ACOG and MRD Questions....

[RainDodger]

Howdy, boys...

I just acquired (through an estate sale), a deal I could not pass up on a Trijicon 4X ACOG that has a red dot reflex sight mounted integrally just above the ACOG. A little research shows that the ACOG was made in 2009. The reflex sight is made by Docter of Germany and is the last year that Trijicon used this sight before developing their own reflex sight. The ACOG is a dual-illuminated unit - fiber optic as well as tritium (model TA31DOC).

I'm curious whether anyone out there has a similar setup. I've found enough info on the Docter sight, but I want to know how the tritium is holding up in similar-aged ACOGs. The tritium in mine is very, very dim - not bright enough to use (although I don't really need it to work, as I don't shoot at night much!). Does anyone who has an 8 year old ACOG have a similar situation with the tritium?

Thanks everyone!

 

[herrwalther]

I had a chance to use several of the ACOG/RMR combo sights while I was in the military. Very much the best of both worlds when it comes to fast short range target acquisition and long distance, slow shots using a magnified optic. If money were not an object, I would definitely have the same setup on my personal rifle. Because right now, I just have a cheap $100 red dot on mine.

As far as the tritium being dim, I wouldn't worry about it much. Most companies say their tritium should be good for about 15-20 years. Yours is just going out earlier than most. The fiber optic does a very good job gathering ambient light. If it is enough of a bother, I would contact Trijicon (call, not email) and ask if there is a cost for replacing the tritium bulbs. Go from there if you want to go through the warranty return turn around time.

 

[RainDodger]

Thanks for the info. For the benefit of anyone that wants to know, I did call Trijicon and talk with them. Absolutely great guys to talk to! The tritium in this particular model ACOG is warranted for 15 years. They say the half-life is about 8 years and they stress the fact that it is quite dim, especially compared to something like a tritium watch dial. They sent me a .pdf copy of the owner's manual and a hard copy via mail. Unfortunately, any warranty is for the original owner only, but not a big deal as I really have no need to go shooting at night... and if I did, there's always the mounted red dot reflex sight that's integral. Customer service said that the current price for replacing the tritium capsules is ~$189, and that an inspection of your optic is free if you want to send it to them.

Thanks again.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

my acog is 12 years old now and seems as bright as it ever was.

 

[Gordon]

Thanks ! $189 is reasonable especially with the cleaning they do.

 

[Pete D.]

Did they give any info about turn around time?

Pete

 

[RainDodger]

Nope, I didn't ask that question. I think I've opted to not send mine back to them. I don't really need the option of shooting in pitch darkness... at all other times, the reticle is bright and easy to see.