1/1/2017 Update
Why I swapped out the ACOG for the T1:
See this thread on shooting in the rain:
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...-case-for-KISS
The ACOG is a robust optic. I am a huge fan of them, but I can run a T1 much better. Good enough in any realistic scenario that the magnification of an ACOG (it's only benefit over a T1) does not outweigh its negatives. It's heavy, the eye relief isn't very good which coupled with suppressed use equals an eye that burns frequently, and the low light performance ranges from mediocre to absolutely poor if shooting from darkness into a lighted area. The T1 has none of these issues. While my cheekweld is pretty similar with the T1, the eyebox isn't so particular and you can work around it a bit better. I now run my ACOG
on a 10.5" LMT as a beater gun for the woods.
Using the T1 led to the 11.5" swap. With the weight savings of the T1 and the lack of 4x mag I felt there was no downside to go a bit shorter and lighter on the rifle as well. It was just added weight, and having a PEQ and light so much further far out on the weapon made it pretty cumbersome even with the suppressor off. With the suppressor on it was lethargic to get on target at best. The 11.5" and carbine length rail coupled with the T1 swap made a huge difference. It went from basically feeling like a 16" Carbine to an SBR. The rail is 2" shorter, the barrel is 1" shorter, and now the accessories are about 2.5" closer to the balance point of the rifle. I didn't bother weighing anything, but it is a much handier rifle now and faster to get on target.
...
Optic: For a while I thought this do-all rifle formula started with an Aimpoint T1. It's light, durable, reliable, and retains zero. While it absolutely excels in the role of a <300m carbine, much of my training was centered around the ACOG and frankly, I just enjoy shooting out to 600 yards too much. This is absolutely possible with a T1 but you're esentially holding up in the air just guessing where your rounds will go. Even with a magnifier you don't get any better at long range because you have no way to make accurate holds. Given my desire to shoot well further out, I sacrificed some close-up speed for more all-round capability and got a TA31RCOM4 ACOG in a GDI QD mount. While a T1 is certainly faster at <25 yards, the ACOG isn't terrible.
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