What do y'all think about the ACOG

[Biscuitsjam]

I'm heading to Afghanistan in a few months, where I'll likely be stationed in a tiny patrol base along the Pakistan border. I'm thinking about buying an ACOG to use while I'm in-country, then put on my personal rifle when I get back.

The army will probably issue me one of those damned Aimpoints again (Close Combat Optic). I ain't using one, so it's either iron sights or an ACOG I buy myself.

So, what are your thoughts about the Trijicon ACOG TA01NSN for $900 (yellow center illumination)?
http://btitactical.com/ac4xscwiyece.html

Or the TA01 for $792.50 (full line red illumination)?
http://btitactical.com/tjtrac4xscwi.html

Or one of the Compact ACOGs for $760?
http://btitactical.com/compactacog.html

[podwich]

I prefer the full-size, fiber-optic-equipped ACOGs like the TA11 (more eye relief, narrower FOV) and TA31 (less eye relief, wider FOV). The reticle really lights up in the daylight. However, my use is only for things that don't shoot back, so my experience is limited.

[Biscuitsjam]

It looks like the TA31 series has almost identical specs to the TA01 series. The only difference is that the TA31 has fiberoptics for illuminating the reticle in daytime. Is there any other significant difference?

[podwich]

I think that's about it for differences. The lighted reticle does allow the Bindon Aiming Concept, which is basically like using an occluded red dot sight at close range: i.e., when close, the aiming eye (R eye, if R-handed) sees just a blurry image with a sharp, bright reticle while the other eye sees the target. The brain superimposes the two and you basically get a red dot sight close up and a magnified scope at distance. I don't know if that'd be useful to you or not.

[podwich]

One more thing: I bought my TA11F from www.rainierarms.com a little over a year ago. They gave a decent discount off their listed prices if you're registered at AR15.com- I just emailed and requested a quote on the ones I was interested. Last year the TA11F was $975 (site lists at $1162, $1094 at the site you posted for comparison). It might be worth a shot to see if they'll still offer a discount on whichever model you choose. I don't know what they would offer on the TA01 series as I didn't ask.

Edit: Looks like they have a link at the bottom of the page for military discounts if you want to check that out as well.

[Biscuitsjam]

I've heard about the potential of scratching the fiber-optics. Is this likely to be a problem in a sandstorm-prone area?

If the fiberoptics are ruined, would these scopes still work?

Is the TA31F as durable as the TA01NSN?

It appears that the TA01 has some kind of iron sights on the outside of the scope and the TA11/TA31 scopes do not. Is this correct?

[podwich]

I've seen pictures with the plastic tube encasing the fiberoptic having hairline cracks in it and it still works fine. I don't think the sand will affect it. Even if you broke the fiberoptic, you would still be able to use the scope-the reticle's still there, just not glowing. You'd also still have the tritium for night use. That I've tested by covering the fiberoptic on mine during the daytime.

I don't know the durability comparison for sure. I would think it's similar, but I don't know conclusively.

Did you see the TA31ECOS? http://www.ar15.com/lite/topic.html?b=3&f=124&t=358253 or http://www.trijicon-inc.com/User/parts/products1.cfm?partid=555

I don't know too much more detailed info about the ACOG, but there's a bunch of stuff here:http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=3&f=18 with a bunch of smart people.

[Biscuitsjam]

Not interested in the ones with the red dot Docter Optic.

I really like the ACOG TA31-RCO-M4 that a lot of folks were talking about at arfcom.
http://www.4scopes.com/trijicon_acog_ta31_marine_rco-m4.htm

It's like the regular TA31, but with a horizontal mil reticle also (and some accessories that the Marines like)

[hokieglock]

this is my set up. fast transition from acog to cqb red dot.

eta: oops, just saw you don't like the red dot atop the acog, too bad it works great.


http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l257/hokiephoto/IMGP1882.jpg

[Biscuitsjam]

It isn't that I "don't like" it, just that it isn't where I want to spend my money.

What's that wrapped around your magazines?

And, what did you put on the end of your muzzle?

[hokieglock]

mag cinch:

It isn't that I "don't like" it, just that it isn't where I want to spend my money.

What's that wrapped around your magazines?

http://www.buffertech.com/stores/1/MAG_CINCHs_C3.cfm

And, what did you put on the end of your muzzle?

something like this:

http://www.dlsports.com/ar15_muzzle_brake.html

[Biscuitsjam]

Well, I spent a whole bunch of time reading about it, and I finally got one.

ACOG TA31RCO w/ LaRue Tactical LT-100 mount.

[podwich]

Cool. As long as you're going to be using the right gun for the bullet drop compensator, you're golden: TA31RCO-M4 for the M4, -A4 for the A4, etc.

[Biscuitsjam]

Yeah, got the M4 version.

[deadday]

Where you're going to be, you will NEED an ACOG, trust me on that one. You will spent lots of time playing in the mountains and even more time on OP watching goat trails....I had my TA01NSNTRD and used it 95% of the time...As far as which model, I would recommend the TA01NSNTRD (http://www.4scopes.com/trijicon_acog_ta01nsntrd.htm), or the TA31DOC (http://www.4scopes.com/trijicon_acog_ta31doc.htm)..





drew

[Biscuitsjam]

Didn't get the red dot attachment for the ACOG. How important do you think that is?

[GJ1981]

If it were me I'd go with the TA31 but the TA01NSN is just as good. I wish we would of had the newer models with the red dots. I used the TA31 until I was a full time gunner so that's my vote.

[Biscuitsjam]

It seems that this method of mounting a red dot would be better (prototype API mount - there are other brands available also):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Clutch99/MURLM/ARPictureThreadC.jpg

I'm not sure that I'd need a red dot though...

[deadday]

Didn't get the red dot attachment for the ACOG. How important do you think that is?



For A-stan, extremely.....You will go from mountains and wide open plains, to clearing mud-huts in a ville or compound....You will go from running an OP on a goat trail to clearing a cave..Unless you plan on removing your ACOG each time the situation changes and going to your irons, then you should really consider the red-dot option...To me it was indispensable...





drew

[podwich]

Didn't get the red dot attachment for the ACOG. How important do you think that is?

IIRC you can add a Docter sight or some other red dot sight later if you want. I would at least check out the BAC and see if that works for you. For me it works pretty well (similar to an occluded red dot sight). See http://www.trijicon-inc.com/aiming.html. It may not work if you have significant phoria (eyes don't track straight if fusion of binocular vision is lost).

[Biscuitsjam]

IIRC you can add a Docter sight or some other red dot sight later if you want. I would at least check out the BAC and see if that works for you. For me it works pretty well (similar to an occluded red dot sight). See http://www.trijicon-inc.com/aiming.html. It may not work if you have significant phoria (eyes don't track straight if fusion of binocular vision is lost).BAC's what I'm planning to try first. Reflexive fire should also be fairly effective at short range.

I thought about buying something like this (though not this brand):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VBRTT8?smid=A2NVRQ8QSA5E0A&tag=nextag-sports-mp-20&linkCode=asn

It's just a picatiny mount that's canted 45 degrees to the side. The idea would be to mount the (issued) M68 CCO offset from the ACOG. An ACOG and a CCO both on the same rifle seems like excessive weight and bulk though...