Combat Optics
The closest 
competitor we have seen on the market is the Eotech style optics. These seem to still gain a lot of attention for house to house fightingi and close range shooting, but outside of 100yds, the Eotech reticle will most likely obscure a target. If you’re picky about rifle recticles, you’ll have quite a few options to pick from with the ACOG. Reticles come in red, yellow, amber and green. They are crosshair, donut, Chevron or German style reticle. There are a few optics that like the Accpoint that are even widely used in the hunting market.
Trijicon ACOG optics are hands down the most widely used combat optic used by our military. There is a reason for this. These Trijicon ACOGS also known as Advanced Combat Optic Gunsights don’t need batteries, give you low light illumination, fixed magnification and models like the TRTA01-ECOS gives you fast up front CQB options and long range shooting in one package. Like all optics being used today, nothing is good for everything, but technology is moving away from battery powered optics and Trijicon has been on that pursuit for over a decade.
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.
I would have to put the fanny pack in the same category as a CCW Vest. People think wearing a vest is a dead giveaway that you are carrying a gun, and the same goes for a fanny pack. One question I’d have to ask you, though, is do you think wearing camoflauge pants means you are also carrying a gun? I did a mental tally of how many times I saw a leftist liberal College student wearing camo, and I thought, naw, there’s no chance he’s got a CCW. There seems to be an age group that wear vests and just because you see an old guy wearing a vest, doesn’t mean he’s got a 1911 under it. There are also plenty of people that can get away with wearing a fanny pack is the situation and environment will allow it.
The organized gun owner is the guy that shows up at the range and never says, “aw frack” I forgot fill in the blank. Some people may think that carrying their sight in tools is pointless if the gun is already sighted in. I’m sure some of you reading this chuckled when they read that, but the reality is the serious shooter knows that even though he’s tightened everything down, stuff comes loose. If it’s got a screw in it, it will come loose unless regular checkups are peformed. I read a good write up by Pat Rogers where he suggested marking the tops of everything that needs locking down with a market of some sort. Probable the best advice I’d pass on to friends.