Which scope do you recommend for my AR? EoTech, Aimpoint, ACOG, or other?
Depends on a lot of things. What range will you be shooting? Do you NEED magnification? What is the role of the firearm?
Of the ones you mentioned, the ACOG is the only one what comes with magnification.
Aimpoints and EOTechs' can have a magnifier, but unless you get a chinese knock-off or the Larue Po-Boy special, those will add $500 to the cost of the Aimpoint or EOTech-- putting you in the realm of an ACOG.
Right now, I am kind of leaning towards the ACOG. They are not as expensive as the ACOG, plus they are more practical for CQB shooting. Also, I could buy a magnifier if I wanted to extend my range.
Me confused.
But I did get out of this that you see a need for a CQB site. For me, that knocks out the ACOG. I dislike magnification on anything I'll need to take close, rapidly-aimed shots with.
Do you need to cowitness with the EoTech or Aimpoint?
My rifles have flip-up sights. I really don't care for co-witnessing. You do not NEED to cowitness anything if you don't want to. You do not even NEED iron sights to shoot with the opic sight-- although I think all firearms (especially combat-oriented firearms) should have Back-up Iron Sights (BUIS).
From my understanding, where ever the dot is, regardless of where your eye is looking at it is where the bullet will impact, correct?
Correct.
Please let me know of your experiences, which scope you recommend, and which specific model.
For a rifle I use for CQB, I don't care for having magnification. That knocks the ACOG out for me. In addition, I don't care for fixed-power magnification optics. Again, that knocks out the ACOG. (Don't get me wrong, the ACOG is a great optic and has a loyal following. I just don't think I'll get one.)
Like most folks, I like EOTech's recticle. However, their battery-life is ho-hum compared to the Aimpoint. I've read about a lot of problems with EOTechs draining batteries even when turned off.
One strongpoint to EOTechs is that you can get a model that uses common AA batteries at a good price.
However, because I would always worry that the thing was out of power in the middle of the night when I needed to use it, I'd not get an EOTech.
That leaves us with Aimpoint.
The Aimpoint ML2 can last 10,000 hours on one battery while being left on. That translates to about 1.25 years on a single battery.
For about $60 dollars more, you can look at the Aimpoint ML3. This one has ACET circuitry that lets it stay on for 50,000 hours on a single battery. That is over 5 years on a single battery.
The downside to the Aimpoint ML2 and ML3 is that they use a non-standard battery that you can't just run to the store and replace.
The Aimpoint M4, however, runs on AA Batteries, but is VERY expensive.
I'd go with either an Ampoint ML2 or ML3 unless you think you'd want to use a night-vision attachment at some point in the future. If you did, you want to spend a little more and get the Aimpoint M2 or M3, respectively.
I like the ML3.
Also, what is the deal with throw levers and QD mounts, specifically ARMS and LaRue?
Throw levers are a lever by which you may disengage the mount from the firearm. This allows you to remove the optic from the firearm without tools. Same basic definition for QD-- it means you can take it off.
Now, Quality QD mounts are also Return-to-Zero. This means that you can remove the optic and then re-mount it (make sure you do in the same spot) with no loss of zero-- meaning you are still sighted in.
This is what makes a mount worth $200.
I don't have experience with ADM, but I've read decent reviews of them. Larue is universally loved.
Get a Larue mount.
By the way.... if you plan on using a 3X magnifier, you will probably want to get the Larue CANTILEVER mount. This set the optic out a little further toward the front of the rifle, leaving room for the magnifier behind it. If you go Aimpoint, I think you want a LT-129 if I remember correctly.
Most of my shooting is done within 300 yards. Thanks.
While it can be done, 300 yards is a bit long for a non-magnified optic. Most of my hunting shots are under 400 yards, and I use a 3.5-10x40 on my hunting rifle.
If I went with an Aimpoint or EOTech, I'd think hard about getting a 3X magnifier.
-- John