Mag Rail... Used as sight rail?

[Spencer]

My friend was checking out the my mag today, and he said dude thats a sight rail, I said no way it wouldn't fit, but I couldn't figure out why they would have cuts like that in it... Well sure enough a sight fits right on it, but its in an uncomfortable position, a offset sightrail that pbgear sells would help.. Is this really what its for?

[DevilMan]

Are you talking about the WINGS on a stock AM/MM rail??? YES they can be used as a site rail. I don't know if it was AGD's original plan for em or not but YES they can be used for such. If I'm not mistaken for 3/8" mounted gear. Think of it less as a site rail and more like a LIGHT rail... or SLING rail... Something that would work better mounted to the side.

DM

[Spencer]

yea, thats it, I decided no with the sight, as Im faster and better just looking down the barrel, I use it on my phantom though as the first shot REALLY counts and I can't look down the barrel.. Who knows maby a laser that I will never use may go on it..

[DevilMan]

If you're able to get one of those holo sites that just have the flat screen with the little projected dot on it it may work on the side a tad for ya... I know I don't... but some folks like em cause they like to at least know they will be reallllly close when they get the drop on some folks.

DM

[2BAD4U]

<a href="http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f74/twobad4u73/paintball/?action=view&current=Mini_reddot2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f74/twobad4u73/paintball/Mini_reddot2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> :shooting: :shooting: :shooting:

[PhoenixWolf]

My opinion on red dots is that they can be made to work great, but only on a very few specific gun configurations. In order to be able to use them effectively, it must be natural and easy to sight with, and you must be able to position your head quickly and comfortably. Otherwise, you won't use it and it will be a hindrance.

Here is what I have learned from setting up a Mag with a T2W stock and a backbottle Typhoon:

1. You need clear sighting over the gun's centerline. Powerfeed bodies are fine, but centerfeeds are not. Offset sights are NOT natural to use unless substantially raised.

2. You need a dovetail to weaver adapter. This provides necessary sight rise in order to position it properly, and also provides proper grip on the gun's sight rail. Without this, a red dot will migrate forward as an Automag cycles.

Below you can find examples of properly positioned red dots.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s279/WardenWolf_1982/Maginov1.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s279/WardenWolf_1982/TacticalTyphoon.jpg

[michbich]

Yes the wings act as a sight rail. I learn that last month after owning a mag for 6 years.

[ThePixelGuru]

My opinion on red dots is that they can be made to work great, but only on a very few specific gun configurations. In order to be able to use them effectively, it must be natural and easy to sight with, and you must be able to position your head quickly and comfortably. Otherwise, you won't use it and it will be a hindrance.

Here is what I have learned from setting up a Mag with a T2W stock and a backbottle Typhoon:

1. You need clear sighting over the gun's centerline. Powerfeed bodies are fine, but centerfeeds are not. Offset sights are NOT natural to use unless substantially raised.

2. You need a dovetail to weaver adapter. This provides necessary sight rise in order to position it properly, and also provides proper grip on the gun's sight rail. Without this, a red dot will migrate forward as an Automag cycles.

Below you can find examples of properly positioned red dots.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s279/WardenWolf_1982/Maginov1.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s279/WardenWolf_1982/TacticalTyphoon.jpg
I'm not sure how you can say those are the only red dot setups that are good - it depends on a lot of things, like the size, angle and position of the tank/stock, the marker, the sight itself, the mask being worn, the body size and shape of the shooter and the firing stances to be used on the field. Saying that there are only a few red dot setups that work is like those people who insist that everyone use or not use drop forwards. Everyone's different, and therefore everyone's markers are going to be different.

[PhoenixWolf]

I'm giving those as examples. However, there's only a couple of ways you can mount a red dot and not have it be totally unnatural to use. You need it in line with your vision as you tilt your head to the side. You've got a couple options: centerline with a riser, offset with a dropped tank, or a couple other unique setups. It is VERY difficult to get an effective red dot setup on a paintball gun, which is why it is so rarely used and so often maligned.

[mr doo doo]

an AGD sidecar fits on the sides of classic rails.

[Bagheera]

I'm giving those as examples. However, there's only a couple of ways you can mount a red dot and not have it be totally unnatural to use. You need it in line with your vision as you tilt your head to the side. You've got a couple options: centerline with a riser, offset with a dropped tank, or a couple other unique setups. It is VERY difficult to get an effective red dot setup on a paintball gun, which is why it is so rarely used and so often maligned.


I can see the wisdom in this. To get a red dot sight properly sighted, like any other sight, it takes ALOT of trial and error in a shooting range type of environment (or a large backyard with a target, like I did) to get it properly dialed in. It has to be quick to sight, work with your mask, and comfortable.

I did my due diligence when aligning my red dot sight on my Mag many years ago, and had great success with it until I retired from paintball over a decade ago. (Yes, I'm now coming out of retirement!) When someone is under full hard cover, and just peeking at you through slats or between branches and you have the ability to gog them with one shot at medium to max range, you can quickly get a bad reputation as a headhunter if your sight is properly adjusted! :ninja:

I can imagine that if someone just tossed a red dot on, sighted it briefly, and went out with it (and didn't take care of it) how it would not work properly for them.

[ThePixelGuru]

I'm giving those as examples. However, there's only a couple of ways you can mount a red dot and not have it be totally unnatural to use. You need it in line with your vision as you tilt your head to the side. You've got a couple options: centerline with a riser, offset with a dropped tank, or a couple other unique setups. It is VERY difficult to get an effective red dot setup on a paintball gun, which is why it is so rarely used and so often maligned.
Again, depends a lot on the actual marker and who's shooting it - I actually tend to sight down the side of my Minimag, so the rail wouldn't be a bad place for a red dot sight (granted it would be more difficult to calibrate due to the angle). Those are good guidelines, but they're not the only places that a red dot would work.