Im new to building ARs and i only know of the major name brands out there. Im in the Marines and know the AGOG like the back of my hand. Is an ACOG the way to go?:help:
It’s just up to you. ACOG’s, eotech’s and aimpoints are all nice. For my first I went with a micro t-1 (4moa, 2moa was not available yet) and an aimpoint 3x mag. Very high quality glass.
Thanks! i really appreciate the input! just trying to get a feel for whats out there right now. Like i said i know the ACOG really well and didn’t know if they were the best out there. Any and all help is greatly appreciated
There are other far more practical options out there.
I spent a long time behind a COG, and I will tell you that I wouldn’t give up any of my optics for a TA31 (RCO type). If you really want one, I highly recommend the TA11 or TA33 over the TA31.
I highly prefer a good 1-4, 1-6, or a simple Aimpoint over any ACOG.
Do a search, there are literally dozens of threads about ACOG vs whatever.
About a year ago, I was torn between a lower power ACOG, the eotech xps series and an Aimpoint H1 or Comp ML3 (this was before the PRO came out) . I looked at the features and differences of each and what purpose they served best. I know the ACOG can be used effectively at short ranges, especially the 1.5x and 2x models I was looking at, but without training, it didn’t come as naturally as a RDS. I noticed that on a sunny day, if I was in shade such as a range overhang, looking out into a brighter environment, the reticle washed out. I’m sure you know what I mean since it sounds like you have a lot of experience with the ACOG. Not that these are necessarily cons, but for me, it’s what steered me away especially when you factor in the price. I’ve used eotech’s with good results. I owned a 512 (if I recall the model correctly) and had no problems despite Internet complaints of issues with the battery terminals or something related to that. The XPS or EXPS (I believe are the models) use a new design to eliminate that problem, and they feel rock solid. I love eotech’s reticle, although some say it’s too busy. I ended up buying the eotech again but returned it for an Aimpoint Comp ML3 that was on sale. Had to buy a mount but it was still about the same price. I haven’t turned the Aimpoint off since I bought it about a year ago. The build quality is fantastic and it is really fast and easy to use. It is also easier to adjust brightness settings by turning the knob vice having to push the little buttons on the eotech, especially with gloves. If you look around online or in magazines, etc… You’ll see a lot of H-1s or T-1s. These seem to be the hottest optic out there now. You may want to check those out too. Even though they are battery powered, they are stated to last 50,000 hours. If you want magnification, you can always buy a magnifier and have the best of both worlds for the same cost as an ACOG. Hope my little story helped. There’s all kinds of info on this site about what is best and you’ll get tons of opinions so be ready! Good luck and thanks for your service!
Thanks for all the advice and opinions, its been really helpful! Ill be looking into EOTech, aimpoints, and ACOGS comparing them all. I just wish I could get some hands-on with aimpoints and EOTechs. This forum has been a blessing for me, only been a member for a couple days now and have doubled my knowledge on whats out there. Thanks again for the help!
Good post.
I got my t-1 around black Friday from primary arms for $500 with mount. And my 3x mag from botach for $280? $380? Can’t remember. But if you decide to get an aimpoint or eotech and mag, get the red dot first and then wait for a deal on the mag.
Now, some have had bad experiences with botach and don’t trust them but it worked for me. I talked to someone before placing my order to make sure they were in stock and I got it a week later on the other side of the country.
great advice
I could not hvae asked for a better optic when I was on AD, but now that my time is done I have explored aother options and prefer a 1-4 or and aimpoint
There are 3 major deficiencies with the ACOG as I see it.
- Short eye relief with the 4X models.
- The BDC locks you in to a certain load.
- Fixed magnification
Of course there are a whole bunch of positives like durability and illumination etc.
If you feel you need some magnification and don’t want to go with an Aimpoint, you’re better off with a 1-4 or 1-6X variable optic with a non-BDC reticle. I’m not sure how familiar you are with the milliradian system. It pays to learn it. A cartridge specific BDC is easy, but ultimately limits your flexibility. If you want to shoot 77GR ammunition instead of the 62GR M855 the reticle is calibrated for, you’re going to be a little off. With a mil-based reticle, preferably with half-mil marks, you can develop your own holdover scheme, or obviously you can actually adjust your elevation with the turret.
IMO, as shooters gain more experience with different optics, they almost always move away from BDC reticles toward more flexible MIL based systems. This isn’t universally true, but is often the case.
Take a look at the SWFA SS 1-4 and soon to be released 1-6. Also, Leupold is coming out with a MK6 1-6 that supposedly has daylight bright illumination (over rated IMO but it’s important for some). Leupold has an awesome military discount, so I suggest you take advantage of that.
Either of those will put you in about the same price range as an ACOG once you add in the requisite mount. Everybody’s got their own pet brand for mounts, but I’m partial to Bobro.
Hope this helps.
What do you plan to use this rifle for? The mission drives the equipment selection.
