I've been posting about this scope for a while, here is the most recent thread where I cover some basics about the scope, and why I'm now using it after trying many different optics over the years. I will not rehash that info in this thread, but I would suggest reading my original post to fully understand how I ended up with this scope. For those of you intrigued by this rather offbeat optic selection, I hope you find the forthcoming information useful.
The purpose of this thread is to share my honest assessment of this scope in its role as an optic for a civilian defensive rifle. It's obviously a somewhat unique selection for an AR, as it is most commonly used on lever actions, hard-kicking dangerous game rifles, slug guns, etc.
Before I start sharing my observations and experience with the scope, I feel I need to define what I consider a "civilian defensive rifle." While there is plenty of expert advice on what optics work best in a combat role, whether it's door-kicking or engaging the enemy from mountain tops, I find that the advice dosen't always translate well to civilian needs. The standard equipment advice is to equip one's rifle with a RDS and a white light, then get plenty of training. Certainly excellent advice, but due to it coming from those whose primary experience is with RDS and LPVO, I think it may leave some other viable sighting options unexplored.
From my POV, the defensive rifle for the civilian would be deployed under the very same set of legal constraints as an EDC pistol. All of the same standards for the justifiable use of deadly force would apply. If you think on that for a moment in the context of current events, a clear picture of how and under what circumstances the rifle might be used should emerge.
Why not a RDS?
No doubt a red dot sight is an excellent choice for the civilian defensive carbine. In combination with a WML, it covers those needs very well. But one rarely-considered downside of the RDS is that due to zero magnification, it does nothing to help with identifying a threat, or confirming that what you're seeing through it is a threat at all (again, think about this in the context of current events). While the top brands offer a very clear view, none of them do anything to enhance the view. To get any enhancement at all, one needs to use at least some magnification.
The other well-known issue is for those who suffer from astigmatism, the dot is not well defined. While this is not an issue at extreme close range, it becomes so as range increases depending on how bad one's astigmatism is. For me, I don't do any better from a precision standpoint with a RDS that I do with irons.
Then of course there's the battery thing and how bright should I set dot.
Why not a LPVO?
This is the one I still struggle with. The top models with illuminated reticles offer the same advantages of a RDS with the ability to dial-up the magnification to get a much enhanced view of the threat. I have many times (and to this day) been tempted to click the Buy Now link on models that I know would serve my purposes extremely well...but have yet to pull the trigger. It's not a money issue (though I don't have unlimited discretionary income either), but I always come back to what I like so much about the FX-II Ultralight 2.5x20mm and my unwillingness to give it up...
The Leupold FX-II Ultralight 2.5x20mm
You can read the specs through the link above but this is what has me hooked on this scope;
- Light weight. At 6.5 ounces, I do not believe there is a lighter tube-style scope on the market. The typical LPVO will add three quarters of a pound or more of weight to my rifle in the least desirable location - above the bore axis.
- Compact size. At only 8-inches long, a 1-inch body and only 1.4-inches in diameter at the ocular, it's downright tiny compared to the typical LPVO.
- Long eye relief. At a constant 4.9 inches, the scope mounts more forward than others leaving the charging handle completely in the open.
- Forgiving eye box. Lots of latitude fore and aft, more than enough side-to-side. With the stock properly indexed to my shoulder, I can rapidly bring the rifle up from low-ready have alignment with the optic. It is NOT fussy at all in this regard.
- Good optical quality. Though not quite as good as something like a Vortex Razor, it's not shabby either with the simple fixed-power design working very much in its favor. The edges are a bit soft, but the view of what I'm looking at is sharp, clear and bright. Most importantly, it enhances my view of the threat far better than any RDS could do.
- Excellent build quality. It's a Leupold, and the volumes of user reviews online confirm this is a quality product with very high user satisfaction.
- Simple point-and-shoot. As @rob_s is so fond of saying, there's no fiddle-fucking around with magnification settings, dot/reticle illumination levels, etc. Just shoulder and shoot, nothing else to think about other than the task at hand.
So the cart gets filled with the latest & greatest tactical optic that I think would be a step up, only to realize I might be better off spending the not-insignificant amount of money on something else.
More installments to come covering my observations on actual use of the scope.