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An AR-15 is the modern rifle of today that provides simplicity, modularity, and effectiveness. These rifles are great for hunting different animals, but finding the right scope for your rifle can be very difficult unless you know what to look for.
The right carry handle scope can make a huge difference for your shot. The best AR-15 carry handle scopes help in guiding your aim, save you on ammo, and ensure that you get more accuracy with your target.
Since these carry handle scopes are attached directly to the carry handle, it is an ideal option to buy. Read on below to find more about these and how to choose and use them.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for AR-15 Carry Handle Scopes
Comparison of the Best AR-15 Carry Handle Scopes
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What is a Carry Handle Scope?
AR-15 rifles were made based on a more effective and simple design. The classic handle design is incredibly prevalent, especially with the classic Sporter designs by Colt. Attaching a scope onto these models can be incredibly tricky but is not a difficult task.
The primary thing to focus on is to get a carry handle scope, which allows you to attach it to the carry handle easily without any fuss or hassle. It's very easy to do so, but this also limits you to a very small number of units. The other option is to mount a rail onto the carry handle and then mount your scope onto the rail. To make your search easy, we've examined below the best carry handle scopes for you to invest in and a short buyer’s guide with some useful tips.
What Should I Look For When Buying a Handle Scope?
Knowing the features and characteristics of a carry handle scope is essential, especially if you need to distinguish between a model that is reliable and one that is very poor in quality. With that said, some features to look for are:
Price
The price of a carry handle scope, of course, should be such that it falls within your budget. However, this should not be the only reason for you to purchase a specific scope right away. The price matters and depends on your budget, but there should be other features present in your scope of choice as well.
The quality and performance it provides are what really matter. You should never sacrifice quality just because the price point is low. You must spend on the best quality you can afford, even if it means adjusting your budget a little.
Installation
If you are not a gunsmith or don’t have any skills regarding guns, then you must get a scope that is incredibly easy to install. Fortunately, we have got your back. The scopes mentioned in this guide can all be installed within a few minutes. They do not require any professional help when it comes to placing them on your rifle.
Quality
The best carry handle scopes are made using premium-quality material. These materials help in making the scope last for a long time. Many units made from aluminum can take impacts and beatings as they get used, and they also do a good job of absorbing shock that is associated with recoil.
Review of the Best AR-15 Carry Handle Scopes
Finding the best AR-15 carry handle scope demands too much effort and research on your part. This is very time-consuming and can give you a headache. To make this task easy for you, we have compiled a list of the best AR-15 carry handle scopes on the market.
Best Overall:
EOTECH 512 Holographic Weapon Sight
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
According to recent consumers, this product is incredibly easy to use, and since it has easier sight acquisition, it allows you to adapt with both eyes open when you are shooting. Also, since this product uses AA batteries, powering it won’t be an issue. This brand is positively recognized by professionals, which made consumers less reluctant to buy it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This product shines in the way it brings together versatility with great performance and accuracy. It provides you with military-grade speed, precision, and target acquisition, along with eye relief and various brightness levels that you can use. The twenty brightness settings present in this device allow you to use it in low light conditions as well as in bright light.
Who Will Use This Most
This product is ideal for professionals due to the incredible features it comes with, and it is also safe for beginners. Many law enforcement officers and military personnel make use of this sight to fulfill their personal requirements. They also love it because the quality it delivers to them is what they are used to.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Eotech 512 is an exceptional AR-15 scope to invest in since it has many features. It allows you to change the brightness level and provides eye relief. It also has an automatic shut-down function that you can set and make adjustments without adding any additional tools. This product provides you with accuracy, versatility, and groundbreaking performance overall.
2. Vortex Optics SPARC Red Dot Sights
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
According to the buyers of Vortex, this product is claimed to be incredibly versatile, durable, and affordable. It can help with hunting and has a long battery life that makes it a great investment. Its material is durable and solid, surprisingly lightweight, and allows you to carry it around easily.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This unit stands out to us because it provides users with good intensity levels that can be auto-adjusted as well. It also has a memory function, so when you turn it off and on again, the brightness goes back to the last intensity level you used. You might think that it will take up a lot of battery, but this is not true; in fact, it keeps the battery level the same as before.
Who Will Use This Most
This product is ideal for beginners as well as professionals because it provides users with full control over its features. Its intensity ensures proper versatility, and the clear lens delivers great performance. The long battery life on this makes it perfect for hunting for long hours.
Bottom Line
Largely depending on the firearm that you use with this product, it can take some time to understand the functions, but once you do, this product assists you in red-dot sight and works for a long time.
3. Trijicon ACOG 4 X 32
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
According to the people who have invested in this scope, it is amazing. It provides you with a crisp and clear image and collects light like no other. The fantastic technology behind it and the sweet price it is offered for make it worth investing in and provides you with vision that is no less than perfect.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This product is distinctive in that it makes use of lithium batteries. Even though this type of battery is not as common as AA batteries, it is easy to insert and incredibly quick. Another feature we love is that it is electronically efficient, so even if you leave it in the "on" position for a while, it will continue to work for a couple of years.
