Podcast: Play in new window
In this special episode of The Everyday Marksman, i’m reposting the first half of a livestream I did with Ilya Koshkin on his YouTube channel last week. I stopped just short of the second half, where we started answering the questions from the audience. You’ll just have to check out the stream itself (posted below) to see how that went.
The topic of the day was a follow up from my recent talk with Jeff Gurwitch. In that episode, Jeff stated his belief that an LPVO with offset red dot sight is the new standard for general purpose rifles. Needless to say, there were quite a few opinions on that matter.
My friend Jacob, the Pro-Gun Millennial, wrote up a whole post challenging the concept. So Ilya decided to host a round table of sorts to opine on the topic.
Coming Soon
There’s going to be a part two of this talk, as I bring Ilya over to my own live stream session. The topic will be about BDC vs precision MRAD reticles. Look out for more details about the stream soon.
On that note, let me know if you like this kind of informal roundtable format. Since I’m going to be doing a stream of my own, I figured readers and listeners like you should get the kind of show you enjoy watching or listening to.
What does that mean for the podcast? Well, nothing at all. I have plans for the podcast as well, and the two formats will probably share a lot of content with one another. I have a bit of a romanticism with the podcast format in that I like it to be a bit more polished and produced, while the live format is less structured and more “fun.”
But hey, maybe I’m wrong. Let me know down in the comments. Don’t forget to subscribe to Ilya’s channel while you’re at it!
Hey Matt! First off – that M1 on your wall caught my eye – NICE! One of those was my first real semi-auto rifle. Still have it and have some cherished memories shooting it with my Dad. Watched the livestream ’roundtable’ with Ilya, Jacob and yourself. To be honest I’m not a big fan of podcasts in general. In fact yours is really the only one I’ve watched/listened to – ever. It’s just me but I had to put some slow blues music on for background mood. Subject matter was good and interesting but danced around a bit too much… Read more »
Matt – I apologize for the lengthy comment. I wrote it as I was listening to the pod cast and didn’t realize until after it was posted.
Hey Paul, thanks for the comment. No worries on it being long, I like the detail an feedback.
To your last question, I use both 3.5x and 4x prism scopes on rifles with fixed front towers. You can see the blur, and it might even feel annoying if you’re only looking through it around the house, but I find that when I actually get out and shoot with it that the tower has never been an issue.
Wow – low mounted (without elevated mount)? I realize a 3.5X – 5X prism scope isn’t something one necessarily goes with for predominately long range (500+yds.) shooting but doesn’t the fixed tower interfere with holdover – especially with a ranging or BDC reticle?
Looking forward to next livestream/pod cast!
This has a lot to do with the physics of optics. Ilya could explain it better, but with sufficient magnification an optic sees “around” obstructions. This is always fun to show people when I break out my telescope to look at the stars/planets and surprise people when I can stand in front of the thing and they can still see. As long as there’s light coming in from in front, the lenses do their job. I suppose this might hinge on your definition of “low mount.” Using the standard mounts for my Elcan and ACOG puts the front sight tower… Read more »
Amazing! I do remember something about optics/lenses and lights from physics class – triangular projections with accumulation of the object (focal point?) on the lens inside the device (bear with my ‘stretch’ of technical verbiage)! I’m going to review the subject a little. After your upcoming session with Ilya I should be more prepared to make a decision on my optic choices.
Thanks Matt!
BTW – best of luck in the VA election!
That sort of depends on the specifics of the prismatics. Generally, worst case the front sight tower is fairly defocused, but still creates a shadow on the bottom of the FOV. You will still be able to use the BDC holds. The higher the magnification the less effect the front tower will have. Still, if you have a fixed front sight tower, consider mounting the optic a little bit higher.
Thanks ILya – I’ll keep that in mind. I was hoping to keep optic low on rail but I see it’s best to keep front sight tower in bottom half of FOV. I do have an upper with low profile gas port block I can mount a scope lower on.
For what it is worth, Matt and I have been in disagreement about this for a while: I see no redeeming quality to the fixed front sight tower. He (erroneously) thinks it is a good idea. We both know I am right, but it will take him a while to admit it 🙂
Something about the realism of earning the right to shoulder and look through the iron sights of the military M16/M4 irons – when the U.S. Government decides to hand you one, days of hands on learning and hours of dry firing in anticipation of getting to the live fire range. Finally, you’re lying in the dirt with the ‘your’ rifle, magazines loaded with live 55grn FMJ ammo at your grasp, your dope book and a black dot sitting at the end of your sights – 500 meters away – ‘LOCK and LOAD’ comes over the air……. I’m not a psychologist… Read more »
ILya – I caught your remark on what most people are doing or will ever do with their AR15’s – at the bench on the square range! I agree. That (front sight tower adornment) being recognized only precedes the necessity of the military marksman (which all should be) to obtain the best advantage of accuracy and quick deployment of his weapon. There is no doubt advances in optical engineering and robust technology have optimized the military rifle shooter in this regard. Yet for the basic military rifleman or dangerous game hunter – to be entirely dependent on this technology without… Read more »
Matt – you keep creating ways to keep it interesting! I’d like to be more involved but to be honest I willfully don’t have a ‘Meta’ account, don’t own a ‘smart’ phone (still use a ‘flip’) and am ‘banned’ from commenting just about everywhere (the Marine in me). I apologize for ‘going long’ on your site but I do enjoy your style, guests, content and community. I know you are progressing with your technical capability and followers – I wish you well going forward and I’ll keep watching. Please let me know if I become a ‘squib’ – not my… Read more »
No worries, Paul, I enjoy the conversation 🙂
I picked up my M1 from the CMP back in 2006 or so. Serial number dates to April 1942, and spent time in the Greek Army. What I actually received was a beat up action and shot out barrel. In 2007 I sent the action off to DGR Gun Work for a new Criterion barrel, refinishing of the action, and a brand new Bastogne Walnut stock.
I really like it, but I pretty much never shoot the thing.
Bought mine in 1989 for $300. In the mid to late 1980s a couple refurbishing armories (Blue Sky, etc.) obtained and imported original M1s the U.S. Gov. sent to South Korea as aid. Many of the rifles had been abused even having cracked receivers (that were rewelded!). I have learned over the years that I am fortunate to have a ‘Blue Sky’ imported M1 that ‘shoots’ as many needed complete overhauls. The NRA’s American Rifleman magazine staff wrote an article condemning the use of these rewelded M1s as dangerous to shoot and pointed to areas on the receiver to identify… Read more »