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The Top 5 Best Rifle Scopes As Chosen By Warfighters

We live in a world where rifle scopes are aplenty. You can’t turn over a rock without finding some new type of optic. With so many out there, how can you choose the best? Well, why don’t we look at what the elite warfighters around the world choose? That’s precisely what we’ve done. Here are the five best rifle scopes as chosen by America’s warfighters.

The Best Close Range Fighting Optic – Eotech EXPS3-2

When SOCOM went looking to replace their Eotech’s in 2018, they chose Eotechs! Specifically the EXPS3-2, aka the SU 231A. For close-range use, the Eotech holographic optics provide a dynamic and durable aiming solution for close-quarters combat. The EXPS3-2 provides a compact aiming option with a full-size window.

The EOTech EXPS3-2 provides users with a reticle system that’s dynamic out to 200 yards, and when paired with a magnifier, it goes beyond even that. The EXPS3-2 provides a 68 MOA reticle, and inside the circle are two 1 MOA dots. The middle dot allows the user to utilize a 50/22 yard zero, and the second dot provides a ballistic drop point out to 500 yards.

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The big 68 MOA circle allows you to compensate for height over bore at to 7 yards for bad breath ranges. The EOTech EXPS3-2 is utilized by Marine Raiders, Navy SEALs, Green Berets, and beyond. It’s easily one of the best rifle scopes for close quarter’s use and perfect for your AR 15 Kits. 

 

The Best Prism – Trijicon ACOG 4x32mm

The Marine Corps prides itself on being a Corps of riflemen, and as such, when they went shopping for an optic, they chose the Trijicon ACOG. This fixed four-power scope provides a compact rifle scope that allows easy engagement out to 500 yards on a point target. These optics proved so successful that an inquiry was launched due to the amount of headshots Marines were achieving in Fallujah.

The Trijicon ACOG utilizes a bullet drop compensating reticle that makes it superbly simple to drop rounds at various ranges and to compensate for ballistic drop on the fly. The sun powers the reticle via a radioactive isotope that absorbs solar power to illuminate the reticle. With the ACOG, the future is now.

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This integral mount makes it easy to mount the optic to your carbine and to provide accurate fires at almost any range. It’s one of the toughest rifle scopes on the planet and allows shooters to stretch their legs while maintaining a compact package.

 

The Best Mini Red Dot – Trijicon RMR Type 2

The Trijicon RMR Type 2 provides shooters a superbly small aiming solution for a wide variety of weapon platforms. We are talking about rifle scopes today, but the Trijicon RMR Type 2 can be mounted to a rifle, a submachine gun, a handgun, and even a machine gun. SOCOM chose the Trijicon RMR to outfit handguns, rifles, and the Marine Corps uses it on machine guns.

It’s a rugged and dependable optic that can absorb abuse at a crazy high level. It’s a never-say-die kind of optic that comes in a wide variety of configurations. You can choose different reticle sizes, colors, shapes, and power sources. It’s a dependable optic that’s easily piggy-backed onto a magnified optic for a close-range aiming solution.

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The Best LPVO – SIG TANGO6T

SIG’s optic line has exploded significantly. They make red dots, variable optics, thermals, and of course, low power variable optics. The LPVO concept has swept through the military and become the major go-to rifle for a wide variety of military forces. The US Army and SOCOM both chose the SIG TANGO6T.

The SIG TANGO6T provides users with a magnification range set between 1-6X, and that makes the optic extremely valuable and versatile. AT 1X, it’s essentially a red dot; at a higher power level, you can zoom in and take precision shots at close range or accurate long-range shots.

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SIG made the optic last and provided a durable option for DMRs and everyday troops. The TANGO6T surprised most of us, but with adoption by two military forces, it can’t be underestimated to provide a level of versatility beyond most rifle scopes.

 

The Best Sniper Rifle Optic – Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56mm F1 MIL

When you say special operations capable scope, the Nightforce series is what you should be thinking of. I don’t think anyone has ever made better sniper rifle scopes. These extremely durable optics provide snipers superbly clear glass that defeats darkness and allows snipers to kill a bad guy a mile away.

SOCOM utilizes the Nightforce ATACR 5-25×56 F1 MIL to provide the world’s sharpest shots the clearest glass possible. Everything from the turrets to the glass is made to be unbeatable and second to none. A sniper is only as good as his optics, and when he’s got an ATACR, he is doing pretty damn good.

