Off Duty, Technology - Marine Corps Times

New sights make every shot count

ORLANDO, Fla. — We’re big fans of iron sights. Generally dork-proof and hard to break, iron sights have been spreading democracy for decades. You can leave them turned on 24/7 without killing the battery. They’re waterproof down to forever.

Iron sights are a must.

But they’re not the beginning and end of the discussion anymore. Technological advances on the lighting and battery fronts mean lightweight, powerful magnifying scopes and aiming sights designed to increase your tactical advantage.

Nothing wrong with that. As far as we’re concerned, gun control is hitting where you aim.

If the choice for you is a view to a kill, set your sights on these:

• Aimpoint CompM4 and T-1 Micro. Recently selected — again — as the Army’s optics company of choice, Aimpoint was awarded a contract last year for more than 160,000 of its new CompM4 tactical red-dot aiming sights, to replace the current CompM2 as the M68 Close Combat Optic. After all, what’s not to love about a system that will probably outlive the rifle it’s attached to?

With seven night-vision-compatible settings and nine daylight settings, it’s ready whenever duty calls. Thanks to the company’s innovative circuitry, the CompM4 can run for eight years on a AA battery, so you never need to turn it off. Plus, it’s waterproof down to 150 feet.

But as much as we liked the CompM4, it was Aimpoint’s T-1 Micro that got our Spidey senses tingling. Supertiny, weighing in at just 3.6 ounces, the nonmagnifying optic is perfect for adding a red-dot sight to all types of rifles, submachine guns, handguns and shotguns. It can be used as a stand-alone sight or be top-mounted on larger optics, night-vision or thermal-imaging devices.

The sight has six night-vision-compatible settings and seven daylight settings, and is designed to operate continuously for more than five years on the included battery. It is expected to retail for about $680.

Check ’em out at http://www.aimpoint.com.

• Trijicon ECOS. Hit fast in any light.

That’s the claim made by Trijicon, maker of the Marine Corps’ beloved Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight. New for 2007 is an addition to the ACOG line designed with Special Forces units in mind.

The Enhanced Combat Optical Sight scope is 5.8 inches long and weighs slightly less than 10 ounces. It comes in “dark earth” brown and is available in single- and dual-illuminated models.

The ECOS offers 4x32 magnification and comes with a mounted red-dot aiming sight, backup iron sights, a dust cover and an A.R.M.S.-brand throw-lever mount. The whole package sells for $1,750.

The optic set will begin shipping later this year. In the meantime, check the product specs at the company’s Web site, http://www.trijicon-inc.com.

• L-3 EOTech 557 and 3x.fts. Sometimes, you almost feel sorry for the other guy.

Almost. Not really. Not even a little, actually.

We’re in favor of any advantage we can get, which is why the new 557 holographic weapon sight from L-3 EOTech left us feeling all warm and fuzzy. An upgraded version of the company’s earlier sights, the 557 has been optimized to make you a deadlier shooter with an M4 carbine or M16 rifle.

The buttons have been moved from the back to the left side, allowing such items as scopes, night vision or backup iron sights to fit closer to the 557 frame. Additionally, the front base has been raised to allow the 557 to fit over standard hand guards, and the aiming reticle provides aiming dots for 0 to 300, 400, 500 and 600 meters.

Want to add some magnification? Consider the 3x.fts combo, a 3x scope connected to a unique mount. Use the scope to get up close and personal with medium-range targets, or click the release to flip it to the side and use the 557 aiming reticle solo for close-quarters combat.

The products are so new we don’t have a timetable for delivery or estimated pricing. You’ll know when we know, but keep tabs on them at the company’s Web site, http://www.eotech-inc.com.

• TSSI ParaScope. Warning: Objects in mirror are closer to death than they appear.

The ParaScope Urban Combat Sight puts a periscope on top of a Picatinny 1913 rail-equipped rifle. With this shockingly simple device — a five-sided prism inside a rotating box with rear and side viewing ports — all you have to expose to get off a well-aimed shot is your rifle, not your head.

The quick-release unit is surprisingly lightweight and does not interfere with most other rail-mounted sights, scopes and laser designators. As an added bonus, the ParaScope rotates to allow you to fire accurate shots with your rifle pointed straight up or down.

The device also could be helpful on the marksmanship range, letting coaches see a trainee’s sight picture.

Requiring no power source, zeroing or calibration, the ParaScope is sold by Harrisonburg, Va.-based Tactical & Survival Specialties Inc.

Expected to cost $1,000, the ParaScope will be sold only to military and law enforcement personnel. Production is expected to begin by mid-March.

For more information, visit http//www.tacsurv.com.