MonkeyLeg,
I'm a U.S. Marine, and Iraq Combat Vet and I used the myriad of optics that a lot of you guys are talking about, but the ones that I, and my friends, have had the best luck with are the ACOG TA-34 "RCO" as the marines call it, the EOTech series, and the Aimpoint Comp M2. The ACOG I believe is a 4x32 optic, and it's not hard to use it with both eyes open. It also has graduating stadia lines that correspond to the average width of a man's shoulders at a given range. The stadia lines start at 300 meters, and go to 800 meters. The only downside is you can't cowitness with the irons, and it takes some getting used to using it in CQB. Another sight we use is the EOTech series. These are, in my opinion, the best CQB optic out there (and not a bad machine gun sight either!), and the most logical choice for home defense. If you add a 3x magnifier, you get the longer range capability as well. The only downside that I've found to the EOTech is the magnification issue for longer range, the weight once you add the magnifier, and the fact that it runs on batteries...and batteries, like people, die. Just hopefully it's not because your batteries die. There are new models out now that supposedly will last for 10+ years, but again, those will EVENTUALLY DIE. The last optic that I have a good deal of experience with is the Aimpoint Comp M2. This is another great CQB optic, the only thing that drops it lower than the EOTech in my opinion is the reduced FOV, other than that, you have about the same pros and cons as the EOTech. As far as the lasers, lights, and other attachments we have on our rifles, each add on, has it's own very specific application. The AN/PEQ-2A and 15, have IR lasers and lights that offer us a night time advantage, as well as a point and shoot advantage with the 15 model because it has a visible laser as well. The visible laser generally wouldn't be used unless you know it might be needed (i.e. raiding a house). The IR laser is always on for night missions, and the light is hooked to a pressure switch which is attached to the vertical foregrip, or where ever the user prefers. What would all these attachments be used for in a home defense scenario or general civilian application, hopefully nothing. If you want a good home defense setup, I suggest an EOTech, a light, a vertical foregrip, about four extra mags, and a TON of practice at the range because there's a difference between owning a gun, and really knowing how to use it. Get some advice from people who are trained in CQB, (any Iraq vets, infantry in particular) is going to be a pretty good starting point, and always continue to further your knowledge in the application of this discipline. Feel free to email me with any further questions.
Ken.
P.S. Sorry that reply was so long.
