[grumpy_old_man]

Hi everyone and thanks for any info.

Just picked up a DMS1 for an AR project and was really impressed - haven't had it out to the range yet, so no joy on a review there.

Anyway, thinking about reconfiguring one of my Minis to use the same type of scope. Anyone tried it out on the Mini, and if so how does it handle the snappy back/forth recoil profile? Any problems? For that matter, any problems after extended use on any rifle?

What mount did you use? Ruger 30mm rings, or something else (GG&G rail, etc). How did that work out?

I really like this configuration of scope for my light carbines, but there were several to choose from and $$ is tight now so I want to do it right the first time....

All the best,
Grumpy

 

[Mr. Snuffalupagus]

that is an extremely popular optic for the mini platform, a quick look at the mini porn thread will show you that several guys here are running that setup.
not only does the 1-4 power idea work well for the mini rifles... it also looks pretty nifty with that single bell tube on there. Plus no one has reported a failure of that optic due to the mini's rough recoil... so I'm pretty sure it's stout enough to handle. (you could also buy a some 1911 pistol buffers and put one on the rear end of your op rod... that'll help a little with scope beating, that's a popular cheap upgrade that really works BTW -it'll take some of the "ring" out of the action on firing)

I've been tossing the idea around with mounting a DMS-1 to my Mini 30 for pig hunting in the bush.

I'd use the 30mm ruger rings for it myself.

 

[headedtotexas]

The Millett DMS isn't really a red dot sight, true? If I'm reading the reviews right, it's a 1-4x scope with a lighted reticle. If I'm reading the reviews wrong and it's really a red dot with crosshairs, then that's really cool.

 

[Pet-Rock]

Correct

 

[Mr. Snuffalupagus]

The Millett DMS isn't really a red dot sight, true? If I'm reading the reviews right, it's a 1-4x scope with a lighted reticle. If I'm reading the reviews wrong and it's really a red dot with crosshairs, then that's really cool.

you are correct it is a variable zoom 1-4x scope
the illuminated reticle is a red dot with a "donut" around it.

if you go to millet's website it'll give you dimensions for the dot and ring - they are a known mil size, so you can use it for limited ranging.

the idea is fast target acquisition at close range with the ring - and more precision aiming with the dot at longer ranges.
the downside is without a vertical point of reference bullet drop can be tricky with this sight.

another option would be this:
Burris Fullfield TAC30 Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 1-4x 24mm 1/2 MOA

the lit reticle on this sight is also a dot and ring arrangement - however it has a series of drop dots that are calculated for the .223/5.56 round to give you points of aim out to 600 yards.
it is the same reticle that is on my burris AR332 3x prism sight ( in effect it's a poorman's ACOG) mounted to my Troy MCS mini.
zero the center dot at 100, and the drop dots take care of the rest - it's pretty accurate. set on 1x you can aim with both eyes open
also, when turned off or the batteries are dead - the reticle is still available - it's just black and not lit.

you can view the BDC values here:
http://www.burristactical.com/ar332.html

the only reason I'm not considering it for myself at this point is... I can't find anyone who uses it with the 7.62x39 round to give me the dope on the drop dots for BDC for 7.62x39 so unless I find that the BDC dots are of some benefit I'll go with the millet - for a .223 mini I'd go with this over the millet.

 

[Pet-Rock]

Another scope like it is the HiLux/Leatherwood CMR 1-4x24mm scope.

Same dot within a donut reticle, however it also has horizontal and verticle mil-bars.
Cost is more than the DMS1 as expected for the more complicated reticle, zero reset turrets, etc.

Here is a picture of the reticle curtosy of Hi-Lux Homepage

 

[coblake]

I like it

The illuminated reticle works well, even in broad daylight and it's very nice in low light. Honestly, I've never used the the illumination while shooting, the normal reticle works great by its self. The battery also lasts a long time. I forgot to turn it off once and it was on for at least 24 hours straight.

I've got it mounted with Ruger 30mm rings in the receiver scallops, holds good and tight.

I put it on my .338 a couple of years ago for moose season and shot about 40 rounds of .338 with it. Probably another 400 rounds of 5.56 and its held up great so far. I couldn't be happier with it and looks like its come down about $40 since I bought mine.

 

[grumpy_old_man]

The illuminated reticle works well, even in broad daylight and it's very nice in low light. Honestly, I've never used the the illumination while shooting, the normal reticle works great by its self. The battery also lasts a long time. I forgot to turn it off once and it was on for at least 24 hours straight.

I've got it mounted with Ruger 30mm rings in the receiver scallops, holds good and tight.

I put it on my .338 a couple of years ago for moose season and shot about 40 rounds of .338 with it. Probably another 400 rounds of 5.56 and its held up great so far. I couldn't be happier with it and looks like its come down about $40 since I bought mine.

Coblake, what height rings did you use? Is that a Hogue stock - very nice!

All the best,
Grumpy

 

[grumpy_old_man]

that is an extremely popular optic for the mini platform, a quick look at the mini porn thread will show you that several guys here are running that setup.
not only does the 1-4 power idea work well for the mini rifles... it also looks pretty nifty with that single bell tube on there. Plus no one has reported a failure of that optic due to the mini's rough recoil... so I'm pretty sure it's stout enough to handle. (you could also buy a some 1911 pistol buffers and put one on the rear end of your op rod... that'll help a little with scope beating, that's a popular cheap upgrade that really works BTW -it'll take some of the "ring" out of the action on firing)

I've been tossing the idea around with mounting a DMS-1 to my Mini 30 for pig hunting in the bush.

I'd use the 30mm ruger rings for it myself.

Thanks Snuffy.

Guess another DMS1 is on the agenda for next year (seriously broke right now )

All the best,
Grumpy

 

[coblake]

Coblake, what height rings did you use? Is that a Hogue stock - very nice!

All the best,
Grumpy

Grumpy,

They're medium (number 4B30) rings. Yep, it's the Houge OD stock.

 

[grumpy_old_man]

Thanks coblake;

Got the AR out to the range yesterday (briefly) and ran 100 rounds through it. The PEPR mount needed tightening after the first mag. Repeated the procedure after the second mag so I guess there is a little settling in that happens with those QD mounts (either that or I was too cowardly to really cinch 'em down at first).

On the scope, overall it is a winner and I definitely am considering a second one for one of my mini's. Main thing I didn't like is that the knobs are "squishy" on mine. However, if it handles the mini's snappy recoil, I definitely think it will be a winner on the mini platform.

All the best,
Grumpy

 

[P220forever]

My only gripe is that it's a bit on the heavy side.