RDS vs 1-4x scopes

**Failure2Stop** · 06-03-13, 20:54

Originally Posted by midSCarolina

Like everyone has kinda mentioned already, an RD is going to be much more effective for HD and CQ situations but the 1-4x will be much more effective at range.

I was saying that the RDS offers the most cost effectiveness if the range is kept under 100 meters. It didn't make much sense to shell out $1-3k for what can be done for $600.

Typos brought to you via Tapatalk and autocorrect.

**TheJRK** · 06-03-13, 21:25

For me a RDS is fine for everything besides hunting. For home defense I'm not going to shoot a mofo past 100 yds since I'd have a hard time explaining to a jury how I felt threatened enough to use deadly force when the bad guy was a football field length away.

**Alaskapopo** · 06-03-13, 21:31

Originally Posted by TheJRK

For me a RDS is fine for everything besides hunting. For home defense I'm not going to shoot a mofo past 100 yds since I'd have a hard time explaining to a jury how I felt threatened enough to use deadly force when the bad guy was a football field length away.

Really so if he is 99 yards away and shooting at you its ok to defend yourself but at 100 yards and an inch its not ok. Sorry but that thinking is wrong. There is no magic distance. You can defend yourself against a credible threat no matter what the range. If some idiot was shooting at my house from 400 yards away and endangering my life I would return fire.
Pat

**TheJRK** · 06-03-13, 21:46

Originally Posted by Alaskapopo

Really so if he is 99 yards away and shooting at you its ok to defend yourself but at 100 yards and an inch its not ok. Sorry but that thinking is wrong. There is no magic distance. You can defend yourself against a credible threat no matter what the range. If some idiot was shooting at my house from 400 yards away and endangering my life I would return fire.
Pat

I was trying to say that I don't need to take a shot at someone at long distances if it's for HD. That's why I said "for me". I don't live in the Alaskan wilderness. Nobody is getting into a firefight with me at 400 yds. Have fun with that.

**Alaskapopo** · 06-03-13, 21:49

Originally Posted by TheJRK

I was trying to say that I don't need to take a shot at someone at long distances if it's for HD. That's why I said "for me". I don't live in the Alaskan wilderness. Nobody is getting into a firefight with me at 400 yds. Have fun with that.

I am just saying never say never. Absolute statements tend to be wrong at least some of the time.
Pat

**jasonhgross** · 06-04-13, 11:05

Originally Posted by TheJRK

I was trying to say that I don't need to take a shot at someone at long distances if it's for HD. That's why I said "for me". I don't live in the Alaskan wilderness. Nobody is getting into a firefight with me at 400 yds. Have fun with that.

Agreed. I live in the same area as TheJRK and I dont believe it is likely for an agressor to get a shot off at over 100 yards with all the intersecting hard objects in the area. There is are very few 100-200 yard shot in the NOVA area that I can think of where it isnt easier to get behind cover considering the alternative of returning fire and figuring out how to explain to a jury why you were justified in taking the shot when cover/concealment/escape was redily available at that distance. As a result, I have chosen my optics considering the most likely shot being a long hallway at the maximum (apartment hallway 40 feet?). I know I can make shots with my T1 up to 200 yards if called to.

**ridgerunner70** · 06-05-13, 14:20

Originally Posted by Failure2Stop

My lightweight, non-ff, inside the house gun has a T-1 with an A2 front sight and a fixed DD rear.

My GP/teaching gun has had a 1-4x or 1-6x since about 2008.
I am pretty picky about reticles, but I think that the low-powered variable has the best performance compromise unless I am going to be dedicated to within 100 meters, in which case the RDS becomes the optimal sighting device.

In reality, and RDS is going to be fine (if not superior) for 90% of users. The low-powered variable comes into it's own once distance, threat ID, and/or midrange precision become a significant factor without wanting to give-up on close range speed.

Frankly, the whole "speed" thing is vastly over-played. The guys that have the skill to run a sub-3 1-5 drill or shoot a 1/2 and 1/2 clean can do it with any applicable optic.
*To be fair, I have to work hard to get under 2.5 at the 5 yd line with a 4x ACOG on the 1/2 and 1/2.
Being "fast" at close range is usually a moot point.
The times to be "fast" with sights are presentations and transitions, and really one could focus on presentations alone, as transitions before confirmation of threat reduction is not usually recommended except in the competition and skill-set training aspect.
An obvious reticle that draws the user's attention without overly obscuring the target or significantly narrowing the field of view at the range employed without being overly restrictive of eye location is all that is needed for success. The rest is on the shooter.

That's basically the same set up I have for my HD. DDM4V1 with the T-1. I guess I need to build a GP gun because I would need to change the fixed front sight so it would not be blocking view of the 1-4x scope and I don't want to loose the set up I have for HD being able to use iron's as well as the AP.

**Failure2Stop** · 06-05-13, 16:50

Originally Posted by ridgerunner70

That's basically the same set up I have for my HD. DDM4V1 with the T-1. I guess I need to build a GP gun because I would need to change the fixed front sight so it would not be blocking view of the 1-4x scope and I don't want to loose the set up I have for HD being able to use iron's as well as the AP.

My GP gun is a fixed FSB 6920 and I have no issues at all with a low-powered variable.

**broylz** · 06-05-13, 17:59

I have run a rds in military situations and have never liked them very much. im sure its probably more about the larger dot and the worn out rifles but I just never liked them much.

I personally run 1-4x scopes on all of my ARs I have personally owned. I have run them with and without a fixed front sight and you can only see the front sight through the scope on 1x if you really look for it and its a light grey out of focus blob in the very bottom of the scope. it disappears at 4x.

I also agree with the statement from above, maybe page 1, as it depends on what youre used to and train with. I have trained pretty well with mine and its muscle memory to get my head in the right position as well as having the rifle set up for it, length of stock and eye relief mechanically set.

I appreciate the increased accuracy, or ease of shooting more accurately. I also found that I am not noticeably slower with this setup, maybe if put to a timer, but I have also spent more time training with this platform.