Iraq Optics Suggestions wanted

[J. Garand]

My friend is a deployed captain in Iraq. Evidently in todays army you can mount pretty much what you want on your weapon. he is seeing red dots, scopes, even lasers. When i was in the army the only thing you could put on your weapon was LSA. But thats another time.
My boy wants some feedback and i told him i would ask the best sourse there is; THR. He is operating at close to intermediate ranges. i.e. hes not in the mtns. yet hes not right in a city. i advised him to not go with a laser as i THINK that it could be tracked back and draw counter fire. (am not sure on that). hes leaning towards a 30mm red dot from BSA.
So, what should we suggest? I will cut and send your responses to him as he has an internet connection.
Thanks folks, this is important to me..

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

spend the money. quality counts when you're staking your life on your equipment.

The military AImpoint is a good bet, as far as red dot sights go.

there is something to reccommend the various ACOG scopes, as well. the acog 1.4 to 4 variable might be an interesting combat optic.

 

[RevDisk]

I'll assume the weapon is a M16/M4 with the normal rail mount.


Do NOT use red/green lasers. They'll show up beautifully in smoke or sand being kicked up by the wind. It effectively points right back to your weapon if you get careless and accidently leave it on. IR lasers are better, but too expensive to really be worth the effort and you have to be wearing NVG's to see it. Not to meantion, some of the enemies do have access to night vision gear. Just a suggestion mind you, but keeping a low profile is good. Draws less fire.


I personally like the EOTech 550. It's rather expensive, but it'll take a beating. Cheapo red dots and reflex sights tend to get knocked off zero rather easily.

Panorama BED24 MKII is affordable, but still quality.

 

[Mr. Mysterious]

I'd go with a holographic site.

 

[Zak Smith]

1X optic: Aimpoint M2, night vision compatible.

Magnified general purpose optic: Trijicon ACOG, TA31 or TA11. No contest.

Both of these are already in use by the military, and have held up admirably to hard field use. Top 3Gun shooters often use the TA11 ACOG because of its speed for close shots and precision out to 400-500 yards.

-z

 

[artherd]

The ACOG is just about the best thing going. Benefits of both a scope and a red-dot in one.


The ACOG, Aimpoint, and EOTech are the three 'fighting optics' I would select in a 'life-depends-on-it' role. All 3 are Mil-Spec, and have great records in current Armed Forces use.

Accept NO substitutes!

 

[bogie]

BSA?

Would you trust your life to it?

I wouldn't.

1) Buy the studiest you can. I may be an old fart, but I'd rather have a 1-5x (or thereabouts) variable Leupold "regular" scope than something that would need batteries or have breakable, dingable electronics.

2) Don't toss your normal sights. You may need 'em.

 

[Zak Smith]

The ACOG has no batteries. The fiber-optic light pipe on the top "powers" the glowing red-dot when there is ambient light, and the tritium takes over at night.

-z

 

[Harry Tuttle]

i would go with either the Aimpoint or the Trijicon "Mil spec" offerings
http://www.riflescopes.com/departments/11/rifle_scopes/aimpoint.htm
http://www.riflescopes.com/products/TA01NSN/trijicon_acog_4x32.htm

anything less is a liability

will he have the range time to learn to properly use the new tools?

 

[Zak Smith]

With respect, the TA01 is old technology. No light pipe, conventional reticle.

The Marines are fielding the newer TA31 - same optics as the TA01, but with the BAC, fiber-optic-lit reticle.

-z