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The Nightforce ATACR 5-25×56 is extremely durable with the ability to resist shock, water, dust, and general tomfoolery. Whenever something is made from glass and aluminum, you don’t expect much durability, but I’m convinced I could beat a man to death with an ATACR, and it would hold zero.

Get On Target

At this point, iron sights should be regulated to backups. An optic can do everything iron sights can do. They can also do it faster, more accurately, and extend your effective range. Give your rifle the best gift possible, and choose a high-quality optic. Any from the above list will kick all the ass.

 

Covert Operations Case – Keep Your SMG Discreet

Concealed carry firearms are relatively easy to carry. Get a good holster, some pants, a solid belt, and a short, and boom, it’s covered. A pistol is great, but a submachine gun or short rifle is much better. They tend to be a little tougher to conceal. It’s not a weapon that hides under a shirt well. However, that’s where the Covert Operations Case comes into play. Designed by Elite Survival Systems, the Covert Operations Case lives up to its name.

The Covert Operations Case

Covert Operations Case implies a certain amount of discretion. Discretion comes in many forms, and in this situation, it’s a laptop case. The Covert Operations Case comes in several sizes. This is the SMG model and is designed for guns like the MP5, the Scorpion, the MPX, etc. Rifle sized variants exist, as do SBR versions, and even larger AR 15 cases. As the cases get larger, they lose a bit of their discretion.

Buy The Larger Version Now $116

None of the cases have the telltale tactical designs. You won’t see MOLLE straps, tactical logos, or external magazine pouches. They are all sanitized and designed to be plain, boring, and discreet. This small model is indistinguishable from an average large laptop bag. It might be a little deeper, but no one will pick up on that.

You have a shoulder strap as well as a briefcase-style handle. YOu can move the strap back and forth to various positions. The case is well padded and will protect your firearm or laptop from the environment well.

It’s the Inside That Counts

The Covert Operations Case is made up of an external pocket and a large main pocket. The external pocket is rather large and could fit important stuff from a charger and mousepads to first aid kits and spare mags.

The main pouch of the Covert Operations Case houses two sets of straps that allow the case to hold two SMG sized weapons or a separated upper and lower of a pistol AR 15 build kit. The straps allow the weapon to be secured and latched down for both safety and discretionary purposes.

Buy Now $90

Across from the straps is a section of hook and loop. Here you can add magazine pouches and various other mission essential gear. Between the two sides is a panel that acts as a divider. It can protect the guns from the pouches and vice versa. The divider can be removed with ease should you so choose. Both sides of the case can be opened to access the padding. This area is large and open enough to squeeze a soft armor plate in if that’s your thing.

Putting it In Action

The design itself is clever. It remains discreet but adds on several features that separate it from just shoving a gun in a laptop bag. For one, the case opens almost entirely allows you to easily access your gun without it snagging. If opened while being carried, the gun is easy to access and easy to deploy.

The strap is wide and padded, so carrying heavy weapons is still comfortable. The guns can be light, but four or five fully loaded magazines can get heavy, as can flashlights, optics, and more get pretty dang heavy.

Overall quality is top-notch. I’ve been using this bag for a few years now. When traveling, I like to bring more sting than a CCW pistol, and I want to do so discreetly. I keep the bag under lock and key, of course, but toting it to hotel rooms and from space to space keeps eyes off it.

I mean, it’s just a laptop bag, right?

The Flash 5 From Tactaload – Best Shotgun Stock

Tactaload is a new company bringing a lot of innovation to the world of shotgun stocks. Tactaload was founded by a veteran Secret Service agent with an expansive amount of time behind a shotgun. His experience with the Speed Feedstock and normal side saddles lead him to create the Flash 5.

The Flash 5 is a shotgun stock designed to hold five spare rounds of ammunition. It’s capable of holding 2.75 and 3-inch shells normally, and when you remove a spacer, the gun will then hold 3.5-inch shells.

The Flash 5 is made from a rugged and ultra-strong polymer material designed to take a beating. The stock is currently produced for the Mossberg 500 series and the Remington 870 shotguns.

Breaking Down the Flash 5

The Flash 5 has an integral magazine built into the stock the feeds the rounds from the bottom of the stock. A small spring-loaded gate ensures the rounds do not slip out of the stock when the environment is dynamic. The gate pops out of the way with no input from the user other than pulling the round from the stock.

