Is that because you are uncomfortable shooting with two eyes open? I love my EOTech, although some people do seem to have trouble adjusting to shooting with eyes open and the sight in your FOV rather than the more "traditional" way...

Duplicate post, please delete (p.s this forum has some serious lag?)

Duplicate post, please delete (p.s this forum has some serious lag?)

I shoot both eyes open with my aimpoints, ACOG, and handgun so that's not a problem.

As do I. And I too highly prefer Aimpoints to EoTechs.

I like Eotechs

Me too!  Must be a CA thing..

Not the eotech vs aimpoint again...

Probably time to start a Chapter 2 anyway. 351 pages??

Just ordered another front sight from OperationParts.  Down to five...

Hey all, need a quick answer before I pull the trigger on my first AR! - Which set of roll marks would be "most correct" for a Block II build: (A) LE6920 "M4 CARBINE/CAL 5.56 MM" or (B) SOCOM I/II "M4A1 CARBINE"? I realize all SOCOM issued M4's are A1 variants, however something just looks off about that roll mark missing the second line.. Alas, someone help me decide!

The better question to ask is, do you want a M4, or a M4A1? That's why I went with the SOCOM II.

The tired old refrain is going to be that each has strengths and weaknesses, and you need define your use and needs before selecting one setup or another.  I intend to do a good write up one of these days on my feedback from owning and using all three setups - ACOG, ELCAN (1-4x variable), and RDS+Magnifier, but here's the short version:

ACOG -

Very small and light, great for scouting and recce work.  Tremendous field of view, and very simple.  They're great for snooping and pooping and keeping the weight down, as well as a great field optic.  On the other hand, the lack of an adjustable brightness and the fixed power make it the least flexible of the three options.  

ELCAN or other variable power scope -

Great for general purpose use when you're not quite sure of the mission profile or can only have one optic, and no real option to change.  A true "do it all," or if you prefer, "jack of all trades, master of none."  They can be used for both close in work, and for recce work, particularly with ranging reticules, and they're great for when you need PID.  Most of the good ones like the ELCANs and S&Bs have terrific glass, great clarity and definition.  They're also usually heavy, take up a lot of space, and have a more limited field of view.  Also, when using the low or no magnification settings, you still need to treat it like a scope, it has parallax, and an "eye box" within which you need to be to make accurate hits.  They're extremely flexible, and they're the tops when it comes to capabilities in a single package.  They're also a niche optic, though, as some people have difficulty adjusting to the constraints offered by one model or another.  

RDS + Magnifier -

This combination is best when you're either more comfortable with, or need a dedicated RDS capability, but would like to retain the ability to PID and shoot at greater distances.  I do personally prefer the EOTech to the Aimpoint, and one of the advantages you get with the EOTech in this configuration is that you can still use the EOTech reticule as a ranging reticule, though there's no BDC in most.  They're also quite heavy when combined, and somewhat annoying if you're using an FTS magnifier mount, as you have off-axis weight hanging off the side of your weapon when using the RDS.  As RDS are typically the easiest sights to shoot with, this combination is a great "middle of the road" type of setup.  You have all the functionality of an RDS equipped weapon, while the magnification gives you the ability to project beyond what you could with an RDS alone, but you don't have the full range of capabilities that you have with the other two setups.  Also, light transmission and optical clarity through the magnifier is not great compared to either the ACOG or the ELCAN.  

In other words, if you have a mission set(s) that could benefit from certain capabilities more than others, it might be worthwhile to strongly consider all of these different factors in selecting an optic.  

For a clone build, any one of the three is "correct" and appropriate.  

I will say, for the most part, for civilian shooters that aren't typically taking into account things like conducting reconnaissance and/or offensive operations, and more focused on a defensive and SHTF "mission set," the RDS + Magnifier combination is probably the most "bang for your buck," as things like range estimation, fixed defensive positions, and C2 are useful, but less critical capabilities.  The average civilian shooter is usually best served with an RDS for most of the kinds of shooting included in that "mission set," but for a variety of reasons might want the option of magnification.  

The best option, of course, is to try them all, but it's not always practical to do so.  Failing that, I would strongly consider what kind of shooting I do most frequently and why, and what other functions might my optic serve that I am concerned about - whether those other functions are looking the coolest, or estimating ranges on the fly to enemy formations without ever firing a shot.  

(Yes, that was the short version.  )

~Augee

Augee,  thanks for the great information.  I've tried the rds magnifier combo and just didn't really care for it.  I've got a few aimpoint equipped carbines and a sdmr with an ACOG.  My main goal, and the reason I am considering and wanting an Elcan, is my desire for a multi role optic that is durable, high quality, and something different.  Most of my shooting will be training classes, range blasting, and maybe an occasional competition.  I'll be shooting mostly out to 200m, with some opportunity to stretch out to 500-600m.

I must add that this set of KAC flip up sights sure isn't cheap. Between the taupe front sight from Operation Parts, and the 300m micro rear sight directly from KAC, I'm in for $335 shipped on the pair today.

It gets tough to keep telling your wife you made a trade for gun parts each time a new package arrives...

