The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

Due to the limited capabilities of my eyes. I have finally decided to scope my AR. Normally this is not an issue, but I have a permanent carry handle equipped A2 style AR. These do not lend themselves to being scoped. I ordered a vintage style 4x20 made by Barska. I realize this is a cheap scope, and I don't expect much beyond basic function. Does anyone any experience with Barska scopes in general, or with the 4x20 AR carry handle mounted scope specifically?

I have a few Barska but I tend to go with their variable power ones, usually 3-9x40. I have them on several .22's at the moment, an AK and my .50 blackpowder rifle. Never had a problem with them other than they aren't the clearest at max power. I've had them out in temps from 103 to 13 and no fogging. I know some have had problems with them but I think that holds true to pretty much everything.

I had one with the carry handle scope mount, while it doesn't lend itself to fast target acquisition due to no cheek weld being possible, it'll still work fine.

Sorry to say I don't have any experience with A2 carry handle scopes. I have a couple of Leupold Mark AR scopes on my AR's that I really like, but I don't see how any of them could be mounted to an A2 carry handle.

I have experience with both Barska scopes and 4x20 AR scopes, but the 4x20 was the original Colt one I bought for my service rifle. I bought it and took it out and sighted it in just in case I was ever deployed. Sold it after I got out. It wasn't bad, held zero decently. I've had good luck with Barskas; the glass isn't top end, but servicable. I have a 4-12x56 on my .223 that's been on at least five different rifles of mine or Skippers. Always held zero, although I thought it wasn't at one time-turns out SKipper would rezero it for him evey time he borrowed the rifle it was on! Drove me nuts.


Razor burn; there are mounts that screw into the hole in the carry handle of an AR that will accept any Weaver/Picatinny rings/based optic.

I ran into the same problem, mogunner. I adopted more of a 'jawbone' weld. Wouldn't try it with a .300 mag. , but it worked OK with the 5.56.

Thanks guys. Entropy, I did look for an original colt, or the later Japanese made ones, but they are hard to find, and the one I did see ( a Jap one) was like $399.

I recently sold a carry handle scope mount that was issued to me. (It's surprising the things they let you keep). I was issued a CCO red-dot for my M16. Made it top-heavy in my opinion. Sure was a lot of material for a red dot and no magnification. Good luck with your scope. May it bring joy to you and fear to the possums in your trash can.

I mounted a cheap Sun Optics scope on the carry handle of my Norinco AR and did not like it at all..

First of all it sat way to high to be comfortable to shoot. My chin barely touched the stock.Also it made the rifle feel top heavy and clumsy.

No sir a carry handle scope is not for me..I could get a different upper with a removeable carry handle but I probably won't..

So it's peep sights for now anyways..

The scope arrived today. It is about what I expected. The chin weld is not as bad as I thought, but there is some fitting issues. The mount rocks when the fastening screw is tight. After a bit of examination, I notice that when they tapped the base they did not countersink the top of the threaded hole. This results in a raised area around the base of the mounting screw. This would be an easy fix if I were willing to remove the base screws from the scope. I am not sure if there is any sort of nitrogen filling in this scope (doubt it), but I am uneasy about breaching any seal on the scope body. I have resorted to filing around the base of the mounting screw. This seems to be working, but I have a small way to go. Will post pics when I am done.