mid range optics for AR-15

[collateral]

I'm looking to drop some cash on a good optic for my Bushmaster 16 inch XM15. I'm stuck between the Leupold Mark 4 1-3.5x14mm CQ/T and the Trijicon TA11.

I would like the scope to perform well at medium to long range while not sacrificing close quarter performance. 3.5x magnification is about as high as I'd like to go. I would like to cowitness the irons and optic but if that isn't possible then I would like a quick detachable mount. What can you guys suggest? What do you think of the two optics mentioned. My bushmaster is a flat top model.

 

[rcmodel]

All I know is the Trijicon has a Tritium illumination element with a half-life of 12 years.

The Leupold has a battery that can be easily replaced. And it still works without a battery.

I have no firsthand shooting experiance with the Leupold CQ/T but I have been very impressed with the ones I looked at.

A fixed power Trijicon is a 3.5x scope, with a 29 ft. field of view at 100 yards.

A CQ/T 1x - 3.5X is several scopes in one, with wide open 112 ft. field of view at 1X.

rcmodel

 

[NMshooter]

The ACOG is one of the best options out there for what you are looking for.

That said, it does not do everything; At short range they are difficult to use quickly, and are slower than an aimpoint.

You might look at some of the 1-4X scopes out there, the Trijicon Accupoint TR21 is pretty nice.

LaRue makes the best quick detach optic mounts out there in my opinion.

So long as you do not expect to find something that does everything well you should be able to find what meets your needs.

 

[possum]

i say the acog handsdown they are tough and reliable and they will withstand punishment that you would not believe! ask me how i know! anyway i always recomend the nsn acog model as it has the iron sights built in on top of the optic, is this needed no but it is noce to have. just like any piece of equipment or gear you need to train with it.

 

[Tomac]

You might consider an Aimpoint or Eotech w/a swing-aside magnfier. This gives you the best of both worlds: Magnification for the distant shots and no magnification for close-in.
Tomac

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

I would like the scope to perform well at medium to long range while not sacrificing close quarter performance.

I would like that too; but I just haven't found it at the price point you are discussing. There are several solutions to this problem; but so far I have found variable scopes to be the one that works best for me.

I would like to cowitness the irons and optic but if that isn't possible then I would like a quick detachable mount.

Probably not possible with either the CQT (not a true 1x) or the TA11 (3.5x fixed). The CQT is close enough to 1x it might work; but I am skeptical. I haven't tried so the "might" is just a WAG on my part.

What can you guys suggest? What do you think of the two optics mentioned.

I have a lot of trigger time with the TA11 and a little bit with the CQT. I prefer the TA11. Objectively, the CQT will do better at close-in dynamic shooting at 1x. At medium to long ranges, the clarity, reticle, wide exit pupil and better eye relief all make the TA11 a superior performer in my opinion.

I look at it like this: At close range the CQT is worse than an Aimpoint. At medium-long it is worse than an ACOG.

However, there is a large amount of personal preference involved. A lot of guys who like the CQT agree with me on the basic facts but look at it from a different view:
At close range it is better than an ACOG and at medium-long range, it is better than an Aimpoint.

The scope I am really hot on now is the Trijicon Accupoint 1-4x with crosshair and illuminated dot in the center. At $779 with a Larue quick-detach mount it looks very promising; but not too many people (including me) actually seem to have trigger time with them - so tough to say until you play with one.

 

[switch777]

If you're considering (or rather, were at this point) the CQT, check out the Millett DMS-1. I have one and love it.

I wanted something different in place of my Aimpoint and Eotech, as their functionality (for me) wasn't too much over irons. I was seriously considering the CQT, but I wasn't sure I wanted to drop $800 on a lab test. I found the Millett for just under $200 and couldn't be happier.

I realize now that this is a 6 month old post...please don't crucify me Hopefully somebody will find this info useful

 

[Nikdfish]

where did you find a DMS-1 under $200??? I want!!

Nick

 

[switch777]

SWFA, just before Xmas. I also scored the Armalite base for $50 on Ebay, and traded a friend some misc parts for the ARMS5.

I made out like a bandit



Now I need to decide if I'm going to bother keeping my Aimpoint and Eotech (technically it's a Bushnell). I've tried them out on my SP-10 (sort of like a cross between a UMP and MP5 in 9mm), but I just can't get into it. I always revert back to the irons. I've been thinking about trying something like this:

http://www.swfa.com/pc-10532-929-atn-ultra-sight-digital.aspx