So my “slush” fund is just about empty from the new purchase. I currently dont have the funds to add optics. I honestly haven’t decided if im going to put a ACOG/Aimpoint type scope or some thing along the lines of NightForce. I currently run NightForce on my bolt guns, so i completely understand the chain is only as strong as the weakest link. Im thinking about going out and doing something rash like buying a BSA just so I will have something. It will also buy me a little time to decide which way im going set it up. My other thought was i could upgrade the iron sights and just work with them, that just doesn’t sound as fun. So out of all the “crap” what stinks the least…
I wouldn’t even waste the money on a BSA. I would take this as a natural opportunity to get proficient with the irons and when the money is there, I would get quality like an Aimpoint or ACOG. Just skip the weak link. I would invest in a quality BUIS like a Troy since that will get purchased eventually anyway.
Buying a cheap red dot “just to have something” while you save up for a good optic is a false economy.
You are much better off sticking with irons and saving money for your optic, then spending money that you could be saving, on a cheap optic that might very well fail, which is just throwing money away.
Keep your irons until you can get a decent optic.
I agree with the others and am in the same boat. I’m actually going to run my 6920 with the irons this year in 3-gun, just to see if I can compete. So far, the first two matches I’ve placed second against the optics. So, I’m not rushing anything, myself.
You could go ahead and invest in a good set of flip-up sights that you can practice with for now. Then you can still use them as BUIS’s once you have purchased an optic.
I think the 6920 would be well complemented with either eotech/aimpoint or acog. I don’t think the nightforce belongs on a weapon such as this. Ever since the recce rifle concept appeared, many folks try to turn a 16" carbine in to a sniper rifle. It just isn’t meant to be. I have no doubts about Colts accuracy or quality, but the 6920 isn’t a sniper rifle. I personally think the aimpoint T-1 with larue mount would be a nice combo.
I put an eotech 557 on my 6920 and love it. I also put an eotech 3x magnifier on a flip to side mount on as well. Under the 3x magnifier sits a Troy Ind. BUIS. I did a ton of research on optics before I bought anything and the same optics kept poppin up, Aimpoint, ACOG, and EOTech. You cant go wrong with those three. I had no actual experience with any of these before so I was going purely off the internet opinions. Then a guy at the range showed me his AR with eotech, he let me shoot it, that was all I needed to make a decision, some actual experience.
But like others have said, dont buy a cheap sight just to have an optic. Its best to get good with the irons first. My 2nd AR doesnt have optics, and prolly never will, I enjoy using the irons on it.
Well thats kind of the boat im in. I dont have any real world exp with this weapon or any of these optics. I see some of them need a piggyback magnification of some kind, some dont. My son tells me about them because he sits around playing COD on xbox all the time. Kinda sad…google here i come…
My philosophy is “Buy once, Cry once”. Sure you could buy a cheap optic to get you by until you get a nicer red dot or scope but why waste the money? Like everyone has suggested…get some quality iron sights and work with those until you have the money for an optic. As far as real world experience…the shooting community is comprised of all walks of life. From my observation, there’s a lot more recreational shooters than guys who actually use a weapon that’s part of their job/duties that I meet at ranges and shooting functions. Everyone starts somewhere, if you get a chance try to meet people at ranges and such with different setups and ask if you can try their rifle. One person might like brand X optic for what ever reason but you may not like it and prefer brand Y. Definitely try and get some actual range time with various optics so you can judge for yourself what you like. You don’t want to invest several hundreds of dollars into an optic and come to realize it doesn’t work for what you need it for.
I also own a 6920, and just recently put an optic on it. I’m sure I’ll get some scoffs, but I chose to go with the Trijicon Tripower. From what I’ve read, it’s not that popular, but I’m not really sure why. It’s very well built, and has very good clarity with the chevron reticle. Most of the criticisms I’ve heard regarding this, are it’s low tritium glow at night, but for me, it’s a non-issue. I’m not on a swat team, and I’m not deploying with it, so the batteries, and fiber-optic setup are fine for me. Not trying to advertise for them, but if the low light-yield of the tritium lamp doesn’t scare you off, it might be worth a look. I have mine mounted in an American Defense high-rise mount, and it works beautifully FOR ME. Congrats on the rifle, and good luck finding an optic.
attached is a pic of the 6920 with the tripower mounted.
I was in the same position last year with my 6920 and extra monies. Did as another member suggested above - practiced with the iron sights until the slush fund built up. I recently opted for a EOTech XPS2 and so far it’s working well. Nothing wrong with iron sights at all. Save the monies and get a good quality optic when you can!!!
Scott
Good job, very smart! Also, nice choice on the xps2.