New Build, your thoughts?

[Jack_Stroker]

I'm new to the forum and somewhat new to AR's. I've had one now for about six months, and like many others I started with a Bushmaster, and now I know better. My Bushmaster will be set aside, and eventually I'll get a new upper for it and reconfigure it. I plan on making a long range rifle out of it.

My next AR Build is going to be built on a Colt 6920. I'm going to go with the Daniel Defense Omega 7.0 rails. I'll be getting a Tango Down Ergo pistol grip, and verticle grip. I've already got H&K, Beta C Mags, and a ton of G.I. contract mags. So I'm all set there. What I do have questions about are backup iron sights, and optics in general.

I already have an EOTech 553.A65 on my Bushmaster. I like it, but I've been reading all kinds of information on the Aimpoint and ACOG optics. The weapon is obviously going to be built for CQB more than anything else, and many feel the EOTech excels over the Aimpoint in this regard. So I want to hear everyones thoughts on it. If I decide not to use my EOTech 553 on my Colt, then I'll go for an Aimpoint or a ACOG. If I grab an Aimpoint, what will I need to mount it? I hear the stock mount sucks, and I like the look of the Larue mount. So if anyone has a link or part numbers that would be appreciated.

One thing that is unclear in regard to the ACOG is it's CQB performance. I hear this is the unit's primary weak spot. I know the ACOG is a magnified optic, but can it be used without magnification? Is it adjustable in that way? I've got no problems sticking with my EOTech, but I want to be sure that's the best way to go.

For the backup Iron sights, I was thinking about the ARMS 40L or the Troy. Which do you guys prefer and why? I am not interested in recommendations for fixed backup iron sights. I'm only interested in the folding ones. If there is something better than the Troy or ARMS units, I'd like to hear about them. I won't be changing the standard stock as I actually like the standard M4 style stock just fine.

Cost is not really much of a concern, so that won't have much bearing on the choices I make. I appreciate everyone's thoughts and comments on this.

[markm]

Bushmaster upper halves aren't too bad.... The main problem that I've seen/read about is in the assembly, not the components. (i.e. the shooter will have to dial out all of his windage one way or another to zero)

The barrels are good. I use them all the time for my practice/training guns. The FSBs are Taper pinned on, but they aren't parked under the FSB.. not a big deal.

I'd be more concerned about the bolt group.

But anyway, buying a 6920 is not a bad idea regardless of what you already have.

[Failure2Stop]

I have used the Aimpoint, ACOG and EoTech. Initially I thought that the Eo was the best thing running. Then I became painfully aware of it's limitations.

The EoTech automatically shuts off after 8 hours. This is not a problem if you are only going to use the optic on range-guns or for limited, known-time employment. However, you can't just leave it on and expect the reticle to be there when you need it. The 553 is the best one right now, as many of the durability issues have been rectified. Still, the battery life is not one of it's strong points, and the mount interface is not topping my list for things I want to hug.

The ACOGs are not adjustable. They suck at close range in variable light conditions. Most people will never employ the optic in these environments, so this may be a non-issue. It can be used at close range, but nowhere nearly as efficiently as a non-magnified optic. Big problems when used in conjunction with white-light indoors. This is why everyone (including Trijicon) started putting Dr Optics on top of them. Its pretty much an admission by the company that the sight sucks at close range. The optic is one of the best 50 to 300 yard daylight optics, though mainly due to durability. They are durable, but just as with any other optic, they too have issues and QC variability. If they were half the price and came with the Dr Optic standard they would be an ok buy in my opinion.

The Aimpoints are the best in my book. 99/100ths as fast as the EoTech (for me), with much better durability and battery life. I just leave mine on 8 all the time. In a LaRue cantilever the dot sits above my fixed sights (lower 1/3 cowitness). With the addition of a 3x magnifier, the optic is just as capable of hits out to 300, or target ID as the ACOG. I recommend either the standard or cantilever LaRue mounts. You can get a package deal from lots of places, including site sponsors G&R Tactical (who I like to support as Grant supports this site and provides constant information flow without trying to sell you anything).

By having a fixed BUIS I don't ever have to think about flipping up my BUIS, as it's already up but out of my sight picture. I like it that way, though you apparently do not. I like the Troy flip-up, but many of my friends swear by the ARMS. You could definately do worse.

It's not THE way, just A way.

[rob_s]

Take a look at the Compact ACOGs. I've been running the 1.5x and 3x quite happily for some time now.

