Forward Controls Adjustable Turret Caps for the Aimpoint Micro

[MistWolf]

I've always wanted a way to to make sight adjustments to my Aimpoints without having to remove the turret caps and being stuck using a special tool. I came up with an idea I thought would work and approached Roger Wang of Forward Controls to see if he'd be interested in developing it. He was and he did.

Forward Controls has recently released their new ATA Cap kit.
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The kit comes with two outer caps and two turret discs. (Please ignore the disc. I ordered two kits, one with silver discs and one with black discs. Somehow, the black disc found its way into the photo.)
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They're easy to install. Just remove the factory caps, place the turret disc on the adjustment turret so the pins line up with the pin detentes
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and screw down the outer cap
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Done!
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Now all sight adjustments can be made without ever having to remove the caps or using a special tool. Adjustments are smooth and can be made with a common screwdriver, coin or the rim of a case.
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Clicks are positive and easy to count. The slot is also a good visual indicator as changes are made. Only the disc turns when adjustments are made. The outer cap remains stationary. There is little chance that a bump to the caps will change the adjustments
https://wolfhollow.smugmug.com/F1/ATA-VID/n-4fXwQL/i-grFz98x

The cap & disc are made of stainless steel and QPQ coated. Machining is top notch.

Roger sent the ATA caps along with an Aimpoint Micro and the factory caps to a lab to see how well they sealed against moisture. The ATA caps work just as well as the factory caps.

I fixed my two Micros with the ATA caps and I think they're awesome! (I'm also excited to see an idea of mine developed and brought to market and might be a bit biased)

The design is simple and elegant and work better than I hoped for. Roger deserves a lot of credit for taking my idea and making it better.

You can check them out at the Forward Controls website.

What do you think?

 

[MistWolf]

No questions? Comments? Snide remarks?

 

[chicharrones]

They look well thought out and well made. I didn't reply when I first saw this as I figured someone that thought they'd find this product useful would give better feedback.

I'll admit that I tend to "set and forget" the elevation and windage on my red dots so I personally wouldn't be seeking out this solution.

In fact, I avoid exposed turret low power scopes because I "set and forget" those as well.

Sure, I check the sighting in of a gun I'm using, but I do treat low powered optics similarly to iron sights. Which means they don't get changed much.

 

[LoonWulf]

BOOOOOOOO!

Just kidding.
I like the idea, and execution. Im like @chicharrones, in that once my rds is set I don't tend to mess with it.
BUT I've screwed myself a few times not having a tool to be able to adjust it when I take it to the range on a new gun.....this mostly happens with the mini reflex types that use tiny screw drivers, but if I had an Aimpoint like that, I'd want a set of these.

 

[rbernie]

I think that it’s a pretty swoopy idea - well done to all involved.

 

[BigSteve57]

I have a couple of Aimpoints. I haven't found the need to mess with the settings much except when changing loads. But congrats on introducing an accessory that some may find useful.

 

[MistWolf]

In my case, I've needed to re-zero after moving the Aimpoint to another AR, a barrel swap, moving an suppressor around, checking zero before a class or simply removing the Aimpoint & reinstalling it. Removing the caps to make adjustments is a pain. The caps are small and being snugged down against the O ring makes them difficult to break loose. The caps are easy to lose. Two or three times, I've spent up to an hour looking for a cap that got dropped or misplaced. Once, I didn't find the cap until after several days of searching through my gear.

For me, the ATA turret cap kit is a godsend.

 

[taliv]

Cool
How does it affect water resistance?

 

[MistWolf]

Roger sent the ATA caps along with an Aimpoint Micro and the factory caps to a lab to see how well they sealed against moisture. Everything was tested in a pressure tank. They didn't just dunk the Aimpoint in a pool. The ATA caps sealed against moisture just as well as the factory caps.

 

[MistWolf]

I've been putting the ATA caps through their paces for a couple of months now and I'm impressed. The weather here has been cold which makes my hands clumsier than normal. Last winter, getting the Aimpoints dialed in using the factory caps or tool was slow and tedious. I kept fumbling and dropping the factory caps and even lost one for a few days. Our local indoor range has heat, but is only partially roofed over. This gives the range superior ventilation, but does little to keep in the heat. It can be brutally cold. Using a common screwdriver with the ATA turrets made getting the Aimpoints zeroed a snap.

I ordered a set of various colored Lacquer Stiks from a bowling ball supply store online to fill the engraving of the discs. Bowling ball engravers use Lacquer Stiks to fill logos and lettering engraved in customer's bowling balls. Lacquer Stiks are widely used to fill all types of engravings and stampings.

The engraved "UP" and "R" and the arrows are easier to see with the fill. Lacquer Stiks are simple to use and much neater than model paints or nail polish. Simply rub the stick on the part until the engraving is filled, then wipe away the excess. The excess wipes away cleanly and the fill stays in the engraving with even edges. To make the filled engravings stand out, remember four simple rules-
1) Color on metal
2) Metal on color
3) Metals are White (Silver) and Yellow (Gold)
4) Colors are everything else- Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Orange, Purple, Brown and Black

If filling an engraving or stamping on a color field, use White/Silver or Yellow/Gold. If filling an engraving or stamping on a White/Silver or Yellow/Gold field, use a color.

I have two sets of ATA turrets. One with Silver discs (Metal Field) and one with black discs (Color Field). On the silver discs, I filled the engravings with black.
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The black discs were filled with white.
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The Lacquer Stiks really makes the engravings pop!

I can't thank Roger enough for making the ATA turrets a reality. I'm now waiting impatiently for Roger to make ATA turrets available for the M4s!

 

[rbernie]

I'm now waiting impatiently for Roger to make ATA turrets available for the M4s!

Word! I would probably buy four sets myself.

 

[LoonWulf]

Me likey! I'll have to get some lacquer sticks, there's some stuff I wouldn't mind adding some color too!