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Quick review on the Midwest Industries / US Palm railed handguard and optic mount system, as well as the Primary Arm Micro Dot sight. I purchased the combo set from Midwest Industries that included the Primary Arms Micro Dot sight. http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/...ategory_id=401 Service from MI was outstanding.
I installed the system on an Arsenal SGL 21. Fit and finish of the unit was excellent. Installation was very simple and the fit on the weapon was perfect. It really was a breeze to install. I had hoped to accomplish a couple of things with this setup. First, I wanted better cooling for the barrel itself, as well as a cooler handguard itself vs. the stock factory handguards. I also wanted to test running a small red dot sight on the weapon. I wasnt sure how I would like running a smaller optic, and, how I would like running it at far forward. I am a huge Aimpoint fan, but before I dropped the money on a T-1, I wanted to make sure I liked the setup and that it worked for me. Thats where this setup along with the Primary Arms Micro Dot comes in perfectly. It allows me to try out the setup, without spending a ton of money up front. The PA micro, very closely mimics the Aimpoint T-1, and, the US Palm mount that fits the PA Micro, is actually the one for the Aimpoint T-1. If the setup worked for me, then it would allow me to switch over to a T-1 with no problem and not have to purchase a new gas tube cover/mount. I also have another weapon that the PA dot would go perfect on, so it was a win win situation.
After a nice range session the other day, in 100 deg. heat, I can safely say that everything worked exactly as I had hoped. I shot the MI equipped SGL 21 side by side with my stock SGL 21. There was a noticeable difference, to me, in the way the barrel cooled. The MI equipped one cooled down faster that the stock hanguard equipped one. I also noticed that as they heated up, the groups started opening up ever so slightly. The difference was less with the MI equipped SGL. The handguard itself, stayed MUCH cooler to the touch, than the stock handguard equipped SGL. Mission accomplished on these counts for sure. As a side benefit, the MI railed handguard, gives a much better purchase for my hand, especially when sweaty and such. No surprise here as I've run various railed handguards on other weapons for years.
The US Palm top cover/optic mount worked great as well. Since it doesnt contact the gas tube at all, the heat transfer to it was almost nill. It was very solid and mounted the PA micro dot perfectly. I ended up being very impressed with the setup, and with the dot located as far forward as it is, proved to be a non issue for me. I was concerned here because I'm used to running them a bit further to the rear. It worked great though. Once again, it also proved that there is a speed increase to be had with a red dot optic, vs standard irons alone (depending on your own personal training & skill level). Running my stock SGL side by side vs the dot equipped one, was telling. Another factor, for me personally, is that my eyesight isnt what it used to be. I dont have the same eyes I did 19 years ago. The dot definitely made things easier. Nothing I didnt already know though, as I've been running them on AR's for years.
The Primary Arms micro dot was a solid performer as well. It zeroed in quickly and easily. While its not an Aimpoint, it is definitely nicer than what I had expected it to be. If you keep in mind its limitations, I think it is absolutely a viable optic for those on a tight budget. Mine will be going on my wife's carbine as soon as I can pick up a T-1 to replace it on my SGL. The only issue I could find with the whole system, is that it doesnt really co-witness with the iron sights. You have to move the rear sight up to about the 300m mark to really be able to see/use them through the optic. Not really a big deal overall though to me personally.
That all said, I have to say, this is an outstanding setup/package for the money.
I installed the system on an Arsenal SGL 21. Fit and finish of the unit was excellent. Installation was very simple and the fit on the weapon was perfect. It really was a breeze to install. I had hoped to accomplish a couple of things with this setup. First, I wanted better cooling for the barrel itself, as well as a cooler handguard itself vs. the stock factory handguards. I also wanted to test running a small red dot sight on the weapon. I wasnt sure how I would like running a smaller optic, and, how I would like running it at far forward. I am a huge Aimpoint fan, but before I dropped the money on a T-1, I wanted to make sure I liked the setup and that it worked for me. Thats where this setup along with the Primary Arms Micro Dot comes in perfectly. It allows me to try out the setup, without spending a ton of money up front. The PA micro, very closely mimics the Aimpoint T-1, and, the US Palm mount that fits the PA Micro, is actually the one for the Aimpoint T-1. If the setup worked for me, then it would allow me to switch over to a T-1 with no problem and not have to purchase a new gas tube cover/mount. I also have another weapon that the PA dot would go perfect on, so it was a win win situation.
After a nice range session the other day, in 100 deg. heat, I can safely say that everything worked exactly as I had hoped. I shot the MI equipped SGL 21 side by side with my stock SGL 21. There was a noticeable difference, to me, in the way the barrel cooled. The MI equipped one cooled down faster that the stock hanguard equipped one. I also noticed that as they heated up, the groups started opening up ever so slightly. The difference was less with the MI equipped SGL. The handguard itself, stayed MUCH cooler to the touch, than the stock handguard equipped SGL. Mission accomplished on these counts for sure. As a side benefit, the MI railed handguard, gives a much better purchase for my hand, especially when sweaty and such. No surprise here as I've run various railed handguards on other weapons for years.
The US Palm top cover/optic mount worked great as well. Since it doesnt contact the gas tube at all, the heat transfer to it was almost nill. It was very solid and mounted the PA micro dot perfectly. I ended up being very impressed with the setup, and with the dot located as far forward as it is, proved to be a non issue for me. I was concerned here because I'm used to running them a bit further to the rear. It worked great though. Once again, it also proved that there is a speed increase to be had with a red dot optic, vs standard irons alone (depending on your own personal training & skill level). Running my stock SGL side by side vs the dot equipped one, was telling. Another factor, for me personally, is that my eyesight isnt what it used to be. I dont have the same eyes I did 19 years ago. The dot definitely made things easier. Nothing I didnt already know though, as I've been running them on AR's for years.
The Primary Arms micro dot was a solid performer as well. It zeroed in quickly and easily. While its not an Aimpoint, it is definitely nicer than what I had expected it to be. If you keep in mind its limitations, I think it is absolutely a viable optic for those on a tight budget. Mine will be going on my wife's carbine as soon as I can pick up a T-1 to replace it on my SGL. The only issue I could find with the whole system, is that it doesnt really co-witness with the iron sights. You have to move the rear sight up to about the 300m mark to really be able to see/use them through the optic. Not really a big deal overall though to me personally.
That all said, I have to say, this is an outstanding setup/package for the money.
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