Primary Arms PLX 1-8 vs ACOG TA11 3.5x which should I get?

[Podmonkey]

To be mounted on my beloved Galil Ace .308. I had an ACOG TA11 on it at one point but I had to sell it to raise some emergency cash. I really like the ACOG and I think it suited the Galil well, however the cost of ACOGs has risen above what the PA 1-8 goes for so I wonder if I shouldn't get the latter instead.
Here are the specific optics/reticles I am considering_



I want to keep the weight down as much as is practical since the Galil weighs 8.2lbs naked. The ACOG weighs 14oz and the PLX is 17oz.
I think the ACOG is especially well suited to this rifle as both are very rugged and simple affairs and the Galil while quite accurate among Kalashnikov patterns is by no means a precision rifle. It can reliably achieve, on average, 2.5 MOA groups with quality, basic ball ammo that it likes (it is fussy with which brands it likes).
With Hornady 168gr Match ammo I scored a few 1 MOA groups but I'd consider 2-3 MOA to be it's realistic field performance potential.
It's use is primarily.............. goofing around at the range honestly but I n concept it serves as my "Roof Korean" gun i.e. to be used in circumstances where the extra punch and penetration of 7.62x51 would be useful, such as against body armor or vehicles and from a primarily static position though the Galil can perform admirably in a more dynamic role if needed. I took it to a carbine class once and while considerably heavier than an AR15 it nevertheless impressed with its handling qualities. This all is why I would consider short to medium range optics as anything with high magnification and fine, precision reticles would be wasted on the Israeli beast.

 

[Podmonkey]

The lady in question:

Her name is Gally.

 

[Robin]

With the purpose intended, I would pick the one that provides me with the best field of view and more importantly, quickest target acquisition. Ideally you would have a chance to look through and compare, everyone is different in how they interpret optical imagery.
Robin

 

[Donniehotts]

Pa with an offset pistol dot maybe.but I'm a cheap ass.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

ACOG

 

[Podmonkey]

Pa with an offset pistol dot maybe.but I'm a cheap ass.

Can't really do 45° offsets with the Galil. Ejection can be erratic, every so often it will spit a case back at a sharp angle to the rear, if it caught the offset dot it would likely be damaged. The cases eject with considerable vigor as is typical for AKs.
Neither scopes are at all cheap. ACOGs used to go for 1k but are now at 1.7k, albeit I see listing for NIB TA11s at 1.2k on gunbroker. The PA scope retails at 1.4k.

 

[Vapor]

Wow a real gun thread. Bravo sir.


I've been shooting these different types of modern optics now along old school ones too. Here's what I find. Fixed magnification in an oh shit moment actually makes a lot of sense to me. Why? If I'm under stress I'm not effing with a magnification ring. It just doesn't happen. Not whe shooting on the clock, not when hunting in the woods, etc. I often find myself setting the magnification and forgetting it.

So my 2 cents is the acog is simpler, lighter, more robust, and probably more practical for what you're thinking of intended use wise.

 

[Podmonkey]

ACOG

Wow a real gun thread. Bravo sir.


I've been shooting these different types of modern optics now along old school ones too. Here's what I find. Fixed magnification in an oh shit moment actually makes a lot of sense to me. Why? If I'm under stress I'm not effing with a magnification ring. It just doesn't happen. Not whe shooting on the clock, not when hunting in the woods, etc. I often find myself setting the magnification and forgetting it.

So my 2 cents is the acog is simpler, lighter, more robust, and probably more practical for what you're thinking of intended use wise.

@Vapor when I eventually (strong emphasis on "eventually") get Gally re-glassed I'll even post some groups *GASP*

In any event I'm inclined to agree with the both of you however that high price has me hesitant, for the money you can have any of a variety of very nice variables. I should keep an eye out for used TA11s.

 

[Donniehotts]

I saw primary arms and thought "inexpensive" lol...I am partial to lvpo ,so I'm still voting primary arms.i love thier stuff and I love that ace!

 

[SomeSoldier]

My opinion Acog, but add the top mount red dot. The PA optic is too busying for my taste.

 

[Vapor]

The primary arms prisms are pretty nice too, but obviously way lower budget.

 

[Podmonkey]

The primary arms prisms are pretty nice too, but obviously way lower budget.

None of them seem to have the clarity or field of view of the ACOGs.

 

[Uninformed and Compliant]

Also maybe consider this - Rex would generally pick it over the Trijicon.


His review of the PLX -

 

[Podmonkey]

Also maybe consider this - Rex would generally pick it over the Trijicon.


His review of the PLX -

I am indeed considering the PLX 1-8, you'll notice it is one of the two options of my poll .
My issue with the PA micro prism is the muddy clarity and narrow field of view. The eye relief might be a little too close for use on the Galil which would have optic further forward than the rearmost position of an AR. Not to mention the increased recoil of 308 might put the scope into my eyeball.
What would be nice is if Primary Arms offered a prism scope in a 4x magnification with a wide field of view and with Japanese glass like that of their platinum line.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Everything else aside, I think this is a special rifle for you and while I can understand the trying to rationalize one optic over the other, the ACOG just makes more sense. You've already spent a good amount on the rifle itself, and I hate to sound like one of those guys who have a price ratio for cost of optics vs cost of rifle, but this rifle deserves the ACOG. Even if you have to wait and save some money. ACOG.

