Nikon P-223 - 3x32 or 3-9x40??

Rastoff · Apr 3, 2014

jbinbi said:
So is there any consensus on quick release mounts. Someone mentioned Larue, but said too costly,...

This is the problem with optics, there are no cheap solutions. If you want quality, it'll cost you.

Sure, there are plenty of low cost parts/optics. If you go that route, you'll have to be satisfied with poor performance. That's just the truth of it. If >2MOA accuracy is fine with you, then just about any mount or optic will work. However, if you care about accuracy, it'll take a few more dollars.

Honestly, I don't understand QD mounts at any price level. This is not directed toward jbinbi. I'm just curious, who uses them? I mean, once I mount a scope, unless it breaks, it's on there forever. In the unlikely event I'd have to take it off, it's only a few turns of a screw driver or wrench. So, does anyone have a reason to have a QD mount?

ChattanoogaPhil · Apr 3, 2014

Your 1x red dot optic takes a hit or otherwise can't see through it. Now your irons don't work cuz they cowitness... bad time to be looking around for a wrench in the middle of a fight. Flip that lever and you are back in the fight. That's why they call em BUIS. Same for a magnified optic and why it's useful to keep a flip rear sight mounted under the eyepiece. Ease of removal for cleaning purposes or swapping optics around all the time I think it's highly overrated but I guess is probably the notion most guys have in their head when thinking about lever mounts.

When LaRue is an option... there are no other options.

78Staff · Apr 3, 2014

ChattanoogaPhil said:
I use a Primary Arms MicroDot with lever mount on my 15-22. Worthless. I just use the side screw nut and leave the lever in place.

Same here, I was surprised how bad the mount was, considering the high reviews the PA units normally get. Sure it's only on my 15-22, but I'm not thrilled with it at all.

I have the Aimpoint QR mount on my Micro T1, and it's a good, serviceable mount. I'm suspect the Larue is better, since so many people upgrade to it. I may down the road as well, as even the Aimpoint throw lever seems a bit flexy.

I have the M223 mount that came with the scope, and it works, of course, but am looking for a QD option. I suppose at some point I will have to bite the bullet and pick up the Micro and Scope mounts from Larue...

crracer_712 · Apr 3, 2014

I know it's an old thread, but in case anyone was looking at Nikon scopes, Midway has the M-223 3x12-42 with side focus at 100 bucks off either model, Nikoplex or BDC.

ChattanoogaPhil · Apr 3, 2014

78Staff said:
I suppose at some point I will have to bite the bullet and pick up the Micro and Scope mounts from Larue...

Yup... did the same thing. Bought the H1 from LaRue and they include your choice of mount in the price.

78Staff said:
Same here, I was surprised how bad the mount was, considering the high reviews the PA units normally get. Sure it's only on my 15-22, but I'm not thrilled with it at all.

I think some guys just report good things because they own it. If something doesn't work... I say call it the way it is. "Worthless" was the first thing I thought of when trying to describe the PA lever mount.

78Staff · Apr 3, 2014

ChattanoogaPhil said:
Yup... did the same thing. Bought the H1 from LaRue and they include your choice of mount in the price.

I have the T1 already, bought it from LGS as a combo with the Aimpoint brand QD. The Larue Micro mount cost isn't to bad, but the scope mount...cha-ching!

78Staff · Apr 3, 2014

ChattanoogaPhil said:

Here is the promo M-223 mount for comparison - seems to get decent reviews in general... basically similar to the P-223 mount except one-piece. Three screw mount to rail, so not QD of course. But you almost need three hands to install it, so not a great choice for swapping at the range, for instance.

ChattanoogaPhil · Apr 3, 2014

78Staff said:
I have the T1 already, bought it from LGS as a combo with the Aimpoint brand QD. The Larue Micro mount cost isn't to bad, but the scope mount...cha-ching!

LaRue scope mounts are pricey...

It's all nuts... I got a Badger Ordnance base and rings for my Rem 700. Wife sees the charge card... I try to explain.. But honey you don't understand, the rings are sequentially numbered!

Rastoff · Apr 3, 2014

If I were going to swap back and forth between a red dot and a scope, then I'd want a QD mount. But, if you're going to do that, you'd better get the good one because your zero will always be off.

EOTech claims a 1MOA repeatability with their mounts. That's fine for CQB. Anything longer and you'll need a really good QD mount to ensure repeatability.

The idea of having a QD mount for quick removal in the event of failure is a good one. However, most of us aren't in that game so, I hadn't considered that possibility.

78Staff · Apr 4, 2014

78Staff said:
Here is the promo M-223 mount for comparison - seems to get decent reviews in general... basically similar to the P-223 mount except one-piece. Three screw mount to rail, so not QD of course. But you almost need three hands to install it, so not a great choice for swapping at the range, for instance.

And, here is the cheaper UTG/Leapers QD mount. Not a permanent deal, but mortgage payment trumps Larue, at least this month

. There are several things I already don't like about the UTG, but I knew that going in. Due to the design, it's mounted a bit further forward than I would normally perefer, but eye relief seems OK. The QD levers don't feel terribly solid, and there is very little room between rings (this is the real issue - a little more distance between rings would allow more mounting fleibility.) The base length/offset is off a bit for my application, but at least I will know for sure which Larue to order now lol... It also *barely* clears the Magpul Pro's, so certainly would not clear the Polymers or Troys, for instance.