Buy Now $130

The Flash 5 is ambidextrous, and the majority of the rounds are concealed inside the stock. This adds a level of protection not found in side saddles. On top of that, the rounds are in the center rear of the gun. This positioning helps maintain the gun’s balance and makes the gun swing nice and smoothly.

How It Works as a Stock

While holding rounds is cool, the stock has to succeed as a stock more than it has to succeed as a shell holder. I can use a shotgun without a shell holder, and I can’t use one without a stock. The Flash 5 is luckily one helluva good stock. It provides a consistent cheek weld and allows for a comfortable grip.

Most importantly, you can adjust the length of pull. Most shotgun stocks have way too long of a LOP for combat shooting. The stock has optional inserts to adjust the stock from 12.5 inches to 13.5 inches in half-inch increments. This makes it quite easy to fit the stock to the shooter and increases comfort and control over the weapon.

Putting Work In

I was a little skeptical about reloading from the Flash 5. I’ve always found side saddles to be the fastest way to reload a gun. Imagine my surprise when I found myself slightly faster with Tactaload’s Flash 5 stock. The Flash 5 made the movement from stock to chamber short and more intuitive. Grip the round, rotate my wrist, and insert into the tube, rinse and repeat. The only time it’s slower than a side saddle is for port reloads. However, we are talking fractions of a second slower.

I repeated the drill for what had to be hundreds of reloads. Over and over and over. I was oftentimes wearing my wrist out holding the Mossberg 590A1 on target. The Flash 5 never failed to deliver the next round I needed. I’m shocked and remain surprised at how capable and durable the Fast 5 is.

The Mossberg 590A1 is my go-to pump-action combat shotgun, and it will sit adorned with the Flash 5 permanently. It’s faster, easier to use, better balanced, and is one helluva well-made stock. It’s short and sweet, with the ability to hold five-rounds makes it a no-brainer for me. On my Mossberg is squeezes into most AR15 Cases It costs nearly the same as the famed Magpul stock but offers you a high-quality spare shell holder on top of that. The Flash 5 is a genius design, and I’m excited to see what Tactaload comes up with next.

 

 

The Romeo5XDR – Budget Blasting Red Dot

SIG went from being well known for producing fantastic metal frame pistols to being well known for making everything. This includes rifles, suppressors, and even optics. Today we are looking at their budget-friendly Romeo5 red dot, specifically the Romeo5XDR model. The Romeo5XDR is the most robust and durable Romeo5 that’s outfitted with superior water protection and higher grade shock protection. The DR stands for dual reticle, and the Romeo5 serves up two separate reticles. 

The Romeo5XDR – Dual Reticle Design 

The first is a 2 MOA red dot. It’s straightforward and is the industry standard. The second reticle is a 65 MOA circle with a 2 MOA dot. The dual design allows you to pick and choose your reticle. The 2 MOA is a bit simpler with a less obscure sight picture, and it tends to be kinder on battery life. The 65 MOA reticle is much more versatile and eye-catching at the cost of decreased battery life. 

The 65 MOA circle and dot reticle allow for engaging finding capabilities. At one hundred yards, the 65 MOA ring is the average size of a normal man. If an average-sized man fills the reticle, then he is roughly 100 yards away. If he fills from the bottom of the reticle to the middle dot, then he is 200 yards away. It’s handy but can be a bit tricky to use. 

The 65 MOA ring is also more prominent, more comfortable to see, and faster to find and get on target. The bigger reticle is easier to track between targets and can be used at any range. The 65 MOA reticle is perfect for that fast, close-range shooting, and the smaller 2 MOA dot in the center is better purposed for longer range shooting. The Romeo5XDR is one helluva versatile optic. 

In practice, I can ring steel at 15 yards with blistering speed, and when I fall back to 100 yards, I can do the same with precision and confidence. Both the dot and circle options are crystal clear and extremely crisp. They outperform every other budget red dot I’ve shot with. 

Class and Glass 

The Romeo5XDR presents the user with crystal clear glass with a slight blue tint to it. The blue tint is normal in these optics, and it’s from obscuring. The view through the lens is clear and can be used with a magnifier without any clarity issues. Cheap red dots often look okay as red dots, but troublesome and poorly made glass shows it’s weakness under a magnifier. 

The Romeo5XDR runs off of a single AAA battery and lasts up to 50K hours. I can say after several years of use, and I’m still on the battery that was included with the optic. The optic is equipped with SIG’s MOTAC system. MOTAC stands for motion-activated, and this acts to help preserve the battery for stone heads like me who forget to turn their optic’s off when they put them away. When the optic is left undisturbed for a period of time, it shuts off automatically. 

