Help me decide TA31RCO-M4 or T-1/Magnifier

[Failure2Stop]

I have found for ME, that the eye relief of the TA31 is not a big deal, because I am a small framed person and I shoot with the stock fully collapsed or 1 click out. I can see how larger people would have the issue though. If I ran my gun the way Larry Vickers suggests (Stock fully extended) I may have the issue also.

I appreciate everyones suggestions so far. My plan is to get the TA31RCO-M4. Like others have said, if I absolutely can't stand it, I can always sell it and a take the loss as a life lesson. The main reason why I am going with the ACOG is because of durability. The moving parts in a 1-4x 1-6x make me nervous. I haven't heard many reports of broken ACOGs (not that they are not out there). I'm also sure that the variable power scopes that are produced by quality manufactures are durable, but one lesson i've learned in life is stuff with less moving parts are usually less likely to break.

Thanks again to everyone who offered insight. I am still open to opinions, right up until I hit "PAY"

1- The issue with eye-relief is uniform for everyone, as the issue is not with shooting the gun in normal conditions, but rather in conditions that tend to be common in gunfights and competition. More generous eye-relief makes it easier to get the eye into a usable position behind the optic.

2- Stature has little to do with the stock position. Good buddy of mine is about 5'6" and runs his stock all the way extended, and is a beast of a shooter. I'm not criticizing your technique, but rather pointing out that stature is not the deciding factor, but rather is a conscious choice by you on how you believe the rifle should be shot.

3- Durability of the ACOG line is good, but that durability over a decent 1-4/1-6 is irrelevant unless you are throwing the carbine out of helicopters onto concrete. There are significant numbers of low-powered variables fielded in nasty places by dudes that expect their gear to work.

Buy what you want, my buddies at Trijicon will appreciate it, but there is a reason that pretty much everyone that does this for a living goes with either a T1, EXPS, or good 1-4x/1-6x.

[firefighter37]

1- The issue with eye-relief is uniform for everyone, as the issue is not with shooting the gun in normal conditions, but rather in conditions that tend to be common in gunfights and competition. More generous eye-relief makes it easier to get the eye into a usable position behind the optic.

2- Stature has little to do with the stock position. Good buddy of mine is about 5'6" and runs his stock all the way extended, and is a beast of a shooter. I'm not criticizing your technique, but rather pointing out that stature is not the deciding factor, but rather is a conscious choice by you on how you believe the rifle should be shot.

3- Durability of the ACOG line is good, but that durability over a decent 1-4/1-6 is irrelevant unless you are throwing the carbine out of helicopters onto concrete. There are significant numbers of low-powered variables fielded in nasty places by dudes that expect their gear to work.

Buy what you want, my buddies at Trijicon will appreciate it, but there is a reason that pretty much everyone that does this for a living goes with either a T1, EXPS, or good 1-4x/1-6x.

1. I agree, a longer eye relief makes an optic more practical.

2. I know that I should be running the stock further out, and am trying to change my technique. I can shoot it both ways, but I am more comfortable using it fully collapsed or one click out.

3. I got it. Stop yelling at me! If you were in my shoes, which Optic would you buy? Similarly priced to the ACOG. Specifically?

[Failure2Stop]

3. I got it. Stop yelling at me! If you were in my shoes, which Optic would you buy? Similarly priced to the ACOG. Specifically?

Haha, hopefully I am not coming across that poorly!

1-4 and 1-6 optics that I have been happy with:

SWFA 1-4x. Probably the best value on the market. The 1-6 seems like it is decent, but I don't have any time with it.

Bushnell SMRS 1-6.5. I have and like the BTR-2 in the 2nd focal plane.

US Optics 1-4 DFP. Very usable, however, they were discontinued. I am hoping that they come back into production, especially if they can do a 1-6x. There are still some floating around out there.

Trijicon TR24. Not my favorite reticle, but the triangle aiming point is usable for most GP 5.56 tasks. The new VCOG seems decent, but it hasn't been released and I have no time with it on an actual gun. I'm not a fan of BDC reticles, but I can get over myself if the other aspects of the optic are good enough.

Vortex 1-6 Razor HD Gen 2. Not a huge fan of the reticle, but a pretty neat package overall.

If you are willing to step up in price, the Leupold 1-6 is a great optic, though I will like it significantly more if the reticle is re-worked a little, and the Swarovski 1-6 Z6i with BRT is an outstanding (if not quite as robust as the Leupy) option.

