I learned much the same way with regards to the “carrying handle” and judicious physical correction. I suspect I would still be doing push ups if I had tried packing an M24 via the scope.
I’ve retained the habit of not carrying a rifle by it’s optic.....with the number of scope failures out there, adding another potential point of failure to the list does not seem wise. Whether it really makes any difference or not? I don’t know, or care. It’s just as easy to grab by the action when such a carry method is employed.
