by EJ Owens AWS
by EJ Owens
AR Optics – What do I choose? When it comes to optics for the AR platform there are almost too many to choose. There are dots and chevrons, reticles and circles to name a few. So which one is best for you? Of course every one has their opinion on what they ‘think’ they need based on budget, the type of shooting they do, the purpose of the rifle, whether or not they are LE/Mil etc. About 2 years ago the general rule of thumb was, double the price of the rifle you are building/buying to budget for your optic. With the tragic incidents of Aurora, IL and Sandy Hook Elementary the price of AR’s has skyrocketed but thankfully the price of optics has not. Yes, you will spend some coin on a good optic but now a days you can still get a quality optic around the $500-$600 mark. Not to say that there aren’t some that are $1600-$2000 but they aren’t necessary to defend yourself or your home with. There are a tons of ‘affordable’ ‘budget’ and ‘knock-off’ products (clones). If you want to save money the options are available. These tools will most likely be used for recreation and training. But someday, you may need to rely on it to save your life, or the life of others. I wouldn’t compromise quality because of this possibility. I figure the lives of my family are worth at least $500. Everyone should have one high quality optic on his or her “go to” rifle. For everything else, clones are acceptable. But you should have at least one good one. Here’s a math problem for you to figure out:
Home Invasion x Optics Failing = You’re Screwed Contact on LE Patrol x Optic Failing = You’re Screwed Contact on Mil Op x Optic Failing = You’re Screwed
In conclusion: You’re Screwed x You’re Screwed =You’re Screwed!!!
TRIJICON ACOG (TA01NSN, TA31, TA11…3.5X AND 4X) The Trijicon ACOG is a popular choice made in part by its use by the US Military in Iraq. People starting seeing pictures of infantry soldiers and Special Forces using it and thought they had to have it without honestly looking at its intended use. An ACOG would not be my choice for using on a CQB mission. I started using the TA31 in the Army. During Close Quarters Battle (CQB) training, I quickly figured out that a 4x fixed optic was more of a liability than an asset. A 4x optic is very slow and doesn’t afford the shooter a good sight picture or the ability to identify threats at CQB distances (you end up concentrating on too small of a target area because the chevron is so small). Often times in a home defense situation (which is the essence of CQB), both you and the bad guy are moving, it’s dark, and you are using a white light trying to identify threats. Dogs are so amped up they are either trying to get out of the house or trying to attack officers, there are people in the house that are not involved with the criminal activity (relatives orassociates of the bad guy) so target identification is pretty difficult. Doing CQB drills with an optic on a square range is quite different from using that same optic while doing a real world home defense with real bad guys inside that would like to do you harm. So identifying your target is key and an ACOG simply has too small of chevron and the 4x magnification is overkill in a standard living room or hallway. If you already have an ACOG her are some tips for its use. EXTREMELY Close Target: put red on target and fire. Close Target: both eyes open and focus on the target, using the peripheral vision to line up the chevron.
Longer Range Target: close the weak eye and use the drop marks. Then there are the new models with the RMR and/or Doctor for the best of both worlds, but we’re really blasting the budget with those ($1600+). The RMR sits up something like 4”off the bore line, because it is mounted above the ACOG, which is absolutely terrible for CQB use for zeroing optic correctly.RMR I had two angled shims in there just to get myself on target at 25m. When you consider that the ACOG is basically for 50m+, and the RMR is for 0-50m, you have to understand that your zero should be a 25m zero instead of the more preferred 50m, and there is a massive deviation in the trajectory of the round inside those ranges with that optic height. Then you also add in the issue of craning your neck, and you start having neck fatigue issues. You also lose your cheek weld, which makes it hard to maintain a proper reflexive aiming and shooting motion.
AIMPOINT AND EO TECH (NON MAGNIFIED ELECTRONIC RED DOT OPTICS) I have been using the Aimpoint’s since around 1999 or 2000.
I have shot many courses of fire while in the Army doing CQB train ups with the Aimpoint CQC optics (military designation: M68CQC). I have attended multiple tactical carbine classes, shot in matches, and have taken several High Risk Contractor/SWAT style carbine courses. I have yet to see an Aimpoint go down. Currently I use the Aimpoint T-I’s and H-1’s due to their weight reduction and overall rugged ability.
