Forums › Forums › Gear – The Stuff We Carry › Handguns › Evil Black Rifle Pic Thread……..
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September 24, 2025 at 11:57 am #23392
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KeymasterI really like my 1-4x. It came with the little cattail-like feature and it’s second focal plane. So at 1x the reticle is essentially a red dot but with a huge field of view compared to typical red dots. I prefer no magnification out to even 50 yards so essentially the extra power is there only when I need it. That SWFA is Mil-Mil which is not necessary but it did give me an opportunity to learn to range with Mils (and just learn the whole Mil system), shoot various loads with a dope card, and shoot further. Right now I only have access to a range with 300 yards, but I am working on fixing that problem. That said, yeah the Mil turrets are pretty pointless on a low power optic. There isn’t much point in dialing the corrections for a 16″ 556 at 4x. Even with only 5 Mils, or whatever, marked on the reticle, that’s enough for hold overs beyond what is realistic for a 556 carbine, particularly for 55gr ammo. Also, the difference from 55gr to 75gr is relatively significant (less at 300), so I just made a card and use holds because I can only have one zero. Gotta pick something, and I shoot 55gr a whole lot more often. With the new blaster joining the family, I might rethink that idea, but regardless I’m not going to be shooting much fifty cent or dollar a pop ammo.
The under a pound part is a great benefit. You are able to overcome any perceived shortcomings and get a much lighter package. My 1-4x is (I believe) under a pound, like 14 ounces. But the mount is a tubby sucker at about 7 ounces. I do have a lighter weight mount that I should have used – the SWFA mount is just a tank (and it was free when I bought the scope). That rifle is 8-3/4lbs with a heavy profile barrel as pictured. It has one of those scary polymer lowers that gave me a free 7 ounces or something. Anyway, the fixed power optic makes a lot of sense and you can probably point shoot close targets anyway.
Spitfire? Who makes it? Vortex.
September 24, 2025 at 11:58 am #23395admin
KeymasterThey are working on a fix….probably be welding the cap screw in place.
September 24, 2025 at 11:58 am #23397admin
KeymasterYep. They make 1x and 3x versions. The 3x actually comes with some pic rails to add a dot, but they’re in an even stupider place than they are on the acog. So, I took them off for another ounce or so. I think I remember it being 14 or 15 ounces with the included lower-1/3 mount, from which I also removed the riser.
I played with several scopes yesterday trying to learn about them. And, well….I stand by my choice. Nothing really impressed me between it and Trijicon. And when it really comes down to it….the difference between a 1-4 accupoint or vcog and a 4x acog, how I see it, is that the variable has more things to go wrong and no real advantages.
Having an offset dot with a closer zero brings the cost up significantly, but it also brings more to the table.
And of it’s an acog and an RMR, you’ll probably never have to adjust anything unless you’re changing your zero for different loads or after replacing the RMR battery every year or two.
I’m pretty sure that’s where my rifle is going eventually. But, things will probably have changed by the time I earn it (self imposed limits based on skill/accomplishment).
Now…if we leave cqb and want a rifle that will do from 200 yards out to “far”, I can definitely see the appeal of a zoom.
Also, I’m not an expert at this. I took my first shot with a magnified optic late last year. Before that, I’d only used iron or open sights and dots. It’s just how I see it.
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September 24, 2025 at 11:58 am #23398admin
KeymasterThe dual optic concept makes a lot of sense to me. And, like you said, if 200 is the goal, or even 300, then no, you don’t need much of anything. Your 50/200 zero will give you badguy hits to 300 without having to do anything special. So yeah, the difference is range. It’s the 300-600 area that having some magnification and a Mil reticle really comes into play – plus shooting different loads at those ranges. I have a handful of steel targets and shooting that far is just fun, on the rare occasions I can get off the 300 yard range.
Primary Arms has been good to me and their RMR lookalikes are pretty affordable. Just grab a little offset mount for your flat-top/rail rather than piggybacking – there are some really slick ones. I agree that adding more distance between bore and optic doesn’t make sense.
I also did some looking and apparently my 7 ounce mount is pretty much typical of cantilever mounts. 🙁 Might just switch to rings of some kind because I don’t need the cantilever feature anyway. Although I am not sure they will be much lighter.
September 24, 2025 at 11:58 am #23399admin
KeymasterLol. I’m a fan of my vortex. I’ll probably end up aging one of their mini red dots after I actually start shooting 3gun.
My ccw has an RMR, and it’s fantastic. But I’m not a good enough competitor to spend that much yet, and my AR isn’t really a defensive gun. I have some defensive ammo and zero change written down, but it would take a lot for me to want it just because of his freaking loud the compensator is.
A 2 stamp scorpion makes more sense for a defensive carbine to me, right after I get over the sticker shock and take the plunge. Maybe I’ll start on the suppressor in a week or so.
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September 24, 2025 at 11:58 am #23400admin
KeymasterI had a Miculek comp on mine for awhile. I just couldn’t stand to shoot the thing. Hopefully very soon I will get to try a couple of the forward blast devices. MI Blast Diverter and HERA arms. Don’t know that there will be any comp effect but hopefully it just makes them that much more “fun” to shoot.
I think you’re right on the HD purpose – compact pistol caliber blaster. Plus, I just really want a 9mm AR with a short barrel, which is along the same lines.
Don’t know what size steel they might have you on for 3gun but I understand they regularly go 300yds. 4x at 300 on a 10″ plate is a no miss scenario in my experience, but not exactly a cake walk from less than perfect positions after you’ve been running. Let me know if the variable dark side starts to creep in. 😀
September 24, 2025 at 11:58 am #23401admin
KeymasterMy one and only, little bits, really like my CMC single stage 3.5lb. trigger though.
September 24, 2025 at 11:59 am #23402admin
KeymasterWere you shooting different bullet weights? Any better luck with one over another? Wind?
September 24, 2025 at 11:59 am #23403admin
KeymasterChristmas present to myself. Now I just need enough time away from work to get it zeroed.
September 24, 2025 at 11:59 am #23404admin
KeymasterLower is done…I’m just waiting on the upper.
September 24, 2025 at 11:59 am #23405admin
KeymasterWhat color is the stock and the grip?
September 24, 2025 at 11:59 am #23406admin
KeymasterFDE…the lighting makes it hard to tell.
September 24, 2025 at 11:59 am #23407admin
KeymasterWhat length upper are you going with?
September 24, 2025 at 11:59 am #23408admin
Keymaster16″ with a 12″ railed hand guard
September 24, 2025 at 12:00 pm #23409admin
Keymasterno pictures, public service announcement… went to the range yesterday to try out some factory Outback 5.56 loaded with 69 grain Sierra BTHP… with a large pistol target with not precise aiming area, and a TA31F with chevron rather than cross hair, multiple 5 shot groups went into .75″ at 100yd… it is nice to have over the counter ammo with this accuracy at about $.55 per round
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