 

[Podmonkey]

Everything else aside, I think this is a special rifle for you and while I can understand the trying to rationalize one optic over the other, the ACOG just makes more sense. You've already spent a good amount on the rifle itself, and I hate to sound like one of those guys who have a price ratio for cost of optics vs cost of rifle, but this rifle deserves the ACOG. Even if you have to wait and save some money.

Well, yes. However remember that the PLX 1-8 is also a premium, $1,400 optic and being a .308 the Galil could put that extra magnification to good use.
On the other hand the Galil is a tank of a rifle, a real end-of-days firearm and the ACOG is an end-of-days tank of an optic as well.
If ACOGs could still be had new for 1k I probably wouldn't even be asking the question but at $1,700 it gives me considerable pause.
Is it wise to spend that kind of money on a fixed magnification scope? And again the PA prism scopes lean to far 8n the other direction for my tastes. For this rifle at least.

 

[Podmonkey]

It would seem that a I have gotten a heads up from a little birdie (thank you very much!) That Eurooptic is running a deal on the exact ACOG I seek, at the former price of $1,000 and change. Unfortunately I haven't the dosh right this moment but I will start scrupulously saving my scheckles in the hopes that said deal remains on the table for a bit.

 

[garyv350]

I have an ACOG on my Scar 16 and 17. Best option if you can swing it.

 

[Podmonkey]

I have an ACOG on my Scar 16 and 17. Best option if you can swing it.

I indeed used to have a TA11 mounted on that rifle at one point, only with the chevron reticle.
I liked it alot and I thought it suited the Galil well but this time I was thinking the crosshair would be better

 

[Vapor]

I have some of the 1x prisms. I think they have more eye relief than the 3x. I also hate exposed turrets on anything but a target rifle so I haven't dove into the 3x prisms.


I would like an acog, but hard to justify when I have other Japanese scopes and aimpoints.

 

[Podmonkey]

I have some of the 1x prisms. I think they have more eye relief than the 3x. I also hate exposed turrets on anything but a target rifle so I haven't dove into the 3x prisms.


I would like an acog, but hard to justify when I have other Japanese scopes and aimpoints.

I never saw the point of 1x prism scopes. 1x magnification but you still have an eye relief and parallax. Red dots and holographics do the same thing without either issue.

I think for $1,000 the ACOG is still a solid buy, they have optical clarity on par with high end European scopes many times that price and no other optic in existence is as durable as an ACOG. It's the ultimate Mad Max optic. The Galil is a good Mad Max rilfe also.

 

[Vapor]

I never saw the point of 1x prism scopes. 1x magnification but you still have an eye relief and parallax. Red dots and holographics do the same thing without either issue.

I think for $1,000 the ACOG is still a solid buy, they have optical clarity on par with high end European scopes many times that price and no other optic in existence is as durable as an ACOG. It's the ultimate Mad Max optic. The Galil is a good Mad Max rilfe also.

I like my .308 rifles for sure. The recoil isn't bad at all, and there is no comparison for power over the x39s and 5.56s. Heck, I totally got rid of my x39 rifles because of that and the sanctions.


I do a prism becuase I have a stigmatism. Most red dots are just a squilly burst for me. I have more 1-3x and 1-4x scopes though. I often just leave then on 1 or Max. The acog solves that issue by just being 4x. I think it's a great choice.

 

[Podmonkey]

I like my .308 rifles for sure. The recoil isn't bad at all, and there is no comparison for power over the x39s and 5.56s. Heck, I totally got rid of my x39 rifles because of that and the sanctions.


I do a prism becuase I have a stigmatism. Most red dots are just a squilly burst for me. I have more 1-3x and 1-4x scopes though. I often just leave then on 1 or Max. The acog solves that issue by just being 4x. I think it's a great choice.

I was very impressed with how that rifle did in class. It handled very well and it's ergonomics make it quick to operate. I did not find myself any slower to put accurate fire on target compared to the 5.56 guns and overall was just a pleasure to work with. It was not a pleasure at all for those next to me on the line I am told however. The muzzle break is highly effective but also quite obnoxious. To either side, the shooter gers none of the blast. It is also a very loud gun and I attract a lot of attention at the range.

 

[SomeSoldier]

Elcan and call it a day.

 

[Podmonkey]

Elcan and call it a day.

See now the ELCAN has all kinds of problems with it. The elevation and windage adjustments are external and intergal to the mount itself, the scope body itself is moved and not the reticle itself and the adjustments themselves are fairly easily moved unintentionally as well as the scope body being able to shift within the mount without directly or indirectly moving the adjustment knows themselves. There are also potential issues with zero shift between tge 1x and 6x settings as these are two different reticles of two different types that are mechanically brought into alignment accordingly and there can be misalignment issues between the two.
From what I understand the Canadian troops that are issue ELCANs are not fond of them at all.
All that in addition to the extremely high cost and the excessive bulk and weight of the thing.
In summation the ELCAN is tge embodiment of a thing that looks good on paper but is terrible in use.
The ACOG is near diametrically opposed to the ELCAN in concept and execution.

 

[SomeSoldier]

You still looking?

 

[Podmonkey]

You still looking?

..........kinda? As per usual for me I say I'm looking for one thing and then go in another direction. In this case I am spending scope money on an S&W 340PD for a pocket carry gun. I made the mistake of handling some J frames at the LGS and got a serious case of "gotta have its" then @Xae289 planted the brain worm idea of the spendy 340PD in me. Sub 12oz .357 Magnum, I mean what could possibly go wrong there?