On the other hand I have seen several EO Tech’s go down (they were all prior to the Rev F). The main reason for the failures was the battery terminals not making contact while under recoil and thus the sight goes off and then comes back on during the course of fire. I have also seen several EO Tech’s fall off guns. That is a pretty sick feeling. Also a great reason to have your iron sight dialed in tight.I don’t like dropping names, but Pat Rogers and several other trainers have witnessed the same problems with EO Techs (check the posts in the 2001 – 2004 timeframe on http://www.tacticalforums.com for further info). That being said, the Rev F has been out for a couple years, I have seen several in classes, matches, etc. and have never seen one fail. I highly recommend both, the Aimpoint or the EO Tech (Rev F), for home defense. Both are extremely durable. The deciding factor comes down to your personal preferences. Both EO Tech and Aimpoint have night vision models if you chose to own them. These are just *my* personal preferences: Battery Life: I find the controls on the Aimpoint easier to operate with glove on or when your fingers are extremely cold. The battery life is in the 10,000hrs to 50,000hrsrange. EO Tech has a battery life in the hundreds of hours depending on which model you get. Reticle: I don’t care for the reticle on the EO Tech (pixilated), the buttons, the auto shut off feature, the battery life, etc. The Aimpoint has a crisp and clear red dot, and with the Aimpoint, if the sight goes down you could use the tube as a large ghost ring at CQB distances.
If you go with an Aimpoint, I prefer the 4 MOA dot instead of the 2 MOA dot. The 4 MOA dot is easier to see under extremely bright conditions (sun reflecting off the snow). Some guys get wrapped around the axel about precision shots with a 4 MOA dot. This is a non-issue because at 300 yards the dot is only 12 in diameter, not big enough to cover a man’s chest. At distances over 300 yards you are going to be holding over the target, so you don’t have to worry about the dot covering up your target. I believe any of these optics will work, but they should be co-witnessed with your iron sights. This way all your shooting reference points can be used to ensure accuracy.Either way, I highly recommend the EO Tech or the Aimpoint Others: * Bushnell TRS-25 (Cabala’s for 70$ on sale. GREAT poor man’s Micro-T1) * NC Star Red/Green Dot Reflex Sight (cheap and won’t last when you need it to) * ELCAN SPECTER DR (Out of my price range) * Primary Arms M4 (failure rate is way too high) * Burris (makes good stuff to plink with but wouldn’t trust the lives of my family to) Stay Alert & Practice Often!
EJ Owens P.S. If you want to learn the tactics and mindset that help you and your family avoid or survive a home invasion, you may want to consider Tactical Home Defense training.
AR Optics – What do I choose? When it comes to optics for the AR platform there are almost too many to choose. There are dots and chevrons, reticles and circles to name a few. So which one is best for you? Of course every one has their opinion on what they ‘think’ they need based on budget, the type of shooting they do, the purpose of the rifle, whether or not they are LE/Mil etc. About 2 years ago the general rule of thumb was, double the price of the rifle you are building/buying to budget for your optic. With the tragic incidents of Aurora, IL and Sandy Hook Elementary the price of AR’s has skyrocketed but thankfully the price of optics has not. Yes, you will spend some coin on a good optic but now a days you can still get a quality optic around the $500-$600 mark. Not to say that there aren’t some that are $1600-$2000 but they aren’t necessary to defend yourself or your home with. There are a tons of ‘affordable’ ‘budget’ and ‘knock-off’ products (clones). If you want to save money the options are available. These tools will most likely be used for recreation and training. But someday, you may need to rely on it to save your life, or the life of others. I wouldn’t compromise quality because of this possibility. I figure the lives of my family are worth at least $500. Everyone should have one high quality optic on his or her “go to” rifle. For everything else, clones are acceptable. But you should have at least one good one. Here’s a math problem for you to figure out:
Home Invasion x Optics Failing = You’re Screwed Contact on LE Patrol x Optic Failing = You’re Screwed Contact on Mil Op x Optic Failing = You’re Screwed
In conclusion: You’re Screwed x You’re Screwed =You’re Screwed!!!
TRIJICON ACOG (TA01NSN, TA31, TA11…3.5X AND 4X) The Trijicon ACOG is a popular choice made in part by its use by the US Military in Iraq. People starting seeing pictures of infantry soldiers and Special Forces using it and thought they had to have it without honestly looking at its intended use. An ACOG would not be my choice for using on a CQB mission. I started using the TA31 in the Army. During Close Quarters Battle (CQB) training, I quickly figured out that a 4x fixed optic was more of a liability than an asset. A 4x optic is very slow and doesn’t afford the shooter a good sight picture or the ability to identify threats at CQB distances (you end up concentrating on too small of a target area because the chevron is so small). Often times in a home defense situation (which is the essence of CQB), both you and the bad guy are moving, it’s dark, and you are using a white light trying to identify threats. Dogs are so amped up they are either trying to get out of the house or trying to attack officers, there are people in the house that are not involved with the criminal activity (relatives orassociates of the bad guy) so target identification is pretty difficult. Doing CQB drills with an optic on a square range is quite different from using that same optic while doing a real world home defense with real bad guys inside that would like to do you harm. So identifying your target is key and an ACOG simply has too small of chevron and the 4x magnification is overkill in a standard living room or hallway. If you already have an ACOG her are some tips for its use. EXTREMELY Close Target: put red on target and fire. Close Target: both eyes open and focus on the target, using the peripheral vision to line up the chevron.
