Optics question

[happygeek]

I'm looking for an optic to mount to the small optics rail that goes on a standard Springfield M1A. This optic needs to be pretty much milspec, something that's meant to be dragged through the mud and the muck and take abuse without breaking on me. I've used Aimpoint, EOTech, and the SpecterDR from Elcan (very nice but very pricey), and looked through a ACOG that was for sale at the gun store. They're selling a surplus Army ACOG for $1,000, and I'll probably buy it. I had my heart set on a Aimpoint with the 3x mag sight added on, but the optics rail for the M1A isn't long enough for that.

So my question is, is there something as good as the ACOG that can take abuse and be dragged through the mud and the muck that's also cheaper?

 

[lipadj46]

Army surplus ACOG huh? Are they refurbished? I would question why an ACOG has been surplus'd, but that is just me.

 

[happygeek]

Good point, it might be re-furbished. I'll ask when/if I go back to the store.

 

[lipadj46]

Another thing to think about with an ACOG on an M1A is that depending on the model ACOGs have some pretty small eye relief specs. So short that SEI makes a specific mount for an ACOG that mounts the scope back farther. The short eye relief may be OK for a light recoiling M16 A4 but it could get painful with an M14. Check the specs on the specific model specifications to make sure it makes sense on an M14 with it's optics mounting limitations.

 

[rcmodel]

They taught me to drag myself through the mud & muck, while abusing my body, but to protect my weapon from it at all costs.

Maybe you need to reassess your weapons handling skills?

rc

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

I would not drag a $1000 optic through the mud...

 

[P.B.Walsh]

^^^^^Unless my life depended on it.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

Unless my life depended on it.

OK, but...

How likely is that?

 

[happygeek]

Yeah, I gotta see about the eye relief aspect before I spend a grand. I'm a nose to charging handle kinda shooter but I haven't had an issue with the M1A hitting me in the face when I'm using iron sights.

Here's a question though, is there a good rail that'll attach to a M1A that's long enough to mount an Aimpoint and the Aimpoint 3x mag sight to? The guy at the store said the rails for the M1A aren't long enough for that, but maybe he was just trying to sell me that ACOG. I've used a M68 Aimpoint and I really liked it, and if I'm not badly mistaken I could get an Aimpoint and the 3x mag sight for under a grand.

It's not so much that I would drag my National Match M1A through the mud and the muck, it's just that I'd like to know that I don't have a cheap quality optic that would break if I ever did.

 

[happygeek]

Almost forgot, the rail I was looking to buy is 5 to 6 inches long I think. It attaches to the little groove and the hole for a screw on the left side of the chamber. If anybody knows of a better rail I am very open to suggestions.

 

[33-805]

I have used the ARMS mount, (number 18, I believe) and the Smith Enterprises mount with great results. IMHO, you want something with three points of contact to the receiver. I tried the others, but they would not stay put under recoil, and I went back to the higher priced, but more reliable three point mounts.

 

[happygeek]

Just to update, I'm thinking now that I'll get a decent 3 point mount and a Leopard scope for the M1A. I saw an ad for a Leopard that was only $280 or so. Maybe a good scope will help me catch up to that rifle in accuracy.

I'll hold off on getting an Aimpoint with the 3x mag scope till I get a evil black rifle, probably a Sig 556.