Who Will Use This Most
This product is ideal for self-defense and home defense. Since you can adjust the settings to what works for you, you do not have to fumble around when using it. It is ideal for professionals as well as beginners since it has manual controls and advanced features, making it a worthwhile investment.
Bottom Line
This Trijicon is the best-designed optical sight used for both military and hobby use. It has an affordable price point and a long battery life. Since it provides an ambidextrous operation and a zero and clear magnifying sight, it is worth every penny. Its features make it worth having for hobbyists and serious gun users who want to take their accuracy to a whole new level along with target shooting.
4. BARSKA 4x20 Electro Sight Scope
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent consumers claim that this is highly recommended for an A2 platform since it does what it is made to do. It comes with the scope installed and has easy zeroing in because of the peep-through mount that it comes with. This optic helps in long-distance target shooting and is strongly recommended for its exceptional functionality and modest price point.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This unit stands out because it is protected from water and fog and comes with bullet drop compensation. This allows you to adjust the aim accordingly, even at a longer distance. This makes it ideal for beginners to use according to their comfort level.
Who Will Use This Most
This scope is built especially for competitors and people who are fanatics over tactical weapons. This is an ideal item for gun enthusiasts, and due to its exceptional features, it is very easy to use. As a beginner, this product is good for you too, as it allows shooting at long distances and easy handling and maneuvering.
Bottom Line
This Barska is an exceptional AR-15 red dot sight that comes with mounting brackets and allows you to carry it easily. It has a perfect design as there is no obstruction of the iron sights. This is because the bolt extends down from the mounting bracket's bottom.
5. AT3 Tactical RD-50 Micro Reflex Red Dot Sight
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This is an exceptional red dot sight and is very impressive for beginners. It provides rapid shooting and fast target acquisition, and since it can work on short and long distances, it is worth investing in. It also comes with an adjustment knob that has a distinctive click and can be controlled easily.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This product stands out since it comes with a multi-coated lens. This lens is scratch-resistant and makes sure that there is a maximum transmission of light. It also helps in improving clarity, and the quality optics ensure that you can use this item in any light conditions that you want.
Who Will Use This Most
This scope has a lightweight and durable aluminum body that works for a long time, which makes sure that it is ideal for both professionals and beginners. Its construction frame is purged with nitrogen and is resistant to moisture and fog. Also its shock-proof build resists damage even under heavy usage.
Bottom Line
This item is ideal for professionals and beginners and lasts for a long time, making sure you don’t regret investing in it. It is a great scope with multiple brightness settings and is worth every penny.
Pros and Cons of Carry Handle Scopes
When choosing from the best carry handle scopes, you will enjoy some excellent benefits along with some cons as well. Let’s check out both sides of the coin to determine if you want to invest in one.
Pros
Carry handle scopes provide users with a range of benefits, which include:
Straighter Aim
The truth is that an improperly aligned scope will not provide you with good shots. But scopes that work with your carry handle will be perfect, straight, and will provide you with a guarantee that it will land on the exact spot. To put it simply, you do not have to worry about re-aligning the scope yourself. Once placed onto the handle, it will be aligned perfectly.
Better Accuracy
The most obvious benefit is that a good scope provides you with an accuracy boost, especially when it comes down to ranges when you can no longer reach out and touch something at a distance. Once this gets attached to the rifle, the accuracy of your shots is bound to improve.
Provides a Good Use for the Carry Handle
Some people make use of carrying handles in order for their rifle to look more stylish. They do not know how it can be useful in other ways. With a carry handle scope, you can put this rifle to good use and customize it according to your taste.
Cons
Bear in mind that carry handle scopes do have one notable constraint.
Lower Magnification
When it comes down to the drawback that comes with these carry handle scopes, this con is that if the magnification is higher than 3x, you will not be able to view the front sight at all.
How to Install a Carry Handle Scope on Your AR-15
Installing a carry handle scope on your AR-15 is very simple. You only have to follow these steps:
- First, grab a carry handle mount and simply screw the retainer present on its bottom.
- Check your AR-15 to make sure it is empty and that there is no round present inside the chamber.
- Then take your carry handle and simply drop the scope down through its hole.
- Now, take your retainer and screw it back on.
- Make sure that the clip is lined up on the carry handle, and with this mounting system, you can make use of your iron sight and enjoy the scope at the same time.
In order to understand the fixing of this product properly and visually, you can make use of the video below.
Conclusion
In order to find the best AR-15 carry handle scope, you simply have to read this guide and understand it properly. We have compiled the advantages of getting this item along with the one drawback and have also mentioned the features to look out for. The products mentioned in this guide are the best options on the market and have been discussed in great detail for your convenience. Hopefully, our guide helps you in making a sound investment.