Here at
Gunblast.com, we have recently placed an emphasis on the AR-15
rifle system and its related accessories. With the high levels
of crime and chaos in our world, we have determined that a good
AR and the ability to properly use it will go a long way towards
solving many crisis situations.
With a
reliable AR-15, or any other rifle, the ability to accurately
place the shots on target is paramount. Most rifles for social
purposes come supplied with at least a serviceable set of sights
that work pretty well in good lighting, but are sorely lacking
in low light situations. Also, aligning the rear and front
sights with the target in a stressful situation can be
difficult. As always, we are seeking a better way.
A good quality
hunting type scope makes hitting the target easier under ideal
conditions, but does nothing to enhance the hit probability in
low light or high stress situations. Also, most hunting scopes
are somewhat fragile in rough use.
Two of the
better products that we have found to solve these problems are
built by Trijicon in Wixom, Michigan. Both of these
sights use tritium illumination, but differ in their area of
practical usage.
The
Trijicon Reflex Sight
The first
sight reviewed here is the Reflex sight. This sight is
most useful on targets as close as across a small room to as far
out as three hundred yards. The Reflex is a red dot type of
sight, but is not to be confused with the cheap, fragile
electronic dot sights on the market. The Reflex uses both fiber
optic and tritium technology to provide a quick and easily-seen
aiming point under all lighting conditions. The tritium provides
a red dot aiming point that is enhanced in bright light by the
fiber optic system, providing a brighter reticle in bright
conditions and a dimmer reticle in low light.
With the
Reflex sight, one merely looks at the target with both eyes wide
open, aligns the dot with the desired impact point, and squeezes
the trigger. Nothing could be simpler. There are no batteries to
maintain, and no switches to flip. The weapon is always ready.
The point of impact is easily adjustable with the windage and
elevation dials. Eye relief is not critical, so the weapon can
be held in one hand if necessary. Aiming is as easy as
looking at the target. In dark conditions, the red dot is not
overwhelming, and the brightness self-adjusts to any light
conditions. The Reflex provides no magnification, and is best
suited out to three hundred yards on man-sized targets. This
sight would be ideal on a police rifle, and is very easy to use.
Weighing just a few ounces, it is very unobtrusive atop the
rifle or carbine.
I mounted the
Reflex sight on a flattop AR-15 for testing, and found that it
was extremely easy to place shots accurately on target. Out to
one hundred yards on man-sized targets, nothing that I have ever
tried is faster than this sight.
Trijicon
ACOG Sight
Filling the
purpose of a more traditional scope sight is the Trijicon ACOG
sight. In this role, the ACOG makes hitting accurately at long
range easy, just as does a hunting type scope. The difference is
strength and durability. While both compact and relatively
light, the ACOG is built like a tank. ACOG is an acronym for Advanced
Combat Optical Gunsight. The model tested is the TA31,
which is a four power unit that uses both tritium and fiber
optic technology to illuminate the reticle, which is graduated
out to a range of 800 meters with the 5.56mm cartridge. The red
circle reticle covers four minutes-of-angle (MOA), with a
hollow center that covers 2 MOA. The ACOG sight is in use
around the world by U.S. and coalition forces, and has
been found to be very effective and rugged. The ACOG, like
the reflex, uses no batteries, and is pretty much maintenance
free. The reticle is very quick up close, and the four power
magnification is useful at longer range. The ACOG has one and
one-half inches of eye relief and an eight millimeter exit
pupil. The field of view at one hundred yards is about
thirty-seven feet. Weighing about three-quarters of a pound with
the flattop mount, the ACOG is compact and relatively light,
while offering the durability needed in a combat sight. It
offers much greater hit probability for most shooters, and is a
lifesaver in low light situations. I found that the ACOG
made it much easier for me to get off a quick, accurate shot at
extended range, and also very quick up close with the bright red
four-minute dot.
For prices, specifications, and ordering information on either
of these sights, or any other Trijicon product, check them out
online at: www.trijicon.com.
Jeff Quinn
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