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8/5/2012 1:43:51 PM EDT
I need some education and opinions please.

M4 with LaRue mount is $757.00 –– M3 $662.00.  Pretty big price difference.

Which would you choose and why? I can't discern much difference between the two other than price...

Appreciate the input gentlemen.  

ETA

I'll put this optic on a new Colt 6940 with flip up front and rear sights.



So another question,  what mount for absolute cowitness would I need?

Thanks again!

8/5/2012 1:52:55 PM EDT
[#1]
different battery and substantially different battery life
8/5/2012 2:36:47 PM EDT
[#2]
I have both.  Like the M4 better.

Edit...the M3 is in a LaRue mount, and the M4 is in the Aimpoint supplied mount.  It works fine and right now I am not considering replacing it.

Paid $689 for the M-4 here
8/5/2012 9:57:18 PM EDT
[#3]
I have an M4s in a bobro QD mount..the choice was easy same batterie life as M3 but uses a more common single AA batterie..I love mine and got the complete package off the EE for $550 shipped when I got it.
8/6/2012 3:28:02 AM EDT
[#4]
M4 fixes two potential problems w/the M3: Impacts to the control knob breaking the switch (in the M4, the knob is now physically separate from the switch) and impacts causing the optic to rotate in its ring (M4 has a fixed integral mount location). I prefer AA batteries but that's a personal preference thing.
Tomac
8/6/2012 3:32:22 AM EDT
[#5]
The battery life of even an M2 is insane long.  When they say 10k hrs (one year), that means left on a visible setting.  If you keep it off mostly you will go much longer.  How long?  My M2 is over 10 years old and still has the original battery which works perfectly.  My dad has it on his 6920.  I check it every so often.  It just won't die.  Eventually, I'll replace it on principle.  As it happens every one of my now 6 APs is on it's original Li battery.  Have a stash of Li 1/3Ns and 1032s, and am wondering if I'll ever use them.  

Even if you leave the batteries on a visible setting what is so awful about changing them after one year.....or five years........instead of 10 years?  Oh, wait, I screwed up and put a NiCad AA in the M4.  Terminals are trashed.  Ooops.

The M4 is a big unit.  For my money the question is really M3 vs Micro.  Or even PRO vs Micro.  I can see no legit reason to spend extra on a M4 to get more weight, some superfluous added battery life, and the theoretical benefit of using AAs (which makes it possible to screw up and go NiCad).  If I'm not smart enough to keep an extra 1/3N or 1032 around I really shouldn't be trusted to handle a firearm.  There are a ton of M2s, M3s and PROs out there - there will be 1/3N and 1032s out there, too.

Truth is, once you go Micro you never go back.  Not throwing out my other APs.  Just buying Micros in the future.

Sam
8/6/2012 7:25:49 AM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
The battery life of even an M2 is insane long.  When they say 10k hrs (one year), that means left on a visible setting.  If you keep it off mostly you will go much longer.  How long?  My M2 is over 10 years old and still has the original battery which works perfectly.  My dad has it on his 6920.  I check it every so often.  It just won't die.  Eventually, I'll replace it on principle.  As it happens every one of my now 6 APs is on it's original Li battery.  Have a stash of Li 1/3Ns and 1032s, and am wondering if I'll ever use them.  

Even if you leave the batteries on a visible setting what is so awful about changing them after one year.....or five years........instead of 10 years?  Oh, wait, I screwed up and put a NiCad AA in the M4.  Terminals are trashed.  Ooops.

The M4 is a big unit.  For my money the question is really M3 vs Micro.  Or even PRO vs Micro.  I can see no legit reason to spend extra on a M4 to get more weight, some superfluous added battery life, and the theoretical benefit of using AAs (which makes it possible to screw up and go NiCad).  If I'm not smart enough to keep an extra 1/3N or 1032 around I really shouldn't be trusted to handle a firearm.  There are a ton of M2s, M3s and PROs out there - there will be 1/3N and 1032s out there, too.

Truth is, once you go Micro you never go back.  Not throwing out my other APs.  Just buying Micros in the future.

Sam


Valid points, but I sold my T1 and am probably going to replace it with a M3 or M4.

Different strokes for different folks –– I prefer the larger viewing window of the larger optics so I can shoot from more positions with greater flexibility.
8/6/2012 10:51:41 AM EDT
[#7]
Thanks very much for the knowledgeable replies gentlemen.  They are much appreciated.      
8/6/2012 1:38:11 PM EDT
[#8]
If I had to do it over, I'd get the M4 for the reasons listed above. However my M3 hasn't given me any problems and doesn't warrant replacing.
8/6/2012 2:13:13 PM EDT
[#9]
M4s,  Way easier to find a AA battery if SHTF every TV remote has sixteen years of M4 life.
8/6/2012 7:37:32 PM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
M4s,  Way easier to find a AA battery if SHTF every TV remote has sixteen years of M4 life.


As an ML3 owner, I agree.  The most compelling reason to choose the M4 is the battery.
8/6/2012 7:56:09 PM EDT
[#11]
I have the comp M4s w/ Larue mount on my Colt MT6400R, its basically the same exact rifle as your 6940 and I love it.
8/6/2012 10:45:05 PM EDT
[#12]
If money is no object, sure, pick up the M4.  You don't specify what this will be used for, but I have a strong suspicion that the Aimpoint PRO for $400 will do everything you need and then some.
8/7/2012 1:21:35 PM EDT
[#13]
Update.

I think it's only fair to give some closure to a thread you've started...

Ordered an M4S from LaRue early this morning.  The order was quickly  processed, I've got a tracking number and should see it in several days.  

Thanks to all of you for  your input.  
8/8/2012 9:01:02 AM EDT
[#14]
Some food for thought.  I had purchased a AP Comp M4s with LaRue mount from LaRue's website back in 09.  When I received it,  I realized I had astigmatism.  Prescription glasses helped,

but could not eliminate it.  Dropped some more coin on a AP 3X mag and FTS quick detach LaRue mount and saw a coma, grow to a clump of grapes.   After 3 years, I finally ditched both AP

and replaced it with a Leupold VX-R Zombie.  Red dots are great if you don't have astigmatism.

Before



After


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