How rugged are ACOGs?

[Bad-mofo]

My varmint-style AR doesn't have BUIS. I currently have an EOTech on it which I plan replacing with ACOG 4x32 in a couple of months.

Obviously it's a range toy for me at the moment, but with all the SHTF talk here (and the local news) I started having second thoughts about BUIS. No doubt I'd need it with battery-operated EOTech, but what about ACOG scopes? How they handle falls and other normal field abuse? I know most people are paranoid about BUIS, but realistically should I worry in a hypothetical riot / survival / home defense situation? I doubt it'd come to close combats. Again, it's a varmint bull-barrel rifle that doesn't even have the bayonet mount.

[strangerdude]

They are used in combat, I'm pretty sure they exceed your expectations.

[Jicko]

They are hell tough....

[NiteQwill]

I've personally seen EOTechs fail in the sandbox. Not one single Aimpoint (what I used, worked fine even after my rifle flew out of a 1114 at 30 mph ) or ACOG gave any issues.

[Bad-mofo]

The EOTech will be eventually replaced by ACOG, so my question is about ACOG.

[chuck762]

They seem to hold up well in the military. I guess dropping my rifle in the desert when the sling popped loose with an ACOG on it would be considered minor abuse but it held zero.

I love ACOGs but it depends on the use. Since my AR15s are all 14.5 or 16 inch barreled I don't consider them long range or target rifles so the ACOG works well on them. They are made for hitting man sized targets which is what the magnification and reticle are good for. If you want something more for targets and small groups then another scope would be of use.

I stick with the 3.5 and 3 power models because of the greater eye relief. Years ago I tired a TA01 but couldn't get used to it.

[jess]

I have a TA01 NSN and I had it fall off a M1114 and get run over by another behind me. It only "adjusted" my zero slightly. Quick re-zero and I am still using it today! Tough as they get!

[aplinker]

I bought a surplus ACOG once that looked like it had been dragged behind the grunt it was issued to. It had been thoroughly "dehorned" by use, and then some.

It worked great.

[BBrown]

It

is good enough for whacking insurgents, so I am sure the "rigours" of varmint combat should be okay. Doubt you will put the abuse through it that most of us did over there. There are plenty of other cheaper alternatives that work just as well. If your heart is set on it however go for it.

[CSTactical]

ACOGS are one of the best scopes on the market for an AR15 platform and they are very robust.

Mike @ CSGW

[Clodbuster]

I've seen a real ACOG mounted on an airsoft M16 slip off the roof of a truck onto the sidewalk and the lens crack. Nothing magical about a piece of equipment with parts made of glass. At least with the Eotech, you may be able to use it still with the glass cracked.

Clod

[artherd]

I have a TA01 NSN and I had it fall off a M1114 and get run over by another behind me. It only "adjusted" my zero slightly. Quick re-zero and I am still using it today! Tough as they get!

That's incredible.

They're tough. Very tough. I am sure I saw one that had been *shot* and still managed to be serviceable until it could be replaced.

Kinda like this nightforce... (I got to look through this exact scope, and while zoom no longer worked, the rest of the scope sure did.)