I have a 16" midlength Noveske basic with DD 12.0 FF rail. I’ve had a Leupy 1.5-5x30mm with illuminated circle dot on it the whole time (also has Troy BUIS). The intent of this carbine is defensive/shtf in nature (as gay as the SHTF part may sound, I may as well be honest). The dilema: Any of you who have used/seen the Leupold 1.5 know that at 1.5 it’s no where near as fast as a RDS (like an Aimpoint), the illumination is also pretty poor, and in the Larue mount, it all adds up to a good amount of additional weight. Now, I want to keep a magnified optic no matter what because it makes for a great hunting set up (hogs and whitetail). But, again, not the main intent behind this rifle. There are some huge advantages for non-magnified needs/wants that I can see when I threw my Aimpoint H1 on this carbine.
Keeping in mind that the whole intent of the carbine is defensive in nature, what In your experience/opinion would you consider the best option?
1: Replace the Leupuy with a Trijicon TR24 when funds allow (a short dot would be nice, but I find the price prohibitive)
2: Get an RDS for the same carbine and switch optics as needed (if I did this I’d likely sell off the existing Illuminated Leupold and reaplace it with a 30mm Leupold European non illuminated)
3: Build another comparable AR and utilize RDS on it (as this is the most expensive option, it is last on the list, but it’s the long term solution I think I will lean toward)
I’m used to carrying a Colt Commando or some other sub-16" rifle when deployed and the nature of my job when deployed rarely requires a dedicated magnified optic. Depending on your location, you may rarely encounter a situation where you need that magnification, but a RDS is generally useful all day long as a primary sighting system. So why not go with an Aimpoint (pick your flavor) and their magnifier? You can keep it on the rifle using the Aimpoint or LaRue mount of your choice, and can remove it if you’d rather keep the gun light and install it as the need arises. Price will probably be circa $1k total depending on where you shop and you have a little more flexibility.
I’d recommend some type of Aimpoint in a Larue mount, preferably the T-1. You say that you already have that Leupold scope in a Larue mount, so this way you can QD them on and off for when you go hunting and such.
Just my opinion but I personally believe there is no do it all scope…yet. For a CQB situation such as home defense, you can’t beat a red dot like Aimpoint or Eotech(my favorite of the two) for close work. Until they make a paralax free 30-40mm objective windowed 1x-9x red dot, there will not be an all arounder. Now, if only I could patent these ideas…
Taking some of what’s been said so far, I think may be/may have been wishing for the magic optic that does it all, and it doesn’t exist. The fact that and RDS (aimpoint, etc.) is effective up to a respectable range for minute of man (although maybe not precise at extended ranges), I guess that should be primary on this carbine. With the QD afforded by Larue (and others), seems that maybe I should keep a variable optic for when I plan to hunt, but get an RDS as a primary.
I was looking for that magic optic as well and finally came to that exact conclusion. I am in the process of getting an ML3 and I will put a 3-9x in a SPR mount for days when I need the magnification. Good luck with your purchase.
I would agree too with the 2 optics if you can’t get a 2nd upper or complete AR.
For HD you don’t need magnification. Chances are its going to be within your own home, and no need to have anything other than an Aimpoint. Its also the best solution. I have a Short-Dot, and I prefer the T1 for a HD gun.
I would just try to find a used M3/M4/T1 and zero both to the same weapon. With the LaRue mounts it won’t be an issue having two optics for the same upper as long as you mount them in the same place each time. Then when funds allow you can get another upper/AR. When I first got into AR’s I had two uppers and one lower for a good six months or so.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with multiple optics for a given weapon assuming your optic mounts are up to the task.
I have 2 SBRs with Aimpoint M4S sights both with 3X magnifiers on flip mounts and the ability to use the PVS-14 (weaponmount with the M4S )as well as a TA55A ACOG for the 14.5".
And I have a 16" Recon with a TA11C ACOG and a D-760 GenIII NV scope both on LT mounts.
I have thought about a SHTF “kit” with a CQB MRP with 10.5" CL & 16" SS barrels/bolts, SpecWar2 suppressor, TA55A ACOG, M4S Aimpoint/3X, D-760/PVS-14 NV scopes, IWAL2 IR laser, GG&G swivel bipod & mags of MK262 ammo.
It would offer max capability with minimum bulk.
since you already have your scope in a LaRue mount, I say buy a RDS and a LaRue mount, that way you can switch out optics without losing your zeros (option #2).