Preferred AR Optics

[E36M3]

I'm about to get a flat-top of some sort and am looking at Leupold, Aimpoint, ACOG and EO Tech. Any recommendations? I'm an optics newbie. Thanks.
The rifle'll probably be an M4-type from RRA.

[Darkside]

E36M3, Look around here a little you will find all kinds of info.:)

Darkside

[Zak Smith]

For enagagements from 0 - 350 yards on targets as small as 8x8", it's hard to beat a Trijicon TA11 (3.5X) or TA31 (4X) ACOG. Most 3Gun shooters prefer the TA11 because the eye relief is more flexible (it's 2.4").

If you'll only be shooting full silhouette targets (ie, IPSC/IDPA-sized), or won't be shooting anything small beyond about 150, an Aimpoint M2 is a good choice.

If you need more precision than that, for example, for shooting 6" targets to 500 yards, or 10-12" plates to 800 yards, something like the Nightforce 2.5-10X or Leupold M/RT is a better choice, but they will be heavier and more bulky than the Aimpoints/ACOGs, and they will be way slower at close range than either.

TA31:
http://apollo.demigod.org/~zak/DigiCam/MRP/small/137_3782_img.jpg [ link to larger image ] (http://apollo.demigod.org/~zak/DigiCam/MRP/?medium=137_3782_img.jpg)

TA11:
http://apollo.demigod.org/~zak/DigiCam/MRP/small/136_3637_img.jpg [ link to larger image ] (http://apollo.demigod.org/~zak/DigiCam/MRP/?medium=136_3637_img.jpg)

Aimpoint M2:
http://www.demigod.org/~zak/DigiCam/6.8SPC/small/117_1751_img.jpg [ link to larger image ] (http://www.demigod.org/~zak/DigiCam/6.8SPC/?medium=117_1751_img.jpg)

[NMshooter]

Eye relief is a good thing, even on a .223. Anything over 4X is a pain to "run n' gun" with, the faster you want to go the less magnification you need. I second the Aimpoint M2.

[Zak Smith]

Eye relief isn't something you have or you don't, each scope has an optimal distance from the ocular lens to your eye. If your scope has an eye relief of 4" and you shoot nose-to-charging-handle on an AR15, the scope's rear lens will have to be mounted 2.5" forward of the rear of the rail on the AR flat top. This adds all sorts of mounting issues and makes the gun front-heavy. The ACOGs at 1.5" and 2.4" (TA31 and TA11) are just about perfect.

[Wildalaska]

Im a bit of a freak, I like the Reflex RXO1nsn with the 4MOA dot..

Heres why..


1. No battrees...yes Virginia, even a seasoned armchair commando like meeself ALWAYS FORGETS TO TURN THE DARN THING OFF!!!!.

2. No real movin parts, not gizmos and do dads to mess up.

3. Waterproof, shookproof,idiotproof.

4. fast and accurate. I use it as an OEG and can kill that nasty sillouhette easy with a 14.5 inch M4 at 100. I have even shot a five shor less than one inch group with one.

5. If I am gonna need to shhot the eye out of a dragonfly at 400 meters, out be comin the M41B....

WildfiberopticAlaska

[444]

If you want to see what an expert on the subject says, read this thread: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=101048