I have been bashing my head about trying to decide weather to replace my very nice T-1 with a 1-4 powered optic. The carbine is an LMT CQB MRP with a 12’’ piston system. I sweet carbine, just wondering if is worth the investment to put a 1-4 on it. It is my only 5.56 so it is my all purpose carbine. I’m not a fan of low end optics so I would be looking at spending at least $800.00 on a 1-4 or a 1.5-5. Any input will be gladly accepted…
If it’s your one and only optic for that rifle, I’d make sure the 1x use of it is fast for CQB distances. Something with a daylight visible ret. I certainly think that the 12" Rock barrel will allow you to effectively engage well beyond several hundred yards quite effectively and accurately, so the 4x on the top in is a great idea for utilizing the max effective range of your particular rifle.
With a 1-4x, you will always give up some speed to a T-1, however if you get the appropriate one you will not be giving up that much to outweigh the positive gains you’ll be receiving on the top end with the 4x. So I think it could be a great idea if this is more of your GP type AR, rather than your CQB type AR.
I love running my NXSc 2.5-10x24 on my MRP CQB 10.5"…allows me to turn my CQB rifle into a mini 600-700yd sniper rifle:D
P.S. this thread would be a whole lot cooler if you posted a pic of your MRP CQB in it for me to see:p
Thanks for the input… 
I am on the lookout for a NF 2.5-10x24 but they get snapped up quick!! Shame NF dose not make them any more. I like the NF 1-4 and the leupold mk 4 mr/t 1.5 - 5x20 illuminated cmr2 as well. They both come in at a higher price point than I specified and the mount is gonna be another $200.00 but I like what I like.
I Agree with you on all point but never though it would range out to 700 yards accurately!!! 7 football fields… That’s a long haul.
I would be happy with 300 yards… What do you think about the NF 1-4 with the FC-2 reticle? Might not be as accurate out past 500 yards but looks like it would fast up close and with the right holdovers not bad out past 200yards?
Oh yea, Here’s a quick pic of her know… 
Ah yes…you’ve appeased me and the MRP gods:D Very nice MRP!
I love the baby NXS but the daylight vis is not really adequate for direct sunlight applications…it’s plenty fine in lower light daylight conditions or at night but during a sunny day it’s hardly visible at all.
The TR24 might be worth looking at based on your budget, the SB shortdot would be perhaps ideal for your needs but then again they are high as balls on a giraffe in terms of price.
I just saw a nxsc 2.5-10x24 go for more than a few hrs. listed without selling on sniper’s hide EE, but just checked it for you, and sure enough it’s SPF. They are rarer than hen’s teeth now, and it’s damn tragedy.
You’d be really surprised how far you can effectively hit torso targets with your 12" MRP…now what it will do in terms of terminal effects is another story, but you can certainly land rounds at long distances all day long with SBR length barrels.
I’m with Trident, SBR’s are very capable out to distance. Especially the 12.x" variants. The max rang where I was shooting was 400 yards but banging 12" steel (sometimes the 6" gongs) was pretty easy with my 12.5" and a Weaver Tactical 1-5x. I like the scope but the center dot and reticle lines on it cover up a lot of the target at that distance.
If you can swing it, I would buy a 1-4x , keep the T-1, and put both in QD mounts so you can use them to suit your wants/needs. That’s my ultimate goal.
I was thing the same thing. If I went with a Vortex Viper PST 1-4 and a ADM mount between the 2 I would have less in them than a Night Force 1-4 in a LaRue mount…
Out of curiosity have you thought about a magnifier?
Yea I been down that road before… It my work for some but It’s just not for me… Good idea though…
The dark horse on this argument would be the TR24T - if you don’t mind a large glowing triangle and no BDC, then it fits the bill as the poor man’s short dot with daytime illumination, and ability to make quick hits up closed. It’s also on the lighter side of the low powered variables, which can help to a degree, and is relatively forgiving about eye placement at lower magnifications. If you’re shooting within 250m, then it’s really a hard to beat optic.
The FC-2 is an excellent all around ret. on a 1-4. I like the ret. a LOT. Its quick in close and gives usable references out to 500. It excels inside 350-400yds.
As near as I can tell, SWFA has one of the better 1-4’s right now. I think there’s promotion they’re running to include $300 worth of extras including a Bobro mount.
If you’re thinking about one, I’d jump on it.
I have a TR24 on a 12.5 sbr, and a NF 1-4 with FC2 on a 11.5 sbr.
Both optics are great. The TR24 is super bright during daylight. The NF illumination is not daylight visible but is a non issue for me.
