So what set up do you prefer for your AR carbine with a self defense role in mind?
I don't mean to restrict the question to just sitting in your house holding your own against a burgler, but rather if the only thing you had to protect your self against the Zombies was a carbine and max range was going to be 250m, what would you choose?

And WHY?

Other, Strikefire aint on there.

Outdoors, probably the DMS-1.

edit: Don't keep the AR loaded in the house, so its purely hypothetical at this point.

I have an eotech, and want an DMS-1 for my other ar. But both can fail. Irons can fail(standard Larue tree test, but if larue sights they wont fail), but it takes alot more. In the land of KISS I would say an LMT style stand alone/cut down carry handle with an F type front post.

aimpoint.

I keep flipping between an Aimpoint M2, EoTech 511 and the DMS-1

I like how the DMS and EoTech have a 1moa center dot. I like the big circle for close hits.
I like the EoTech over the Millet because I can use my back up sights right through the view screen.
I like the Millet over the EoTech because of the 1-4 power zoom and the fact that the reticle is always visible.
I don't like the location of the power switches on the 500 series EoTechs.
I am thinking about getting a 557. I like the BDC reticle and the side mount for the switches.
I have been using the Mako 3x and 5x magnifiers behind the aimpoint and EoTech and really like them. I just have those mounted in a ADM quick release but am probably going to get a flip to the side.
I don't like the size of the Millett, just too long.
I don't like the width on the EoTech.
The only thing I guess I like about the aimpoint is the small size and it works great with BUIS

goes either way for me. I like the large window of an EOTech and I like the adjustability of the DMS-1.
And I own most of what is on your list.

The only redeeming quality that the Aimpoints has is battery life, but seeing as I change batteries like every couple months it a moot point.

I keep flipping between an Aimpoint M2, EoTech 511 and the DMS-1

I have been using the 1-4x Elcans at work :flipoff2:
very nice, very heavy, very EXPENSIVE optics

home defense sights? in my house i just use my bayonet, with iron sights of course.

of the options i own (aimpoint, dms-1, and iron sights), i have it setup with the aimpoint. well it's not a real aimpoint, but close. my rear sight is fixed so the DMS doesn't fit, but for the urban environment i live in, i am well inside of 250M. the longest clean shot i could take is maybe 100yds. average long shot would be inside of that.

my only issue is my aimpoint looks like a fuzzy start, not a clean circle, no matter how i adjust it, rotate it, or look through it. shouldn't really matter though for the distances i'm talking about and center of mass hits

my dms is mounted to my FAL

Did you just read my SHTF thread??? :laughing:

my only issue is my aimpoint looks like a fuzzy start, not a clean circle, no matter how i adjust it, rotate it, or look through it.

Check with your optrician, usually when folks see a star instead of a dot, its due to an astigmatism.


Since the origional post has changed a bit, I'll change my choice. For zombie defence 0-250 yds, its DMS-1 without a doubt. Sure it needs a more precise cheek weld than a red dot, but the 10 moa circle makes it pretty durn quick, and 4x just can't be beat for shots over 100 yds, at least for me. If it fawks up, flip a couple levers, flip up the irons and keep going.

Eotech. Really light compared to the Aimpoints but never fiddled with an ACOG. BUT!

All that being said... I'd REALLY like to give an ACOG a go. For the simple reason there are no batteries to have to turn on or turn off. Figure that in 4x with a ironsight attachment would be dope! Definitely want the 4x to make head shots on a zombie at 250 yards.

My 7.5 is getting a compm4 eventually.

Although i am a firm believer in iron sights on assault rifles. If you can't shoot iron sights then you should not have optics. my .02

edit: Don't keep the AR loaded in the house, so its purely hypothetical at this point.

thats like keeping your car in the garage without gas in it:flipoff2:

irons for me.., no batteries, no glass to clean

Although i am a firm believer in iron sights on assault rifles. If you can't shoot iron sights then you should not have optics. my .02

yes, you shouldn't do what you can to improve your shooting on a defense weapon.

yes, you shouldn't do what you can to improve your shooting on a defense weapon.

