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Alaska,
I assume you're talking about adding a BD to the German Crosshair models? If not, how could you add BD with that "crowbar" beneath the triangle?
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I did some playing with m ElcansBDC they other day at just over 500 meters. Im really loving tis 4X stuff! Maybe this week Ill go to 800 meters. Target was a 4'x4' on a BMW hood....
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...1/CIMG0326.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...1/CIMG0328.jpg
I personally find that an adjustable scope provides the advantage of identification compared to a non magnified scope. I can shoot out to the maximum effective range of my rifle (5.56) with irons if I need too, I can't necessarily identify my target beyond a human silhouette at that same distance. With a 4x I can determine if it's a friendly, a hostile, or a civilian.
I'm currently looking at the Vortex Razorback and Viper 1x-4x. I haven't had a chance to check one out in person, but their red dots are extremely well built.
Viper PST 1-4x are not available yet, But Burris has a new FF Tac30 that is on sale right now at Midway USA in both Black and Dark Earth.
http://www.midwayusa.com/Promotion/d..._medium=optics
Placeholder for some pics and reviews of a leupold mark AR 1.5-4x and Primary Arms 1-4x.
I'm a huge fan of the Trijicon Accupoint 1-4x. Works much better for me than the ACOG, and is just as easy as a reflex as it is nice as a rifle scope. Durable, too. Shot a few 3Gs with it.
Before I even read your post, I was thinking this exact same thing and I'd really like to see more discussion on this.
I've done some reading recently about optic selection on a GP gun mainly just for the hell of it and its always fun to think about your next setup. My initial feeling was that a 1-4x is a very versatile optic and would be well suited for say a 14.5". But after reading thread after thread on 1-4x optics, the common theme was that they are too heavy, it stayed on 1x most of the time, and they can hit a man sized target at 300m with their Aimpoint if they needed to so....they ditched them. Of course, this forced me to question the value of the 1-4x and reconsider an Aimpoint.
Then the thought I quoted above, popped into my head and suddenly the 1-4x didn't seem that bad to me and actually sounded like it could provide an advantage. Again, I think its a little strange that nobody really takes that into account and wish it can be discussed more. I'll say that I've never been in combat or fired a weapon at another human but I tend to believe, like bp7178 said, that if the threat is lets say 50 yards or beyond, they won't be squared up in plain view, just waiting for you to send it. I would imagine they would have found some type of cover or concealment and would be using it to their advantage.
I live in South Louisiana where a slight breakdown in social order isn't out of the realm of possibility. Katrina showed us this and there is the potential for a similar situation every year. My neighborhood was out of power for a little over a week. There was tons of looting going on 24 miles south of me, a little in the surrounding areas and thankfully none in my immediate area. After completing an assessment of my environment, I could see where a little magnification could aid in getting hits on a target behind cover as well as better target discrimination.
Considering my location and how I foresee myself deploying my carbine, I'm beginning to think a 1-4x short dot with a cat tail thrown on there for quick transition to 1x to 4x, sitting on top a 14.5", which gives plenty of velocity for longer engagements and short enough length to maneuver well indoors, would be great for my application and environment.
There is no doubt that Aimpoints have helped put many smelly people in the ground and I'm not discrediting them, they certainly have a place. A huge place. I don't know. I guess I feel like if you can handle the weight well and don't mind the increased cost, a 1-4x can be a very valuable piece of kit. So I'm in the process of exploring these 1-4x options since I believe having the ability to increase magnification should I need it, would be beneficial to me for the majority of situations I could find myself in. To others, it may not be worth it.
Who knows, maybe after more discussion, I'll come away thinking an Aimpoint is ideal.
The Aimpoint is incredibly useful of course, but limited. To match the capability of a 1-4 variable, you would have to go with an Aimpiont/Magnifier combo; the combo will be every bit as heavy and large as a 1-4.