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Author Topic: Merry Christmas to me!  (Read 1799 times)

Offline OnTheFly

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Merry Christmas to me!
« on: December 25, 2013, 02:27:34 PM »
My son picked this out for me. He didn't know it, but I had already been eyeing these for an inexpensive red dot on my AR. Can't wait to go to the range and sight it in. Now all I need is a worthy shotgun and I will be nearly set for 3-gun.





Fly
Si vis pacem, para bellum

Offline Greybeard

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Re: Merry Christmas to me!
« Reply #1 on: December 25, 2013, 09:58:32 PM »
Santa Claus dragged me into Rod Moeller's shop last Saturday to enquire about the availability of Glock Model 22, Gen 4s. It seems that Rod had one on consignment, from a member who had a run of bad luck, that was basically NIB. On top of that, Rod was having a sale. I had a quick conference with the Finance Minister at the house, removed the financial instrument from the safe, and removed the firearm from Rod's property. Santa did not claim that I had been a good boy, but he said that if I did not lie on the 1173, and Rod would still release it to me, I could have the pistol!! Rod was happy, I was happy and I'm guessing that the fellow that placed the pistol on consignment was happy. Merry Christmas to me!!!!
WØCHF

Offline bkoenig

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Re: Merry Christmas to me!
« Reply #2 on: December 26, 2013, 08:22:43 AM »
The Strikefire is a solid sight.

You should just come shoot multigun sometime and borrow my shotgun.  No need to wait until you have one...

Offline metaldoc

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Re: Merry Christmas to me!
« Reply #3 on: December 26, 2013, 09:32:58 AM »
 
Can't wait to go to the range and sight it in.
 

That's a good looking sight.   Looking forward to a range report. 

Offline OnTheFly

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Re: Merry Christmas to me!
« Reply #4 on: December 28, 2013, 12:26:50 AM »

That's a good looking sight.   Looking forward to a range report. 

Ok...here we go.

What an absolutely beautiful Friday afternoon in December.  Took the rifle/scope to the range with a friend who is much more familiar with rifles, scopes, and sighting in. 

We sighted the rifle in and then fired a total of about 40 rounds.  The scope worked consistently and held the setting adjustments we had made.  We will see if it continues to hold for a few hundred rounds.  The red/green dot did not flicker or show any adverse effect from the recoil.

I have never owned a red dot and may have only shot a few rounds out of a rifle with one.  What I did not realize is that I could shoot with both eyes open using a tube red dot like this.  I had previously assumed that a tube would require closing one eye, while something like a EOTECH reflex sight would allow both eyes to be open.  I was very pleasantly surprised that I could keep both eyes open, and doing so nearly made the scope disappear from my field of vision.  I also assumed that a tube would be considerably slower in target acquisition, and though I do not have anything to compare it to, I found that getting on target was surprisingly fast.

The scope also comes with a screw on 2x magnifier.  This little bit of magnification made a big difference when trying to see the target at 100 yards.  Without the magnifier, the red dot would completely obscure the target center.  The drawback: It is not a quick install/remove proposition, and it slows the acquisition of close targets. I have not decided whether I will keep it on.  My thought is that I may use it in 3-gun stages when I have targets beyond 25 yards, but I think it would be a hinderance for quick shots at anything closer.  Being unfamiliar with 3-gun, I'm not sure what the typical distances are.  I suppose I will learn that quick enough.

The scope takes one CR2 3V battery.  It will be interesting to see how long it lasts.  I have already bought a couple of backup batteries.  They aren't cheap.  Two were just over $10.  The manual says that the battery will last anywhere from 130 hours (maximum brightness) to 5,600 hours (minimum brightness).  The red/green dot has plenty of brightness levels (10 steps) even as the sun started to set.

All in all I am very happy.  The price was right since it was a gift, but I think you can get them for $180 or less. 

Fly
Si vis pacem, para bellum

Offline jFader

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Re: Merry Christmas to me!
« Reply #5 on: December 28, 2013, 03:00:59 PM »
Santa Claus dragged me into Rod Moeller's shop last Saturday to enquire about the availability of Glock Model 22, Gen 4s. It seems that Rod had one on consignment, from a member who had a run of bad luck, that was basically NIB. On top of that, Rod was having a sale. I had a quick conference with the Finance Minister at the house, removed the financial instrument from the safe, and removed the firearm from Rod's property. Santa did not claim that I had been a good boy, but he said that if I did not lie on the 1173, and Rod would still release it to me, I could have the pistol!! Rod was happy, I was happy and I'm guessing that the fellow that placed the pistol on consignment was happy. Merry Christmas to me!!!!

HaHa. That is awesome. I stopped there today & all I got was a black nfoa t.shirt.....pretty cool, but not as cool as a glock 22!
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Offline Neeco

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Re: Merry Christmas to me!
« Reply #6 on: December 30, 2013, 10:14:29 AM »
I have had the StrikeFire for over a year now with a thousand + rounds through my AR.  Great RDS. 

I did have a failure (battery cable separated) that Vortex quickly and painlessly repaired.  Sent it out on a Friday and had it back before the next Friday.  Symptoms were simple : it stopped working.  There was no drop/hard hit, and Vortex didn't offer anymore information on the failure, other than if it happens again, they will send a new replacement.

I am still using the same battery, but I tend to use the second to lowest brightness setting. And turn it off every time its not in use.

Offline Lorimor

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Re: Merry Christmas to me!
« Reply #7 on: December 30, 2013, 04:01:19 PM »
Red dot optics and AR's go together like mashed taters and gravy. 
"It is better to avoid than to run; better to run than to de-escalate; better to de-escalate than to fight; better to fight than to die. The very essence of self-defense is a thin list of things that might get you out alive when you are already screwed." – Rory Miller

Offline FarmerRick

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Re: Merry Christmas to me!
« Reply #8 on: December 30, 2013, 05:01:16 PM »
Oh, by the way....    :o

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar15-days-of-christmas/blemished-psa-bullet-pictogram-lower-and-vortex-strikefire-optic.html

Blemished PSA Bullet Pictogram Lower and Vortex Strikefire Optic

Regular Price: $299.99
Special Price: $159.99

Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.

Offline OnTheFly

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Re: Merry Christmas to me!
« Reply #9 on: December 31, 2013, 12:15:17 AM »
Oh, by the way....    :o

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar15-days-of-christmas/blemished-psa-bullet-pictogram-lower-and-vortex-strikefire-optic.html

Blemished PSA Bullet Pictogram Lower and Vortex Strikefire Optic

Regular Price: $299.99
Special Price: $159.99



I saw that, and I got a sick feeling in my tummy until I realized that is the red dot only (no green), so it is a wee bit cheaper than the one I received.  And if that is NOT the case, please DON'T tell me.  Thriftiness is bred into me, and I HATE missing a great deal.  Just let me live in ignorant bliss.  Otherwise, I will likely throw up on my keyboard, and it took several months for the track pad to dry out from the last time.

Fly
Si vis pacem, para bellum