In low/no light the NF illumination is outstanding. I recently bought 2 more NF 1-4 models, another FC2 and the 2nd with the mildot.
The NF is smaller and more compact.
Can’t go wrong with either of those or a SWFA, US OPTICS.
I ordered this same package on 01/22/12 but I haven’t received it. Been on back order…
The Trijicon TR24 is a really nice scope for the money.
As a point of reference, I purchased a S&B Short Dot and have just over a thousand rounds shooting experience with it. I have also used the TR24 with the green and red reticles in the recent past.
I would agree, if you are on a limited budget and can live without the the reticle/ reference points it may be a good choice, particularly considering the red triangle is similar to a red dot.
I have seen some pretty good deals on several different gun forums for a Trijicon TR24 with a mount regularly (cheapest I have seen was around $600 w/ ADM mount), so keep your eyes open for a deal.
Also, see if you can attend a 3-gun type competition match because there will be a lot of these types of scopes. Trying one out before you make a purchase would be ideal.
Best advice to consider is get what you want the first time even if it means waiting a little longer for it.
Best of luck,
SkiDevil
P.S. Although it is not a variable and loses some flexibility because of that the Trijicon TA-11 series is also a very practical choice for a general purpose optic. It is more expensive than your stated budget but something to consider as well. After the weight of the combined variable optic and standard quick-detach type mount it would definitely be lighter than the variable. Aside from the Short Dot, the TR24 and the TA11 would be the two optics in the around $1K price range that I would consider after using each one out to 300 yards.
Alot of good solid EEI in the aformentioned comments.
I’ll echo regarding NF 1x4 FC2 & NF 2.5x10 FC2 or Mil Dot Ret on that specific optic.
I own them both & use them on different systems (SCAR 17S & LMT MWS).
Just to throw it out there as another viable option, I used a 5.56 12.5" Noveske w/ T-1 & Aimpoint 3X w/ LaRue LT649 flip mount that is another route you can go that offers superb accuracy, low weight, economic reasonableness & system flexibility as well.
Shot all day @ Urban Rifle course I taught at & it performed w/o peer.
HTH
Just to throw it out there as another viable option, I used a 5.56 12.5" Noveske w/ T-1 & Aimpoint 3X w/ LaRue LT649 flip mount that is another route you can go that offers superb accuracy, low weight, economic reasonableness & system flexibility as well.
I have a astigmatism and I forget weather the magnifier took the bunch of grapes look away. I would guess it would still be there and that is why I did not like it.
P.S. Although it is not a variable and loses some flexibility because of that the Trijicon TA-11 series is also a very practical choice for a general purpose optic. It is more expensive than your stated budget but something to consider as well. After the weight of the combined variable optic and standard quick-detach type mount it would definitely be lighter than the variable. Aside from the Short Dot, the TR24 and the TA11 would be the two optics in the around $1K price range that I would consider
after using each one out to 300 yards.
I had a TA33-8 and liked it. It had a amber redical and I prefer red so I sold it. One in red might not be a bad idea. I like it over the TA11 for the wight savings. I’m just thinking I would like to dial in the magnification… Still a though though…
Good info above to chew on. IMHO, I like a ACOG if i’m only 4X on the top end of my scope. So here is how I view the Optics world:
RDS (Aimpoint) for CQB and very battle effictive out to 300 yards. I can ring steel all day long out 300 yards with a RDS, and I have OLD EYES.
ACOG, if I need more precision and want to go out to 500 or 600 yards but still want RDS capability i.e. running with both eyes open. Not as good for CQB, but still very good with training and more precision at distance than RDS.
1-6 Variable , At this point in the advances of Optics, I move to the variable 1-6 variety. These little jewels get spendy , but they will give you more reach and precision than your ACOG and still CQB effective. Check out the USO write up. I have never run the NF 1-4, I’m sure I would love it it, (And Trident said he would send me his to run for the summer which is oh so nice of him) but now that 1-6 are available- give me 1-6. They are too new new and I’m too broke.
NF 2.5-10 if you really feel like suffering through your day Great for your SPR rigs and can still be reasonable quick at 2.5 power. Remember your ACOG works at 3-4 power
Optics are really personal preference. I like them all. The further you go down on that list, the more dollar signs $, $$, $$$, $$$$ per optic usually. I don’t own a 1-6, but in time…
Hey pappa…I don’t currently own a baby nxs(1-4x), but if I did I would certainly send it your way. Obviously with the understanding that I would be receiving then from you a NXS F1 Army Spec:D Those will soon be unicorns in the mist.