In all honesty, I kinda agree with him. I told myself that I wouldn't buy an optic until I could shoot well with irons. I haven't "graduated" to the optic yet and I really don't think I'm missing anything. I can still hit a man every time at 200 yards+ unsupported.

Optics are great and all, but they're really not as important as everyone seems to think. My regular old A2 got me through my three years in the Army no problem.

In all honesty, I kinda agree with him. I told myself that I wouldn't buy an optic until I could shoot well with irons. I haven't "graduated" to the optic yet and I really don't think I'm missing anything. I can still hit a man every time at 200 yards+ unsupported.

Optics are great and all, but they're really not as important as everyone seems to think. My regular old A2 got me through my three years in the Army no problem.


i think you should do/use what ever you can to make you shoot better when it comes to a self defense situation. i can assure you that if some one is trying to kill me or someone i care about, i am going to use any and every advantage i can to stop them.


would you want a red dot sight or irons if an intruder was in your dark house at night?

I like my Aimpoint M2. The battery life is great, can be a problem if you forget and leave it turned on. I also can pick up targets easier with it. I had an Eotech 511, but my astigmatism and blindness made it hard to shoot with. Sometimes the hologram would be hard to see crisp and clear (and yes I know the proper way to use one).

I have to go with the Comp M2 on this one, though I tend to run my irons more than anything.
And I agree with the opinion of being proficient with irons before graduating to optics. We have kids in my guard unit that can barely hit the zero target after coming out of basic. Apparently they're getting optics just about right away now and never really learn how to shoot with the irons.

I like the eotech reticle more than the aimpoint. However I am not impressed with the durability of the eotech. I hardly even used mine and the springs broke for the battery in the battery cover. Eotech send me a new one free of charge, but that would not do much good in a home defense situation. The Aimpoint I have not used much, but I like it so far. The Eotech is the 512 model and the Aimpoint is a ML2.

I like the eotech I have, but I wouldn't mind some magnification as my eyesight isn't the best. The fact that the reticle is visible anywhere on the screen is nice. but backup irons are usefull too.

And the ability to not close an eye and be limited in vision around you is why I choose it over ACOG (that and I can't afford one)

I've got an ACOG and an EoTech...ACOG all the way. With a mini red dot on top, I've come to find it very fast, and you can't beat an ACOG for durability, FOV, and :bling: factor. The ACOG is sitting on my CMMG M4 upper on the AR that is in my truck right now, and it's the same gun that sits in the corner of my bedroom most nights. I'd like to shoot my EoTech more with a magnifier, but I'll have to wait until I can scrape more money together for that.

I like the eotech I have, but I wouldn't mind some magnification as my eyesight isn't the best. The fact that the reticle is visible anywhere on the screen is nice. but backup irons are usefull too.

And the ability to not close an eye and be limited in vision around you is why I choose it over ACOG (that and I can't afford one)

FWIW on the 4x ACOGs I have not had any problem keeping both eyes open.

With the 3x magnifier behind the Aimpoint/EoTech I also am finding it easy to shoot with both eyes open.

FWIW on the 4x ACOGs I have not had any problem keeping both eyes open.

With the 3x magnifier behind the Aimpoint/EoTech I also am finding it easy to shoot with both eyes open.

I'm looking for a cheap 3x magnifier and flip mount so I can switch and still have BUIS too. Only had one experience with ACOG, so I'm probably way off.

Eotech 552. Served 24/7 for a year. It did it's job.
Just my opinion (no vote):
Eotech 552 > Aimpoint M68
Elcan M145(3.4x) > ACOG

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d82/TJshare/PBB/DSC02342.jpg

cleaned :D

I am inclined to vote for a Trijicon Reflex. In a home defense situation, I dont want to have to switch something on or off besides the safety.

I don't think I replied yet. . . I voted irons for lack of batteries, switches, etc. I've got one set with tritium inserts and that negates any low/no light advantage optics have. My second choice would probably be an acog, again for lack of batteries and electronics.