Combat Optics and profile
Keeping a scope cover on your objective and being aware of your flash is extremely important. I highly recommend a flash kill cover for any combat optics and also suggest a cover for your flashlight. Even something like a red lense will help avoid giving away too much reflection. Flashlights are probable the biggest giveaway in low light even if you don’t turn them on. Next time your at the range, put your rifle on the bench and walk down range and look again. Keep in mind that even though you may be 50-100yds away and wearing camoflauge, your fancy schmancy M4 has various points of reflection and even moonlight will have an impact.
One trend that I haven’t jumped on the bandwagon with is the all of the battery operatored doodads on a rifle. There are defintely reasons for putting lights on a gun and for 40mm objective lenses optics on your rifle, but many of those will stick out like a lighthouse in the field. I remember a clear safety violation of a gun operator who was handling his rifle during a cease fire. I was downrange about 500yds and turned and saw the flash of his Trijicon ACOG at that distance. I knew he was handling his rifle, but it was too far for me to scream back and tell him to put his gun down. It dawned on me that if I was the enemy, that guy would have been outed from 500yds away just because of how much his optics refected light. He was actually in the shadow of building and not in direct sunligh, nor was the sun shining from my direction on him.
Trijicon has also diversified their optics for hunting and target shooting. The Accupoint optics are low-variable power optics that give operators some level of magnification, but still have the speed that Trijicon optics are known for. The Accupoint reticles come in red triangle, Amber dot, Green triangle, and green dot. These have started to show up on bolt action rifles and DMR used in the military. They are reasonable priced and all under $1000 dollars.
For CQB some may prefer zero power optics and just a dot, but for people looking for something that doesn’t rely on batteries and can be used for fast target engagements out to 600yds+. I’m starting to see a lot of M1A and FAL owners swapping out the standard 3-9×40 optics and slapping on the Trjicon Accupoints.ll models in the AccuPoint Series operate battery free—eliminating the potential for failure during critical moments in the field. They also feature Trijicon’s Manual Brightness Adjustment Override, which allows you to control the light output of the fiber-optics during daylight. AccuPoint® riflescopes include other advanced elements like multi-layer coated lenses for superior light transmission with no distortion, quick-focus eyepiece, long-eye relief, and precise windage and elevation adjustments.
Competitive shooters that are looking for rapid engagement optics, bullet comp for fast holdovers should look no further. When you’re engaged in a firefight or defending an established position, you want a battle-tested partner at your side. Trijicon®, the world leader in self-luminous Brilliant Aiming Solutions™ can supply that partner — the Trijicon ACOG®®. In fact, the 4×32 model ACOG® was chosen by the U.S. Special Operation Command (USSOC) as standard issue for all Special Operations Forces.
These are truely the fastest weapon engagement optics on the planet. The ACOGs combine traditional, precise distance marksmanship with close-in aiming speed. Although the ACOGs have many features which are very advantageous for military use, they were developed by Trijicon without government funding.
I have a friend that was in Iraq that mentioned that magnification was what helped them identify IED wires at a distance where guys with irons and Eotechs couldn’t seem them. I’d have to say that the ACOG is still an advanced combat sight, but they are expensive. The thing that makes the ACOG work so well is having the right ammo matched up to the bullet comp. Once you figure out where the hold overs are, this optic is fast. At rifle competitions at my club, I always notice that the guys that could nail target the fastest all had Acogs.
I’m the type that goes through sticker shock whenever I go to gun shops or gun shows and see the prices the NIB guns cost. People seem to think that buying used means the gun is closer to breakage than a new gun. Nothing could be further from the truth. There are several manufacturers that are making incredible reliable and durable firearms that may have fewer than 500rds through. If you look at barrel life and frame life, those guns are in the equivallent of being in the early stages of grade school. There are plenty of used police trade ins that just have holster wear and probable only were shot during qualification each year by an LEO.
You may seriously want to consider looking into some of the modern less-lethal options. After spending many years on the firing line, in professional situations and in casual environments, I’ve seen plenty of people pushed into firing guns that they did not feel comfortable shooting and even a handful of people that probable shouldn’t be on the firing line. I believe most of our population can handle some level of firearm proficiency, but I strongly recommend against pushing carrying firearms for novice gun owners. There are always variables we can argue about, but if I knew someone that was working late nights as a waitress or working at a bar, I would not pressure them to carry a gun if they did not have the training to use it.
As we grow in our skills, we are more than likely to think about changing the firearms we carry. I can’t tell you the number of times I hung out with a gun owner that looked like they could carry a full size 1911 in there front pocket, but choose to carry a J-frame instead. Well, now that I’ve been carrying a firearm for close to 20yrs, I’ve really started to feel the weight especially when I was working overtime and carrying 10 and 12hrs days. You really start to feel it at some point, the difference between 1lb and 3lbs of gun. I guess there is almost a predictable learning curve when it comes to carrying guns.