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Thread: Optic suggestions for an AR pistol with CASV?

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  1. #1
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    Optic suggestions for an AR pistol with CASV?

    EDIT: TL-DR: Looking for optic-mount combo suggestions with a focal height in the 24-26mm or 28-30mm ranges.

    Application: Weapon is a pistolized Mk 18 Mod 0 EOD, with Vltor CASV-EL rail.Intended use is GHB/Briefcase/Discreet Carry PDW, something to give an in-between option between a sidearm and a full patrol carbine. (*I* will probably only ever use it as a GHB, but I'm trying to design and build to a standard fit for Undercover or Stakeout Duty--a number of friends are Active or Retired LEO, and my "build finished" standard is "would I be comfortable with them taking this out for duty?") Expected engagement range no more than 300m, mostly urban/Close Quarters. Primary requirements are discreet and rugged--as something that'll live in a Go-Bag fulltime with other heavy gear, the optic will need to take a fair amount of knocking around. Discreet, I'm not sure which would be lower risk of a "YO LOOK GUN HERE SHOOT THIS GUY FIRST" print between the corner of a pistol-size mini-reflex like a Docter or an RMR or the longer but more gently rounded tube of something like an Aimpoint ACO or PRO--CompM4 means obvious extra bulge from the battery compartment, ACOG ain't happening and is both outside my budget range and overkill with all its drop-compensation. Probably also too big and too high for CASV compatibility.

    I've found a few options starting from factory mounts that look like they'd work as possible options, but haven't really waded into aftermarket mounts yet building my spreadsheet, so I thought I'd ask you guys for recommendations on four scenarios trading up from "Starter" to "Value" to "Better" to "Best." "Starter" would eventually be consigned to range use only on another build, something like a Bushnell TRS25, "Value" being a little higher but still moderately priced, a not-first-choice-but-pretty-good-for-the-price. "Best" would be like Trijicon or Aimpoint CompM4 level. "Better" would be maybe not Mil/LE Issue, but something where if your Top Tier choices were off the table you'd consider it an "acceptable in-a-pinch substitute"--better capability/quality than Value but better price than jumping straight to Spare No Expense.
    [moving identified viable options list to second post]

    Try to go easy on the virgin, please... If you were attempting a build with these constraints, how would you do handle the optics? ("Bare Irons Only" is an option too, but the BUIS is one more thing to remember to pop-up and there's already the buffer tube to unfold in deployment.)
    Last edited by Diamondback; 08-11-17 at 19:26.
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    Some developments from further research... I know y'all are reading this, nowhere near even half of those 155 views are me, so just in case somebody else is looking for ideas, here's what I've come up with so far.

    Assuming 39mm (A) Absolute Cowitness and 42mm (L3) Lower Third... + is High, - is Low with distance off in millimeters, I'm only listing things I've found within 1mm of Target Height or for reflex sights where a simple flat shim is all you'd need to add.

    Aimpoint ACO, PRO or Comp__ in Larue LT152: L3 +0.5
    Aimpoint PRO factory mount, no spacer: L3 +0
    Aimpoint CompM4 factory mount, no spacer: L3 +0
    Steiner R1X factory mount, no spacer: L3 +0
    Aimpoint ACO, PRO or Comp__ in Primary Arms PAMEDRING: L3 -.03

    Trijicon MRO in Trijicon AC32067: A -1
    Aimpoint ACO, PRO or Comp__ in single Badger 306-21 scope ring: A-0.6
    Aimpoint Micro T-1 in Larue LT661: A +0
    Jpoint holosight on JP JPA-WPG mount plus two JPA-SHIM shims: A +0.42

    A Vortex Venom on factory mount would need a 3mm shim for Absolute, possibly longer screws to compensate. The magic number for a mount height is 26mm Absolute, 29mm Lower 1/3; though for some reason my Diamondhead BUIS appears to be 1mm lower.
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  3. #3
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    The second post was me coming back to report the various combinations of optic and mount I'd found that looked like they might work. Searched, came up dry, started contacting manufacturers and assembling their data into a spreadsheet, then figured I'd bring my outside findings back here in case anybody else had the same question.

    First post, I had been trying to start with the details of my particular application when I asked for help trying to approximate @militarymorons's Gear Recommendation Request template. If I'd just said "need a 30mm ring mount 25mm from rail to optic center," somebody would be jumping down my throat about "not providing enough info," and trying to show my work on what I'd done so far to head off "did you do this? did you do that?".

    BTW, @GH41, thought appreciated, but while that mount's [EDIT: ADM T1-CAS-V for Aimpoint Micro T-1] almost bang-on for Lower 1/3, it's way high for Absolute.
    Last edited by Diamondback; 08-11-17 at 21:26.
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  4. #4
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    Absolute co-witness makes for a lower mount, which reduces the chance of snag pulling it out of the Get Home Bag.
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  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Diamondback View Post
    Absolute co-witness makes for a lower mount, which reduces the chance of snag pulling it out of the Get Home Bag.
    The difference in height is very small between lower 1/3 and absolute. To mitigate "snag or drag" go with a T2/H2. An Aimpoint micro is the gold standard for RDS. The durability and battery life should outweigh concerns over snagging.

  6. #6
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    Thanks, interfan--another worry was "printing" on a softside bag; a smaller optic like a Micro (or if it ever goes standalone Nano) might help avoid large bulges like an ACO, PRO or Comp might have.
    <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
    Ye best start believin' in Orwellian Dystopias, mateys... yer LIVIN' in one!--after Capt. Hector Barbossa
    Psalms 109:8, 43:1
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  7. #7
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    Somehow everyone got started sideways in this thread. Let's reset and start over.

    If you have nothing to say to the original poster, let's leave him alone.


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  8. #8
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    Thanks, Sam. Maybe I got a little punchy, too.

    Peace, everybody, it's just the Internet.
    <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
    Ye best start believin' in Orwellian Dystopias, mateys... yer LIVIN' in one!--after Capt. Hector Barbossa
    Psalms 109:8, 43:1
    LIFE MEMBER - NRA & SAF; FPC MEMBER Not employed or sponsored by any manufacturer, distributor or retailer.

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