Scopes on airsoft guns?
 

I have a KJW M4 GBB and am still trying to figure out what sights to use. I got an acog only to find out that the green/red dots hardly show up in the daylight (get what you pay for?). I like the look of it. But I was thinking, how useful are scopes/sights that magnify? I mean airsoft guns only have so much range on them so I always kinda of figured that it wouldn't be very effective. Also, what if someone comes into view that's a little close for a scope, then your limited to a pistol?

Another thing is how much zoom is there on a 3 or 4x sight? Is it signifant? Thoughts? Sight suggestions?

Thanks!

I've never used anything larger then 4x. Right now I'm using a aimpoint with a 3x magnifier behind it that pops off with the push of a lever for when in close.

scopes I find in airsoft are not used so much for aiming as for correcting. What I mean is it allows you to see where the round went and where you should be aiming for your next shot.

This being said if you go to heavy on the magnification you get a really wierd effect that makes it look like all your shots are just going off to no where....

I wouldn't go higher then a 4x magnification. But on a sniper rifle i would probably go to something with a 4x - 9x max 12x

3x or 4x for rifle is great, 5x for sniper (3x-12x is best for scouting but set round 5x for shooting). And as dart said, more for shot correction and target identification. I don't know how many times I've scored hits while bbs were flying no more that 6 inches from me cause the other player can't see their bbs just missing with their irons.

Iron Sights

you really don't need more then that for airsoft, I am sure people will say different but IMO thats all you need

I am using my iron sights till september. The way I see it, with two seasons of using my irons I will never hesitate to take off my optic and use them should the need arise. The plan is an acog with 4x magnification but who knows how I'll feel at that time. Just remember that you wont love it unless you do right away so test shit out!

I never thought of the correcting aspect of it. I have noticed that sometimes its hard to figure out just where the bbs are going in comparison to the target so having some zoom could be nice.

I was thinking an acog with a 4x zoom ( http://torontoairsoft.com/product.php?id_product=149 ) would be good just because I like the look better than a traditional scope.

Though this caught my eye but seems a little overboard http://torontoairsoft.com/product.php?id_product=303

Get the acog for your M4, that other one shouldn't be on anything you couldn't call a sniper rifle.

Some of the clone red dots or illuminated scopes can't take the vibration from a GBBR, if you find that a red dot is your thing you can purchased a real aimpoint red dot from basspro or LeBaron for about the same price or a bit more. I killed my hurricane Eotec red dot clone on my GBBR

Aside from correcting your shots, scopes make great tools for viewing the area. Keep in mind this has it's benefits and disadvantages. If you're using an M4 stock, which I believe uses a 363mm inner barrel, don't bother with a scope. Why? Most people with an M4 wwith a 363mm barrel are focused on pointman style maneuvers, not long range shots. Putting a scope on a 363mm barrel rifle is adding excess weight, and in the field you'll be at a disadvantage having to look down the scope instead of your iron sights. If you're using a 509mm barrel rifle, odds are you set yourself up to be a suppressive fire, counter-sniper, or just simply long-range shooter, and in this case a scope is your friend. A 455mm barrel works as well, but it's pushing it.

You can correct your shots with iron sights as well. When I strip down my rifle for CQB, the scope is not there. If I find myself in a firefight where the distance is causing some error in my shooting, the iron sights work perfectly and I don't lose my target from tunnel vision with a scope. If you're in a forest setting or whatnot and like the idea of having the ability to view your area effectively, but are using an assault rifle or a short-range rifle, invest in some mini-binoculars. It takes the extra weight off your rifle, which I find is key if you're on the offensive line, and still gives you that viewing potential. They aren't expensive, just don't get the ultra-cheap ones either. You get to keep your lightweight assault-rifle or close range rifle and keep the ability to have a magnifier of some sort.

I am using a Red-Dot Aimpoint on my M4. It isn't a GBBR, but it looks cool and works well. No real zoom though.

I got it from AirsoftDepot.ca, this one here

if you play night games, it might be good to get a red dot, iron sights are useless if you can't see them!

And the tinted lenses of red dots make anything better?

Honestly I like the idea of having glow in the dark points on ironsights. Getting good glow paint should last you quite a long time with a single flash. Red dots seem to glare over easily when you find yourself in a very dark environment, makes aiming harder from what I have experienced.

For me, 4x is about max for field games. Most times 1x is just fine...airsoft ranges are so close.

For CQB stuff...1x or iron sights. Rarely, if ever, is magnification needed. I ran a 4x scope on my rifle last night at CQB...but that was from a static position sniping at guys across the length of the field. Up close...totally useless (for me).

Iron sights are liberating. No fail, rock solid, no batteries/water issues to deal with. GBBR friendly.

Beyond that red dot optics (Aimpoint or EOtech style) are great. Simple and clean. Variable brightness is clutch. Get one that goes pretty dim if you're playing in really blacked out areas...then it won't glare so much at you. Full on bright should be bright enough in the field unless you're looking in the direction of the sun (which is a bad idea anyways). Relocate and aim from another angle.

I've got:
- iron sights for all my rifles
- 3x magnifier to put behind a RDS (which works ok)
- Aimpoint RDS...just a couple of levels of brightness
- Aimpoint RDS...red/green...8 or so levels of brightness for each...never use green
- KA "1-3x" RDS...it's supposed to be 1x to 3x...more like 1.5x to 3.5-4x. 1.5x is really annoying for CQB. 12 levels of yellow brightness or black etched reticle...it's ok, yellow is an odd colour. For field use it's fine.
- 4x fixed rifle scope...it's great...but for other reasons
- 3-9x rifle scope...it's fine for distance shooting but too much for me for airsoft

Of all of those...the ones that get used the most are....
- iron sights
- aimpoint red/green RDS...because it takes little button batteries instead on the flat watch-style batteries. (I have a bunch of the button batteries on hand). It's usually set to the 2nd brightest setting...or the 2nd lowest...depends on lighting conditions.

* not that the other optics were a waste of money...they're all nice, I just don't use them.

Hope that helps.

Tys

PS. for night/blackout games...RDS set really dim.