[MaybeStopCalling]

[ORIGINAL QUESTION]

I guess this applies to any magnified optic, but it's been something that's been perplexing me for a while and I'd like to pick your brains.

My rifle is set up with an Elcan. It provides great viewing ability in field conditions and I enjoy the ability to pin someone down from further out than I normally would. The issue is when I go CQB- IE: Clear a structure in the middle of a field game. I'm at an obvious disadvantage there.

[2015 UPDATE]

So, given how slow the tactics area is, I stumbled on this thread and found that I had actually tried all these methods in the two years since I posted. So here are my lessons learned.

1. Front Mounted, Offset T-1 Red-Dot

Result: Tried this entire setup for a day, then it went into the trash. The recoil of firing the rifle caused the dot to consistently come off target, and as it was front mounted, the viewing window was rather small and reacquiring the sight wasn't too easy. As well, I found that mounting accessories that far forward causes one to constantly bump them into objects such as barriers or walls. Not a problem for a real optic, but for a repro mounted on a repro mount... it was never worth the re-zeroing. I will say that it was the most precise of all methods for the first shot, and if one were on a low recoil platform (Read: AEG) one should be fine. Moving it back on a RAS also helped, though by then, it just looked ugly (Yes, I know, function over form)

2. Point Shooting, With Thumb

Result: Originally I used the front sight, which was an acceptable, if poor method of running things. User Redneck Jimbo suggested I point with my thumb instead, and after using this method, this was a surprisingly accurate outcome. In a few games before I quit playing, I was able to consistently score hits at 10-20 metres on another player, by aligning my finger on the handguard (this is much easier with a KAC or other RIS/RAS as it has a divot for you to put your thumb in). The downside is it's oriented to speed, not accuracy, so once you lose the speed advantage, another player who is aiming has the advantage. Not bad for a free option. Definitely would use if I only had a rifle.

3. BAC Technique

Result: Does not work on unlit optics. Does work on unlit optics, but requires absolute clarity. I was able to try this out with a Spectre at Ultimate Airsoft a few times. It works surprisingly well once you train your mind to do it. The downside (and I'm not sure if this is just limited to reproduction optics) is once your eye protection starts fogging up, your dot turns into a red smear that is unusable. Definitely would love to try it on a real optic with better eye relief, and I think there's potential there.

4. Sidearm

Result: I always thought that a sidearm would be outmatched by a rifle, but at the CQB ranges I was trying to use the rifle at, it was effective. Obviously it requires a bit of training on transitioning, as well as a proper draw, but it ended up being the option I went with. The hardest part about this was having to count my shots, and transition from a mindset of "More firepower" to a mindset of "Mobility". With the pistol, something has to change. Either you press forward and close the gap, or you retreat to live another day... I mean game.

5. Conclusion

Out of all of these options, I would say 4 was the best, but 2 was the easiest. With the price of variable optics coming down, it might be something worth looking into. I never play these days, so my target shooting is limited to paper with ironsights. Maybe somebody with more experience will read this update and post, but there you go. Looking back at the money I spent on stuff I discarded... I should have just bought an Aimpoint Pro or EoTech 512 and called it a day.


Thanks!