When the optic senses motion, it activates and returns the last setting the user set. The Romeo5XDR is a very modern choice that goes above and beyond your normal budget red dot. The glass packs some unbeatable features for a budget red dot, and the Romeo5XDR is a true performer, and it does so above and beyond its price tag. 

 

3 home defense firearms that’ll make you prepared like John Wick

You roll to your side to take a quick glimpse of the clock: it’s 3 AM. You’ve been awake for the past 2 hours, trying to go back to sleep. You couldn’t. Something’s off…you can just feel it.

“Ah, it must be paranoia,” you think. When you’re about to close your eyes, you suddenly hear a loud shatter downstairs. You get up. And then, your front door slowly creaks open, bringing a chill down your spine. “Oh shi—” you panicky think before cutting yourself off. You know what this is:

A home invasion.

Your heart starts pounding as you quickly try to find your .30-06 hunting rifle with scope. Beads of sweat roll down your face as your hands begin to shake uncontrollably. You realized that your hunting rifle is downstairs. And then, suddenly out of the shadows, a dark hooded figure emerges. What do you think will happen next?

You’ll either lose your life or your precious valuables. Why? Because you weren’t adequately prepared for a home invasion. How do you prevent that from happening? By getting prepared. And one of the first steps in being prepared is getting yourself a SOLID home defense weapon. That’s why I wrote this article — to show you my top 3 favorite home defense firearms, starting with my first recommendation…

 

  • Remington 870 (Shotgun)

Mitch Barrie on Flickr

 

Pros: Flexible ammunition types, insanely powerful

Cons: Heavier and harder to carry (compared to pistols), requires two hands to shoot, low ammunition capacity (compared to rifles)

Why use a Shotgun for Home Defense?

Because they’re scary as hell. If ANY intruder hears a sound of a shotgun, they’ll most likely bolt for the door… and will never step foot on your property again. But that’s not the only reason you should invest in a shotgun. Shotguns are also extremely versatile. Meaning, there is a wide variety of ammo available like:

  • Slugs
  • Buck Shot
  • Bird Shot

In other words: Shotguns are multi-purpose. They can be used for hunting and target shooting as well as home defense. And that’s not all. Shotguns are incredibly reliable. (More specifically, pump shotguns). They are very easy to use and won’t fail on you — even with minimal maintenance. The best part? Shotguns are pretty darn cheap. In fact, a brand new Remington 870 only costs $300. And if you really look, you could get yourself a used one for less than $150.

Recommended Accessories: 

  • Shotgun Sling: Makes extra ammo easily-accessible.
  • Red Dot Sight: Allows for rapid target acquisition. The FastFire 3 from Burris is SOLID.
  • WeaponLight: Flashlights and lasers are a must for shotguns.

 

  • Glock 23 (Pistol)

WikiMedia Commons

 

Pros: Easy to carry, lightweight (and compact), requires only one hand to shoot

Cons: Low ammunition capacity (compared to rifles)

Why use a Pistol for Home Defense?

The fact is this: Handguns are some of the best firearms for home defense. They’re also my personal favorite. Here’s why… Accessibility. I carry my Glock 23 almost EVERYWHERE I go. It’s small, compact, light and fairly easy to use. That said, you’d be able to move quicker and quieter through your home. Bruce Willis in Die Hard would probably agree with me. Another reason for acquiring a pistol is because they rarely run into jamming issues, easy-to-clean, and just straight up reliable.

Look: Just do yourself a favor and get a handgun (if you don’t have one already). It’ll protect you everywhere — inside AND outside of your home.

Recommended Accessories: 

  • Grip: Upgrade your stock grip with a grip from a reputable manufacturer for an improved grip quality.
  • Light/Laser: Will help with accuracy and seeing in low-light conditions.
  • Holster: A must if you conceal carry. Feel free to read my top 3 essential firearm accessories.

 

 

  • AR-15 (Rifle)

Pixabay

 

Pros: Higher ammunition capacity, powerful, long-distance shots

Cons: Heavier and harder to carry (compared to pistols), requires two hands to operate

Why use a Rifle for Home Defense?

