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How to Install a Rifle Scope on Military Surplus Rifles

Military surplus refers to decommissioned military equipment that has been resold for civilian use. One of the most common military use rifles is the M16, which is also sold to civilian law enforcement, but listed as an AR15. Unlike some older rifles, these military surplus rifles can have a scope installed on them with no drilling or special equipment required. After the scope is installed, it will need to be sighted for the scope to be accurate.

Things You'll Need

M16 with MIL-STD-1913 mounting bracket
M16 scope mount

Instructions

- 1
  Before purchasing, check to see that your scope mount is built to be mounted on an AR15/M16 mount, or the standard military issue MIL-STD-1913 dovetails.
- 2
  Check the scope mount to see whether it is the quick detach variety or the bolt variety. The quick detach will have a small steel lever at the bottom of the mount, the bolt style will feature two bolts in the same location. Most mounts will be the bolt variety.
- 3
  If the scope mount is a quick detach, flip the lever to the open position. If it uses bolts, unscrew the bolts. When the scope mount is open, place it on the gun mount.
- 4
  Flip the quick detach lever back to the closed position or screw the bolts tight with the tool provided to secure the mount.
- 5
  Look on top of the mount for the rings that hold the actual scope. These will have a small bolt on each ring, unscrew these rings.
- 6
  Place the scope on the mount, put the rings over the scope, screw the rings back into place. You have now successfully installed a scope on your military surplus AR15/M16.

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