Optics and Lights

AmbGun ACOG Page https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-rifle/acog The Trijicon ACOG, the Advanced Combat Optical Gun sight, is my favorite rifle scope. But I despise those big snaggy mounting nuts and I hate using electrical tape to snuff out the fiber optic generated reticle flare. During our review of the Desert Tech MDR we removed those nuts, cut back the stud, and used 5mn flange nuts to reduce the fingernail breaking obstruction. An 80% solution. The elegant 100% solution is the Shaffer Machining ACOG mount. Easy to swap. 30 grams lighter. And it completely eliminates the snag hazard… especially important for bullpups like the MDR or RDB. Shaffer also eliminates sticky electrical tape residue with their fiber optic cover. I generally prefer a near black ACOG Chevron, so I keep the shutter closed, but it is nice to have the ability to quickly brighten the reticle. Use the indexed slider to dial in just the right amount of illumination. Shaffer Machining, single handedly and uniquely making the ACOG less flashy, less snaggy, less sticky….And More ambi.

AmbGun's Ambi AR page https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-rifle/ar15/ambiar Shaffer Machining ACOG Mount and Fiber Optic Cover https://youtube.com/shorts/05KgNEmZTnY Trijicon TA31F ACOG The chevron reticle is illuminated by Tritium and fiber optic capture. The fiber optic can funnel in too much light…the crude solution is electrical tape, the elegant is the Shaffer adjustable fiber optic cover. Zero at the bottom of the chevron at 25 yards, check the tip at 100, then back to the bottom of the chevron for 300 then the first stadia for 400. The prism optic’s 1.5” eye relief does require getting your eye up close, but once there you’re in an immersive hyper reality. Super bright, crisp, and clear. For the ambidextrous shooter, the ambidextral gunfighter, be sure to check out the AmbGun video on Bindon Aiming Concept. Expensive, but consider that it includes the mount…no rings needed. The king of durability, yet extremely light compared to illuminated LPVO’s. I despise the giant mounting nuts, Snag hazard. And an ambi obstruction, especially on bullpup rifles. Remove the nuts, cut back the studs and use 5mm .8 pitch steel flange nuts to slim the profile. or…See our review of the snag free ACOG mount from Shaffer Machining…Shaffer Machining eliminates the snaggy and sticky. While Attending a Project Appleseed Known Distance event, we completed an around the squares/return to zero test and the ACOG performed perfectly…and I also earned my KD patch that day. Learn to be ambi with a red dot then switch to the 4x ACOG for Bindon Aiming Concept magic. TA31F ACOG, Decades in production, but definitely my favorite magnified rifle scope.

Back in 2020, I reviewed the Klarus E1 and really came to appreciate the dual switch on the tail…a center on/off button and a momentary paddle lever switch. I found it very ergonomic and intuitive. Several E1’s are scattered throughout my household. Four years later and Klarus has sent me their XT11GT Pro Tactical Extreme Output Flashlight to review. Waterproof to 2 meters, 3300 lumens, 410 meter throw, and with a 5th generation tail switch. It is powered by an 18650 lithium ion battery rechargeable via the USB-C port on the flashlight (rather than using the E1’s semi-proprietary 18650 battery with the Micro-USB port on the battery). It can also run on two CR123A batteries. The 6061 T6 Aluminum body feels durable and has good texture. The barrel is fluted to aid cooling and to prevent rolling. And to complete the tacticool look, it has the standoff impact bezel. Klarus also sent their Remote Cable Switch that replaces the tail cap. The weatherproof silicone pad cleanly attaches to a pic rail and features two embedded switches with functionality comparable to the dual tail switches. Klarus included their MGM-3 offset picatinny mount to complete the weapon light setup. I really like the XT11GT and the tail switch, but the MGM-3 mount felt a bit cheap to me and it would not allow the flashlight to clear my MagPul BIS front sight. And while the remote cable switch seemed very well made, I felt like I was discarding one of my favorite parts of the Klarus light, the dual tail switch. I also have a bit of an allergy to “permanently” mounting a weapon light on my rifle so I prefer the quick attach InForce WML…keeping the light in a pouch and off the rifle until I need it. Plus the InForce is 1/3 rd the weight of the complete Klarus installation. Almost 200 grams lighter…Ambidextral Gunfighter critical for something mounted out near the muzzle. Still, it's a very nice setup for those who want that added illumination and don’t mind the weight. I’d suggest a third party 1” tactical light mount. However, Given my predilections, I prefer the Klarus XT11GT Pro as a handheld light with its tail dual switch. Big brother to the beloved E1. Klarus E1 Review https://youtu.be/1aAlGhGk19w Klarus XT11GT Pro https://www.klaruslight.com/item/65.html AmbGun EDC Page https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-edc

