How to Scope an AR With Detachable Handle

In 1993, the A3 update of the U.S. military's M16 assault rifle was released. Among the improvements to the venerable M16 design was the transition to a detachable carrying handle on the upper receiver. This switch facilitated mounting a standard Picatinny accessory rail atop the receiver and enabled installation of a wide variety of standard scopes and other optical devices. The M16A3 was designated the "flat-top" because of the option of removing the protruding handle. This upgrade was soon incorporated into the semi-automatic, civilian AR15 design platform, as well. Flat-top AR15s with detachable handles and Picatinny accessory rails are available from many manufacturers and make scoping the AR15 a much simpler task.

Things You'll Need

  • Hex wrench set
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Instructions

    • 1

      Visually verify that the rifle is unloaded. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.

    • 2

      Remove the detachable carrying handle. Unscrew the two mounting thumbnuts on the left side of the handle that secure it to the Picatinny accessory rail. Slide the carrying handle off of the Picatinny rail.

    • 3

      Slide a one-piece scope riser, sized appropriate to your scope, on the Picatinny accessory rail. Tighten the two knurled mounting screws on the side to secure it. An AR15 scope riser normally elevates a standard scope from 3/4 inch to 1 inch above the receiver accessory rail. This raises the optical path of the scope to fully clear the AR15's tall front sight post. For most shooters, it also positions the scope at a more comfortable level in relation to the eye and allows better cheek placement on the stock.

    • 4

      Remove the top half of the two scope rings in the scope riser with a hex wrench. Install the scope into the bottom half of the two scope rings in the scope riser. Replace the two top halves of the scope rings and tighten with a hex wrench.

    • 5

      Follow the scope manufacturer's recommended procedure to align the scope so that the point in the crosshairs of the scope matches the point where the bullets actually impact the target. This procedure, known as "zeroing" a scope, is normally completed at a rifle range.