Multi Optic Setups

 

All kinds of optics! This setup was just for laughs, 
you don't need two red dots AND a prism sight.

Spend just 5 minutes scrolling through gun content on Instagram (Gunstagram?) and you'll probably see a bunch of rifles with a ton of accessories, including several different optics. But is running multiple aiming systems just a fad for internet points, or is there an actual reason? Let's take a minute to explore that and see if it's something you actually need.

Multi Optic systems can be broken down into a few different categories. For today, we'll just be talking about passive aiming systems, ie scopes, red dots, etc, and not considering lasers. Those certainly are aiming systems, but they're generally more niche and designed for night vision usage, so we'll omit them for the sake of brevity. The general classifications we can break these multi optics systems up into is Backups, Extra Magnification, Close Range, and NV Aiming. There are definitely some blurred lines/carryover between these categories, for what it's worth. Finally, this is primarily a discussion about rifle systems, specifically the AR, but obviously these concepts are not exclusive to Stoner's platform. Let's dive in.

Multiple optic systems have been around as long as optics have existed, generally in the Backup category. In the AR world, we first saw optics come into widespread usage in the 90s within the special operations community. Black Hawk Down is a great example, with the famous "Gordon Carbine" sporting a carry handle mounted Aimpoint, with the iron sights able to be used thanks to a pass-through hole in the mount. Another classic would be the iconic Mk18 Mod0 with an Aimpoint Comp M2 at absolute- or lower-1/3rd height and fixed iron sights, often times a cut down carry handle.

MK18 Mod0 with an Aimpoint Comp M 
at Lower 1/3rd height, and a hacked off
carry handle fixed rear sight.

Nowadays, the most common way to do backup sights is to have a set of flip-up irons on the rifle, the Magpul MBUS probably being the most common. Out of the way when you don't need them, and able to be popped up in a second, they're a great way to add redundancy to a rifle--especially one that you might have to trust your life to, like a duty or home defense rifle. With the advent of higher mounted optics, though, standard flip-up irons may not be able to be cowitnessed through your primary red dot. Or, in the case of a scope, you can't use irons through them anyway. A solution to that would be a set of offset iron sights, Magpul again making a great set.

Probably the next most common setup would be a multiple optic configuration set up for added magnification. With a red dot sight as your primary optic, making shots on smaller targets and/or at extended ranges can be tough. Using a flip-to-side magnifier is a great way to to add magnification when you need it, while still retaining all the advantages of a red dot when you don't.  Many of these are on QD mounts as well, meaning that they can easily be popped off the rifle to save weight, or be used as a standalone monocular.

PSA Sabre with MBUS Gen 3s and PA 3x magnifier.

The Primary Arms Micro 3x Magnifier with the Pegasus reticle is a great example of a magnifier that punches above its weight class. The reticle is out of the way at the bottom, and lets you do some auto-ranging if you're trying to make shots on a standard sized target at unknown distances. Another recent and very interesting development is the offset prism sight mount, like the Staker Precison. It can be used with ACOGs as well as other optics using the same footprint, like the Primary Arms Micro 3x prism. It's designed to let you use your red dot as a primary optic, but gives you the option to make a more precise shot at extended ranges, using the reticle of whatever prism sight you choose. It may not be for everybody, but I think it's a great concept.

Staker Precision Offset ACOG mount
with a Primary Arms Micro 3x.

The Close Range multi optic setup is just the opposite. Your primary optic is some kind of magnified scope, generally without a 1x bottom setting in these cases. In order to make those close range shots quickly, you add an offset or top mounted red dot sight. There's a number of great standalone offset red dot mounts, such as Arisaka, Athena Precision, ADM, etc. A standalone offset can be added to just about any AR setup, and with a number of great budget red dots out there (Holosun, Sig, Vortex, etc), doesn't have to break the bank. While many offset mounts are at a fixed angle, Arisaka offers two mounting angles (35 and 45), and the Athena is able to articulate to get you exactly the angle you need. Be sure to pick a mount that keeps the optic in line with the bore (as the ones mentioned do), or else your trajectory will get wonky at extended ranges.

