Optic and electronics manufacturer Aimpoint has officially announced the release of a new series of sights. The ACRO – Advanced Compact Reflex Optic – is a red dot purpose-built for handgun applications that is fully enclosed to withstand shock, temperature and vibration changes better than traditional “open” micro red dot sights. Rounding out the specifications is a 3.5 MOA dot and a CR1225 battery good for one year of continuous use.

Holosun Technologies has released their Elite series.  I had a chance to look at the 403c of the series. They have five variants. The entire Elite line is made with a titanium housing, and one can expect it to be light, durable, and long-lasting.

For the remaining days of May, Daniel Defense is offering a free Vortex Sparc AR red dot to anyone purchasing one of their firearms or suppressors. Links, details and information on the redemption program can be found below. Additionally, I have included information and a link for the Vortex Sparc AR red dot optic.

We first saw the release of the Sightmark Ultra Shot reflex sight line back in 2014, with an update every couple of years or so. Their latest generation of Ultra Shot reflex sights is now available with some upgrades and a fresh new design in three models; R, A, and M-Spec.  These sights have been used on everything from target shooting to law enforcement and military operations on both AR platform firearms and shotguns.

Join TFB and EOTech for an exclusive Facebook Live event at the NRA Annual Meeting. We will be broadcasting live this Saturday, May 5th at 12PM CST from The Firearm Blog Facebook Page. Our own TFBTV host Joel Wise will sit down for a Q&A with Aaron Hampton from EOTech. Joel will be accepting questions directly from the TFB Facebook audience and the TFB with the best question will receive a brand new EOTech EXPS2 worth $600!

Released in March 2018, the Tempus ASPH is the first red dot sight manufactured by Leica. The company also claims to be the first to use an aspherical lens in a red dot sight. Here is how they describe it:

My friend J.W. Ramp decided to capture a series of images of pistol sights under various lighting conditions. The top photo is a quick and handy chart that shows you the different conditions and the pistol sight picture.

An Israeli startup company by the name of Smart Shooter has been in the process of developing an Israeli solution to what is very similarly seen in the United States through Tracking Point. However, unlike Tracking Point, the companies SMASH system can apparently be attached to any rifle as long as it has the appropriate M1913 Picatinny rails for optics and a forward pressure switch location. Those familiar with Tracking Point will know that the U.S. company sells its products as one complete weapon system, instead of a single optics and electronics package.

As we begin to thaw out of our winter dens (keep quiet, Southern States), we start to dust off our gear for the upcoming shooting season. And with the end of hibernation comes the lust for upgrading our guns and gear. While the draw to pickup a new rifle or pistol is always persistent, the appreciation of quality optics can sometimes be forgotten. So we thought we could list out some non iron sight options in TFB’s Optics Buying Guide.

For 2018 Nikon is bringing you its world-renowned optics for the first time in a reflex sight. With the introduction of the SPUR to Nikon’s new P-TACTICAL optics family, you can now enjoy Nikon’s optical quality for a variety of applications. With a 3 MOA red dot, long battery life and an extensive list of features, SPUR is an ideal optic for virtually any firearm platform where fast, reliable, intuitive sighting is desired.

The Bundeswehr is seeking a new rifle optic for its yet-to-be selected G36 replacement. The Federal Agency for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Federal Armed Forces (BAAINBw) posted a Request for Proposals (RFP) on the 17th March calling for the submission of proposals for reflex sights with 3x magnifiers.

Blaser has added a red dot sight to their line of optics. The new sight is called RD17. As in the case of other Blaser products, it is primarily dedicated to hunting use. Non-magnified red dot sights are especially useful in driven hunts. The red dot sight allows quick target acquisition, fast transitioning from target to target and makes it easier to do follow up shots.

We just reported about the Limited Edition Flat Dark Earth Aimpoint T-2. It was sold out almost immediately (still available!). Collectors and lovers of Orange better beware now, because there’s a new limited edition of the H-2 Micro introduced at IWA.