If you want to be a badass like John Wick, use an AR-15. The reason? It’s INSANELY versatile. The AR-15 can be used for home defense, target shooting, and even deer hunting. How is that possible? The AR-15 is chambered in a 5.56 cartridge and could also shoot a .223 — allowing for a flexible platform. And get this: An AR-15 is actually EASIER to shoot than a shotgun or pistol due to the low recoil and accuracy. If that wasn’t enough for you, the AR-15 also holds a larger total capacity of ammunition. In other words: you can easily take on multi-person home invasion.

Let me make it simple: I highly recommend owning an AR-15. It’s just… awesome. I’m not the only person who thinks so. In fact, the AR-15 is the most popular rifle in America.

Recommended Accessories: 

  • Rifle Scope/Red Dot Sight: Read this article on how to choose a rifle scope.
  • Front Hand Grip: Allows for MUCH better grip.
  • Flashlight: Great for low light environments.

Which Firearm Should I buy For Home Defense – Pistol, Rifle Or Shotgun?

It depends on your environment. Want something lightweight and easily accessible? Get a handgun. Live in a rural area and have a lot of distance? Invest in a rifle. However, if you live in a more densely-packed area, go with a shotgun. Also, don’t forget to check your local laws to see which firearm is legal. But most importantly: whatever firearm you choose, make sure to commit to training and practice. As long as you head to the gun range a couple of times per year, you should be golden. With that said…

Now Its Your Turn

These are my top 3 favorite firearms for home defense. Sure, there are hundreds of guns out there you can choose from but these were my top 3 favorites. That said, I’d like to hear from you:  What firearm do you use (or plan on using) for home defense? Let me know by leaving a quick comment down below.

 

Author Bio:

Richard Douglas is a scopes expert with over 10 years of hands-on experience and has been featured on Burris Optics, War History Online and more. No wonder his friends call him the “James Bond of Scopes.” Richard now spends most of his time reviewing scopes and sharing his exclusive findings on his blog, Scopes Field.

 

Feature image courtesy of Pixabay

Check out this underwater pistol Heckler & Koch built for the Navy SEALs

One of the things movies always get wrong about firearms is how water will affect the way a bullet travels. Even in the otherwise-almost-too-real “Saving Private Ryan,” bullets are shown flying through water almost exactly as they do in the air: on a straight trajectory and with a lethal amount of kinetic energy. The truth of the matter is, bullets just don’t move through the water all that well. In fact, with many firearms, all it takes is a few inches of water to strip a moving bullet of the speed necessary to penetrate the human body. In most cases, water just knocks bullets off their course, but in some, hitting the water is enough to break the round apart completely. While some firearms can function under water, they tend not to function as you’d need them to if you were in a fight for your life.

This scene from John Wick 3 actually does a really good job of demonstrating how water affects bullets.

(Warning: graphic content)

For most folks, a weapon’s ability to take a life while completely submerged in water isn’t a pressing concern, but for some very specific groups of war fighters, this presents a serious issue. Navy SEALs are known for conducting clandestine operations in and around the water, and Navy Frogmen are often tasked with preventing the foreign equivalent of our SEALs from doing the same near American shores. Because most standard issue firearms would be all but useless in an underwater engagement, these undersea war fighters needed something with a bit more reach than their diving knives that actually worked beneath the waves.

That’s where Heckler & Koch stepped in. Back in 1976, they secretly developed the P11: a five-barrel module-arrangement pistol that’s capable of firing 4-inch long steel darts. Its effective range underwater was between 30 and 50 feet (depending on depth) and they could even be fired in the dry air with an effective range of just shy of 100 feet (though accuracy was said to be questionable at such distances).

Heckler & Koch P11 with test-device (WikiMedia Commons)

H&K didn’t even acknowledge producing the pistol until 1997, giving their select customer list a solid two decades of use before letting the cat out of the bag. According to some sources, hundreds of these pistols were issues to Naval special warfare units, though it’s unclear how many are still in service. It stands to reason that the Navy may now be operating more effective underwater weapons.

Instead of using traditional rounds, each of the five barrels came sealed from the manufacturer with what was effectively a mini-rocket propelled missile stored inside. The projectiles were actually tiny solid-fuel rockets with fins to stabilize their path as they sailed through the water. When the operator pulls the trigger, an internal battery actually sends a current to ignite the fuel and launch the projectile through its barrel. Once all five rounds had been expended, there was no way to reload the pistol — it had to be sent back to Heckler & Koch to have a new sealed five-round chamber installed.

 

Feature image screen captured from YouTube

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