know some of you are going to say I’m insane for wanting a short 308 AR pistol. I get it, you’d have to be a drunk mad man to own something so concussive in such a small package. All of those are probably valid but don’t jump to conclusions just yet. For the longest time, I kept going back and forth between building an AR-10 pistol and buying one ready to go out of the gate. After looking around for a few months, I came across the Type-A’s 10.5 308 AR pistol. I gave them a call and we figured out a gun that would work for my needs.

Throughout the crazy world we call the internet, there are countless optics available for sale in every budget you can imagine. Throughout the years, I’ve had the opportunity to try out a ton of different optics and prefer a few in various price ranges. Out of all the red dots on the market, there are three different options (technically four) I prefer depending on your budget so let’s jump into the different categories.

With a growing number of companies making different types of fixed iron sights, I’ve been getting a ton of questions on what’s best. Some say red dot only is best while others say having fixed or back up irons to co-witness with are great too. Both styles have their advantages depending on what your needs are out of your gun. Let’s jump into what the difference is between the two systems and why they both have advantages.

Over the last few years, I have been running the Aimpoint magnifier with their PRO and CompM4 red dots. When I bought the magnifier for my Aimpoint, I still had the factory mount that twisted off the mount. It was an early Aimpoint mount and I decided to purchase a LaRue swivel mount for my Aimpoint 3x magnifier. After running the LaRue mount for a few years, I saw the Scalarworks LEAP/Mag mount and was immediately interested. After running the Scalarworks LEAP/Mag mount for about 4 months, I have enough time behind it to give my impressions so far on the mount.

In Michigan, it is illegal to have a rifle in your vehicle unless there’s a specific purpose for it. With the current laws, I often will carry a 10.5 AR pistol in my truck locked in a vehicle safe. Usually, this is with me when I am going on trips or long distances. I will also take a handgun but having something else to protect yourself is never a bad way to go.

There’s no denying the Heckler & Koch MP5 is one of the most iconic submachine guns ever made. Its full-auto cyclic rate was really controllable and is always worth a good smile. HK brought in their civilian legal MP5 models in the 1980s but in recent history has been extremely difficult to find on the market. Companies like Zenith, PTR and Dakota Tactical all make versions of the MP5. In the last few years, the HK SP5K has been on the market so we can actually buy the iconic gun from the people who made it a living legend.

Not yet able to get the teased LDM/PRO complete, Scalarworks has been known to divert off the beaten path to beat another path – perhaps one that has been beaten quite a bit. The latest divergence is the introduction of a set of iron sights which as much as I want to make fun of them – are so high-speed low-drag that they are indeed cool.

In the world of modern optics and the plethora of options available to the shooter, it’s understandable that iron sights have lost design and manufacturing momentum. With Magpul’s and other fully usable, though perhaps a bit flimsy, polymer sight options few companies have put work into creating beautiful and usable irons. I mean, it seems like the industry stopped innovating afters A.R.M.S.’ folding FSB.

While the picatinny rail is a highly versatile mounting system, it is certainly lacking in the svelte department. Where quad rails equipped with the system are affectionately known as “cheese graters” by those who have been equipped with them, you know its not the most elegant solution to mounting. On the flip side, its highly versatile, allowing for nearly anything to be equipped versus purpose-built solutions.

I have been a willing spectator (and participant at my day job) in the pursuit of reducing weight from firearms. Armed with billet, companies are using CNC machines and a bit of engineering to remove in many cases over 95% of the base billet into some truly unique products.

If you are anything like me, I’m sure that you have found yourself in your friend’s basement discussing the finer points of co-witnessing back up iron sights on platforms other than the AR-15. One of these platforms that came up was the Benelli M4, and many laughs ensued as we put all of the optics that we could find onto the factory rail.