View Full Version : Lower 1/3 cowitness?
So, I’ve always run my optics absolute cowitness but was thinking about trying a lower 1/3 setup.
I usually run my absolute cowitness setups with fold down sights and typically just keep the sights folded down most of the time but have sometimes used the sights with the dot together. Just kind of what I’m used to.
Anyhow, I’ve got a setup that I want to keep fixed sights and run a red dot so was thinking of trying the lower 1/3 cowitness.
Looking for thoughts and opinions from those who use a lower 1/3 setup. Pros, cons?
I’ve always shot nose to charging handle which seems to line me up with standard sights and optics so not sure if I’d have to change my style or cheek weld or whatever.
Thanks.
DireWolf
01-26-2018, 11:37
I tend to like the height of absolute better than lower 1/3 (just a little less height-over-bore), but they're pretty close and it's just mild preference...
Also, the cowitnessed dot feels a bit more natural to my eyes.
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I always use absolute even with the sights up it never really bothers me.
Great-Kazoo
01-26-2018, 13:51
Tried the lower 1/3 for a magazine worth of time. That was the first & last time, for me it was uncomfortable.
I ran absolute and found myself adjusting my head/cheek position. With lower 1/3, my placement is spot on. That is the main reason i run lower 1/3. Close your eye, shoulder your rifle, are you looking directly through the sight? If you have to make adjustments your optic is in the wrong position (height and/or eye relief).
I ran absolute and found myself adjusting my head/cheek position. With lower 1/3, my placement is spot on. That is the main reason i run lower 1/3. Close your eye, shoulder your rifle, are you looking directly through the sight? If you have to make adjustments your optic is in the wrong position (height and/or eye relief).
what he said
Hmm. Sounds like I might as well not even try the lower 1/3 cowitness. When I toss an AR up to my shoulder with the charging handle right on the tip of my nose the iron sights line up perfectly. If I’m running an absolute cowitness optic the little red dot sits right on top of the front sight post. Been running my red dots that way forever. With magnified optics I run them the same height as the factory iron sights and set my eye relief to be spot on with my nose touching the charging handle.
Guess I shouldn’t be trying to reinvent the wheel if my current method works for me.
I just thought maybe the lower 1/3 setup might provide a better field of view with the iron sights out of the way.
zimagold
01-26-2018, 19:37
I find it hard switching heights once you're used to one. If you just want to try something different, you could always go really high and try a 1.93" mount. I bought one to clear a DBAL, but have been slowly converting my red dots. It's weird at first but eventually I found it really nice to have your head upright. Two CQB distance carbine matches convinced me its really nice for close work. Although, the "chin" weld sucks for distance work.
DireWolf
01-26-2018, 19:46
I just thought maybe the lower 1/3 setup might provide a better field of view with the iron sights out of the way.
One other thought is that if you're running one of the red dots with insanely long battery life and leave it on all the time (e.g. - I never turn mine off, just change the batteries once per year), I find the absolute cowitness to be more natural/quicker, whereas the lower 1/3 can be more distracting (not an issue when the dot is off or with a folder instead of FSB)...
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Lower 1/3rd at a minimum for me all the way unless I’m using a traditionally stocked rifle. I was trained on and had years behind absolute cowitness optics and A-2 irons and found the switch to be simple. The only rough part was getting used to holdovers at ranges under 15 yards or so.
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Don’t knock it till you try it. Not my stick.
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