[losbronces]

I already have an EOTech 553.A65 on my Bushmaster. I like it, but I've been reading all kinds of information on the Aimpoint and ACOG optics. The weapon is obviously going to be built for CQB more than anything else, and many feel the EOTech excels over the Aimpoint in this regard. So I want to hear everyones thoughts on it. If I decide not to use my EOTech 553 on my Colt, then I'll go for an Aimpoint or a ACOG. If I grab an Aimpoint, what will I need to mount it? I hear the stock mount sucks, and I like the look of the Larue mount. So if anyone has a link or part numbers that would be appreciated.

One thing that is unclear in regard to the ACOG is it's CQB performance. I hear this is the unit's primary weak spot. I know the ACOG is a magnified optic, but can it be used without magnification? Is it adjustable in that way? I've got no problems sticking with my EOTech, but I want to be sure that's the best way to go.

For the backup Iron sights, I was thinking about the ARMS 40L or the Troy. Which do you guys prefer and why? I am not interested in recommendations for fixed backup iron sights. I'm only interested in the folding ones. If there is something better than the Troy or ARMS units, I'd like to hear about them. I won't be changing the standard stock as I actually like the standard M4 style stock just fine.

Cost is not really much of a concern, so that won't have much bearing on the choices I make. I appreciate everyone's thoughts and comments on this.

Well, I have an EOTech 512, an ACOG and an Aimpoint M4C. I bought the Aimpoint after an extensive amount of reading here. You should do a search on Aimpoint and then EOTech and you will see there are many comments regarding the relative merits of each. I have a 4x ACOG and it is absolutely not suitable for close work. I bought the Aimpoint recently after reading here. The Aimpoint can be left on all the time and has an amazing battery life. The EOTech will shut off automatically (after 4 or 8 hours) and that could be a problem for some people.

I ordered my Aimpoint directly from Larue Tactical because it came with a Larue mount for the same price that everyone else is offerring the M4 with the Aimpoint mount. I also have a Larue mount for the ACOG. The Larue mounts offer quick release with a very good return to zero on reinstallation. If you do the searches you will see where an Aimpoint rep was doing some testing by throwing the Aimpoint downrange. I have ordered a lot from G&R Tactical as well, Grant generally gives you something extra with your purchase.

Larue is: http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetac...bos%3AAimpoint

G&R is:http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin...ptic+not+mount

I use the Tango Down folding sights. I don't have any issues with them and they will cowitness with either the EOTech or the Aimpoint sights. But again there are other people with a lot more experience with these than me, so again I recommend a search of this site.

I really recommend that you do the searches though. You will find advice from very knowledgeable people who have seen the various sights in action through classes, competiion, etc.

[Jack_Stroker]

Well I've definitely been reading here and other forums as well on the subject of optics. That's why I'm leaning toward getting an Aimpoint. I've been thinking about adding a magnifier with one of those flip to the side mounts for the best of both worlds as well.

[mpardun]

I have been using a LaRue Aimoint M4 for 3 weeks after 5 years of using EOTech product (pre-L3).

While the EOTech's never let me down personally, I am finding the M4 extremely well built, easy to acquire the sight picture and more accurate than my EOTech's generally speaking.

The electronics side of things cinches it for me, hard to argue with an 8 year battery life and no "time out" feature!

IMHO, the EO & Aimpoint magnifiers are like looking through a toiletpaper roll...FOV sucks! If you want magnification, go for a S&B, Swaro or Meopta 1 - n type scope.

I am personally using a Swaro Z6i 1 - 6x on by 18' SPR and love it - it is a true 1x, very bright and FOV is awesome. The M4 lives happily on a 10.5 SBR.

Mike

[Jack_Stroker]

Well as I said, CQB performance is of the most concern to me. I'll be building a seperate longer range AR out of the Bushmaster I have now.

[rayray]

My Bushmaster has given me years of reliable service, best AR i have ever owned. I'm not saying that it's the best brand out there. I'm just saying that for the price, I'm really happy with my Bushmaster.

[mpardun]

It's not even close IMHO. Too many ARMS products have fallen apart over the years to give them any new business. Not sure I understand why they are a preferred route for DOD contracts - must be next to free, because they are not the best of the vreed by any measure.

Troy BUIS' are the best in my opinion...but then we all know what people say about opinions :-)

I'm waiting (impatiently now for 2 months) on a set of Flat Dark Earth Troy's for my SBR...now made even better that they take AR sight posts instead of AK!