Rifle Scopes Remington MARS or McCann MIRS?

LoneWolfUSMC

Lt. Colonel
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 9, 2008
7,363
18
Southern Indiana
www.8541tactical.com
Which one is lower and has the least chance of shearing off the mounting screws?

We may have to utilize of of these options to mount a PVS-22 to our LTR's. I don't think the LTR stock will take a EFR and I don't think the combined cost of sending the rifles out for the installation is going to fly.
 
Re: Remington MARS or McCann MIRS?

You might look at getting a McRee with the PVS-22 specific mount up front. The cost won't be too much more than the MARS or MIRS, and I think you would in the end benifit.
 
Re: Remington MARS or McCann MIRS?

If it was "mine" and it was "a stock" then I would in a heartbeat.

Unfortunately it isn't and if I told them that they needed to drop $800+ each on the three rifles they just bought, they would laugh me out of the office.

"I" am covered because when the PVS-22's show up I will just install a IMUNS on my personal AE and roll on. I need a "drop in" solution the propose for the LTR's that won't cause the check writers a problem.

Initially the PVS-22's weren't in the plans. Everyone on the team was just going to get a helmet mounted -14. When I suggested the 22's for the Snipers it turned out we had enough on the grant to go that way. If I tell them it's going to cost too much to mount them we may end up trying to stick -14's on the ocular bell. I would rather stick with the MARS then go that route.
 
Re: Remington MARS or McCann MIRS?

They are both about the same size , and heavy , although the REM. MARS has removable 'wings' - they could be removed if not needed , so they can't be banged and stress the screws ... Going to #8-40 screws would be an improvement . I've read of some rifle-builders adding steel pins , in addition to the screws , to strengthen the mount .
 
Re: Remington MARS or McCann MIRS?

We have had the mccann mirs on our rifles for about 2 years and have had several problems with them. All were installed per the directions by a gunsmith and we have had them shoot loose, screws break, etc. Because it is one integral unit which the scope is mounted on you can imagine what happens to your zero when it happens. There are other teams we have trained with that also have them and have had the same problems. But on the other hand out of our 12 rifles some of them have been fine.

And like stated above, they are very heavy and add a lot of weight to the gun, which is a factor since you are well aware that prone isn't an option all the time on your callouts. It would be nice if you guys could have something like the badger efr's installed. I haven't heard anything about them but there is also the Larue STOMP which is similar to the mirs concept only upside down
 
Re: Remington MARS or McCann MIRS?

the larue STOMP would give you the most value because it mounts to the traditional scope base,so if two years down the road your team upgrades the rifles you can just unlatch from one platform and relatch on the new.the bean counter pencil pushers understand that.or if one rifle went titsup you can switch to the backup and rezero to it.shazam your up and running.
 
Re: Remington MARS or McCann MIRS?

I'm not sure about the Remington mount but the McCann is a decent mount other than being heavy. I use 8-40 screws and have only seen 1 sheer the heads of the screws off because it was installed incorrectly, other than that no problems with them.

They send a canister of axle grease with them and I just throw that away. They also use a long set screw as a recoil lug as well as the 4 mounting screws, if you tighten that set screw up to much that will break the screws. It only needs to barley touch the receiver.
 
Re: Remington MARS or McCann MIRS?

We're running the McCann at our agency. One of the five of us who had them installed has had problems but could be because the set screw that provides tension against the receiver was not installed. No issues with mine, (or the other three guys on our team who are running them). Also, FWIW, we all had a slight zero shift when attaching the PVS-22's... but it was consistent between all 5 rifles.
 
Re: Remington MARS or McCann MIRS?

What about the badger mount that is inletted into the stock. Probably cheaper than the McCann or MARS. Installation is not difficult, even easier when you do a bunch. Ray Saltzman and a few others could do it in an afternoon (minus dry time).

Cheers,

Doc
 
Re: Remington MARS or McCann MIRS?

I've used both, for some time, and they both do the job. The MARS deal has side rails that come off, which is nice if your humping your rifle any kind of distance. You can have a smooth side, nice on the back if your carrying another rifle. I have never sheered the bolts on a McCann, and I have put them through very rough handling and a couple of thousand rounds without fail. I have done the same to the MARS set-up but the round count is lower, just under a thousand.

A PVS-14 will be much clearer at night and I find it much more useful. I think that you will find you can see much better with a 14 than a 22. The lack of distance that you can PID stuff with a 22 will totally negate the use of a long gun at night, unless your shots are close. You can do more with a rifle (semi preferred) with a LA-5, PEQ-4 (whatever) and a helmet mounted 14 than a rifle with PVS-22 and IR illuminator. If you can try both, do so before spending your hard fought money.

Never tried the STOMP, but that looks better than both the McCann and MARS systems. You won't end up with a really high scope. Both the MARS and McCann really get the scope up there. Duct tape and puss pad will become your friend unless you have a stock with adjustable comb height.
 
Re: Remington MARS or McCann MIRS?

Lonewolf,

We were in the same boat not to long ago. I wanted the EFR, but the commander would not sign off on any alterations to the stock...long story. Anywho, we went with the MARS after reading several posts about problems with McCann's CS (I have never used them, so I can't say one way or the other). Also, we went with the LTRs and there does not appear to be enough purchase on the forend of the light HS stock to bed the EFR.

We have not had any issues with the MARS to this point and are also using 22's. The MARS comes inletted for their inserts, which will allow the factory mounting screws or the 8-40's. The two downsides are the weight (which is minor) and the line of sight is significantly higher. I had an Eagles cheek pad with closed cell layers underneath to raise my weld. A Karsten would help that issue (if you could alter the stock) and keep you from having to remove the pad everytime you did maintnance.

I just had a build finished and hate to boost your thread, but does anyone know if the EFR will work with an M24 contour on a Manners T4. This is a personal rifle approved for duty that I do not want a MARS on and would prefer a different mounting solution.

Lonewolf...if you need any pics or have any other questions give me a shout.