In 1987, the world of tactical optics changed forever.
Trijicon released the TA01 ACOG, with ACOG standing for Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight.
It proved to be a major advantage for our troops, and still influences tactical optics design today.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Sanders, U.S. Navy, bore sights an ACOG at Camp Mitchell, Naval Station Rota, Spain. Image: DoD
The ACOG is a prismatic telescopic sight originally designed for the M16 and M4 family of rifles.
[Dont miss ourTrijicon ACOG review.]
Later versions incorporated either an external light pipe to power the optic in daytime, or a battery-powered reticle.
Texas National Guard Sgt. Adam Priebe scans the ridgeline of nearby mountains as part of the Security Force element for Provincial Reconstruction Team Kunar. Image: DVIDS
Those first TA01s included a built-in tritium phosphor that illuminated the reticle even in hard dark.
Lamentably, these illuminating elements invariably dim over time.
Theyre typically usable for 10 to 15 years from the date of manufacture.
Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) engage targets during theTable III Combat Marksmanship course. Image: DVIDS
As the ACOG has been in service for nearly 40 years, there are dozens of different variations.
Reticles can be had with bullet drop compensation or inverted chevrons.
Some variants include back-up iron sights on the top of the housing.
The Springfield Armory SAINT is the perfect host for the Trijicon ACOG. This revolutionary optic maximizes the effectiveness of the SAINT both up close and at a distance.
Nowadays, they often incorporate a dedicated micro red dot for work thats up close and personal.
How Does It Work?
At its heart, the ACOG is just a really nice, nearly indestructible 4X tactical optic.
The ACOG features a tough, impact-resistant body designed to survive extremely harsh conditions.
The BAC is named after Trijicons founder Glyn Bindon.
As you index the firearm, the reticle follows your gaze and subsequently directs the fall of rounds.
The end result offers unprecedented precision and flexibility, both up close and out a ways.
When I wore the uniform, we qualified using an M16A1 withiron sightsout to around 300 meters.
Back then I could reliably shoot expert because I could clearly see that far with my young eyes.
Nowadays that is just no longer the case.
Whether your peepers are 17 or 71, the ACOG is the great equalizer.
A Lifelong Quest
I lusted over an ACOG myself for literally decades.
However, they are a serious investment.
You dont have SAS operators decrying your products as the best in the world on the cheap.
A base model TA01 nowadays sells on Amazon for about $1,200.
It was too good a deal to pass up.
While the tritium lamp had long since burned out, it was in great shape.
For a fee, Trijicon will tear down your ACOG and replace the tritium, by the way.
The glass is perfect, and the particulars sublime.
The ACOG made me prickly out markedly farther than might ever have been the case unaided.
At half a kilometer I could pick out details of targets.
At football field-length distance, I could make precision shots I never could have made with iron sights alone.
Close-range engagements are faster, while long-range shooting is made markedly more precise.
None of the ACOG family is cheap, but true quality never is.
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