AR Sponsor
Posted: 11/13/2006 6:25:00 PM EDT
|
I am deploying in several months. I am serving as an MP platoon leader in the Army and will be doing about every type of mission you can imagine: working with IPs, cordon and search ops, convoy security, etc. I have decided to get an ACOG for several reasons, inlcuding but not limited to the excellent reputation of the optic and the sniper threat in county. I am an avid shooter and will be using this optic on one of my civilian rifles when I get back from the sandbox. The question is, which one should I get? I am loooking mostly at the 4x models right now. I can't decided whether I'd rather have a triangle reticle with a simple bullet-drop compensator (TA31A) or get the more complex TA31DOC with the "christmas tree" reticle and a Docter optic on top. I like the simplicity of the A model's reticle, but I still think the Docter would be faster at close range and that I would get more use out of the center-lit reticle after deployment. The down side of the TA31DOC is cost. The other option is to get an ACOG and then buy a JPoint and mount from EABCo.com for about $250. This would be cheaper than buying a DOC, but does the JPoint measure up to the Docter in terms of reliability? I already have an EOTech on one of my civilian guns, but I'd really rather have something that offers more precision at range. I have been a longtime member on other sites, but I've only been a lukrer on this site. All the same, you guys are the experts, so I'm here to ask your opinion. Any other recommendations for me? |
|
I really like the ACOG. It's awesome on moving targets when you 'Bindon' (shoot with both eyes open. The TA31 has very short eye relief and unless you get good cheekweld, you won't see much. Do not like the Amber crosshair of the DOC but it's otherwise pretty effective. Just lift your head to a chinweld and you're good. I actually prefer it to the JP as it doesn;t have the protective ears to obscure vision. Was taught to use the ACOG itself as a rough aiming reference. It works surprisingly well at close (10 yards) with a bit of practice. I'm saving my $$$$ for a TA11. Simon |
|
Don't get anything amber, reticle wise. It will wash out in the bright sun and glare. TA31 is the way to go. The TA11 is great too, especially if you need a little extra eye relief. I also agree with the LaRue mount. If its your scope you may have to remove it from the rifle repeatedly and the LaRue will repeat zero, unlike the supplied Trijicon mount. Find some place to permanently mark it as yours, and keep copies of the receipts with you at all times. Leave the originals at home where someone can send you copies if need be. You don't want to get held up on the trip home because you have a "stolen" optic on you. |
|
What did you get issued during RFI to use, or when is the RFI scheduled? FWIW as the Lt in charge, you can select the ACOG for your M4, as you should be getting a mix of M68/ EOTechs and ACOG TA31s before you ship off to Haji land. Invest in Beretta made magazines for your M9, use the issue M68 and buy a 3X magnifier for it to use when needed. Remember as a platoon leader it is not your function to serve as a sniper, just lead the troops and ensure the NCOs train them for what is ahead. |
So true. You really don't have to shoot your rifle if you have 30-40 soldiers (a whole platoon) with rifles, Mk-19s, 50 Cals, SAWs and M240Bs shooting for you. Being a platoon leader, you have a lot of firepower at your disposal. Exploit that power. It is your job to use all those different weapon systems in concert with each other, effectively. When the sh*t hits the fan, your soldiers do not want to see you acting like a PFC wannabe sniper. They want you to lead them. They want to see and hear quick, decisive and sound orders coming out of your mouth. They want to see you working on the bigger picture, rather than focusing on your sight picture. As an officer, you will find that you will be using the radio more often than your rifle. It should be this way. If you (the platoon leader) have to personally fire shots down-range yourself, then things aren't looking so good for you and your unit. With regard to the ACOG, it is one of those things that would be nice to have. However, as a platoon leader, you will mainly be using it to look at things to formulate a plan or make a decisions, rather than a tool for marksmanship. [ETA: I vote for the TA31F] |
I served as an infantry platoon leader in Iraq and carried a TA11F. We were issued 3 TA31Fs, which I made sure the squads got. I bought a TA11F because I did not like the CCO or Eotech and I liked the eye relief better than the TA31F. Aside from a CQB optic, I primarily used it for rapid long range observation. Much quicker than fishing out my binos to look at something. Like scottrh2 says, you are not primarily a trigger puller, but a leader. Use the ACOG as extended eyes to better formulate a plan when needed. On a side note, you can never do enough battle drills. |
|
Thanks for the advice so far. I have no illusions about being some sort of a sniper, but given the ROE today I can't just have my gunners open up on potential threats. We require positive ID these days and the bad guys know it. You can't open up with the .50 when collateral damage is a certainty unless you are under direct threat. Being able to make a precise shot and, as has been mentioned multiple times, positively identify what it is you are shooting at, is more important now than ever. Hell, the ROE in a lot of places requires BDE commander's authority to use HE rounds. I guess my thinking is that if I ever have to fire my rifle, it will be more likely outdoors than indoors (since I don't breach or clear) and that it will be a single, fleeting target, not a massed enemy or position that I can direct my gunners to. This is based on my talking to peers who are over there right now and the intel we are receiving about current enemy TTPs. I have no problem with the EOTech and, when they are in good shape, the M68 is allright, too. I like the fact that I don't have to hit any switches for the ACOG to be ready, though. Also, today I was able to play with an ACOG at the local outfitter and was pleasantly surprised to see that I could use it very effectively as a reflex type sight because the lighted reticle doesn't disappear when your head comes off the stock. Does anyone else use this technique? I like the Docter and all, but if I can use the ACOG effectively in "snap" mode, why bother with soemthing I'll have to uncover? |
|
With the new CCO you can switch the unit on and leave it on for months at a time. With the 3x you can detach the unit and use it as a low power monacle to check something out without orienting your weapon if you need to. Check phii's AAR on his M4 and gear. Some good info in there. If you get the ACOG, I don't know that I would bother with the JP/Docter. |
AR Sponsor