Caliber Rifles
Which Models Of Red Dot Sight Are Used By US Forces?
The US military took a long time to adopt optical sights as standard on their rifles, following the lead set by Austria in the mid 1970s with their Steyr AUG and its 1.5x carrying handle optic. To make matters less clear, individuals often bought their own optics to add to their rifles – this is still common today.
Having type classified both the Trijicon Reflex and the ECOS-N, an Aimpoint CompM2 variant for their SOPMOD kit, SOCOM decided to replace both with the Eotech SU231/PEQ (see below).
The US Army and USAF lead the way in adopting reflex sights service-wide with their adoption of the Aimpoint CompM2 as their M68 CCO. This unit is still in use but is being supplanted by the CompM4s (low battery housing model of the CompM4), confusingly also called the M68 CCO. There are also photos showing high-battery housing CompM4s in use, but these may well have been purchased by individuals or units.. Aimpoint’s tiny T-1 red dot sight is now being issued to units deploying to theatre along with the 3X flip to side magnifier, providing a combination that can cover a spectrum of engagement ranges.
The US Army M145 is a variant of the Canadian Elcan, a rubber armored 3.4×28 scope, called the ELCM145C by the manufacturer. The US Army version uses internal adjustments and a 1200 meter calibrated reticle rather than the problematic external adjuster on the original version. There is a variant with an 800 meter reticle for the M4 carbine, but this is not often seen on US military carbines As part of the SOPMOD Block II ‘pick and choose’ toolkit for special forces operators, the ‘Quick Targeting’ Elcan SpecterDR (a sight which changes from 1X to 4X at the flip of a switch) is now included in the SOPMOD kit and type classified as the SU-230/PVS Articulated Telescope. SOCOM is replacing its SU-237 ACOGs with the SU-230/PVS which has already seen service in Iraq and Afghanistan. For short range engagements the SU-230 also mounts a small red dot sight which can serve as a backup.
SOCOM adopted a version of the Eotech Holographic Weapon Sight – the 553 – to replace the original Aimpoint ECOS-N and Trijicon reflex sight on the BlockII version of the M4 SOPMOD kit. This sight has the military designation SU-231/PEQ (Model 553). It is powered by CR123 batteries and secured to the Mil Std 1913 rail by twin ARMS throw lever mounts. It is rated to 66ft submersion depth – twice the rating of previous Eotech models. Individuals and units have purchased other Eotechs, including the 1st Stryker Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, 10th Mountain Division and USMC Force Recon. These tend to be 552 series AA battery models such as the 552.A65 and 552.XR308. A prestigious $6.6M competition was recently won by Eotech to supply it’s Enhanced Combat Optical Gunsight – Heavy for mounting on SOCOM’s support weapons – especially those on surface craft.
Early this century SOCOM adopted the Trijicon ACOG TA01NSN for their SOPMOD kit. The TA01NSN came with peep and post battlesights, but was replaced circa 2006/7 by a version with a top mounted red dot CQB sight, designated TA01NSN-RMR by the Trijicon and SU-237 by SOCOM.
Early in the GWoT it became obvious that iron sights were putting Marines at a serious handicap. The USMC decided to rush the Trijicon TA31 ACOG into service as a ‘designated marksman’s’ magnifying sight. The wisdom of this approach soon became clear and two ACOG variants were purchased for universal issue. Eotech designate these the TA31RCO-A4CP (military designation AN/PVQ-31A) and the TA31RCO-M4CP (military designation AN/PVQ-31B) for the M16A4 rifle and M4 carbine respectively. The US Army soon adopted its own version for its own M16A4s as the M150. The Marine Corps recently adopted a variant of the ACOG for their M249s, known as the Squad Day Optic, which is a 3.5x ACOG with the ruggedized miniature reflex sight on top. The Marines also adopted a 6x ACOG designated the Medium Day Sight for use on their M240s.
various large caliber sniper rifles from around the world
|
|
Winchester M1873 Replica Rifle Brass Finish $169.99 Developed from the Henry rifle, the 1866 Winchester lever-action repeater has passed into legend as “The Gun That Won The West”. Its distinctive brass frame gave rise to the nickname “Yellow Boy”, which was coined by Indian tribes. During its production run, from 1866 to 1898, about 170,000 pieces were made in Winchesters Connecticut factory. The gun fired a .44 caliber rimfire round from the tubu… |
|
|
1882 Lever Action Carbine Antique Finish $159.99 The 1892 rifle, descendant of the 1866 rifles,was made from 1892 until 1941 and total production was in excess of one million pieces. Many variations and calibers were introduced over the course of the 50 years production, but the basic design was largely unaltered and the fact that many are still in use today as hunting rifles bears testimony to the reliability and longevity of the gun. This non-… |
|
|
Fire Storm in the Desert Machine Gun Magic … |
|
|
Home Workshop .50-Caliber Sniper Rifle [VHS] In this video, Bill Holmes teaches you how to make a .50-caliber bolt-action sniper rifle in your home workshop. Bill takes you step by step through the fabrication process and shows you the secrets of transforming a surplus M-2 heavy machine gun barrel and some readily available raw materials into an awesome long-range precision rifle. Covers the exact methods of fabricating the upper and lower r… |
|
|
The Home Workshop .50-Caliber Sniper Rifle [VHS] $34.95 In this amazing original Paladin video, Bill Holmes teaches you how to make a .50-caliber bolt-action sniper rifle in your home workshop. Bill takes you through the entire fabrication process and shows you the secrets of transforming a surplus M-2 heavy machine gun barrel and an assortment of readily available raw materials into an awesome long-range precision rifle. All critical parts of the cons… |
|
|
Peltor 97010 Ultimate-10 Hearing Protector $19.75 The Peltor(r) Ultimate 10 hearing protector offers powerful protection that’s designed for use with large caliber or Magnum rounds. It provides maximum high- and low-frequency attenuation and is crafted with pivoting cups and a padded headband for all-day comfort…. |
|
|
Peltor 97079 Combat Arms Earplugs $8.99 Peltor’s indoor/outdoor range E-A-R plugs work in any shooting environment. The ultimate shooter’s plug–one plug for both ranges. The yellow end offers noise-activated protection up to NRR 22dB for outdoor range use, while the olive end provides conventional NRR 22dB for indoor range use. All backed by Peltor E-A-R plugs 25-year reputation of excellence. Made of soft non-irritating polymer for al… |
|
|
ATI Marlin Semi-Auto Fiberforce Gun Stock $41.95 Marlin Semi – Auto Fiberforce Stock. Lightweight Dragunov .22 design … use with open sights or scope! Easy drop-in install… no gunsmithing required: Weighs only 26 ozs.! Ventilated forearm and handguard; Built-in cheek rest; Sling swivel studs and dowel sling mount; Scratch resistant; Weatherproof; Fits model 60, 75, 990, 995, etc. Tube or detachable mag models .22LR. Resilient glass-filled ny… |
|
|
Sniper Rifle Silencer $1.99 … |
|
|
Double Trouble $1.99 … |