EOTech 516 on my S&W

[jeepnuts311]

Hey all,

I am usually on XDtalk, but that site seems to have been having malware problems lately, so I am steering away from there.

I had to have another forum to occupy my time and keep the AR bug from itching too much.

Thanks for being here for me, M4carbine :)

I just picked up an EOTech 516 a65.1 for my AR and I must say, I am very impressed. This is my first AR and the first optic I have had on it.

Here is what I am working with:
S&W M&P15T- Troy rails and BUIS
Magpul grip, vfg, trigger guard, and sling mount (asap), Homemade sling
EOTech 516
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m163/jeepnuts311/CIMG2517.jpg

Just wanted to share my first few groups. this is the first time shooting with the EOTech on the rifle. The weather was crummy, so I was limited to the indoor range near my house, a 25yd range.

The red dot was high, as expected, at 25yd because it is probably closer to 100yd zero from the factory. I didn't notice the first shot landing on the paper, so the first group is actually a group of 4, the rest are 3's

First group (1) shot low and slightly to the right, I adjusted my windage knob a few clicks and the elevation was almost perfectly on the bottom of the reticle, making it easy to compensate the holdover for the next group (2) two is just a hair outside of a dime-size grouping
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m163/jeepnuts311/CIMG2527.jpg
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m163/jeepnuts311/CIMG2531.jpg

three left me with a group that I was very happy with
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m163/jeepnuts311/CIMG2528.jpg

Four really made me happy, the rounds leaving only two holes, one slightly oblonged :D
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m163/jeepnuts311/CIMG2529.jpg

group 5 was another 3 shot, 2 hole deal. I hung the target upside down for the last two groups because I did not want to shoot up at an angle towards the ceiling in the range. I was sitting at a bench and the target hangers are more the height for standing.
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m163/jeepnuts311/CIMG2526.jpg

group 6 was the best group, it could actually be covered by the dime.
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m163/jeepnuts311/CIMG2525.jpg

Sorry my first post was so long, but I just wanted to share how an EOTech or other quality red dot could greatly improve your shooting. I am a mediocre shooter, and this optic really helps me to dial in my groups to half the size they were before.

This was only at 25 yards, but it was my first time with the EOTech, I feel very confident that I could pull my 50 and even 100 yard groups within 1.5 MOA :D (the best dime-sized group at 25yd is just over 2 MOA)

-Tim

[E53001]

3 shot group....wow... add 2 more shoots than boast how it shoots.....

[m1a_scoutguy]

Hmmmm,,on a more positive note,,:D,good shooting !!!! I have Eotechs and love them,,great sites for sure !! I see no problem with 3 shot gorups when your getting use to your new Site. Its a Battle Rifle not a Bench Rest rifle,,although if you do your part most ARs will print very good groups. Keep at it and when you get outside get some shots at 50 yrds (most peole Zero there rifles @ 50 yrds) and even 100 just so you can learn your POI at all ranges. I agree 5 shots are the Standard test for accuracy,,but that can come in time !! Once your comfortable with your new site I would shoot some 10/20 shot groups just so you can see how your rifles reacts when it starts to heat up !:) Again,,good shooting and keep us posted on future range trips & how you make out.:)

[JSantoro]

3 shot group....wow... add 2 more shoots than boast how it shoots.....

Read it again. The post was about how the RDS allows him to hold a better sight picture and thereby print better groups. Nothing about "how it shoots," but about it helps him shoot better.

Many of us know of folks, for example, that use reading glasses and may have trouble focusing on a front sight tip. My Dad was on the verge of giving up shooting until I convinced his stubborn ass to try a RDS. Never occurred to me to bag on him for how many rounds it took to produce groups of 3/8" where before there were 2". Forest vs. trees.

[jeepnuts311]

Hmmmm,,on a more positive note,,:D,good shooting !!!! I have Eotechs and love them,,great sites for sure !! I see no problem with 3 shot gorups when your getting use to your new Site. Its a Battle Rifle not a Bench Rest rifle,,although if you do your part most ARs will print very good groups. Keep at it and when you get outside get some shots at 50 yrds (most peole Zero there rifles @ 50 yrds) and even 100 just so you can learn your POI at all ranges. I agree 5 shots are the Standard test for accuracy,,but that can come in time !! Once your comfortable with your new site I would shoot some 10/20 shot groups just so you can see how your rifles reacts when it starts to heat up !:) Again,,good shooting and keep us posted on future range trips & how you make out.:)

Thanks for the feedback, I did not zero the scope at 25yds, just got an idea of how it shoots. I adjusted the windage to get it centered, but left the elevation the same. I will shoot her again at 50 yards when I can get to the outdoor range.



Read it again. The post was about how the RDS allows him to hold a better sight picture and thereby print better groups. Nothing about "how it shoots," but about it helps him shoot better.

Many of us know of folks, for example, that use reading glasses and may have trouble focusing on a front sight tip. My Dad was on the verge of giving up shooting until I convinced his stubborn ass to try a RDS. Never occurred to me to bag on him for how many rounds it took to produce groups of 3/8" where before there were 2". Forest vs. trees.

I am legally blind without my corrective lenses and have a very bad astigmatism and I had troubles at distances over 50 yards. The RDS helped alot.

-Tim

[MrMilspecer]

Enjoy your new Eotech. I enjoy shooting targets as well. Have to dial in those sights.Have fun.

[maxniman]

thanks for the writeup. I am waiting on my first AR and have been looking at adding a EOtech XPS

[ztf HITMAN]

Yes, I think RDS's do help you shoot better. Tighter groups when at the range, but where they really shine is quick target acquisition. I am currently running an XPS 3.1 (single MOA dot) and I love it. Keep shooting, keep learning.....

