Shooting with ACOG in the dark

[beanz2]

Hey guys,

I got a rifle class week after next that will have a night shoot portion. I've never been to the class so I didn't prepare for it well enough. So this is my dilemma:

I have an ACOG 3x30 that is well zero'ed for the rifle (Rifle Dynamics AK in 7.62x39), but practicing my reloads and shooting positions in the dark, I quickly realized my reticle disappeared No surprise since most ACOGs depend on ambient lighting for the reticle to light up. I have battery powered red dots I can mount, but I am a bit better with the ACOG during the daytime and I have no time to zero a red dot on the rifle as I am working this weekend and my weekdays are long, ending past closing time of most rifle ranges around here.

I also have a VEPR 7.62x39 with a mounted and zero'ed Aimpoint T1. I thought of bringing both rifles to class and switch to the VEPR at night, but that would mean flying with a huge rifle case that would likely put me over the 50 lbs limit since I am bringing my ammo with me. I can buy the ammo there, but brass cased 7.62x39 is going to hurt the wallet a bit (I got a good deal on the ammo I am bringing.)

I thought of a solution by using a glow stick and taping it to the fiber optic tube on the ACOG with black tape so the light can't be seen, but still shines into the fiber optic to light up the reticle. So... I bought a $1.79 green glow stick from Walmart and some black duct tape. Voila, my reticle shines like it's daytime

So, what says you?
Stick with the hillybilly solution and suffer the ridicule at the range?
or
Grow some muscles, haul both rifles to class and just pay for the expensive ammo?

[Droppin Deuces]

Uhh.. instructors usually do a sight-in session before class, don't they?

As for the ACOG, if it's red, it's no surprise you can't see it at night. Shoulda bought green!

[mdib870]

go out buy one of the small chem lights…the cheap ones from the dollar store and tape it with black duct tape to the fiber optic portion of ur acog…problem solved problem staying solved

1.5"glow stick

[SuperSet]

Not sure why you didn't just ship your ammo to your hotel. We do that all the time.
And you can still see the reticle at night, as it just turns black. That's not an issue since you will be using your tac light to illuminate your target. But your bubba solution would work. I've velcro'ed a keychain LED close to the FO and that worked okay too.
Good luck and enjoy your class!

[beanz2]

Uhh.. instructors usually do a sight-in session before class, don't they?

As for the ACOG, if it's red, it's no surprise you can't see it at night. Shoulda bought green!

This is one of the higher level ones. I haven't been to this class before (Front Sight Advanced Practical Rifle), and they expect you to be sighted in already. Not sure if they will allow time for that.

Actually even with the green glow stick, the red reticle looked fine

[beanz2]

That was the idea, it just looks kludgey...

[sunborder]

If it's stupid and it works, it isn't stupid.

If redneck engineering works, it isn't stupid.

Honestly, why would you care what some other person thought of your rifle if it does what YOU want it to do?

Personally, I think your solution is elegant as a one-time solution. Is it practical for how you would USE the rifle, though?

I would be hesitant to train differently than I plan to perform. I doubt you will have time to crack a glowstick and tape it up if you are grabbing your rifle in the middle of the night, and if you are standing watch every night, are you really going to burn up glowsticks and tape every night?

[mdib870]

it works better than taking 2 rifles as well

[penguin0123]

The glow stick trick was used by troops in the sandbox.

[beanz2]

Not sure why you didn't just ship your ammo to your hotel. We do that all the time.
And you can still see the reticle at night, as it just turns black. That's not an issue since you will be using your tac light to illuminate your target. But your bubba solution would work. I've velcro'ed a keychain LED close to the FO and that worked okay too.
Good luck and enjoy your class!

Thanks, shipping ammo is always a solution, but time is running out. My eyes must be bad, but even with a tac light (I have a Surefire 660 mounted) I sure can't see it. How did the Velcro'ed keychain hold up?

This is my version LOL. (Didn't do a good job as you can still see the glow light)

Personally, I think your solution is elegant as a one-time solution. Is it practical for how you would USE the rifle, though?

I would be hesitant to train differently than I plan to perform. I doubt you will have time to crack a glowstick and tape it up if you are grabbing your rifle in the middle of the night, and if you are standing watch every night, are you really going to burn up glowsticks and tape every night?

Thanks, but between the handgun in the nightstand drawer and the 12 gauge locked under the bed, I'm not sure if I will ever get to use a rifle in a HD situation, but I digress. This class is only for fun

True, if I had to grab one rifle out of the safe for HD, not sure which one would I grab?

[beanz2]

The glow stick trick was used by troops in the sandbox.

Good to know! Wonder where I can find short glow sticks like that. The ones I find at the party store are 6" at the least.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Bubba! If it works, it works!

[hambam105]

Well gee-wiz..I'm going to a shooting class myself and...it's a commercial!

[ky2970]

Hey guys,

I got a rifle class week after next that will have a night shoot portion. I've never been to the class so I didn't prepare for it well enough. So this is my dilemma:

I have an ACOG 3x30 that is well zero'ed for the rifle (Rifle Dynamics AK in 7.62x39), but practicing my reloads and shooting positions in the dark, I quickly realized my reticle disappeared No surprise since most ACOGs depend on ambient lighting for the reticle to light up. I have battery powered red dots I can mount, but I am a bit better with the ACOG during the daytime and I have no time to zero a red dot on the rifle as I am working this weekend and my weekdays are long, ending past closing time of most rifle ranges around here.

I also have a VEPR 7.62x39 with a mounted and zero'ed Aimpoint T1. I thought of bringing both rifles to class and switch to the VEPR at night, but that would mean flying with a huge rifle case that would likely put me over the 50 lbs limit since I am bringing my ammo with me. I can buy the ammo there, but brass cased 7.62x39 is going to hurt the wallet a bit (I got a good deal on the ammo I am bringing.)

I thought of a solution by using a glow stick and taping it to the fiber optic tube on the ACOG with black tape so the light can't be seen, but still shines into the fiber optic to light up the reticle. So... I bought a $1.79 green glow stick from Walmart and some black duct tape. Voila, my reticle shines like it's daytime

So, what says you?
Stick with the hillybilly solution and suffer the ridicule at the range?
or
Grow some muscles, haul both rifles to class and just pay for the expensive ammo?

Your class should have a sight in period prior to instruction.

In addition, you will see the reticle upon illumination of the target. It shows up as black but you should be able to see it.

[SuperSet]

Thanks, shipping ammo is always a solution, but time is running out. My eyes must be bad, but even with a tac light (I have a Surefire 660 mounted) I sure can't see it. How did the Velcro'ed keychain hold up?

It'll work but note that battery life is only 16 hours or so.