My friend doc 540 recently bought a new ACOG scope and wanted to sight it in. I told him we could go together and I would help him with it.
I have enjoyed having an ACOG for a number of years. Mine is mounted on my Colt HBAR AR-15. Here it is:
Mine is a 3.5 X 35 scope, Model TA11. It has a "donut" reticle and hash marks below the donut for bullet drop compensation.
The hash marks below the donut show bullet drop compensating aiming points for 5.56 at various ranges. The donut can be used for close-up targets and allows very fast target acquisition.
The donut is illuminated by a tritium/fiber optic illumination reticle that adjusts to available light. In bright sunlight, the strip on the top of the scope illuminates the reticle. In low light, the donut is illuminated by tritium. It is always bright and easy to see.
Here is a view through the scope in bright sunlight.
The scope does not have an adjustment for focus, but does have adjustments for windage and elevation. It is easy to adjust and holds the settings once set.
Mine is an older model, and has this "serial number" (which is not really a serial number): MT5:16.
That is for Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
The US Military has made them quit putting Scriptures on the scopes and I am glad I have one of the older ones.
Mine is mounted on a carry handle mount. It does not look like it would be that steady, but it has been rock solid for me.
Here's a target that I shot at 50 yards. That is 10 rounds of military ball. That's plenty accurate for a battle rifle.
Doc540 bought a different model. His is a TA31RCO-M4CP, which means that it was designed for the US Marine Corp. It is a 4 X 32 scope.
Here it is, mounted on his SBR.
His was made in 2007, and has the "Chevron" type reticle.
Here is what his looks like on a target.
Since his was manufactured in 2007, it also has a Bible verse, JN8:12.
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Now, an interesting observation……
Doc is about my age and has tri-focal lenses in his glasses. He found it difficult to get both the reticle and target in perfect focus. He called the ACOG folks and talked to a technician who told him, "These scopes that do not have a focus are made for young soldiers and Marines that have good eyesight or wear corrective lenses that are adjusted to the scope."
We did some shooting at 15-20 yards, quick double taps and found that the reticles made shooting quickly and accurately very easy. And in low-light conditions, they would work even better.
The adjustment knobs on his scope are wired on to prevent loss.
His mount is mounted directly on the top of the receiver and is very tough.
It also has the fiber optic illumination for bright sunlight and a tritium reticle for low light.
Here are ten shots at 50 yards with his rifle and scope that I shot quickly. Not bad for military ball ammo.
These scopes list at around $1,700 MSRP, but can be found used for less than $800 if you are patient.
Conclusion:
These scopes are probably some of the best combat scopes available and are widely used by the US Military. I would highly recommend one if you are looking for a combat scope.
And, as always, it's fun to shoot stuff.
I have enjoyed having an ACOG for a number of years. Mine is mounted on my Colt HBAR AR-15. Here it is:
Mine is a 3.5 X 35 scope, Model TA11. It has a "donut" reticle and hash marks below the donut for bullet drop compensation.
The hash marks below the donut show bullet drop compensating aiming points for 5.56 at various ranges. The donut can be used for close-up targets and allows very fast target acquisition.
The donut is illuminated by a tritium/fiber optic illumination reticle that adjusts to available light. In bright sunlight, the strip on the top of the scope illuminates the reticle. In low light, the donut is illuminated by tritium. It is always bright and easy to see.
Here is a view through the scope in bright sunlight.
The scope does not have an adjustment for focus, but does have adjustments for windage and elevation. It is easy to adjust and holds the settings once set.
Mine is an older model, and has this "serial number" (which is not really a serial number): MT5:16.
That is for Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
The US Military has made them quit putting Scriptures on the scopes and I am glad I have one of the older ones.
Mine is mounted on a carry handle mount. It does not look like it would be that steady, but it has been rock solid for me.
Here's a target that I shot at 50 yards. That is 10 rounds of military ball. That's plenty accurate for a battle rifle.
Doc540 bought a different model. His is a TA31RCO-M4CP, which means that it was designed for the US Marine Corp. It is a 4 X 32 scope.
Here it is, mounted on his SBR.
His was made in 2007, and has the "Chevron" type reticle.
Here is what his looks like on a target.
Since his was manufactured in 2007, it also has a Bible verse, JN8:12.
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Now, an interesting observation……
Doc is about my age and has tri-focal lenses in his glasses. He found it difficult to get both the reticle and target in perfect focus. He called the ACOG folks and talked to a technician who told him, "These scopes that do not have a focus are made for young soldiers and Marines that have good eyesight or wear corrective lenses that are adjusted to the scope."
We did some shooting at 15-20 yards, quick double taps and found that the reticles made shooting quickly and accurately very easy. And in low-light conditions, they would work even better.
The adjustment knobs on his scope are wired on to prevent loss.
His mount is mounted directly on the top of the receiver and is very tough.
It also has the fiber optic illumination for bright sunlight and a tritium reticle for low light.
Here are ten shots at 50 yards with his rifle and scope that I shot quickly. Not bad for military ball ammo.
These scopes list at around $1,700 MSRP, but can be found used for less than $800 if you are patient.
Conclusion:
These scopes are probably some of the best combat scopes available and are widely used by the US Military. I would highly recommend one if you are looking for a combat scope.
And, as always, it's fun to shoot stuff.