Rastoff · Apr 4, 2014

Why not just remove the rear back up sight and move the whole rig back about two positions? This would put it in the perfect spot. It's not like you can use that sight anyway...

78Staff · Apr 4, 2014

Rastoff said:
Why not just remove the rear back up sight and move the whole rig back about two positions? This would put it in the perfect spot. It's not like you can use that sight anyway...

Not a bad idea - I could, but the reality is the scope will spend very little time on the rifle tbh - the Micro will be mounted 80-90% of the time. I just picked up the M223 since it was on sale, for some occasional longer range shooting. It will ride the the scope bag most of the time

.

78Staff · Apr 6, 2014

Well I did figure out how to fix the UTG mount... Here's my solution...

Seriously though, The UTG was just a cheap, flimsy mount. The lockdown levers aren't secure at all. The tube clamps are so close to the turrets you can't easily see the set point indicator, and the whole thing is just overly finicky. Two of the screws were galling right out of the box. Wasn't worth the trouble. Another reason I love Amazon Prime, this will be going back with no fuss. I'll just use the M-223 mount until I can swing the Larue.

Maddmax · Apr 6, 2014

Rastoff said:
Honestly, I don't understand QD mounts at any price level. This is not directed toward jbinbi. I'm just curious, who uses them? I mean, once I mount a scope, unless it breaks, it's on there forever. In the unlikely event I'd have to take it off, it's only a few turns of a screw driver or wrench. So, does anyone have a reason to have a QD mount?

It's called Murphy's Law (What can go wrong,will go wrong). If you scope takes a dump and you need your BUIS right now,flipping a lever on a QD is a LOT faster than fumbling around looking for a screw driver and trying to fumble around trying to un-screw a couple mounts.

Bushmonkey9 · Apr 6, 2014

thrown my 2cents as well, go for a redfield revenge 3-9X40 better scope.

Stimpy · Apr 13, 2014

With the great weather this weekend, I made it out to the range today to get my flip up sights adjusted as well as get the P-223 adjusted after mounting it on the UTG QD mount. The picture below has 30 rounds punched in it. I started out by putting 15 on it, then I removed the Nikon and sighted in the flip up sights on another target. Once I was done there, I locked the Nikon back on and put 15 more on this target. Couldn't tell the difference...so I'd say the return to zero question has been answered.

I'm very happy with the outcome. I've only put 90 rounds down range so far on it but the mount itself seems very solid and the QD levers adjusted for a nice tight fit. Time will tell as to how well the mount holds up, but so far I see no reason to believe it won't hold up fine.

jbinbi · Apr 14, 2014

thanks for the experiment and post of outcome. Please keep us informed of how the mount holds on the zero. Sounds very promising. PS. Nice grouping!

bman940 · Apr 14, 2014

That one filthy rifle is mine, yes, lots of use that day. I have seen guy's mounting Nikon's P-Series 2 piece mounts all sorts of different ways and they are all correct. This mount has no MOA built into it like the M-223 XR 1 piece mount so there is really no wrong way to use it. The P-223 3X is a very compact scope and needs the mounting flexibility of a 2 piece mount to get it into the correct position.
When using any mount and a Nikon scope that has a BDC reticle make sure you measue the distance mid barrel to mid scope and enter that info into the Spot On Program. This will give you increased accuracy for those longrange shots.

Here's another pic of the Nikon P-223 3X Carbine scope and the P-Series AR Mount.

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd363/bman940/P-223%203X/DSC_0215.jpg

78Staff said:
Here is the promo M-223 mount for comparison - seems to get decent reviews in general... basically similar to the P-223 mount except one-piece. Three screw mount to rail, so not QD of course. But you almost need three hands to install it, so not a great choice for swapping at the range, for instance.

78Staff · Apr 24, 2014

ChattanoogaPhil said:
I use a Primary Arms MicroDot with lever mount on my 15-22. Worthless. I just use the side screw nut and leave the lever in place.

78Staff said:
Same here, I was surprised how bad the mount was, considering the high reviews the PA units normally get. Sure it's only on my 15-22, but I'm not thrilled with it at all.

I have the Aimpoint QR mount on my Micro T1, and it's a good, serviceable mount. I'm suspect the Larue is better, since so many people upgrade to it. I may down the road as well, as even the Aimpoint throw lever seems a bit flexy.

Picked up a Larue mount for the T1, so moved the Aimpoint Throw lever over to the PA. Worlds better than the **** QD mount the PA came with

.

ChattanoogaPhil said:
When LaRue is an option... there are no other options.

Hellz yeah, also grabbed the LT-104 for scope mount as well for the AR. Wound up returning the M223 above and pickup up the $159 promo P223 instead, which should be fine for as little as I plan on actually using a scope, at least on this rifle.

Nikon P-223 - 3x32 or 3-9x40??

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