I’ve got to say, I love my ACOG TA31f. I have one on my patrol rifle and it’s one of my favorite optics I’ve ever used.
I do have Aimpoint Micros on 2 of my other rifles, and an EOTech XPS on another, and I don’t think you can go wrong with any of those options either.
I know this doesn’t really add much more to the discussion. What I would do is go down to a shop that sells these different optics and look through them and see what you like.
ACOGS are great sights but limited by their fixed magnificaiton. Pesonally I think an ACOG with a mini red dot in an off set mount is an excellent option. However I prefer low power variable scopes like the Swarovski Z6i 1-6x scope.
Pat
Every time I leave the TA33 and come back to it, I get better with it, and wonder why I ever left it. The only place I’d choose something else at this point is for a dedicated, short range, home defense, type carbine.
The TA33 addresses several of the issues a0cake raises above, and if you add a flip-up front cap it addresses them even better. Cut out a bicycle inner tube and run it over the FO tube, and it addresses them better still. I have the red chevron model but would like to play with the green circle-dot before I jump ship totally over to it.
The TA33 may make an easy transition for you as it will be similar enough to what you’re used to, but better in virtually every way.
I have a NSN that I like a lot. It wasn’t my first choice for an optic, but after I had a half dozen others I decided to go ahead and spend the cash for one, and I’m glad that I did.
The glass is excellent.
The BDC is dead on with 62gr on a 16" and I have also found it to be dead on with 69gr out of my 18" Stealth.
No batteries.
Durable.
The eye relief is its biggest drawback. I have been running mine off the deck for steel, so that hasn’t been an issue for me. They are also fairly expensive.
If you have a bunch of rifles and other optics, I don’t think its a bad choice on a 100-400 yd setup.
I was in the same boat recently and walked in to a shop that sold all sorts of optics. I checked out 3 or 4 ACOGs and thought they were great for past 50 yards or so. Then I tried a few 1-4x optics and loved them. I was considering an acog with a docter on top until I looked through the 1-4x scopes. The eye relief was better than the acog, just as clear if not better, they make some with illuminated reticles too. I liked the trijicon accupoint but didn’t like the lack of a ranging reticle. I’ve been told to look at the SWFA SS 1-4x and I’ve read great reviews on it.
I still love my aimpoints for close range. Probably look to change out my micro for a new 2MOA model.
The TA33 is my favorate ACOG as well.
Pat
Okay Rob, time for some of that Socratic Dialectic you’re so fond of.
What does the TA33 accomplish for you that a 1-X variable does not?
And do those advantages, whatever they may be, outweigh the negative of being stuck at 3X, as well as being locked in by the BDC (I know you’re not a long range shooter, so that may not matter much to you)?
Occluding the OBJ lens like you mentioned causes bad POI shift for me, so I can’t use that technique. Some people seem to be unaffected by this, while others are. I don’t know why.
Anyway, while the TA33 is the only ACOG that I’ve come close to liking, I find that its attempt at compromise results in an optic that’s not really great at anything, and not good enough at most things to make the juice worth the squeeze.
It’s workable at close range, but not quite as good as a variable on 1X and certainly not as good as a RDS.
At extended ranges, 3X is short of ideal.
I just don’t see the TA33 as anything but mediocre at everything.
1-4 and even more so 1-6 variables, for my purposes, perform better along a wider spectrum of ranges.
I think I know you well enough to know that you have good reasons for your choices, and I’m curious to hear them. I’m not saying it’s a bad choice for everybody, just that I’ve given the TA33 and various other ACOG’S a fair shot and they don’t do it for me.
I am not Rob and I prefer variable scopes like you but the TA33 does have some things going for it. The main thing being small size and weight.
Pat
I’ve seen enough of your posts to know that you are focused on having the ability to shoot at distance. In my world, that is not a requirement, and doing so could even be seen as a liability.
Using the occluded eye causes a minor shift for me as well, but not enough to matter.
I’m not going to get into the 1.x-Y debate again. All anyone does is start in with the “you don’t have enough time on a $2k+ version to make an informed opinion” so we’ll just stick with the fact that I DO have thousands of rounds on a sub-$1k TA33 and prefer it, and have zero interest in the cost (in terms of weight, size, cost, and speed) vs. the benefit (which doesn’t exist for me). IMO the 1.x-Y scopes are for someone like yourself looking to gain some range while sacrificing speed up close, which I’m not willing to do. the TA33 offers me what I need, which is more speed up close than a 1.x-Y but better precision past 50 than a 1x RDS when I need it.
I have time on the TA33, Aimpoint T1, Swarovski Z6i, Trijicon TR24 and the Meopta and have tested them for speed at CQB range. For speed the low power variables beat the TA33 at least for me. Of course 1x beats 3x at close range is not earth shattering. A lot of it is what you get used to training with. I do know some shooters who run an ACOG well enough to stay competative in three gun. But most run a low power variable and that is a game where speed counts.
Pat