[CAG - 516]

Very nice rifle and great choice going with the EOTech.

I have a few different Optics and the one im currently using is my 551, even though its a few years old it functions like the day i got it.

But once uve got that sight zeroed ull be printing some great groups with a M&P.

Def keep us posted on how ur next range session goes.

[jeepnuts311]

Very nice rifle and great choice going with the EOTech.

I have a few different Optics and the one im currently using is my 551, even though its a few years old it functions like the day i got it.

But once uve got that sight zeroed ull be printing some great groups with a M&P.

Def keep us posted on how ur next range session goes.

Guys, thanks for the warm welcome to M4C, I have been lurking here for a few weeks and the last week waiting for my account to be active and have read some great threads.

I went with the EOTech because of the Reticle and eye relief, not to mention a 10% off coupon code for opticsplanet and the $50 rebate. Got it for $325. CAG-516, good to hear you have gotten some life from yours, I expect years of trouble free service based on the build quality. Ill post pics of the next session, and ill make sure i shoot 5 shot groups, E53001 :rolleyes:

IMO it blows the aimpoint out of the water. The reasons I did not like the aimpoint were the 2 moa dot, I did not like looking thru the tube for a 1x sight, the damn price.

I've downloaded and printed a nice target used to zero the sights at 25yds, and will hit the indoor range again today (raining again) to get the red dot close, and then fine tune it when I can shoot outdoor.

I expect to have much more fun shooting, and put way less stress on my eyeballs, trying to focus on the front sight post through the little aperture. The best accessory I have ever bought besides a decent holster for my XD.

Hopefully my findings at least help one person who was on the fence about the eotech.

-Tim

[JSTICFRALL]

I agree with you about the Aimpoint. I couldn't fathom spending so much money on a tube optic with just a dot in the middle and no magnification. That's why I went Eotech as well. The reticle is fantastic for fast acquisition and for range finding and you don't get tunnel vision when you're looking through it. Although I've only had my XPS2 for a day, I've had the pleasure of shooting with my buddy's 553 on more than one occasion and it changed the way I shoot.

[Chameleox]

I couldn't fathom spending so much money on a tube optic with just a dot in the middle and no magnification.
That's not all you're paying for. Just sayin.

[JSTICFRALL]

I guess that came out a little more harsh than I intended. Aimpoint makes a GREAT optic, and if you've got the money to spend on one then consider yourself lucky. However from a personal standpoint and what I feel I need, Eotech does the trick. Now if Aimpoint had a reticle similar to that of the Eotech with a more competitive price, then the decision would have been a lot more difficult to make. You can't beat the fact that you can leave an Aimpoint on for 5 years.

[ztf HITMAN]

Eotech is listening to User Feedback and making improvements where needed. i.e. tougher battery compartment, and improved battery life. Granted, battery life is not close to the Aimpoint, there are other factors to consider. OP, Keep training.

[RogerinTPA]

I like the EOTech (553 for me) and have had no issues (knock wood) for the past 3 years or so running it hard. Just wish the battery life could be at least doubled.

Good shooting. Next, extend the range to 50, 100, then 200 yards/meters. If you can keep those groups tight at 200, your skills will be GTG. Shoot the piss out of it and stick to the basics. Next, read all you can on how to keep your weapon running and use lots of lube and good mags. Next, get the MagPull Art of the Tactical Carbine DVDS, get lots of ammo, then take a carbine course.

[jeepnuts311]

Finally got a chance to get out to check my zero at 75 yards. EOTech 516 on my M&P.

Started out at the indoor 25 yard range to get a ball park figure. using a printable target that I got off of this forum. The advantage to the indoor range for setting a ballpark zero is the electric target fetcher, so you dont have to call a cold range every few shots.

First few shots a bit low, way off the
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m163/jeepnuts311/guns/CIMG2532.jpg

Once i was happy with my 100 yard guesstimated zero it looked like this. I was wanting to split the difference between 100 and 50 yards, so I gave her a few more clicks of elevation and headed to the outdoor range. (indoor is pay by the 1/2 hr)
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m163/jeepnuts311/guns/CIMG2533.jpg

Here is how she shot today at the outdoor range. the 75 yard guesstimated zero is as close to zero as makes no difference, since the rifle is more accurate than I am anyhow.

I was shooting from a bench rest, i do not have any shooting bags and i found it difficult to steady the rifle well, since the 30 round mag was the pivot point. I ended up using an empty mag and my balled fist under the VFG as a makeshift shooting rest. it worked out ok
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m163/jeepnuts311/guns/CIMG2534.jpg
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m163/jeepnuts311/guns/CIMG2535.jpg
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m163/jeepnuts311/guns/CIMG2537.jpg
sorry about the pasties on the next target, i didnt realize how delicate they were and scratched it all to hell, but I wanted to use it anyway
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m163/jeepnuts311/guns/CIMG2538.jpg
Here is a 30 round mag let loose, as quick as i could fire while keeping the red dot on target, about one round a second. I only count 29 holes, so i either had a flyer or it went thru another hole. either way, the zombies dont stand a chance.
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m163/jeepnuts311/guns/CIMG2539.jpg

I love this EOTech, it makes me a much better shot. I shot with only Iron sights on my AR for about a year, and I never shot this well at this range. It was easy as pie to sight in the EOTech and it works well in low light (indoor range) and daylight as well.

I'm no sharpshooter at 75 yards, but for an unmagnified optic, it is good enough for me. It will be a while before I can outshoot the EOTech.

Highly recommended by me.