Is the ACOG Still a Good Optic? A Technical Guidelines
Introduced back in 1987, the ACOG has been a mainstay for troops all around the world. The main advantage of the ACOG was that it just worked, without any fuss, while withstanding a lot of wear and tear. Since then, it has seen a lot of changes, making it stay up to date with the industry and combat trends.
But how does it fare today? Is the ACOG still a good optic? Especially in today’s standard. Well, the good news is yes. It is still a good choice. For the price it’s been sold for today, it can hold its own.
What Makes the ACOG Still Good Today?
Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight or ACOG is not a single piece of optic, but an entire line of optics. They vary in size, magnification, illumination ability, and even the reticle. Let’s see what makes the ACOG still a good choice for today.
1. Illumination without Batteries
While some of them are battery-powered, most of them are not. They use tritium along with fiber optics for illuminating the reticle. It absorbs light to illuminate during the day and at night, the tritium kicks in. The sole concept while making the ACOG was to make an ultra-durable scope that can work both day and night without worrying about having to replace the batteries.
2. Tried and Tested
The sheer fact that the ACOG has been in the market for more than 30 years and still continues to be a good choice, proves that it has passed the test of time. In fact, the ACOG still is the official combat rifle optic for the Marine Corps of the U.S. The TA 31 variation to be exact.
3. Durability
Time and again, the ACOG has proven its durability and its ability to withstand abuse. But how durable it is actually? Well, withstanding recoil from a .22 LR (long rifle) is a breeze for the ACOG. It even withstood recoil from a .50 Browning Machine Guns.
It showed exceptional waterproof performance in combat situations. During countless drop tests performed by the U.S. Military, the ACOG held its own.
4. Quality Material
The lenses used in ACOG are multi-coated and are superior in quality. This ensures a clear field of view even in the harshest terrain and most extreme of weather conditions. Most of the models feature target-ranging reticles and bullet drops compensating for precise aiming even at long distances.
The ACOG is filled with dry nitrogen which eliminates fogging even in the most extreme cold and heat.
5. Flexibility
In today’s market, there are a total of twelve ACOG models. This gives you great flexibility to pick one ACOG for almost any weapon you own. Also, they come with fixed magnification. So, you can choose one according to your weapons range. They range from as low as 1.5x to all the way up to 6x.
What’s the ACOG not Good for?
If your airsoft activity includes a lot of close-quarter shooting, you might hate the ACOG. It falls behind any regular red dot sight in this regard. Also, for what they offer, they can be a bit too pricey for you. Another thing to consider is long-range capability. If you want to go beyond 6 times magnification, the ACOG is not for you. At times, they can feel a bit heavier too.
Frequently Asked Questions And Answers
Who makes ACOG scopes?
The ACOG is made by Trijicon, an optics company based in the U.S.
How long will an ACOG last?
If used properly, an ACOD can last you at least a decade.
Is ACOG better than EOTech?
For durability as well as longevity, the ACOG is better in our opinion.
What will replace the ACOG?
The NGSW-FC (NEXT GENERATION SQUAD WEAPON – FIRE CONTROL) is said to replace the ACOG.
Final Thoughts
The ACOG was designed to provide accurate aiming ability in all lighting conditions. With up to 100 meters of waterproof range and extreme drop protection, it is worth your every penny. For hitting targets up to 500-600 years, the ACOG can serve you for years to come.