Well yall did it. I sold my middy upper and bought cmcflex's block II upper.  Now if i can ever have a break from school I can actually put my 1.5 together and have pics of the pair.  I dont even have the Block II upper in my hands yet and I am already thinking about another II with the FSP rail. ughh

I hope you like it, bro.

In about a month I should have my all-Colt 1.5 upper in NFA form in another few weeks. Decided I didn't need two M4s.

I'm sure I will. Looking forward to see that build.
Now to figure out if I wanna put a m600 or m300 on it.

You fellers reckon there's a Pelican out there that will comfortably fit a Block II and a Mk12?
 

I have the 1750. It fit my Block II and my LMT MWS on my recent move. I didn't cut the foam and stuff, but you could potentially separate the uppers and take off scopes and such to get it all to fit nicely.

Definitely split the uppers from the lowers but I'd hate to have to pop the glass off every time.  Not sure if the ARMS levered rings are RTZ or not.  I think the EOTech lever base is on my EXPS3-2.



 

You might be able to keep the optics on the upper. I will try to snap a pic before my MWS sells....

It measures out but I'm sure it's a big difference when you get the box and start cutting the foam.  Might ask for one for Christmas and see what I end up with.



 

I'd like to be able to fit my Mk 12, M4 and Mk18 all in the same Pelican case.

I'm in the same boat... I'm going to have to sell my Block 2 upper to fund my SBR projects

With my ARs, I'm over pinning muzzle devices and having 16" M4 barrels for a clone. I can tolerate having a semiauto lower, but its feasible to get a true clone upper (at least in 14.5"). So, with the exception of the Mk12, I'm going to stick with SBRs for my ARs. I'm going to try out some other weapons in non-NFA lengths (e.g., SCAR).

That said, my stamp should only a month away and I can't wait.

Yeah I'm getting 2 stamps... one for my MK18 mod 1 and another for a Costa(kinda) upper 11.5 w/URX 2 rail. Also im building a MK18 mod 0.................

I can't imagine that being a problem in a 1750 especially if any share a lower.

Next year I plan to set up a pelican exactly like that. 3 uppers, 1 lower all in a case.

SU-230 up in the EE. Will make a deal for a fellow Block II builder.

Message sent, I'm looking to add an Elcan to my block II.

Guys who have ran the surefire 600 and the 300 which did you prefer? Looking for better beam for outside. Not to concerned about weight. Block II will be used for piggys.

I switched to 300's on my rifles.

Sad man....

I’m going with the M600c (200 lumen version), the throw on it is incredible for it’s size.

600. I found that the Larue mount threw it too much off center. I'm sticking with the stock mount for now.

Thanks to GAshooter11, I'll have an SU230 on my block II shortly!

Don't know when they went out of stock since I last checked yesterday afternoon, but they're already gone. An $186 plus shipping front BUIS, and 16 sell within a day from a single vendor. Maybe KAC needs to consider market demand a bit more...last I heard from them, they didn't plan on producing many more of the taupe front sights.

We'll be expecting pics.  I think I'm going to pass on making an offer for your ta31, I'm sold on the Elcan (although I won't be getting the SU-230 version).  I think I'll wait until next month when some more funds have been freed up because I don't want to touch my savings account.

the more and more I look at this thread again, the more and more I think i want to turn my Block II upper into a block 1.5...

That's how I was...right up until I actually built the 1.5 and realized I preferred the block II. I've done this twice at least.

Dibs on your RAil if you do...

I really want to add a MK12 to my collection because I'd love to have some sort of dedicated marksman upper, but I'm a little low on funds for quite a while...

Sunday I took my Block II to the range for the purpose of shooting at 300yards with the Hornady Steel match 75gr BTHP. I have Palmetto 16" CL barrel. At 300yards, using the bipod, I made a 5rd group of 4-4.5". I was using my elcan on 4x mode and had my suppressor on the gun. I was able to more consistently get 5-6" groups, especially when the barrel started heating up. For the record, my block II with the elcan IS my DMR type rifle.

Keep in mind that the Block II is just guidelines; you could buy a great barrel 16" in the form of an M4 barrel and have precision accuracy, you could have a quality .mil style M4 barrel and have combat accuracy, or you could buy a crap barrel and not hit anything. You'll likely have to use some sort of quick detach optics so you can switch back and forth between Block II optics and more magnified optics, but with this comes an issue with a loss of zero every time you mount and remount your optics.

I actually wouldn't recommend doing this. If you want a precision upper but don't want to drop the cash to go all Mk 12, get a cheaper upper. I bought a Buhmaster Predator upper from SAA last year for $475 and a Leupold Mk AR 3-9x with mount for $375. Combined with the Bill Wilson trigger I have ($45), its a great rig. Shoots well under 1 MOA

King Optic USA just got some of the KAC taupe front sights in stock for those still looking.

God I wanna place an order for one but I just can't see myself spending  178 on a buis

Once I get done with my A&P and get home I will be taking my block II upper with my Nightforce 2.5-10 shooting... I am interested to see how useful it is as a Recce!