Looking to Scout-Scope M1 Garand with Either Aimpoint 9000 or Burris Handgun scope

[Doctor Suarez]

I have a more general thread here, but now I'm getting down to the nitty-gritty.

First, what I'm after.

I'm going to add the Amega Ranges scout rail to my M1 Garand. To that I would like to add a low-power scope (probably 2x). I would like that scope to have a lighted reticle for low-light situations.

While I hope I only ever fire this rifle at the range, this is not what I would call a range gun. I'm looking to make this a practical improvement to the weapon as a fighting rifle, to improve its usability in low-light, and both long and close range applications. This is not a sight that I wish to fiddle with endlessly in order to make pre-planned, long range shots on paper. Think improved battlesight instead of super-precision.

My two choices that I know of for scopes seem to be the following:

1) The Burris 2x-7x Handgun Scope with the Electro Dot Reticle.
This is a popular choice. But the negatives that come to mind are as follows: The E-Dot reticle has thick posts, which would make for trouble when holding over above the target at longer distances. Also, while it has sufficient eye-relief, it has the added issue of figuring out the parallax.

2) The Aimpoint 9000 series in 2x.
I like that it has no parallax issue, and the free-floating dot makes for a really unencumbered sight picture. Also, the dots are available in 1MOA and 2MOA, so it really shouldn't cover too much of the target at range. But I've heard that these sights are getting on peoples' nerves, and that the sight tube is too visible.

I have yet to handle either scope, though I will probably head out to the local gun store and see what I can look at in person.

If you feel strongly about either option, or have personally installed either on your M1, I would love to know the specifics, such as what rings to purchase. I have never bought or really used any sort of riflescope before, so this is very new territory for me.

Thanks in advance for any advice you may have.

 

[rbernie]

You could always use the fixed-power scout scopes from Burris or Leupold. They work quite well.

 

[Bitmap]

The Burris 2x-7x Handgun Scope . . . Also, while it has sufficient eye-relief, it has the added issue of figuring out the parallax.

I'm not sure what you mean by figuring out the parallax. If you have the scope mounted so your eye is in the center of the eyepiece lens you don't have to worry about it much if at all. If the crosshair doesn't appear inthe center then your eye isn't in the center. The diagrams on the Aimpoint website don't really apply to conventional scopes.

Either of the two you mentioned would probably work well, as would the fixed scout scopes or fixed power pistol scopes. One advantage of the Burris is that if the battery dies you can still use the scope, but the Aimpoint lasts almost forever on a set of batteries.

My advice is try them both if you can find a store that will let you.

 

[Ian]

Something to consider for low-light shooting - you need more than just an illuminated reticle to find and identify your target. If all you can see at 50 yards is black, an illuminated scope will just give you a nice bright crosshair over a big field of black. I have done a bit of night shooting, and found that in general, if there is enough ambient light to pick out a target, there's enough light for a decent sight picture with a low-powered scope, illuminated reticle or not. The illumination makes it easier, but it can be done without.

 

[Doctor Suarez]

Going to look at Burris scopes at Turner's soon, but if I wind up going with the Aimpoint can anyone suggest good 30mm rings? Also, what would be the right height? Is there a good quick detach option?

 

[Nightcrawler]

For the Aimpoint, get the "low" rings. Since the model you're using uses standard 30mm rings, I'd suggest these: CLICK

Leupold also makes excellent 30mm rings.