New AR-556 owner

[Mark38090]

Any suggestions for scope or red dot and how hard it is to mount? I've heard a lot about "cowitness" but I'm nor real sure I understand how that works.

 

[9x19]

Absolute co-witness means when you look through the dot sight, the dot is aligned with the iron sights.

Lower 1/3 co-witness means when you look through the dot sight the iron sights appear in the lower 1/3 of the dot sight window.

So, the dot sight is mounted slightly higher for lower 1/3 than for absolute co-witness. I have folding sights on my ARs, so mine are mounted for an absolute co-witness. I like the slightly lower mounting height for my uses.

There are many dot sights that come with an AR mount base, choosing one of those makes mounting a breeze.

Magnified scopes will likely require a separate (AR specific) mount and there are lots of those. Co-witness doesn't really matter as the iron sights would only be visible at 1x, above that the irons are no longer in the focal plane of the scope.

Good luck.

 

[elkeater]

So far I have resisted putting anything on my AR-556. Was not aware of this co-witness sight. Sounds like it would be useful in low light.

 

[tinman]

Any suggestions for scope or red dot and how hard it is to mount? I've heard a lot about "cowitness" but I'm nor real sure I understand how that works.

The type of optics depend on what you intend to task the gun with. I see scopes as (mostly) a hunting accessory and red-dots as a fast on target inside 100 feet "helper".
With all the stuff available today, mounting is no big deal.
As to the co-witness issue.......as described above, the visible red-dot should rest on top of the iron sights. Should the red dot ever fail, the irons are ready to go........and your head and eye position has already been conditioned as to their location.

 

[elkeater]

Any suggestions for scope or red dot and how hard it is to mount? I've heard a lot about "cowitness" but I'm nor real sure I understand how that works.

The type of optics depend on what you intend to task the gun with. I see scopes as (mostly) a hunting accessory and red-dots as a fast on target inside 100 feet "helper".
With all the stuff available today, mounting is no big deal.
As to the co-witness issue.......as described above, the visible red-dot should rest on top of the iron sights. Should the red dot ever fail, the irons are ready to go........and your head and eye position has already been conditioned as to their location.

Please suggest a 1x red dot sight that would co-witness.

 

[9x19]

I use Vortex Spitfires on some of mine, Aimpoint PRO and their new Carbine Optic both come with co-witness mounts.

Primary Arms offers a line of budget-friendly red dots that can be had with co-witness mounts.

I also have TruGlo's Triton sight on a couple of rimfires, but they need a 1/2" rail riser to co-witness.