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acog ta31 optic question

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it seems the acog ta31 model always gets complaints because of the eye relief and people generally recommend the ta11 or ta33.  for those with experience on all three, is the general issue of eye relief just that it stops you from putting a backup iron sight on easily or is there a more specific issue with speed to acquire the target? 

 

im wondering if you could position the ta31 with a spacer like this http://www.weaponoutfitters.com/macedon-defense-kram-optics-spacer.html would it be more highly recommended than the others/

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Yes, the TA31 with the Macedon spacer improves the eye relief issues. Almost completely relieves it. The owner of Weapon Outfitters is a personal friend of mine and we've talked at length about those spacers. He said he's almost as fast with his TA31 as he is with his Aimpoints now that the eye relief was improved. And he wasn't trying to sell me on them or get me to buy some (I could buy direct from Macedon if I wanted) so it's not like he was biased in what he was telling me. Roy knows good gear and has turned me on to some legit pieces of hardware like the AR gas vent for suppressed guns (what a life saver with machine guns) so I trust what he was telling me regarding the spacers.

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Now that's a great idea. Almost all acogs have a one inch or so eye relief. Big prob for us here in NJ where stocks must be pinned. If you pin too far back, you are forced to lay your cheek on the buffer tube which is not good. Also a good way if getting too too close, you'll bop your glasses and or eye. Military just adjusts their stocks to compensate for the eye relief and just deal with iit. They have other problems like thick gear, etc. I hate that my stock is almost all the way in to compensate. This might be the solve all answer.

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Personally, I think the ACOGs are a bit dated now, and their eye relief issue is not helping that. For the money they cost, you could get any number of 1-4x or 1-6x illuminated scopes that do a much better job at being red dot like or scope like, with better eye relief and just as tough. 

 

It isn't that ACOGs are bad, its just that they haven't gotten much better then they were 20 years ago and the rest of the industry has. IMHO,  the only thing that sets them apart are the tritium/lightpipe setup instead of batteries, but newer scopes have done miracles with battery life. 

 

But thats me and I'm biased, someone else can have a different opinion just as valid, because optics are somewhat of a personal preference thing as well. If you ever get the chance, take a look through a Vortex Razor HD II 1-6x.  It is pretty amazing what they can do with optics today and it costs about as much as the TA31. 

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what's the field of view like with the 1-6 style optics though?

 

Depends from optic to optic, but generally very good.  The Razor I have is 20ft at 100y at 6x, at 4x (for comparison with the 4x ACOG) it would be probably in the 30-40ft range but I wouldn't know because for me it is basically 1x or 6x, everything in between doesn't interest me. I think its like 110ft at 1x

 

The other interesting thing is that with a huge 43mm ocular bell and 4" of eye relief, I shoot it with both eyes open even at 6x, and at 1x the scope nearly disappears, I actually see less of the scope body then I see on a aimpoint.

 

However, don't take my word for it, because everyone's eyes are different, but before you spend $1300-$1500 on a optic I recommend trying a few. Take a look at the Razor HD II, the new Burris XTR II, the TR24, etc.  

 

Edited to add: and at the end of the day the ACOG maybe better for you and your needs, all am saying is shop around first, if you already done so and like the ACOG then go for it. They are tough and hold their value well so even if you change your mind later you should be able to get some money back for it. 

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Is that the Bushnell? How do you like it?

Yep, this guy: http://www.bushnell.com/all-products/rifle-scopes/elite-tactical/smrs-1-8-5x-24mm

 

It's a pretty impressive scope given the features and pricepoint. It's a little heavy but then again, every scope with this kind of magnification ratio is heavy. Mine was a factory demo direct from Bushnell so I paid less than normal but even if I paid current street price for a new one, I'd feel it was a great value.

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OP, if you are in south jersey, you are welcome to try out my TA31's and see how they work for you.

 

Some people don't like the short eye relief of the 4x32 ACOGs, but they work well for me and my shooting style. I was always taught to shoot NTCH, so the 4x32's work perfectly for me.

 

Let me know if you want to get some trigger time on a TA31. I shoot at SJSC.

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I have no room to speak on the subject as I am a complete noob to AR and firearms in general, I have started listw to the AR-15 podcast and they did a two part episode (episode 55) on optics that was a panel of 5 current/former marines who make a pretty good case for ACOGs are great because they are next to indestructible as far as optics go. Also was good for a few laughs

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I have no room to speak on the subject as I am a complete noob to AR and firearms in general, I have started listw to the AR-15 podcast and they did a two part episode (episode 55) on optics that was a panel of 5 current/former marines who make a pretty good case for ACOGs are great because they are next to indestructible as far as optics go. Also was good for a few laughs

They really are which is why I have them on my two firearms that are hardest on optics (Mk46 beltfed and a SCAR 17)

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Keep in mind a couple of more things. For one you are not likely to assault beaches, and for another the average marine does not get to play with all the optics on earth, they are familiar with what was issued.  In some ways the ACOG is marine proof and there is something to be said for that, but buying optics based on podcasts is a very bad idea. You should be basing it on actually handling the optics and seeing how they work for you and your eyes. If an ACOG is that optic, then fine, buy it. But if your vision is not perfect or can not be corrected to perfect, you will quickly learn the benefits of a diopter adjustment, a feature ACOG scopes generally lack. 

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Great points in here, I have/had owned a ta31, ta11, and several variable optics.

 

I sold the ta31 bc of the eye relief, was not aware of the spacer to fix the issue.

 

I currently have 2 ta11s, one chevron and one horseshoe. The eye relief is much better imo, I shoot them with both eyes open no issues, and for out to 300yd body size quick shots I think they are great. These will stay on their respective rifles.

 

That being said the vortex variable optics are excellent for the price. As stated the diopter is a huge plus for ppl with eye issues (me) when looking for precision shots and the reticles they offer are also more adept at precision shooting. I dont think they are quite as indestructible as the acog though.

 

One point I would like to disagree with Vlad on is price point. The street price on the acogs has gone down considerably in the last few years. All three I have bought were under $900, two were under $800.

 

The vortex gen 2 1-6 even at rock bottom price is $1200 and the other comparable scopes are more than that. The only exception is the swfa 1-6 priced at 1k.

 

Not that its a huge difference but a few hundred bucks is still a few hundred bucks, especially since its gona be another $150 for a scope mount and the acog comes with one.

 

Fyi I will echo Vlad in that the vortex gen 2 1-6 is a fine optic and a great option for medium range shooting if you have the $.

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OP, if you are in south jersey, you are welcome to try out my TA31's and see how they work for you.

 

Some people don't like the short eye relief of the 4x32 ACOGs, but they work well for me and my shooting style. I was always taught to shoot NTCH, so the 4x32's work perfectly for me.

 

Let me know if you want to get some trigger time on a TA31. I shoot at SJSC.

 

 

i actually have a friend with a ta31rco so i am quite familiar with them.  but there is only so much you can learn from shooting one from a bench at a static 100yd target.  

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