I might have forgotten a few, but those will give you a good idea of price-point for capability.

[firefighter37]

Haha, hopefully I am not coming across that poorly!

1-4 and 1-6 optics that I have been happy with:

SWFA 1-4x. Probably the best value on the market. The 1-6 seems like it is decent, but I don't have any time with it.

Bushnell SMRS 1-6.5. I have and like the BTR-2 in the 2nd focal plane.

US Optics 1-4 DFP. Very usable, however, they were discontinued. I am hoping that they come back into production, especially if they can do a 1-6x. There are still some floating around out there.

Trijicon TR24. Not my favorite reticle, but the triangle aiming point is usable for most GP 5.56 tasks. The new VCOG seems decent, but it hasn't been released and I have no time with it on an actual gun. I'm not a fan of BDC reticles, but I can get over myself if the other aspects of the optic are good enough.

Vortex 1-6 Razor HD Gen 2. Not a huge fan of the reticle, but a pretty neat package overall.

If you are willing to step up in price, the Leupold 1-6 is a great optic, though I will like it significantly more if the reticle is re-worked a little, and the Swarovski 1-6 Z6i with BRT is an outstanding (if not quite as robust as the Leupy) option.

I might have forgotten a few, but those will give you a good idea of price-point for capability.

I appreciate your suggestions. I will definitely field them. I realize that you have probably forgotten more about ARs and the related fields than I will ever know. Thank you for your time.

[Failure2Stop]

I appreciate your suggestions. I will definitely field them. I realize that you have probably forgotten more about ARs and the related fields than I will ever know. Thank you for your time.

Just to add, if you really have a hankering for a COG, the TA11 and TA33 will give you "more" than the TA31 will, unless you absolutely must have 4x magnification (3.5x and 3x, respectively).

[Boba Fett v2]

I have found for ME, that the eye relief of the TA31 is not a big deal, because I am a small framed person and I shoot with the stock fully collapsed or 1 click out. I can see how larger people would have the issue though. If I ran my gun the way Larry Vickers suggests (Stock fully extended) I may have the issue also.

I appreciate everyones suggestions so far. My plan is to get the TA31RCO-M4. Like others have said, if I absolutely can't stand it, I can always sell it and a take the loss as a life lesson. The main reason why I am going with the ACOG is because of durability. The moving parts in a 1-4x 1-6x make me nervous. I haven't heard many reports of broken ACOGs (not that they are not out there). I'm also sure that the variable power scopes that are produced by quality manufactures are durable, but one lesson i've learned in life is stuff with less moving parts are usually less likely to break.

Thanks again to everyone who offered insight. I am still open to opinions, right up until I hit "PAY"

I've got no beef with the ACOG. I've used them during my overseas combat tours and pop-up targets on the qual range don't stand a chance when properly zeroed. They are durable and you can most certainly kill live and simulated targets effectively with it. If the ACOG was a hot chick I most certainly wouldn't kick her out of bed in the morning. Just throwing other options out there for you to consider. In the real-world I've used Eotechs, Aimpoints, Trijicon and just plain old A2 irons. Out of everything I've used the low power variable optic, along with a quality set of BUIS, encompasses everything you'll need for almost every imagineable scenario.

[firefighter37]

Just to add, if you really have a hankering for a COG, the TA11 and TA33 will give you "more" than the TA31 will, unless you absolutely must have 4x magnification (3.5x and 3x, respectively).

Now I think you are trying to toy with my emotions. Out of the 33 and the 11 which one would you go with.

[Failure2Stop]

Now I think you are trying to toy with my emotions. Out of the 33 and the 11 which one would you go with.

Ha, fair enough.

The 11 is the easiest to use, due to field of view and eye relief.
The 33 is the best size package.

If 1.9 inches of length and 2.36 oz were not deal-breakers, I would opt for the 11.
If I was going to piggy-back an RMR or other mini-red dot, I would go with the 33.

[Txbadge]

Just out of curiousity, Failure2Stop, since you mentioned the RMR, how do you rate that type of system? Would the RMR be a little better option than the T1 at one o'clock? Or, would the 1x6 with illumination be the best of all worlds. Just trying to make some good decisions myself. Thanks

[firefighter37]

Ok just to summarize this thread, I've gathered that the TA31 is junk.