Employee Pick – Jake’s Choice
When it comes to optics and kit, I’ve learned the hard way that not all glass or gear are created equal. After serving four years in the Marine Corps Infantry and shooting countless hours as a passion, I’ve put more than a few optics and pieces of gear through their paces. Some held up, some didn’t, and some flat out surprised me. My top picks are all pieces of equipment that I have real world experience with, some on deployment and others at carbine or pistol classes. Take my top picks with a grain of salt, not all experiences are the same but I feel confident recommending these products for you to spend your hard earned cash on. All of my picks have been tested by myself and have earned a spot on one of my firearms.
Primary Arms PLX Compact 1-8 FFP:
The Primary Arms PLX Compact 1-8 is a highly durable and extremely capable LPVO. I’ve shot targets with this scope anywhere from 7 yards all the way to 650 yards. In today’s market, it’s hard to find an LPVO with a decent 1x. The 1x on the PLXC is crystal clear and there is no visible distortion, making close engagements very doable. When you dial the throw lever, the reticle scales very nicely. Getting accurate hits on steel, all the way out to 600 yards, is very easy using the BDC. Especially with 77gr ammo. The illumination on the PLXC is very attractive. It features 11 brightness settings, allowing the shooter to find the perfect illumination setting for their use case. Primary Arms also includes an exposed turret cap for the shooters that want to dial their DOPE. This scope punches well above its price point. I think Primary Arms knocked it out of the park with this one.
REPTILIA AUS CANTILEVER:
I don’t think you could make a better cantilever than the Reptilia AUS Cantilever if you tried. They are modular and allow you to mount a variety of different top rings from Reptilia, that accept red dot footprints. They are machined from billet 7075-T6 aluminum and 100% American made. Reptilia offers these mounts in different heights, tube diameters, and colors.
SUREFIRE M340DFT TURBO PRO MINI SCOUT LIGHT:
I absolutely love this weapon light. Once you use it, you will realize nothing will ever compare. The Surefire M340DFT Turbo offers a 550-lumen output and a whopping 71,000 candela. Illuminating targets at distance is a cakewalk for the Turbo series. I think high candela illumination units have more of a niche role compared to flood lights, but dang this thing is impressive.
HOLOSUN EPS CARRY:
Holosun has really made a name for themselves over the past couple of years. They offer quality optics, lasers, and lights for a fair price. With the emergence of enclosed emitter red dots, the EPS Carry has proven to be one of their most popular offerings. The EPS Carry is designed with concealed carry in mind, using a smaller footprint than most enclosed emitters. This makes it a fantastic choice of subcompact pistols. Holosun offers these in an array of different reticles, from 2 MOA dot, 6 MOA dot, and their multi reticle system. Both red and green are available. The EPS Carry has been recorded to achieve up to 50,000 hours of battery life. I’ve put one on a Glock 43X for concealed carry and haven’t looked back.
AIMPOINT DUTY RDS:
The Aimpoint Duty RDS is a fantastic red dot, punching well above its price point. The Duty RDS is fitted with 4 night vision settings and 6 day time illumination settings with a 2 MOA dot. I’ve shot a little over 1000-1200 rounds with the Duty. It’s tough, rugged, and clear. The Duty RDS comes outfitted in Aimpoints “S” style mount. Though it does utilize the Aimpoint micro footprint, it tends to sit a bit higher than a T2 on after-market mounts. Buy a Duty RDS, you won’t be disappointed.
TRIJICON RMR TYPE 2:
Some may call it outdated; I just call it a tank. The Trijicon RMR is one of the most notorious red dots of all time. They were originally designed to be ran in conjunction with the Trijicon ACOG but now you can commonly see them outfitted on pistols and various other cantilever and offset mount options. Now I know what you are thinking. “But the battery compartment is underneath the optic!” Yes, you are correct.
LEUPOLD MARK 4HD 4.5-18 PR2-MIL:
Everyone knows the legendary Leupold Mark 4 line of scopes, just look at the infamous MK12 SPR. Leupold is known for their clear glass, attractive turrets, and excellent magnification settings. They certainly did not disappoint with their 2024 release of the revamped Mark 4HD line. The Mark 4HDs are fitted with the super clear glass we expect from Leupold. Their 4.5-18 model is standard with zero stops on the windage and elevation turrets. It makes a fantastic DMR scope. The turrets are tactile and very easy to read. The PR2 reticle is exceptional, with stadia lines increments anywhere from 0.5 mils to 0.1 mils. The center dot is small and out of the way, making precise shots a breeze.
BLUE FORCE GEAR VICKERS 2 POINT SLING:
Slings are a commonly overlooked essential accessory. A quality sling can really make a world of difference in comfortability. Theres a reason these are commonly issued in the USMC. The Vickers sling comes in padded or a non-padded option. Although they are slightly more expensive, I have found the padded option is worth the extra cash. There is nothing worse than having a non-padded sling dig into your neck on a range. The Vickers slings come in different color options and are made of Glass reinforced DuPont Zytel Nylon hardware, making them a very durable option.
STREAMLIGHT TLR1-HL:
I think everyone knows this pistol mounted light is legendary. They are very affordable, making them a common first choice for newer pistol shooters. I’ve loved mine so much that I haven’t felt the need to replace it. They are 1,000 lumens and the beam is reachable up to 200M. The paddles on the TLR1-HL are easy to activate and very ergonomic. They run on two CR123A batteries, which you can find anywhere. It is one of my favorite choices for a defensive pistol.
At the end of the day, the best optic is the one that fits your needs, not one off of some list you found on the internet. I’ve had my fair share of trial and error, but every setup I’ve run through taught me something, whether it was about the gear or my own preferences. Hopefully this breakdown helps you skip a few of the headaches I went through or gives an insight you hadn’t yet considered. Remember, you can buy the most expensive gear on the market, but time behind your rifle matters the most.
