Optic choices for carry handle AR's

[Neeglik]

The good news:
My department is stepping up it's issue of AR's to patrol officers.

The bad news:
We are getting Olympic Arms M4-types with the A2 carry handle and railed handguards (FIRSH?).

Me and my coworkers have little to no interest in gooseneck optic mounts; so first off, are Olympic handguards solid enough to mount optics? Outside of an EOTech or Aimpoint mounted to the handguards, we are considering the Compact Acog and the Optima 2000/JPoint/Dr.Optic. A lot of guys are digging the low profile (and low price) of the Optima 2000/JPoint/Dr.Optic. I'm a little dumb on them though and looking for more info on durability and mounting options. Any suggestions?

Thanks...

[petagunner]

Will an optic on the CH fit in your vehicles rack?

[Neeglik]

No racks in the vehicles.

[petagunner]

Seems pretty wide open then. IMHO I'd look at a compact ACOG, no need to worry about batteries then.

[nyeti]

The only game in town on a carry handle gun is the ACOGs. The newer compact ACOGs should work really well and have proven to be able to stand up to the typical abuse seen by daily carried working guns.

[TOrrock]

Yup, compact ACOG.

This is my Colt 20" A2 with a 3.5x full size. I really like the optic.

[Patrick Aherne]

My department has issued about 18 Compact ACOGs, most being TA-44s since 2000. Just now, after six years of being beat up on patrol, have we had the illumination fail on one. I highly recommend the Compact ACOG. I would also recommend the red triangle reticle.

[dubb-1]

Although I would prefer to never mount an optic atop a carry handle, I am always glad to be the owner of a compact ACOG. Specifically, the TA44R-4 (1.5x w/ red crosshair). I have never had a moment of doubt about this optic in the years I have used it.