New Leupold Mark 4 CQT Riflescopes

[Bullseye 2620]

I am interested in learning whether anyone here has any experience with a new riflescope from Leupold designed for use with the AR-15 and M-4 platforms.

See: Leupold || Mark 4 CQ/T Riflescopes

I've been looking at many options, and this scope may be the one that best suits my needs. They list for a little over $1,200, but can be had for under $900 from several on-line distributors.

I am not so much concerned about price as I am with performance out to 300 yards, and compatibility with a set of Troy flip-up battle sights. It looks to me as though to use the flip-ups in the event the optic goes down, a simple motion to remove the scope and mount from the rail is all that is required, but as I have said before I am a total noob when it comes to rifles, and more than willing to listen to good advice, and learn.

Thanks in advance.


Bullseye

 

[Farmer17]

For 900 bucks an ACOG is the way to go on an AR.

 

[Bullseye 2620]

For 900 bucks an ACOG is the way to go on an AR.

Perhaps I've been looking at the wrong ACOG. The one I was researching, the Model TA11J-G, is listed at $1,428 on the Trijicon website, with a delivery time of 8 to 10 weeks.

I am all ears! Thanks.


Bullseye

 

[NE450No2]

Bullseye

I used the CQT on my work gun an M16 M4 Commando.

I used it for Entry, and on Perimeter.

I have also shot the better Red Dots, and the ACOG as well.

They are all good sights, but they have different advantages.

I was very happy with the CQT. On 1x it worked great up close and indoors.

Give a quick twist and you can go to 3x. Head shots at 100 yards and body shots at 300 were no problem.

It has a "real" reticle, ie not battery dependant, but the illuminated reticle works great.

The adjustable windage and elevation clicks are accurate.

I cannot think of any real negatives to say about it.

Everything considered it is a good choice for a gun that will be used up close and at a distance.

 

[Bullseye 2620]

Question for NE450No2

Bullseye

I used the CQT on my work gun an M16 M4 Commando.

I used it for Entry, and on Perimeter.

I have also shot the better Red Dots, and the ACOG as well.

They are all good sights, but they have different advantages.

I was very happy with the CQT. On 1x it worked great up close and indoors.

Give a quick twist and you can go to 3x. Head shots at 100 yards and body shots at 300 were no problem.

It has a "real" reticle, ie not battery dependant, but the illuminated reticle works great.

The adjustable windage and elevation clicks are accurate.

I cannot think of any real negatives to say about it.

Everything considered it is a good choice for a gun that will be used up close and at a distance.

NE450No2, this is exactly what I am looking for -- up close to out to 300 yards. Am I correct that in the event the scope goes down, that to use the Troy flip-up battle sights I want to install that I will have to remove the scope? No problem with that with a QD mount, but I want to make sure I understand what is required for the S&W M&P 15 flat top (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57785_757784_757784_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y) on which I intend to mount both systems.

One more question: what would you recommend in terms of a sling? Seems to me I ought to have one.


Best,


Bullseye

 

[Farmer17]

For a quick removeable mount the hard core AR guys almost universally prefer the LaRue quick detachable mount. Its about 200 bucks but it is extremely well made, and you can take it on and off the gun and not loose the zero. It also holds its value pretty well if you decide to sell it. The ACOG has been the prefered combat scope for many years and is very durable and used by troops all over the world, but it is pretty popular and hard to get, but you should still be able to find one for under a grand. The 1-4X illuminated scopes are the rage right now because on 1x you can use it similar to a red dot scope and they are very fast up close, but can also work well at a distance. Look on AR15.com in the optics section and there are many threads on them.

 

[NE450No2]

Yes you would have to remove the CQT to use the iron sights.

The best sling I have used for an AR is the one from Viking Tactics.

Several people on my Team used the CQT, we never had any problems with them

A lot of the guys used the EO Tech.

They were the AA battery versions, and it seemed every time we got out the guns, for an Operation or Training there were always dead batteries.

With the EO Tech the one to get is the one that uses 123 Lithium battries, like the SureFire flashlights.

The Doctor Optic, EO Tech, Aimpoint are all good sights.
They can also be had with a 3x or 4x Magnifier, that mounts behind the red dot sight. The only mount for the Magnifer to have is one that stays on the rifle but lets the Magnifer to pivot to the side so you can use the red dot only up close. They work pretty good.
But you are still battery dependent.

I have used an Insight a little and it seemed OK but I do not have a lot of experience with it.

The ACOG is a great Scope as well, I like the 4x and the 3.5x.

I would say that to 50 yards or so the Red Dots are a little faster, if the batteries are working. The ACOG, WITH a rangefinding reticle is better at 400 to 600 yards.

But for up close to 300 yards the CQT is hard to beat, IMHO

 

[NE450No2]

Also forgot to say, I agree that the LaRue is very good "stuff".

 

[Bullseye 2620]

NE450No2,

Yep, I'm pretty much persuaded. Batteries are for toys, not your go-to rifle. Back in 1992 I lost the state bullseye championship in my class when a battery in my Ultradot decided to give up the ghost in the middle of the final rapid fire string. I went back to iron sights after that.

If I need to reach out beyond 300, I'm going to go with a .308 anyway.

So, after all the research, and listening to people who know a lot more than me, I think the right combination for me is the Leupold CQT mounted with the LaRue and a set of Troy tritium-illuminated flip-up battle sights. And no dang flashlight, laser, radar, rangefinder, microwave, Popeil Pocket Fisherman, or electric shaver. KISS is the operative principle.

I'll let you know how I do in the market place looking for these things at reasonable prices. Gotta have some bucks for a load of that Federal/Lake City XM193 that seems to be available for around $300 for 900 rounds on stripper clips.

One last question: the Smith comes with one plastic P-mag. Any recommendations on quality magazines?

I intend to get proficient with the S&W M&P 15, by which I mean, being able to qualify at what the military terms the Expert level, and then, we'll see about buying an Armalite AR-10 with an ACOG for those long distance calls.


Bullseye

 

[Farmer17]

I think the P-mag is one of the best, but GI mags work great also, but you might have to put in a new spring or follower.

 

[Bullseye 2620]

I think the P-mag is one of the best, but GI mags work great also, but you might have to put in a new spring or follower.

Farmer17,

I presume that the new USGI spec magazine with the MIL-STD green plastic fiberglass reinforced follower and the chrome silicon spring, such as those manufactured by Brownell's, would be a good choice. Correct?


Thanks.


Bullseye