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Thread: Do I really need an optic?

  1. #61
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bread is People View Post
    Well, to sum it up, I can't afford to buy a quality optic for my carbine setup. I'd like something in the future, but realistically, it would probably be next summer before I actually commit to one. I was thinking maybe some kind of eotech, but I don't know.

    My question is: If I've got a good set of iron sights, do I really need an optic for me to perform any better?

    I'd like to hear from guys on both sides of the issue, so any input is appreciated.
    I was a hardcore iron sights person until I got the opportunity to shoot in a 3-gun low light match. The target was a black painted pepper popper at 50-yards which blended against the dark background.

    Three magazines later, I realized the advantage of optics. Fast forward many years later and the advantages of optics, specifically RDS, was verified when I attended carbine classes that included night firing.

    If you don't plan on using your firestick in lo light (ie: self-defense) then you may not need an optic. Otherwise, I highly recommend looking into it. JM2CW.
    We must not believe the Evil One when he tells us that there is nothing we can do in the face of violence, injustice and sin. - Pope Francis I

  2. #62
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    Quote Originally Posted by blackscot View Post
    I sincerely wish my eyes still had the capacity to effectively use the irons, but sadly such has not been the case for the past few years now. The front sight is a lollypop that gets fuzzier nearly every time I take the gun to the range.

    So yes, I use a red dot ~95% of the time. I lucked out a couple of years ago though, in finding a used Aimpoint Comp ML2 going for something like ~$180. The only problem with it is that in addition to lack of focus with the irons, I also have astigmatism that creates mulitple images with the red dot. They're all in foucs, but I'm not always sure which is the "real" dot. Sometimes it's two dots that look like a little hourglass or dumbell, or three like a little Micky Mouse head. Once or twice I've seen several looking like a bunch of grapes. They will even change as I watch, from my eye deforming under the stresss. Now as an official 50-Something, I guess it's not surprising having vision problems.

    I'll still get in some practice with those fuzzy irons, as a matter of principle if nothing else, or from just getting annoyed by the multi-dot.

    ETA -- for a light, I have a Surefire G2 on a Viking Tactics mount. Not the most rugged or hi-tech option, but serves my needs and very cost-effective.
    blackscot.........We have the same problem. I'm soon to be 51 yo and past 25-30 yds iron sights are just too fuzzy for me. Plus, I wear glasses. Specifically bi-focals and the lease bit of head / sight adustment to get on target make things worse.

    Tell me what you guys think given my situation.

    My weapon is a S & W MP15T. Just got it and it has Troy irons on it. They are great sights, I just can't see well.
    I live in the country, have some acreage, and have a place to shoot right outside my backdoor. Up to 500 yds if I want. Don't, but can if the notion stikes me or if I got a target (see below). I'll be shooting paper 75-80% of the time from 25 to 200 yds. Just my son and I practicing and having fun.

    Home defense is also a consideration. Close quarters / low light. Although I do have other options for this at hand.

    My mostly quiet little piece of ground has been invaded by yotes and feral hogs. The yotes kill my wild turkey poults and the hogs are going to destroy my river bottom pasture. I plan on raining hell down on both of them with this MP15 whenever I get the chance. Short or long range distance. Doesn't matter........they are gonna die or at least get shot at.

    Where I live there are few places where I can go, or have found, (shops) to actually put my hands on any of these optics (EOTech, Aimpoint, Trijicon, etc.) to see what may or may not suit me. The money for me is important, but secondary. I'm like anyone else, I don't want to spend $1,000 dollars on something only to find that I don't like it or it doesn't suit my purpose. I want, and am convinced that I need a quality optic because of my eyesight.

    I lurked on this site for a while now prior to buying my rifle and it is obvious that there are alot of expereinced AR folks here. I have learned alot.
    I would really like your opinions.

    By the way, I do need a dictionary for some of these BUIS, RDS, FBI, CIA abbreviations ya'll use.

    Scoby

  3. #63
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    If you have an astigmatism that makes a red dot unworkable, take a hard look at the 1.5x Trijicon Compact ACOG's. They work very well, are lightweight, and damn near bombproof.

    I have a TA44-R4 red tritium crosshair reticle and it works very well.

    You can typically find some for sale second hand and not have to spring for retail on them.

    Employee of colonialshooting.com

  4. #64
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    Quote Originally Posted by warpigM-4 View Post
    I have a jar with "Aimpoint" written on it.I drop money in it every pay day ,sometimes its just change but it adds up.think of it this way the first thing the Military does in BRM is train you on the Irons.then later comes the RDS.
    A company just graduated this weekend from OSUT at Benning, and never once used their iron sights through BRM or ARM.

    It was all aimpoint, all the time.

    Can't say I agree with it, but it appears times are changing, even in the Army.

  5. #65
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    Quote Originally Posted by Templar View Post
    If you have an astigmatism that makes a red dot unworkable, take a hard look at the 1.5x Trijicon Compact ACOG's. They work very well, are lightweight, and damn near bombproof.
    I agree. I ran the red triangle version for quite a while, first on a 16" and later on an SBR and was quite happy with it overall. There are some washout issues in bright sun (which only wind up affecting precision shooting) and some "where the hell did my dot go" situations in the dark, but otherwise it was a very good solution for me when I was shooting with an uncorrected astigmatism.

  6. #66
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    Quote Originally Posted by rob_s View Post
    I agree. I ran the red triangle version for quite a while, first on a 16" and later on an SBR and was quite happy with it overall. There are some washout issues in bright sun (which only wind up affecting precision shooting) and some "where the hell did my dot go" situations in the dark, but otherwise it was a very good solution for me when I was shooting with an uncorrected astigmatism.
    The Tripower also works that way, and is a true 1x.

  7. #67
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    Quote Originally Posted by CoolBreeze View Post
    The Tripower also works that way, and is a true 1x.
    I was never remotely impressed with the Tripower once I saw one in person. I think it was tri-crap since it seemed bad at everything it tried to do.

  8. #68
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    I found it practically impossible to shoot using iron sights with the sun just over the horizon at my 12 o'clock.

    No issues with the EOTech.

    YMMV.


  9. #69
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    yeah depending on where the sun is it can be near impossible to use iron sights. as far as NEEDING an optic, i mean it depends on how good of a shooter you are. personally, i think its worth it to learn how to use the iron sights well out to 100 yards or so, become proficient with that before spending a ton of money and the next greatest optic out there. theyll improve your shooting most likely, but you want to try to max your potential without it. if you're already to that point, by all means, go optics

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