Dedicated NIGHT OPS upper

[Tim]

I finally admitted after last weekend’s match that I can’t get away with running my normal daytime optics at night. The fog/smoke/condensation etc really calls for a larger eye box and no need for magnification.

I’m not terribly interested in swapping optics, lights, etc between matches. Even with quality mounts, I’d want to verify zero every time I swappped, and that becomes work.

So, I’m gonna put together a dedicated upper for night ops.

The question is ~10.5” for maneuverability or ~14.5” for extra rail space? Add an Omega can for length. My lower is blessed by the almighty as an SBR.

This upper will start out with
- Holosun AEMS optic
- Steiner dbal-i2 IR/Green laser
- Arisaka/Surefire 600 IR/White light
- MAYBE dual fire tape switch
- Arisaka finger stop

I’m thinking all that can ride comfortably on the ~10.5”. The shorter length is super handy when slinging along with chest rigs, crawling through obstacles, etc.

I’ve never seen a target past 150yds in a night match.

Just rambling as I justify a purchase that’ll get used 4-5 times a year I suppose

 

[NKD]

How about a 12.5" with a 12" rail?

 

[Derek8404]

Personally I’d go 11.5 or 12.5 for that perfect balance between rail space and maneuverability.

Also have you seen this @Tim ? AMD make mounts for the AEMS and they have a NV height one as well.

Holosun AEMS Mount

AD-AEMS mount is a QD replacement for Holosun AEMS Red Dot, in various co-witness heights. Precision machined from 6061 T6 aluminum with a Patented QD Auto Lock™ Lever

www.admmfg.com

 

[Tim]

Personally I’d go 11.5 or 12.5 for that perfect balance between rail space and maneuverability.

Also have you seen this @Tim ? AMD make mounts for the AEMS and they have a NV height one as well.

Holosun AEMS Mount

AD-AEMS mount is a QD replacement for Holosun AEMS Red Dot, in various co-witness heights. Precision machined from 6061 T6 aluminum with a Patented QD Auto Lock™ Lever

www.admmfg.com

I ordered that mount last night.

 

[Derek8404]

I ordered that mount last night.

Cool, let me know what you think. I’m considering the lower 1/3 for my AEMS. The optic is great, but I can definitely see the mount being the weak point.

 

[Tim]

Cool, let me know what you think. I’m considering the lower 1/3 for my AEMS. The optic is great, but I can definitely see the mount being the weak point.

The ADM mount showed up a few minutes ago. It looks like any other ADM mount I have…great! Mounted easily, locks up tight. I went with the 1.93” height, I can just barely see one of the knobs on my d-bal i2 laser.

 

[amnesia]

I have a aimpoint pro on a NV height mount if the AEMS doesn't fit what you're looking for.

 

[Derek8404]

The ADM mount showed up a few minutes ago. It looks like any other ADM mount I have…great! Mounted easily, locks up tight. I went with the 1.93” height, I can just barely see one of the knobs on my d-bal i2 laser.

View attachment 526783

Thanks, looks good, as to be expected from ADM.

 

[TRaGiK]

Cool, let me know what you think. I’m considering the lower 1/3 for my AEMS. The optic is great, but I can definitely see the mount being the weak point.

Have you seen the Sage Dynamics video on the AEMS? It survived I think it was 4 shoulder height drops onto concrete with the oe mount.

 

[Tim]

Have you seen the Sage Dynamics video on the AEMS? It survived I think it was 4 shoulder height drops onto concrete with the oe mount.

Nothing wrong with the OEM mount at all. Other than it’s a a lower 1/3 co-witness and my IR laser was in the FOV.

 

[JBoyette]

The only concern I have is that a RDS forward lens coating reflect light. So this means any RDS is not as bright as Prism at night.

Something to think about.

Lastly, I have ran a 3.5x ACOG at night with great sucess, and I agree that a 11.5" or 12.5" is better than a 10.5"

 

[Tim]

Also….plan on doing some simple admin tasks ‘on the clock’. You’ll need a handheld or head mount light in addition to your WML.

Examples could be…
- open a box and read a range card or instructions.
- apply a tourniquet (provided)
- drag a dummy
- load a magazine
- etc.

For the NODS guys, this would need to be done with a red lens or the NODS, no white light.

Again, our goal is to get folks USING all this stuff

 

[Derek8404]

Have you seen the Sage Dynamics video on the AEMS? It survived I think it was 4 shoulder height drops onto concrete with the oe mount.

I have, I think it did survive and broke on the 5th if I’m not mistaken, and I agree, there’s nothing wrong with the stock mount, but if I can have one that’s better and QD (I do take my optics off every now and then) then I’ll take it.