Can you use your own personal minor equipments for weapon qualifications?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Aug 2020 18:43:05 -0400

I heard my peers arguing about if you could use your own personal ACOG on the assigned weapon for qualifications.

Can you use your own personal ACOG on the M4 that you were assigned with?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 16 at 2020 7:23 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sun, 16 Aug 2020 19:23:05 -0400

NO- Why can't folks just use what the hell they are issued. Guess what- you use it and it is damaged or broken- it will not be fixed, replaced or repaired on the Army's dime- it's your's You fix it.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2020 9:15 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Aug 2020 21:15:36 -0400

Your peers may be arguing about it. But, what did your leadership say? Did you ask them? If it were me, I would tell you no because the Army will in no way shape or form take that responsibility and liability if your own ACOG were damaged or stolen.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2020 12:05 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 00:05:28 -0400

I have seen Soldiers add attachments to weapons but I have not seen anyone add their own optics. I would be cautious in a few counts. First, I am not a fan of a Soldier paying near thousand dollars for their own ACOG. Second, I don't know if they really know how to used the optic. Third, they would have to be willing to keep that optic on the weapon in the arms room without being able to use it. Do you think it is really worth it?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2020 4:37 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 16:37:12 -0400

The soldier in me wouldn't want to go down this path, and want my rifle sitting in the arms room the exact configuration it will be when it's issued to me in a time of war/emergency.

The competitive shooter in me would bring an entire "dialed in" COMPLETE upper. Just using your own optic you need to mount and remove sort of defeats the point. The ENTIRE upper would probably be the best way to manipulate the qual course without actually bringing a personal weapon because it could be zeroed in for all the distanced before hand (just be sure to use M855 ammo when dialing it in) . But then you have two uppers your lugging around during the training.

However, at the end of the day, you'll have a weapon in the arms room not ready for battle.

Response by Sgt(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2020 5:27 AM

Sgt(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 05:27:44 -0400

I'm going to go against the grain here and say ask your leadership to confirm. Being a former unit armorer I know that every time we went to the range that we started at the zero range. If you add and remove an optic you may spend a bit more time there to get it dialed in. Its your property so if its damaged or stolen that's a risk you'll have to be willing to take. Next, to keep the zero on it you'll have to be willing to leave you optic attached and stored in the armsroom. Most importantly is to make sure you zero the weapon without the optic. If your weapon is zero'd and you have to grab that weapon and go it'll be ready to fire without the optic.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2020 10:32 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 10:32:24 -0400

It'd be up to the unit really, I don't see why they'd say no. I'm more wondering why pay that much money for an "ok" optic that you can use for free? If you're hard set on using a different optic, buy one that is better, and make sure it is for a 5.56. (or buy one that is better and way cheaper - see Vortex and Leupold)

Also remember - just because you have an optic doesn't mean you don't have to use iron sights. every other qual you MUST use iron sights.