Beware the Short Top Rail and Eotech

ljc3 · #1 02-08-2010, 12:52 AM

This weekend I purchased an STG 556 from Hero-Gear in Winchester, TN. I am a great fan of the design since I owned an AUG in the late 80's. The rifle I purchased was missing the front sling swivel but most interestingly had a top rail of 5 or 6 inches (which I had not seen in any of the other posts).

I purchased an Eotech sight along with a few other items and brought the package home.

I intalled the Eotech sight and found to my discomfort that when pulling the cocking handle to the rear, the Eotech bottom edge ate chunks out of my left index finger. This is not to say that there is a design problem, but to point out that the short top rail with the Eotech will be a problem for most people.

As a possible solution I ordered a 9" top rail which hopefully will place the sight farter to the rear and will place it out of contact with my finger when pulling the cocking handle to the rear. If that is inadequate, I will look at raising the sight using some brand of mechanism with quick disconnect levers.

I must say I am very impressed with the quality and design of this firearm and look forward to my first range opportunity.

Tomac · #2 02-08-2010, 07:43 AM

Yeah, an Eotech will never work on the 5" optic rail and even on the std 9" optic rail I could only get it to work if the Eotech was mounted as far back as possible and I used the "palm up" technique when working the charging handle.
Good luck and keep us posted!...
Tomac

Shipwreck · #3 02-08-2010, 03:31 PM

I have the 9" rail with and eotech. I have mine mounted in the middle, so I can use backup sights in front and behind the eotech.

Tomac and I even talked about this setup - I have to work the charging handle underhanded. I'm fine with that.

Honestly - if you use the rear bolt button on the stock to reload mags after your first loaded mag - this isn't much of an issue. You don't actually use the charging handle for every mag - since the bolt locks open on empty mags.

On my PS90 - the bolt does not lock open when you run out of ammo - but thankfully the STG does.

MSAR guy · #4 02-08-2010, 04:54 PM

My guess is that if you do not like the 5" top rail on your STG, offer to trade it for a 9" on a couple of the gunboards. My guess is that you would not have it for very long. I built my dad a rifle a while back and put the last 5" rail in the shop on it. I liked the short rails.

HS2 · #5 02-08-2010, 07:20 PM

I had similar issues with my EoTech 512. I've got an EoTech XPS now and it does not interfere with charging operation. Its much shorter and a bit lighter than the 512.

ljc3 · #6 02-08-2010, 09:00 PM

It was reassuring to see that my obeservations regarding the Eotech are not unusual. It seems that the large hand tightening knob to attach the sight to the rail is the culprit so I will also swap it out for the smaller allen head bolt when the 9" rail comes in.

I could use some advice regarding the missing front sling swivel. My research tells me that they are an Uncle Mike's product, 1.5" with quick detach button. Correct?