Optics for 3 gun?

[Failure2Stop]

I certainly understand that military guys use multiple aiming devices when environmental circumstances require (night time), but it seems like most military use of backup aiming devices (BUIS) is to provide redundancy when the primary optic fails.

Absolutely, a BUIS is for use when the primary day sight goes tits-up, however the point I was making was that other devices with altering methods of use are viable, with training.

I do understand why a sniper with 10x fixed optic (especially on a bolt gun) might want a side-mounted RDS especially for urban movement, but is the average grunt really benefitting/employing switching back and forth between optics in a single gun-fight?

It really depends on training. There has been a distinct effort to provide a good solution for close-range fights since the widespread adoption of the TA-31 series ACOGs. They work just fine in the open, during even lighting. It's use in environments/situations that you will not find in competative events that the optic falters and fails. This is where the piggy-backed RDS, offset RDS, and visible laser came into favor. They are not the 100% solution, but they undeniably work better. While it will be easier to simply train one optic or aiming device, training optimised use depending on situation will make the shooter more effective. I still emphasize- it requires effort and training to be able to use them efficiently. Simply bolting them to the gun and fingering it for a few hours is not going to work.

Clearly it seems that time and practice facilitate this, I guess my concern is how much time is really gained? What's the "opportunity cost" if you will? Is it really that much faster to switch positions/cheekweld to employ the technique? Similarly the time spent on mastering it...could the same speed by achieved by practicing with your primary optic?

Maybe the best way to ask that is whether switching optics, even when performed perfectly, gains that much speed/accuracy?

You have to remember the sitiation- it isn't so much about speed as it is actually having an aiming device that works in the situation. The problem with the ACOGs is not really the magnification (though that does make you slightly slower than yourself running a good 1X), but the method of illuminating the reticle. In certain lighting conditions with certain colored targets (which are not going to happen on a 3-gun range) you won't have an aiming point, and that, in conjunction with the magnification, means that you won't be sure exactly where your bullets are going to land. To some, that is ok, to others, that means that you will have an active threat for 15 seconds longer than you need to. So speed becomes irrelevant in the traditional sense, and instead applicability becomes the key feature.

Understood, so the offset RDS was more an attempt to overcome other equipment compromises?

Yup.

That's what I'm thinking. I love the ACOG more as I use it more.

I like the ACOG for what it does well, but I am honest about what it does not do well and train accordingly. I can run an ACOG really fast up close and with good precision out at longer distances once I get the specifics of my trajectory in relation to the BDC down.

In regards to the ACOGs (specifically a TA11H) use for three gun, is ocluding the front of the lens and shooting two eyes open an option for closer range shooting?

You could, but you will be much more accurate with only a miniscule time difference if you just learn how to run it normally, and it won't do anything about the lighting and reticle visiblity issues.

In the .mil we do teach the occluded eye, but more to get the shooter into the two-eyes open method, not because it is a technique we encourage in combat.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

I'm picturing a dual mount with an acog and a t-1 mounted on narrow (c. 45degree) V that has a pivot point at the bottom. A paddle on each side, that can be gripped with one hand, overhand style, would pivot one sight or the other at the 12 o'clock.

Maybe not an improvement on the t-1 mounted on the side. Probably going to get a TA11H soon, hope they come out with a G version.