Dumbest Question Yet (Red Dot Mounting)

[HotRoderX]

I know this is a really stupid question but I trust you guys and what you say more then I do just randomly googling the topic and getting 9 different answers. All the advice you guys have given so far has been spot on perfect.

My question is I mounted my Red Dot I used the factory supplied mount. There is a little bit of back and forth play regardless of how I tighten it. I noticed it tonight when I was putting on my rail covers. The other thing I noticed is the mount had loosened up a little on the rail. I hand tightened it down is that the correct way? I have zero real experience with scopes. In fact the last scope I had was on a BB gun when I was 8 or 9. Should I be using blue loctite on the mount screw?

Thanks guys and sorry for the dumb question.

[BillK01]

What brand red dot/mount? Knowing that would be a good start.

My Aimpoint Pro is rock solid.

[BillyJack2012]

This. Knowing what mount you have would be helpful. Also, you'll likely want to go beyond hand tight. The AR-15 recoil will loosen that up quick. I use a dab of loctite.

[HotRoderX]

Originally Posted by BillK01

What brand red dot/mount? Knowing that would be a good start.

My Aimpoint Pro is rock solid.

Sorry its a Vortex Strike fire I am guessing it might just be a generic mount? Its what came with the scope.

Vortex Optics - StrikeFire Red Dot Extra-High Mount

Maybe I just need to buy a scope mount? I got the Extra-High Mount because of the co-witness feature.

[WillP]

There is nothing wrong with the mount that comes with it, unless it is defective. Hand tightening it will not be enough. Try using a 13 mm wrench.

[HotRoderX]

Originally Posted by WillP

There is nothing wrong with the mount that comes with it, unless it is defective. Mine is very solid. Hand tightening it will not be enough. Try using a 13 mm wrench.

Maybe I am just not tighting it enough. I hand tighten it and like I said lots of play back and forth. I will try with a 13mm wrench see if that takes the play out of it.

[WillP]

Originally Posted by HotRoderX

Maybe I am just not tighting it enough. I hand tighten it and like I said lots of play back and forth. I will try with a 13mm wrench see if that takes the play out of it.

Make sure it's seated correctly and not resting on your rear sight too.

[BillK01]

Originally Posted by WillP

Make sure it's seated correctly and not resting on your rear sight too.

Good point. Before I got my Aimpoint I had PA microdot and 3x PA magnifier and real estate was tight with my Magpul buis. The magnifier was barely touching my buis and would not tighten correctly. Had to move my buis back and leave a slot between it and the magnifier to get it to mount properly (before I returned it).

[BillyJack2012]

I have the same mount. It's solid but yes, hand tight isn't tight enough.

[crofoot629]

Should be rock solid.
Mount as far forward on upper receiver but not at all on rail past upper.

You may have junk.

The a
Aimpoint Pro comes with a pretty good mount.
LaRue for excellent mounts.

I'm afraid you may be a case of garbage in garbage out, though I didn't read the whole thread.

Emory

[SanJoseScott]

BTW, that is NOT a really stupid question at all. I almost posted asking how to get the 6 position stock off because I bought a new one. I had the post question all written but just before I hit "post" I searched and found a youtube video that showed how to lift the lever....Duh. I laughed at myself for an hour.

[oneyeopn]

A note of caution, you can overtighten with the wrench and break the mounting bolt, the wrench allows a lot of leverage, try tightening it with two fingers on the wrench. Its an old mechanics trick, one finger equals 10lbs of tighening torque!

AND it is not a stupid question, generally the stupid question is the one unasked!!

[HotRoderX]

Thanks guys for all the help I tighten it up and sure enough all the play is gone. Also used a bore sighter to go ahead and get the initial sighting in. I just gotta make some time to get it out to the range.

I really appreciate all the help.

[oneyeopn]

One thing I have learned in building and working on these modern sporting rifles is that hand tighten does not work, even though the recoil doesnt feel bad it is strong enough to loosen just about anything you can mount. That is why you see the major items with castle nuts for staking, or retaining pins. It is just something good to know before you are shooting as stuff starts loosening on your rifle...been there done that!! Plus I might have broken a retaining screw once!!
p.s. blue loctite can be your friend!!

[dogzapper]

No question is EVER silly. Especially if you don't know the answer.

We've all asked questions that "everyone" knows ... except us.

THAT is why we have this wonderful community.

God Bless,

Steve

[HotRoderX]

Originally Posted by dogzapper

No question is EVER silly. Especially if you don't know the answer.

We've all asked questions that "everyone" knows ... except us.

THAT is why we have this wonderful community.

God Bless,

Steve

I gotta agree this has to be hands down one of the best forum community's I have ever had the privilege of posting in.

[WillP]

Glad you got it worked out. I too agree that there is not such thing as a silly question, but I have heard silly answers and probably given a few too

[Dikinalaska]

I've got a strikefire as well. I hand tighten mine, but I'm a sheet metal worker so using tin snips all day, I guess my hands just get it a little tighter than most lol. Anyways, I've found that it helps when I put it in the slot, I push the mount as far forward in the slot before I tighten it. I also run it as far forward on the upper as possible without being on the handguard as stated above. It's just where feels comfortable to me. The farther forward you mount, the less the housing impedes your view and it's easier to find your dot when you shoulder your rifle. YMMV though.