Rogue Elite

One trend that I haven’t jumped on the bandwagon with is the all of the battery operatored doodads on a rifle.    There are defintely reasons for putting lights on a gun and for 40mm objective lenses optics on your rifle, but many of those will stick out like a lighthouse in the field.   I remember a clear safety violation of a gun operator who was handling his rifle during a cease fire.   I was downrange about 500yds and turned and saw the flash of his Trijicon ACOG at that distance.   I knew he was handling his rifle, but it was too far for me to scream back and tell him to put his gun down.   It dawned on me that if I was the enemy, that guy would have been outed from 500yds away just because of how much his optics refected light.  He was actually  in the shadow of building and not in direct sunligh, nor was the sun shining from my direction on him.

Keeping a scope cover on your objective and being aware of your flash is extremely important.  I highly recommend a flash kill cover for any combat optics and also suggest a cover for your flashlight.  Even something like a red lense will help avoid giving away too much reflection.   Flashlights are probable the biggest giveaway in low light even if you don’t turn them on.   Next time your at the range, put your rifle on the bench and walk down range and look again.   Keep in mind that even though you may be 50-100yds away and wearing camoflauge, your fancy schmancy M4 has various points of reflection and even moonlight will have an impact.

Trijicon optics are widely known for their Combat Carbine appeal.   They are probable the most modernized military combat optic.   Illuminated reticles make needing batteries void, and their wide variety of reticles give operators a versatility unmatched.   Reticles can be used for CQB or for long range use.   Some may want crosshairs or they may want a donut, triangle, green dot or red dot.

Trijicon has also diversified their optics for hunting and target shooting.  The Accupoint optics are low-variable power optics that give operators  some level of magnification, but still have the speed that Trijicon optics are known for.  The Accupoint reticles come in red triangle, Amber dot,  Green triangle, and green dot.    These have started to show up on bolt action rifles and DMR used in the military.    They are reasonable priced and all under $1000 dollars.   Magnificatons can vary as well as objective lense.

Trijicon ACOG optics are hands down the most widely used combat optic used by our military.   There is a  reason for this.   ACOGS also known as Advanced Combat Optic Gunsights don’t need batteries, give you low light illumination, fixed magnification and models like the TRTA01-ECOS gives you fast up front CQB options and long range shooting in one package.  Like all optics being used today, nothing is good for everything, but technology is moving away from battery powered optics and Trijicon has been on that pursuit for over a decade.

The closest competitor we have seen on the market is the Eotech style optics.  These seem to still gain a  lot of attention for house to house fightingi and close range shooting, but outside of 100yds, the Eotech reticle will most likely obscure a target.   If you’re picky about rifle recticles, you’ll have quite a few options to pick from with the ACOG.    Reticles come in red, yellow, amber and green.   They are crosshair, donut, Chevron or German style reticle.  There are a few optics that like the Accpoint that are even widely used in the hunting market.

The tactical optics market has exploded in the last decade, but very few competitors are come close to what Trijicon rifle scopes have on the market.   If you compare some of the low powered optics that Leupold and Eotech have on the market you’ll find some nice durable options, but nobody has caught up with the Trijicon ACOG yet.

For CQB some may prefer zero power optics and just a dot, but for people looking for something that doesn’t rely on batteries and can be used for fast target engagements out to 600yds+.   I’m starting to see a lot of M1A and FAL owners swapping out the standard 3-9×40 optics and slapping on the Trjicon Accupoints.ll models in the AccuPoint Series operate battery free—eliminating the potential for failure during critical moments in the field. They also feature Trijicon’s Manual Brightness Adjustment Override, which allows you to control the light output of the fiber-optics during daylight. AccuPoint® riflescopes include other advanced elements like multi-layer coated lenses for superior light transmission with no distortion, quick-focus eyepiece, long-eye relief, and precise windage and elevation adjustments.

Competitive shooters that are looking for rapid engagement optics, bullet comp for fast holdovers should look no further. When you’re engaged in a firefight or defending an established position, you want a battle-tested partner at your side. Trijicon®, the world leader in self-luminous Brilliant Aiming Solutions™ can supply that partner — the Trijicon ACOG®®. In fact, the 4×32 model ACOG® was chosen by the U.S. Special Operation Command (USSOC) as standard issue for all Special Operations Forces.

The Trijicon ACOG is a rugged, dependable aiming system that provides a distinct aiming point in all environments — without having to rely on failure-prone batteries. The ACOG’s dual-illuminated reticles are powered by Trijicon’s patented fiber optics and tritium-based technology. Because the last thing you want to worry about in the midst of a midnight skirmish is your tactical sight failing you.

The Trijicon ACOG ⁱs  internally-adjustable, compact telescopic sights with tritium illuminated reticle patterns for use in low light or at night. Bindon Aiming Concept models feature bright daytime reticles using fiber optics which collect ambient light. This will eliminate the need for storing batteries on your Carbine or carrying them around with you. These are extremely popular with law enforcement and military personel.  Rogue Elite is offereing free shipping on all orders over $150 which means all of our Trjicon ACOGS are free shipping.

