Trijicon RMR as primary rifle sight?

[coloradokevin]

What do you guys think of running an RMR as the primary sight on a rifle (carbine AR)?

Let me give you some background: my duty rifle is currently setup with only iron sights. I used to have an Eotech on this rifle, but my agency deauthorized these sights after the debacle about their zero shift (an issue I never had). Some of our currently authorized optics include the Trijicon RMR, the Aimpoint Pro, and the Leupold LCO. The Aimpoint is too bulky, I wasn't a fan of the Leupold, and I always dismissed the Trijicon option as a pistol sight... until recently. So, I've been on iron sights since the Eotech thing fell flat.

A few months back I built an ultralight AR-15 for my wife. This rifle weighs in at 4.5 pounds with the sight, and I used a Trijicon RMR Type 2 - 1 MOA as part of my weight savings plan for this rifle. After shooting this rifle for a while I've decided I really like the RMR on her rifle. It's a super light sight, and optically speaking it seems to work as well as an Aimpoint micro I have on another rifle. But, I've never really evaluated how well these RMR sights hold up for field use in the long run.

NOTE: I'm considering this application for a duty gun, but I'm not dragging it through the sand in Iraq for months at a time. It needs to endure harder use than a safe queen, and be reliable, but not exactly take a beating like a SEAL might put it through on an operation in the Middle East.

Do any of you have long term experience with running an RMR on a rifle (specifically the Type 2 variant)?

 

[taliv]

I did same. Put the no battery version of rmr on a sub 5 lb build. I love it actually. Run micro T1s on my other guns.

Given that I used light weight parts like the magnesium aluminum alloy for upper and lower and hand guard, I wasn’t trying to make it a super duty last forever build. More of a hiking backpack gun.

But I love it. No problems. Other than perhaps I wish the dot was smaller. It’s line 12moa or something.

 

[taliv]

It’s kinda pricy but worth considering for the size and weight instead of doing backup irons a backup rmr on a qd mount would be quick and easy

 

[Walkalong]

Other than perhaps I wish the dot was smaller. It’s line 12moa or something.

I actually like the bigger 6 & 8 MOA dots for fast work. Pistols and rifles.

RMR type 1 when they went on sale to make way for the type 2's. Pencil barreled PSA upper. I have a magnesium lower I need to build for it.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I actually like the bigger 6 & 8 MOA dots for fast work. Pistols and rifles.

RMR type 1 when they went on sale to make way for the type 2's. Pencil barreled PSA upper. I have a magnesium lower I need to build for it.
View attachment 828132

What's that mount? Looks like someone basically copied the critter I made to put an old Trijicon RDS on my lightweight build a few years ago

 

[Walkalong]

UTG, it's actually very nice.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/UTG-RMR-MOUNT/2588473.uts?slotId=0

"0.4" Low-Profile Mount, 0.87" Absolute Co-Witness"

 

[MachIVshooter]

UTG, it's actually very nice.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/UTG-RMR-MOUNT/2588473.uts?slotId=0

I don't think I'd have spent the time machining one if that had been available back when I needed it. Lol. Mine is 7075-T6, though

 

[coloradokevin]

I did same. Put the no battery version of rmr on a sub 5 lb build. I love it actually. Run micro T1s on my other guns.

Given that I used light weight parts like the magnesium aluminum alloy for upper and lower and hand guard, I wasn’t trying to make it a super duty last forever build. More of a hiking backpack gun.

But I love it. No problems. Other than perhaps I wish the dot was smaller. It’s line 12moa or something.

Not to derail my own thread, but how do you like the magnesium alloy receiver set? I'm still using a regular aluminum set, but I've knocked the weight down significantly in other areas. I've thought about trying to get this rifle below 4 pounds, but that would almost certainly require a lighter receiver set, and some other weight savings measures of diminishing returns.

As for the RMR, the type 2 that I bought has a 1 MOA dot... it looks just like looking through one of my Aimpoints, but it's super light by comparison.

 

[taliv]

They were out of spec mess. But if you get them to install triggers etc then they work great. Finish comes off easily if you care about that sort of thing. I think they’re great once you work out bugs

 

[CopperFouling]

Trijicon makes a 1 MOA RMR? I need to check that out. I thought they all had much larger dots.

 

[shoobe01]

I ran an Insight MRDS for a few years when I only had one AR. Worked great, even dropped very badly (by accident!) rained on, frozen, etc. I know a number who have had mini red dots (even J Points) as the backup on their guns in several OEF/OIF rotations in a row, no problems.



I DO like the concept of the metal hood it had. Weighed nothing, took very little extra space, but was rock solid and added a lot of confidence.

I only got rid of mine as my eyes kept going bad, it starbursted too much for me to hit well, I ended up just switching to another sight but it ended up being bigger incidentally. I liked the tiny sight; if you are used to irons, it's sort of a huge window, easy to get behind, even use on the move, etc.

 

[Jenrick]

If you want supporting documentation on running an EOTech for work, let me know. I was on our agencies firearms training staff until last year, and EOTech is on our approved list (and my prefered choice). Also I know a couple guys who have run an RMR extensively on their training guns. Still holding strong.