08-27-2011, 01:11 AM
I'm a retired veteran with 20 years of service and combat experience in Iraq. I do have to say that I perfer the things I prefer because of what I used to use while on active duty. You get comfortable with certain things and build a hell of alot of muscle memory. Then, when you finally get out, you tend to go back to "what you know'. Which is why you typically see guys using certain things. It's not because it's the best. But, usually because that's what the soldier is used too. Having lived with a weapon 24-7, alot of guys like to build an AR so they can continue to have that feeling of security and like to build them up similar to what they carried on duty. Now, having said that ..........
In Iraq, red dot sights were prefered because of the fast moving nature of the battle field. It's a step up from iron sights. Shooting from a vehicle or at a vehicle, it was much more effective to shoot with both eyes open, so the red dot sights worked well. I personally prefer the Eotech. But, the ACOGs had thier place. Most Eotechs in country were purchased by the soldier or his family. Some units would supply ACOGs, but that was not the standard. Unless you were a designated marksman or a sniper, there wasn't alot of practicle use for a scope. I saw many guys with scopes that stood alot of watches on fixed posts (like guard towers). But, for the typical grunt getting in and out of vehicles, they just aren't practicle. If you end up kicking in doors, any kind of magnified optics were just useless.
Now, that just happens to be my own personal opinion and I have been retired for almost 7 years. Things have probably changed since then.
In Iraq, red dot sights were prefered because of the fast moving nature of the battle field. It's a step up from iron sights. Shooting from a vehicle or at a vehicle, it was much more effective to shoot with both eyes open, so the red dot sights worked well. I personally prefer the Eotech. But, the ACOGs had thier place. Most Eotechs in country were purchased by the soldier or his family. Some units would supply ACOGs, but that was not the standard. Unless you were a designated marksman or a sniper, there wasn't alot of practicle use for a scope. I saw many guys with scopes that stood alot of watches on fixed posts (like guard towers). But, for the typical grunt getting in and out of vehicles, they just aren't practicle. If you end up kicking in doors, any kind of magnified optics were just useless.
Now, that just happens to be my own personal opinion and I have been retired for almost 7 years. Things have probably changed since then.