These are truely the fastest weapon engagement optics on the planet. The ACOGs combine traditional, precise distance marksmanship with close-in aiming speed. Although the ACOGs have many features which are very advantageous for military use, they were developed by Trijicon without government funding.
Designed for use with the M16 family, every feature of its mechanical and optical design was chosen for a single purpose: to provide increased hit potential in all lighting conditions — without failure-prone batteries.

There is much to think about when selecting an optic or sighting system for your Carbine.   For Close Quarters Combat, zero magnification is usually your best option because it can be a problem if there is a need for seeing beyond 100yds or more.   When someone comes with a Trijicon ACOG that has variable magnifications that goes from zero to 20X that’ll be a big step forward.   Unfortunately it’s hard to really say what you have on your gun because there are so many variables.   Eotech has a magnification option for their sighting system, but it adds considerable weight and limites where you put backup irons on the gun.

I have a friend that was in Iraq that mentioned that magnification was what helped them identify IED wires at a distance where guys with irons and Eotechs couldn’t seem them.   I’d have to say that the ACOG is still an advanced combat sight, but they are expensive.   The thing that makes the ACOG work so well is having the right ammo matched up to the bullet comp.  Once you figure out where the hold overs are, this optic is fast.  At rifle competitions at my club, I always notice that the guys that could nail target the fastest all had Acogs.

I’m the type that goes through sticker shock whenever I go to gun shops or gun shows and see the prices the NIB guns cost.   People seem to think that buying used means the gun is closer to breakage than a new gun.   Nothing could be further from the truth.   There are several manufacturers that are making incredible reliable and durable firearms that may have fewer than 500rds through.  If you look at barrel life and frame life, those guns are in the equivallent of being in the early stages of grade school.     There are plenty of used police trade ins that just have holster wear and probable only were shot during qualification each year by an LEO.

Right now there are a lot of agencies and police departments dumping used Glocks and Sig Sauer pistols.   Those are probable the top 2 handguns in existance.   I was never one to be a big fan of the factory grips on Sigs, but Hogue pistol grips will increase your retention and if you choose the finger grooved version, it’ll help you get the same feeling everytime you pull your gun.   I noticed I could shoot my 1911s better once I had a firm consistant grip of the gun, but that’s really the hard part.  Even though a gun may feel nice and look nice, it may not fit your hand very well.   For about $20 you can find a grip that will increase your comfort and accuracy.

The idea of having a backup weapon doesn’t necessarily mean that it is there for when your primary weapon goes down.    A secondary weapon can be there just because it’s in a different location and may be easier to access under a certain situation.   For instance, an ankle holster is  a great option for those that do a lot of driving.   Trying to retrieve a firearm while in the seated position with an IWB or paddle holster is going to be difficult, and try that under stress.   An firearm in an ankle holster is very easy to access unless you’ve got problems reaching your ankles in the first place.   A shoulder holster is also a good way of carrying if you do a lot of driving.

One thing to always think about though, is the modern improvements in pepper sprays.   The Kimber Guardian Angel is a very easy device to carry due to its smooth surfaces and easy to feel grip.   Put a bottle in  your pocket that only shoots in one direction and when you try and grab it, it’ll take a lot of practice to know which direction the spraying end is pointing.   This is a non issue with the Kimber Guardian Angel.   Each end feels completely different and you will be able to feel which end points towards the bad guy even if its in your pocket.   The 2 shot Guardian Angel is easy for a novice to use.   The only bad thing about them is they are more expensive than most bottle mace, but the longevity of the product is 2xs longer than pepper sprays.

You may seriously want to consider looking into some of the modern less-lethal options.   After spending many years on the firing line, in professional situations and in casual environments, I’ve seen plenty of people pushed into firing guns that they did not feel comfortable shooting and even a handful of  people that probable shouldn’t be on the firing line.  I believe most of our population can handle some level of firearm proficiency, but I strongly recommend against pushing carrying firearms for novice gun owners.     There are always variables we can argue about, but if I knew someone that was working late nights as a waitress or working at a bar, I would not pressure them to carry a gun if they did not have the training to use it.
The point of this discussion is a firearm should be a deterent, pulling  a gun on a robber doesn’t give you the right to shoot them, but it will stop a crime, if you’re dealing with a weak individual that couldn’t handle the stress of the situation, the gun they are carrying may end up being used against them.   One point I constantly push when discussiong CCW is that firearms, especially handguns, are not going to stop someone in their tracks.   They may bleed all over you and use the last round in your chamber on YOU if you aren’t prepared to deal with it.    There are many less-lethal weapons like Tasers and Kimber Guardian Angels that take very little training and may actually be more effective and have fewer legal liabilities if used.