Viridian RFX44 is a green dot, closed emitter competitor to the Aimpoint ACRO P2…Advanced Compact Reflex optic. The RFX key advantage is a lens that is about 50% larger than the Aimpoint. All in a package that is smaller…including almost 1/10” narrower which is a better fit for most RMSc optics ready pistols…but not the Zev Tech “universal” RMSc cut. The vertical supports are thinner on the RFX44 meaning that with both eyes open it is easier to get the optic body to ghost away with the dot superimposed on the target. The RFX44 is 12 grams lighter than the Aimpoint reducing reciprocating mass on pistols…which will theoretically reduce the risk of cyclic malfunctions. Part of the size and weight advantage comes from the smaller 1632 battery vs 2032 used in the Aimpoint…the Viridian runs for 30,000 hours thanks to motion activated energy savings vs the Aimpoint’s 50,000 hours of constant on. Small CR1632 battery for 30,000 hours of motion activated use vs Aimpoint’s constant on 50,000 with the 2032 The RFX44’s size and weight advantage is at the expense of less environmental protection. The Viridian’s IPX6 water resistance is outclassed by Aimpoint’s 115’ submersible ACRO. And its operating temperature range is 64% less than the ACRO…not great for a firearm used outdoors during Wyoming winters or stored in a vehicle during our summers. -4 to 130 vs -49 to 160 134 degree temperature range vs 209 Cold temp of -4 vs Acro’s -49 High temp of 130 vs Acro’s 160 Green dot vs red? In my area with more red rock than trees, the green is an advantage. In vegetation rich areas, red is probably better. Maybe the next generation will offer the ability to dynamically switch between red and green. I tried the RFX44 mounted atop the Vortex Spitfire on my RDB. This allowed three stages of sighting….head up high for run ‘n gun, down to canted left or right CQB, and then tight cheek weld for precision with the Spitfire 5x. The choice: reduced visual obstruction of the affordable RFX44 vs the rugged Aimpoint. Viridian RFX44 Product Page https://viridianweapontech.com/new-rfx44-compact-green-dot-reflex-sight-with-adapters-and-mounts AmbGun Pistol Optics https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-pistol/red-dot-sights

Laser vs Red Dot From Point to Sighted Shooting Size and Weight Ambidextrous Holsters Target Focused Awkward positions and Ballistic Shields A laser even if you EDC a Red Dot Mozambique and Dueling Tree Shootout Finding the Dot...laser vs red dot www.viridianweapontech.com/e-ruger-lcp2

AmbGun’s Minuteman Review KelTec’s P17 Red Dot Slide The slide features the Keltec logo cut into the top of the slide. and features an aluminum slide cap So no polymer sandwiched between the slide and the optic. A beautiful piece of work that adds a touch of elegance to the P17. Slide and optic is 132 grams. 10 grams lighter than the Tanner adapter plate solution. (Remove the front sight to shave two more grams of reciprocating mass.) More reliable. Easy to swap between red dot and iron sights. Doesn’t work with the AmbGun Hammer Block. Suppressor height front sight does not work with any of my holsters The Crimson Trace red dot is a “gain of function collusion”, “made in china” optic. Hopefully KelTec offers the RMSc compatible slide without an optic so you can choose your own dot. I switched to the Shield SMSc. $199 for the slide and CT1500 is a decent deal, but $100 for just the slide would be better. See our full featured review at www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-pistol/keltec

