I found a new Aimpoint 5000, new for $199. Would any of you use it on a defensive carbine?
I’ve had an Aimpoint 5000 mounted on my Marlin Guide Gun for nearly a decade and have abused the hell out of it. Humped up mountains in Idaho/Wyoming/Colorado/New Mexico in rain, sleet and snow. Dropped it from a tree stand once. Banged it against rocks, trees and trucks more times than I can count and it still holds zero. Reticle (3MOA) is still as bright as the day I bought it. If it can take the recoil from a 45/70, it won’t notice a 5.56x45.
It’s heavier and quite a bit longer than my M2. The battery life is also much shorter than the new Aimpoints (~200hrs -vs- 50,000hrs). The 5000 was also available with a 10MOA reticle which is a bit too large for my preference. You might want to double check which reticle you’re buying before you buy it.
It is the 3moa dot.