Romeo 5 (tan) on an Arisaka Offset mount.

Of course, depending on what optic and mount you're using, you could also add the offset red dot directly to your scope mount. Reptilia, Scalarworks, Badger, and Geissele are just a few companies that offer that option. One thing to keep in mind is that it's generally easiest to have the offset optic at the same height as your primary optic, making it a quick roll over to your secondary without having to move your head around. The standalone options generally come in at the standard 1.5" height, though Arisaka does offer a 1.93 option. With the modular mount systems, they are setup to put it exactly at the same height, making things very easy.

509T on the Scalarworks add-on offset
mount, putting both optics at 1.93".

Finally, we come to the Night Vision multi optic system. As I noted before, these categories overlap, and an NV red dot can obviously be used for close range targets and/or as a backup sight.  NV dots are used in conjunction with some sort of magnified optic, whether a prism, LPVO, or higher magnification scope. Generally speaking, NV dots are placed at the 12 o'clock position, making them easier to acquire without knocking your NV into your scope. Because night vision can't really see through a traditional scope, the NV dot allows you to passively aim (ie aim without shooting a laser) and shoot in the dark. It's worth noting that optics with large/tall turrets (looking at you, Arken) may not be able to go this route, as the turret may block the dot. This same caveat can also apply to offset dots, where the dot may be blocked by the windage turret.

Probably the easiest way to add an NV dot to a scope is to pick a modular optic mount that has it as an option. Primary Arms, Reptilia, Geissele, Badger, Warne, and more companies all offer this feature. There are also companies that offer aftermarket dot options to mounts that didn't have them (or certain footprints), like Baldknobber Armament and Koeng Co. Keep in mind that your height over bore starts to get very high; for this reason, I prefer to keep my 12 o'clock dots limited to mounts 1.7" and lower. There are also standalone "clamp" type options, where the red dot is mounted to a ring that's then attached to the optic. Trijicon offers one such mount, and one of the benefits is that it can be adjusted to any angle you'd like, if the 12 o'clock position is too high or blocked by your turrets.

507C (with DT Wrks ARD) on a Reptilia 1.7" mount with RMR top ring.

When it comes to prism scopes, the classic is the RMR mounted on top of an ACOG; many ACOGs like the TA11, TA31, etc. come with threaded holes in the optic for the mount to be added. Some prisms, like the Vortex 5x Spitfire, have a mounting footprint machined into the top (Venom/Viper in the Vortex's case). Others, like some of the older Primary Arms models, have a picatinny rail built in to the top to allow easy mounting of a red dot of your choosing. Primary Arms came out with an offset mount add-on for the Micro Prism line, as well as a 12 o'clock mount. The offset mount worked fine, but the 12 o'clock mount was very flimsy and clearly would not hold zero. Fortunately, a company called Fotonika stepped up to the plate and came out with a quality mount for the 1/3x and 5x Micro prisms. It offers a variety of footprints so it fits most red dots on the market.  

PA Micro 3x in a Fotonika Mount with EFLX on top.

Clearly, there are some valid reasons to have multiple optics on a rifle. If you've got a basic range rifle with a decent LPVO, there's probably no need to spend the extra money to add another optic. But, if you're relying on a rifle for duty use, want to shoot at night, or need a close range aiming solution, then maybe a multi optic system is right for you. As with all gear and setup considerations, I highly recommend that you get out and use your rifle "in the real world" to figure out what you need. Shoot competitions, hunt, take a class, etc. You'll find that when you put your equipment through a real test, any changes, upgrades, or deletions will become obvious very quickly. Trust me, I've been there!

Primary Arms red dot on an Athena
Precision fully adjustable offset mount.