Wondering if any big bore shooters here have ever rattled loose anything in an Aimpoint? Is the Micro series as indestructable as claimed?

A bit of background:
I recently had a S&B 1.25-4x erector tube seize after a rapid fire event at my local big game rifle shoot. Whilst no longer under warranty S&B were still happy to undertake repairs at a reasonable price.

S&B's initial assessment predicted a return date of December so I finally decided to dive in to an Aimpoint H2 that I've been procrastinating getting as a light weight back up for many years.

Fast forward a few months and the first chance I get to zero the new Aimpoint for a hunt next month is the day I pick up my repaired and refurbished S&B from my local post office. Aimpoint is now spot on at 100m and S&B is sitting in its box with lenses clearer than I can ever remember seeing them.

Nope, but a fiend shooting my .44 Mag ruined a Red Dot when he braced against the side of a post and the recoil smashed the Red Dot up into a board.

BH63

quote:

Originally posted by BuffHunter63:
Nope, but a fiend shooting my .44 Mag ruined a Red Dot when he braced against the side of a post and the recoil smashed the Red Dot up into a board.

BH63

A fiend indeed

Nope. Have used them (M2, M3, T1) for decades on M-16 uppers at FA shoots. Also a R1 Micro on a 10/22 that's launched many kids at youth activities. No issues. In fact, all (including the old M2) have original batteries - we don't leave them turned on.

At this year's GMBSC shoot heard from a rental gun guy about issues with the newest Aimpoints. Mentioned the T2 specifically. He would know.

Battery spring weakening/breakage is the usual culprit. And the reason I do not own an M4.

Thanks for that.

Any chance you could clarify your dislike of the CompM4?
Am I correct that it has an AA battery lying parallel to the bore and hence flexing the spring with each shot as against the the side on CR2032 battery of the Micro series?

As a relative newcomer to red dots I like the larger aperture of the Comp series but the Micro has more rifle specific mounts available

quote:

Originally posted by GBE:
Am I correct that it has an AA battery lying parallel to the bore and hence flexing the spring with each shot as against the the side on CR2032 battery of the Micro series?

Yes. M4, M2, M3 batteries run parallel to axis of recoil. So every recoil impulse compresses/relaxes the springs. AA batteries have greater mass than a 1/3/N or 2032. Springs - coil or flat - wear through cycling, not static load.

Eotech went to a transverse lie battery, too.

To be fair, the M4 is a great sight. The vast majority support a proven track record. But physics is......well......

If you learn to keep both eyes open the smaller Micro aperture becomes irrelevant. My guess is the giant 34mm "hunting" Aimpoints are a concession to those who cannot learn to use binocular vision.

Thanks again

So what is the problem with the T2? Isn’t that just the H2 with NVD usability settings?

quote:

Originally posted by GBE:
So what is the problem with the T2? Isn’t that just the H2 with NVD usability settings?

He mentioned the dot suddenly disappearing during bursts. Sounded a bit like a battery/spring contact issue. I didn't think to ask for details.

Most of these guys have night vision/thermal so purchase T2s. I wouldn't assume same problem can't manifest with the H2. To be fair, rental guns are "rode harder" than most Title 1 guns. By alot.

I wonder if, on the parallel spring models, you could put a piece of rubber inside the coil spring to act as a snubber?

quote:

Originally posted by lee440:
I wonder if, on the parallel spring models, you could put a piece of rubber inside the coil spring to act as a snubber?

Interesting. If I owned that T2 would sure try. Like O and D rings for over-cycling shortys with dropped extraction.

I'm hoping the operative word is "bursts" we arent allowed the simple pleasures of firing such things in Australia

Have to say you've been silent on the S&B story there Sambarman, are you feeling OK?

Sorry GBE, I saw it but since battery-powered red-dot sights are even farther out there in my Luddite view, let it go to the keeper.

Sorry to hear about the S&B's failure, though. The boys on 24 Hour Campfire had ground my face into the coals, convincing me that any brand and technology taken up by the US military must be beyond contention.

I thought Murphy's first law of combat was "Always keep in mind that your weapon was made by the lowest bidder for a government contract"

I've only stepped up to a 21st C red dot thanks to the 1990's vintage S&B seizing up - its now back in hand with an entirely new ocular bell screwed on to the old main tube still glued and screwed on to my prism rail mount that also clocked up some more frequent flyer points. Precise details of what the replaced inside are a bit beyond my German reading comprehension unfortunately

One advantage I can see with image-movement is that it is quick to assemble, with most of the guts just dropped in from the ocular end and tethered. Therefore it should be easier to repair.

If you had the scope on a big kicker, my guess is they replaced the erector tube and spring(s) altogether.