First "black rifle" - which scope to go with it?

[Promo]

Hi guys,

picked up my first real AR15 rifle, and like all of the other rifles I have I want it to go with a scope. I once had a modern AR15 variant with ACOG scope on it, but sold it since I did not like it that much.

My wish is to have something the US would have had like in Vietnam, or afterwards. The rifle itself is a NOS Colt M16A1 - did they use it with any scope? And if yes, which one? I once saw a Colt marked 3x scope mounted on the carrying handle, but not sure if this was also officially adopted.

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[Brian Dick]

That's a very nice rifle Promo. I have a soft spot for the good old M16A1 and toted one a mile or two in my day. The old Colt 3x scope that mounted in the carry handle was about the only ball game in town in those days. They can still be found along with Chinese copies from time to time. There were no military issue optics in the Airborne Infantry in the mid 80's when I was there as a young armorer other than the standard AN PVS4 night vision scope. I always found the fixed carry handle weapon an iron sight rifle and really still do. The newer A3/M4 variants with the Picatinny upper receiver are much better suited for low over bore scope mounting and the sky is the limit as far as optics that are available for it. I have a older Bushmaster XM15-E2S in M4 carbine configuration and have used an EO Tech holo sight and an IOR Valdata CQB sight with great results. I like the ACOG but have never owned one.

[imarangemaster]

I would go with an original Colt 3X or 4X. They aren still very common. Here in the US, they run $200-$300 USD on Ebay.

[browningautorifle]

I agree with the above...those Colt scopes are available and the correct thing.

[Promo]

Hi guys! Thanks for the help, so I should get myself one of those Colt scopes? Which one is better, the 3x or the 4x? And how do I know if they are Japan made or US made?

[bigduke6]

Promo, I had one of the colt scopes can't remember the power but traded it for something else but it was the best option in my opinion, later on managed to buy an Israeli Mount to mount the SUIT scope, then sold the rifle....

Only problem with fitting bigger scopes and different mounts was you needed a neck like a Giraffe to get a good sight picture....

[Promo]

That one definately looks Israeli! Ugly as hell, but I guess good to use

[imarangemaster]

I had one of those SUIT scopes on an FN FAL I had years ago. It gave minute of pie plate accuracy even at 25 yards! It was AWFUL! Sold it.

[browningautorifle]

I wouldn't have much to do with one. Peter doesn't seem to have any respect for them at all...

[Brian Dick]

SUIT = Shooter Usually In Trouble