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The War in Iraq: Weapons
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Marines Equip M-16s With Super Sight
by James Dunnigan
May 12, 2005
Discussion Board on this DLS topic
The U.S. Marine Corps is equipping most of their M-16 and M-4 rifles with ACOG
(Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight). This device, which does not use batteries,
is a well designed scope that provides a red chevron-shaped reticle and bullet
drop compensator. For daytime use, a fiber optic system collects available light
for brightness and controlled contrast in the scope. At night, the system relies
on tritium for illumination. The 4x32 sight allows you to get first round hits
at 300 meter, or longer ranges. The sight also allows for better accuracy at
closer ranges, with both eyes open. The manufacturer, Trijicon, has been making
similar sights for years, and they are popular for police, hunting and military
use. SOCOM has long used them, and many marines and soldiers have bought the
civilian version of the ACOG with their own money. At a thousand bucks each,
ACOG costs more than the rifle it’s mounted on, and the users consider it well
worth the price.
A Chinese firm manufactures a version of the ACOG
sight, but violates the American manufacturers patents to do so. The Chinese
version sells for as little as half what the legal version sells for.
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The Perfect Soldier: Special Operations, Commandos, and the Future of Us Warfare by James F. Dunnigan
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