I recently swapped out a non-magnified red dot on my primary AR for an LPVO in an Aero Precision cantilever mount. Obviously, red dots and other optics with integrated mounts are an easy “set it and forget it” targeting solution. It goes without saying that when you switch to a tube scope sans mounts you’ll need to find a way to align the crosshairs.
I was seeking a quick and dirty solution. The old school method, I’m told, is affixing some sort of plumb bob to a length of line, affixing it to the ceiling of your shop and aligning the crosshairs that way.
Ideally I’d have had a sled or vise to be able to level the rifle on my working surface and then worry about aligning the scope. I didn’t have a vise for my rifle, but I did have a bipod.
Enter the Fix It Sticks bubble levels. Two are included with the kit—one attached to a rail clamp interface to level the rifle top, and one magnetized level to stick to the scope itself.
To use this system you need a decent amount of rail space, at least enough to accommodate both the scope mount and at least one more segment for the bottom level itself. This is no problem at all for a flat-top AR receiver but might be a problem for bolt-action rifles with limited rail space, particularly those with only single segments to host individual rings.
The solution was ideal for me and my intended use of casual plinking. For precision shooters needing a greater level of accuracy, a dedicated clamp or jig is no doubt the way to go. As it is, it’s around fifty bucks for the Fix It Sticks kit versus $200+ for a more comprehensive mounting solution.
Fix It Sticks offers all manner of gunsmithing tools in addition to the bubble levels. They’re available individually or grouped into kits tailored to your intended use—precision optics mounting, field repair, 3-gun, and so on—all the way up to an all-inclusive Field Armorer’s Kit that includes the levels and almost every other tool in their arsenal.
The bubble levels by themselves come with a small pouch to keep them together and a foam surround to keep them from clanking against each other and other tools if you take them along with your range kit.
All in all, these levels were a great quick and easy solution to my quick and dirty plinking needs.
Fix It Sticks
Optics Bubble Level Set
MSRP: $55
URL: fixitsticks.com