Back-up red dot sight positioning

[wild_wild_wes]

I just came across an article referring to SOCOM's new optic, the Leupold Mk 6 3-18. SOCOM specified the T1 as the close-in red dot sight, and furthermore the positioning of it too: high up at the 12 o'clock station:


http://blogs.militarytimes.com/gears...ontract-award/

What do you guys think about the BURD location? Where do you have yours?

[jaxman7]

Me personally, no I don't like it. Prefer an offset close to my eye.

Can someone in the mix explain to me why the .mil doesn't adopt offset RDSs? Yes an offset can minimize weak side FOV but the advantage of keeping the same head position for both optics is huge. I've had a little trigger time with a setup like pictured above and when the buzzer goes off (short range targets) I was on the ACOG and not the RMR every time. Yes training would fix this but it is much more of a natural motion IMO to kick up my right elbow thus rotating the entire rifle left and bringing the MRDS into view.

I guess the military adopted that setup to keep it universally operable for right & left handers.

ETA: Maybe I just answered my own question.

-Jax

[Failure2Stop]

Remember that is is being used for something very different than most are used to on an M4.

The position makes a lot of sense for certain applications.



Typos brought to you via Tapatalk and autocorrect.

[Zane1844]

Not knowing what F2S knows about this sighting system, I'd think that since the Mil had been running COGs forever that they would just run the 3x with both eyes open.

The Leupold VX-R for one can be used on 4x at cqb ranges WAY easier than the COG- FWIW, since Leuy in question is different.

[wild_wild_wes]

Remember that is is being used for something very different than most are used to on an M4.

The position makes a lot of sense for certain applications.

Can you elaborate on that?

[TAZ]

Just expressing an opinion so take it with a grain of salt.

The 3-18 is not for general use, but for their snipers or DMR's. This means that 90% of the time the shooter will be using that sighting system. The other 10% is for the oh shit or clearing a building meant for use as an observation/firing point. Offsets pretty much limit use to a single side so on a 2 way range that can become a liability if the shooter takes damage and has to shift to weak side. They also require 2 styles to stock. 1 for lefties and another for righties. Also there is the issue of interchangeability and no chance of a mixup in part numbers sidelining a weapon.

I do find it interesting that it's located behind the elevation turret. Kind of blocks the field of view to dial elevation doesn't it?? I'd think the BURD needs to be in front of the elevation turret, but again I've no hands on with the system.

[wild_wild_wes]

The 3-18 is not for general use, but for their snipers or DMR's.

I was wondering why SOCOM wanted a new optic, when they have the NF 3-15. Still doesn't make sense.

[BrigandTwoFour]

My only guess is that this is designed more for snap shooting than anything. Whereas the offset style assumes you maintain a cheek weld and change the sight picture by twisting the rifle, a setup like this probably assumes you are carrying the rifle at low ready or port arms and have to quickly bring the sight up to your eye quickly for a fast shot.

I'm thinking about Jeff Cooper's writings in The Art of the Rifle, where the expectation was to bring the scoped rifle from port arms to hitting a 4" target at 25 yards within 1.5 seconds. I can't say I've practiced this very much, but I assume it doesn't really require a steady cheek weld.

[wild_wild_wes]

The Germans put it at the 12 too

[TAZ]

I was wondering why SOCOM wanted a new optic, when they have the NF 3-15. Still doesn't make sense.

What the government does with other people's money often doesn't make sense. I'd venture the NF contract ran out so they had to get a new RFP in place. I doubt that they are dismounting all the NF glass and tossing them in the trash.

The Germans and Brits seem to like the 12 o'clock position. In willing to bet its due to simplicity i.e. everyone can use the same part. I don't thinks they are looking to be able to make precise shots with the dot so cheek weld and offset aren't going to be a concern.