Leupold VX Freedom 1.4-4 Reticle Options 9.6 ounces keeps weight off of the top of the Springfield Armory Hellion 1.56" diameter eyepiece means mounts low and co-witnesses with Hellion iron sights. Pig-Plex ring as a intermediate hold under Quality Glass Lighted vs Non-lighted reticle Canted point shooting for dark and close range Indistinct dial clicks at first movement vs Weaver V3 Second Focal Plane vs First Mounting Rings Live fire Return to Zero test Chapters 0:00 Reticle Options 0:36 Hellion and Weight 0:53 Low Mounting 1:09 Pig-Plex 1:48 Glass 2:16 Lighted Reticle 2:46 Bindon Aiming Concept 3:04 Negatives 3:45 Weaver V3 4:03 Binocular 5:08 Focal Plane 5:42 Mounting Rings 7:27 Value 7:51 Return to Zero Intro 11:09 Return to Zero Fire 12:22 Return to Zero Results

The Hellion needs a lightweight LPVO that mounts low. Leupold VX Freedom 1.5-4 power is light at 9.6 ounces With a 1.56” eye piece, low rings 8/10th inch above the rail will co-witness with the Hellion’s iron sights. Good enough glass for my discernment Pig-Plex reticle fast target acquisition at close ranges, hold under for intermediate ranges, and hold over stadia out to 800 yards. And a Hellion Maximum Point Blank Range of 425 yards. Elevation and Windage dials are finger adjustable…tool less and coinless $299 retail is an insane value for the American made Leupold optic Negatives First few clicks of dials are indistinct. Should start at 1x magnification for binocular, both eyes open Prefer First Focal Plane so reticle MOA would remain intact. Leupold’s 8 ounce Mark IV Steel rings are too heavy Aluminum Mark IV are light but large nuts obstruct charging handle Remove thumb nuts and expose a quarter inch - 32tpi stud. Find that nut. Didn’t use Leupold rings, but the VX-Freedom Pig-Plex is an excellent value. Minimal weight, mounted low it elevates the Springfield Armory Hellion. AmbGun Link https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-rifle/hellion

Pairing the Springfield Armory Hellion with the Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4x20 Pig-Plex Reticle Optic. AmbGun on the Springfield Armory Hellion https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-rifle/hellion Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4x20 Pig Plex https://www.leupold.com/vx-freedom-15-4x20-pig-plex-riflescope Hornady Ballistics Calculator Inputs Hornady Frontier 68gr HPBT 5.56 Ballistic Coefficient .355 Velocity 2830 (16" barrel) Sight Height 3.65" Altitude 5,000' https://www.hornady.com/team-hornady/ballistic-calculators Chapters 0:00 Pig-Plex 1:06 Holds 2:21 Ballistics 3:22 Trajectory 3:56 MPBR 4:35 Beyond 600 5:06 25 Yard Range 6:57 Mounted Low 7:34 Tippy 8:20 Eye Punch 8:40 Parallax 9:10 50 Yards 9:42 100 Yards 10:29 200 Yards 11:34 Goal

The dry fire advantages of a green dot sight. A comparison between the RFX35 and the Trijicon SRO. Parallax testing. Made in the USA or another "Gain of Function" collusion product? Using on a pistol or a rifle. AmbGun Red Dot Sights https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-pistol/red-dot-sights Gain of Function - Kinetic https://www.ambgun.com/verboten/gain-of-function ACOG Mounting Nuts - Ambidextrous Obstruction https://youtu.be/I6T6XKtfpZ8 Chapters 0:00 Green RDS 0:35 Mounting 2:16 Battery 2:43 Going Green 3:08 Parallax 3:39 vs Trijicon SRO 6:13 Gain of Function 7:42 XDM 10mm 9:34 Mount Rifle 10:06 Conclusion