EnforceTac is an annual special trade show which only accepts visitors from official agencies, i.e. security agencies, Police and Special Forces and military personnel.

B&T of Switzerland is rolling out a new pistol towards the end of the year, and it will be available in two different versions.

More recently, Trijicon has produced an RMR Type 2 series of reflex optics. Basically, a 2nd generation, iteration or the 2nd coming of their Ruggedized Miniature Reflex with subtle improvements and changes. We at TFB wanted to dive in and take a closer look for ourselves. In this review, I mounted an  RMR® Type 2 Adjustable LED Sight – 6.5 MOA Red Dot (RM07) to a Custom Glock pistol; one that I built for myself for league shooting, recreation and everything tacti-cool.

Aimpoint, the originator and worldwide leader in reflex sighting technology, has announced the launch of a limited run of Micro T-2™ carbine ready sights in Flat Dark Earth (FDE) color. This is the first time the company has offered an FDE finished sight to the US market.

Aimpoint has announced that they have won a large contract to supply sights to Berlin’s Police at the 2018 Enforce Tac coverage from the Nürnberg Messe. The Swedish company revealed that they will be supplying the Berliner Polizei with 3,800 Aimpoint CompM4 red dot sights. The sights will primarily be mounted on Berlin Police’s HK MP5s.

Aimpoint at SHOT Show – so what’s the big news?

In a recent propaganda video released by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Report Number 190 to be precise), a 7.62x51mm NATO MK 17 SCAR was spotted over the course of the propaganda video. Of course, there is nothing new about this development, we’ve covered the SCAR in use by the Taliban previously on TFB. But what is new is that we are starting to connect the dots on this particular MK 17, clearing up some of the misinformation and hope to even provide a possible explanation for its origins in Afghanistan.

The Fiscal Year 2019 Department of Defense Budget Proposal has been submitted to Congress and will take some time before we find out if it is approved or denied. But within it there is a specific budget document titled “Counter-Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) Train and Equip Fund (CTEF)”. This proposal covers the Pentagon’s plans to purchase equipment and arms that will be provided to forces that the United States (i.e- SOCOM) supports in Syria and Iraqi government security forces. At the low end of the supply chain are items such as magazine pouches and canteens, while at the high end are HUMVEEs and bulldozers. We are going to narrow down our focus to the small arms segment for TFB’s interests. A key element to keep in mind here is that this proposal hasn’t been approved yet and thus we are simply looking at what the Pentagon wants, instead of what they are going to get in terms of funding for all this equipment. The final result could be less, or it could even be more depending on the politics that go into the decision making process.

We recently wrote about Enhanced Tactical Arms with their new grip design at SHOT 2018. But during the show, we were able to get a behind the scenes look at the small companies efforts to replicate the developmental history of the M4 carbine from the early beginnings in the Vietnam War, until today with the SOMOD Block II program and subsequent H&K 416 use in SOCOM. The collection has been featured in Larry Vicker’s AR15 Guide.

Jarod of Parker Mountain Machine makes accessories for a various firearms. He has focused on the SCAR platform and branched out to CZ scorpions. Now he offers a variety of slide cuts and RMR cuts for various pistols. Well now he has started a new venture called Rent-A-Reticle that rents out optics. If you like what you rented, then your rental fee can be applied towards buying a new optic

Nearly at the end of our 2018 SHOT Show TFB Coverage is the catchall category for anything without a serial number. Like the baubles in a Christmas stocking, sometimes the coolest gifts are small and inexpensive (some are just small). Check out some of the most popular ammo and accessories from this year’s show. And thank you to all our readers who submitted ideas and suggestions for our on-the-ground teams.

Last summer TFB reported that the Swedish Procurement Office (FMV Sweden) was looking for a new red dot for the Swedish Armed Forces. Already in 2002 Aimpoint signed a contract with FMV and has since then supplied red dots for the Ak4, Ak5 and other service firearms.