Longer Range Target: close the weak eye and use the drop marks. Then there are the new models with the RMR and/or Doctor for the best of both worlds, but we’re really blasting the budget with those ($1600+). The RMR sits up something like 4”off the bore line, because it is mounted above the ACOG, which is absolutely terrible for CQB use for zeroing optic correctly.RMR I had two angled shims in there just to get myself on target at 25m. When you consider that the ACOG is basically for 50m+, and the RMR is for 0-50m, you have to understand that your zero should be a 25m zero instead of the more preferred 50m, and there is a massive deviation in the trajectory of the round inside those ranges with that optic height. Then you also add in the issue of craning your neck, and you start having neck fatigue issues. You also lose your cheek weld, which makes it hard to maintain a proper reflexive aiming and shooting motion.
AIMPOINT AND EO TECH (NON MAGNIFIED ELECTRONIC RED DOT OPTICS) I have been using the Aimpoint’s since around 1999 or 2000.
I have shot many courses of fire while in the Army doing CQB train ups with the Aimpoint CQC optics (military designation: M68CQC). I have attended multiple tactical carbine classes, shot in matches, and have taken several High Risk Contractor/SWAT style carbine courses. I have yet to see an Aimpoint go down. Currently I use the Aimpoint T-I’s and H-1’s due to their weight reduction and overall rugged ability.
On the other hand I have seen several EO Tech’s go down (they were all prior to the Rev F). The main reason for the failures was the battery terminals not making contact while under recoil and thus the sight goes off and then comes back on during the course of fire. I have also seen several EO Tech’s fall off guns. That is a pretty sick feeling. Also a great reason to have your iron sight dialed in tight.I don’t like dropping names, but Pat Rogers and several other trainers have witnessed the same problems with EO Techs (check the posts in the 2001 – 2004 timeframe on http://www.tacticalforums.com for further info). That being said, the Rev F has been out for a couple years, I have seen several in classes, matches, etc. and have never seen one fail. I highly recommend both, the Aimpoint or the EO Tech (Rev F), for home defense. Both are extremely durable. The deciding factor comes down to your personal preferences. Both EO Tech and Aimpoint have night vision models if you chose to own them. These are just *my* personal preferences: Battery Life: I find the controls on the Aimpoint easier to operate with glove on or when your fingers are extremely cold. The battery life is in the 10,000hrs to 50,000hrsrange. EO Tech has a battery life in the hundreds of hours depending on which model you get. Reticle: I don’t care for the reticle on the EO Tech (pixilated), the buttons, the auto shut off feature, the battery life, etc. The Aimpoint has a crisp and clear red dot, and with the Aimpoint, if the sight goes down you could use the tube as a large ghost ring at CQB distances.
If you go with an Aimpoint, I prefer the 4 MOA dot instead of the 2 MOA dot. The 4 MOA dot is easier to see under extremely bright conditions (sun reflecting off the snow). Some guys get wrapped around the axel about precision shots with a 4 MOA dot. This is a non-issue because at 300 yards the dot is only 12 in diameter, not big enough to cover a man’s chest. At distances over 300 yards you are going to be holding over the target, so you don’t have to worry about the dot covering up your target. I believe any of these optics will work, but they should be co-witnessed with your iron sights. This way all your shooting reference points can be used to ensure accuracy.Either way, I highly recommend the EO Tech or the Aimpoint Others: * Bushnell TRS-25 (Cabala’s for 70$ on sale. GREAT poor man’s Micro-T1) * NC Star Red/Green Dot Reflex Sight (cheap and won’t last when you need it to) * ELCAN SPECTER DR (Out of my price range) * Primary Arms M4 (failure rate is way too high) * Burris (makes good stuff to plink with but wouldn’t trust the lives of my family to) Stay Alert & Practice Often!
EJ Owens P.S. If you want to learn the tactics and mindset that help you and your family avoid or survive a home invasion, you may want to consider Tactical Home Defense training.
