No tritium illumination in Trijicon TA31 ACOG

[BBBBill]

I just got a used Trijicon TA31 (looks new) in a trade with some other stuff. It is not a clone/Airsoft replica based on my examination and all of the references I can find on the net. The fiber optic works well in daylight/low light. However, the reticle does not glow at all in a no light setting. I have zero experience with the ACOG (all of my time has been behind a traditional scope or an Aimpoint), so I don't know what to expect. What say the wise ones here. Do I have a problem or is the ACOG functioning correctly?

 

[Beren]

The TA31 should have dual illumination; fiber optics and tritium. How old is it? You can try calling Trijicon to see if they'll fix it under warranty. They might not if you're not the original owner.

 

[lipadj46]

Tritium has a finite half-life and will fade eventually but will usually take many years (too lazy to google the half life). That model should have tritium though, make sure your eyes are adjusted to the dark not sure how bright just the tritium will be.

 

[Jenrick]

Second on the wait a bit in the dark, and do it when the ambient area is dark as well. My TA01 doesn't appear illuminated unless I'm in an area of low ambient light. The titrium isn't that shockingly bright, but it works well for what it needs to do.

-Jenrick

 

[Netz]

Send it in.
It has a lifetime warranty regardless if you are not the original owner.
And they are fast, I got mine back in about 7 days.
Curt

 

[jimsmith80]

send it in

The reason that some of the ACOG's appear very dim is that they are ment to not blind an operator who is using NCG, regardless it should have some illumination. The tridium will only last about 12-15 years or so they say. I do not know when the TA31 came out but I don't think it was that long ago. Either way I second the send it in. The folks at Trijicon are easy to deal with from my experince. You should have a great combat optic when they fix it for you. I have had several ACOG's and a TA31TRD is on my go to rifle presently. It really is a great optic.

 

[anythingshiny]

i doubt your 31 has been around long enough to lose the tritium..as you'd prob notice the wear and tear elsewhere... but it is poss. Trij will take care of you/it.

mine is not as bright as the EO but within a second or 2 in a dark room the cheveron becomes more visible.

 

[marrandy]

I just bought a new TA31F from sportsmanguide.

I tried sitting in the loft at night for 5+ minutes.

i can barely see the red chevron.

I definetely cannot see the rest of the display. ie. the BDC scale

I see no glow.

???

 

[Maelstrom]

I had the same problem. I sent it in to them. They said it was fine and sent it back. So I currently have a $1000 daytime-only scope.

 

[marrandy]

Well that sucks.

Does anyone else think this is:-

1) Normal

2) OK - when its advetized in their own docs "The gunsight's reticle glows in low-light conditions"

My reticle certainly doesn't glow, just the Chevron.

 

[lipadj46]

My reticle certainly doesn't glow, just the Chevron.

Yes that is how it is supposed to function. I do think trijicon should temper people's expectation of the nightime illumination.

 

[Jenrick]

Depending on the reticle either just the chevron, donut, dot, or the whole deal will glow. That is model dependent of course.

-Jenrick