ACOG as a SHTF optic?

[Alaskapopo]

How does the TR24 stack up against the ACOG in terms of durability? What is the preferred reticle and why? Do you feel it is comparable to a Schmidt & Bender Short Dot?

That said, even though the ACOG does seem to be built like a tank, it is still an optic with a reticle. More than a few TA01NSN's have been beaten to death from use on M240's. They were not made for that.

As to SHTF, I generally prefer things that do not take batteries. If they do take batteries, I prefer they take the widely available AA. If they must take a special battery, make sure it is a special battery in common use like the 123N or CR2032. The 1/3N battery really seems to have very limited use outside of certain Aimpoint models. Look around your local Home Depot and Walmart to see what batteries they commonly carry in quantity.

Other thoughts:

I really think the DoD missed the boat by going with TA31 over the TA33.

I like the idea of the RMR mounted over the ACOG. I have used JPoints and DR Optics on the TA01NSN and TA31F. What I like about this is that it is not sensitive to eye relief and can be shot from any sort of awkward shooting position. For CQB, you really don't have to 'get into the sights' - it sits up nice and high pops up easily into your FOV. I really appreciate this when wearing body armor and having to shoot from a bad position.

The off set red dots are a better choice than the top mounted red dots as they don't require you to break your cheekweld but rather you just cant the rifle slightly.

On the battery issue when you have an optic that can run on a single battery for years there really is not issue. ACOGS have their own issues for SHTF. For one they suck in certain lighting conditions. I remember sighting in a TA33 I had in when the light was failing and the reticle became all but invisible until I shined a flashlight on the fiber optic. The tritium is only usefull when it gets totally dark.

The Accupoint is a good optic. I have not had any issues with the ones I own. That said their weakness is a lack of a BDS reticle. Hopefully Trijicon will pull their head out of their rear and put some more money into the Accupoint and away from the obsolete ACOG line.

As to the flipping the scope cover down and using an ACOG as a occluded red dot. Your point of impact will not be the same and it slows your transition when you need to shoot at something more precise like a hostage rescue shot.
Pat

[DeltaKilo]

I had one; it's a big, heavy, robust optic.

I think a better fit would probably have been a TR-24 as an all around optic, or an Aimpoint with a magnifier.

I generally agree. The eye relief on the ACOG is wayyy too small for fast pickup, and all around it just doesn't work well for me. The TR-24 series works equally well as a red-dot-style optic in 1x as it does as a magnified optic in 4x mode.

[pbr streetgang]

Instead of running an ACOG and an offset RDS, why not just run a dual role optic or RDS with a flip up magnifier? By the time your done, the weight ends up being the same, give or take an ounce. After trying just about everything out there I finally decided to run Elcans on all my rifles. Good FOV, good eye relief, great battery life (and will still work without battery), quick transition from 1X to 4X, great glass, and has a built iron sights. I have one that has been on the no.3 RD setting for 10 months now with no battery failure. There was some criticism a few years back on the reliability of the ARMS mounts holding zero, but that issue has long since been resolved. I own three 1-4X 5.56, one 1-4X 7.62, and one 1.5-6X 7.62 optics and have had zero issues. Just my 2 cents of course...

[Pappabear]

I like the 3.5x35 TA11 ACOGS THE BEST. The sight picture is the easiest to pick up, and red chevron is easiest to pick up for me. Much easier to use BOTH EYES OPEN as a RDS THAN THE 3x30 or 4x32 It is bigger and heavier but I don't give a shit.

I have the 4x32 ACOG with doctor on top. I like it also but your buying 2 optics. I prefer 12:00 , not offset, for best field of view and easiest sight acquisition. I do not think the 3.5X TA11 needs additional red dot.

Color of reticle is personal preference, see what your eyes like. Mine like red.

Cross hair's give better precision shooting IMHO, CHEVRON's for quick sight acquisition. Donuts are popular, not with me.

To the OP, I like your choice. Even though i like an Aimpoint out to 100 and can be stretched to 300 for minute of bad guy type shooting.

point

[Alaskapopo]

I have the 4x32 ACOG with doctor on top. I like it also but your buying 2 optics. I prefer 12:00 , not offset, for best field of view and easiest sight acquisition

The 12 o clock position is definatel not the easiest to use vs the off set because you have to break cheak weld. Three gunners discovered this years ago and the military and police world is not catching up. The off set mount is far faster to use and a better choice.
Pat

[DeltaKilo]

The 12 o clock position is definatel not the easiest to use vs the off set because you have to break cheak weld. Three gunners discovered this years ago and the military and police world is not catching up. The off set mount is far faster to use and a better choice.
Pat

This may be a dumb question, but why an ACOG over a simple 1-4x optic like the TR24 or the Vortex or the Nightforce options? Cost is less than an ACOG + micro red-dot sight, and it serves the same purpose in one optic, rather than having to have any kind of transition whatsoever?

[Alaskapopo]

This may be a dumb question, but why an ACOG over a simple 1-4x optic like the TR24 or the Vortex or the Nightforce options? Cost is less than an ACOG + micro red-dot sight, and it serves the same purpose in one optic, rather than having to have any kind of transition whatsoever?

I do prefer a 1-4 or 1-6 low power variable. But when you do go with a dual optic set up I have found the off set mount to be the best.
Pat

[rob_s]

This may be a dumb question, but why an ACOG over a simple 1-4x optic like the TR24 or the Vortex or the Nightforce options? Cost is less than an ACOG + micro red-dot sight, and it serves the same purpose in one optic, rather than having to have any kind of transition whatsoever?

Rotating the gun is faster than rotating the adjustment, even with a cat-tail.

[Singlestack Wonder]

Instead of running an ACOG and an offset RDS, why not just run a dual role optic or RDS with a flip up magnifier? By the time your done, the weight ends up being the same, give or take an ounce. After trying just about everything out there I finally decided to run Elcans on all my rifles. Good FOV, good eye relief, great battery life (and will still work without battery), quick transition from 1X to 4X, great glass, and has a built iron sights. I have one that has been on the no.3 RD setting for 10 months now with no battery failure. There was some criticism a few years back on the reliability of the ARMS mounts holding zero, but that issue has long since been resolved. I own three 1-4X 5.56, one 1-4X 7.62, and one 1.5-6X 7.62 optics and have had zero issues. Just my 2 cents of course...

From what I have seen on newer 3rd generation Specter DR units at the range, the POI shift issue with changing magnification has been addressed. If only LaRue or ADM would make a mount.

[Just a Jarhead]

Rotating the gun is faster than rotating the adjustment, even with a cat-tail.

So much faster than either any scope adjustment or flip magnifier. And then back again if necessary in under a second and never changing your grip or cheekweld.