Posted on 06/18/2010 5:25:32 PM PDT by Travis McGee
Okay, this wasn't a bench-by-bench comparison. But I did shoot one rifle last week at my range, and the other rifle today at a guest range. Both ranges are in Florida, if you care, on opposite coasts.
Both rifles were comparable M-4gerys. Top end or close to to top end. (Not junk.) Similar stocks, barrels, etc. I'm not going to mention the makes, because it's not the point of my essay tonight. Trust me, both are fine, fine rifles that are capable of greater accuracy than I ever will lend to them.
Okay. Rifle #1 sports a 1 power EOTech sight and a compensator/muzzle brake. The EOTech's 1X aiming point is a one minute of angle red dot, surrounded by a red circle. If you have read this far, you already know this.
Rifle #2 sports a 4X Trijicon ACOG and a flash suppressor. The ACOG's reticle is an orange triangle, the aiming point is the top tip. In both cases I was shooting from a bench and offhand at 100 yards at standard 100 yard NRA targets. These are about 2 feet square, with about a 10" black bullseye graduated with rings. I wasn't counting scores, but initial sighting-in groups, and then offhand effectiveness.
Impressions: the Trijicon is the finest sight I've ever shot on a combat carbine, period. Bar none. Better by far than my EOTech, Aimpoints (4 minute of angle red dots) and various other optical and electronic sights I have used. Off a rest, the Trijicon was shooting a sub 2" group, and I suck at bench rest shooting. I cannot get my EOTech to shoot that well, even though it has a 1 MOA red dot, mainly because my "over 50" eyes are starting to slip, maybe. The best bench groups I could get with the EOTech were about 4". The 4X Trijicon brought that 10" bull in sharp and clear. The triangle top reticle is like a surgeon's scalpel. Sub 2" bench groups were easy. Yet it's also bright and fast and "intuitive."
Bench rest verdict: Trijicon wins, hands down.
Standing, offhand. To get a little realism into the comparison, I shot identical NRA targets offhand, "semi-rapid fire." A combat carbine is about shooting with speed while running around and trying not to get shot. Bench rest performance is just step one. Standing offhand with both rifles/sights, I could really kill that 10" bull at 100 yards. The 1 MOA EOTech is easily centered. Offhand, both rifles and scopes were far better than the shooter, me. But to be truthful, semi-rapid fire standing, and going through entire 30 round mags to simulate realistic fatigue, I found it much easier to stay "all in the black" with the Trijicon. That 4X triangle is just so damn good. And it has built-in stadia steps under the triangle for 400 and 600 yards. I'd hate to be a Taliban with ten Marines chasing me with M-16 A3 mounted with Trijicons!
Offhand accuracy at 100 yards: Trijicon wins again.
Second discussion: flash suppressor vs. muzzle brake. One area where I must give credit to my own M-4gery with the EOTech is due to its brake/compensator. Yes, the 5.56mm "mouse gun" does not have much recoil. Yes, your ten year old little sister can shoot it without crying. BUT, my muzzle brake/compensator makes a fast rifle even faster. The Trijicon with the flash suppressor was more accurate, but just a bit slower than the EOTech with the brake. The Trijicon/flash suppressor would jump off of the target just enough between semi-rapid fire shots to force you to "re-acquire" the bull on the triangle.
But my EOTech with the compensator (no holes on the bottom, for zero "muzzle flip" means that my 1moa EOTech red dot stays dead-tits on the center of the bull between shots. If the ranges allowed true rapid fire, I'm sure that's when the brake would really shine. (No 'one second per shot rule'.) With the brake you can just nail your target all the way through a magazine, with both eyes open, never ever losing your point of aim even for a nanosecond.
But with no magnification, the EOTech just could not maximize the accuracy the way the Trijicon did.
My recommendation for the deadliest combo? Put a Trijicon on top of your M-4gery, and a muzzle brake/compensator on the front. Then you will be able to attack targets like a damn sewing machine! Who needs full auto, when you can just DRILL a target at 100 yards as fast as you can shoot?
I wish I was still out west at a "free range" gravel pit where I could put this theory to the test. But our Eastern RSO's just don't like hearing 30 round mags go out in under 30 seconds.
Now, everybody enjoy. I'm going out to dinner with my wife.
“Self ping to lurk and learn....
Thanks for the ping!”
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What he said...
But the 5.56 sucks!!! Or not...
Wish I could try an ACOG. I figure the EOtech on my M4gery is a 200-250 yard low light gun. Folding irons add options. That will work around here, other options if I have to leave.
Thanks!
I’ve tried both and agree with your evaluation. I’ve been looking at the Leupold Mark 4 CQ/T. I’ve looked through them but never shot ‘em. They seem like they might be best of both worlds, tube red dot like the aimpoint and 3X magnification.
EOTech ping
Uhhh...
You left out “spear”...bayonets remember? Also, I’ve used my mauser as a door stop and as a door brace(jammed against a closed door so no one can kick it open). It can also be used as an exercize dumbell and as a fire poke. Really good hands can twirl it like a baton in a marching band.
LLS
I havn’t tried out my theory...but I think the ideal M4gery would be a carbon fiber jobby from bushmaster with an oil filled recoil spring/plunger gizmo. Add light weight to the low recoil concept!
Yes, the range master takes a very dim view of people who don’t religiously follow range rules (up and down range).
But the desert is a very big place. So I had lots of places to screw up before figuring it out. Hope the illegals had fun dodging 5.56x45mm though. that thought gives me a warm and fuzzy.
Told ya......:o)
The eotech shines in transition from bright sunlight to darkened room. Minute of torso is fine for the eotech when clearng structures yet my TA31D with the Docter on top is my favorite.....
Very fast for 3 gun.
I consider the Aimpoint a maximum 200 sight for an M4. For longer range work, I have a sweet little accurized rifle with glass and shooting the 77gr SMK, the Mk262/0, it nails anything I can see.
I chose the Aimpoint for its brightness and toughness. I didn’t want magnified optics on an M4 as I consider that rifle a vehicle weapon used in urban combat for situations closer than 200 yards.
Agree. My Comp M is a very good optic. It works perfect with ANPVS14. Dial it down an coyotes cry.
I want to try the 3 against each other.
We need to set a list of conditions to evaluate em shy of destruction or abuse as I can’t afford such.
I can borrow an EOtech from work or drop some coin on one. Whch one is the question.
I have that rig on my SOCOM II with custom rails.
Come to think about it after one gets an EOTech and the 4x magnifier and the quick mounts, you have spent enough money to buy the Jesus Sight.
I'm told that if you can get a prosthetic limb to chamber it'll fire that as well.
I like it.
Practically recoiless too.
You should really change your dryer venting to rigid 4” pipe. Flexible dryer pipe tends to tear and accumulates lint faster than aluminum or galvanized pipe and in many municipalities it is a code violation.
Gee, thanks for the advice, ;)
maybe next year...
Oh, but the gun is very nice also!
Right up till you fire it. ;-)
I've heard one can use the recoil to correct shoulders dislocated by previous shots!
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