Re: Any LEO's using a Leatherwood CMR
Thanks Cuffm. Just so I understand your post correctly, are the approved optics on your list "approved" for officers to individually purchase with their own money, or are they being purchased and issued by the department? If they are a department purchase, you are quite fortunate, and your 2012 appropriations must be radically different than ours.
Probably the greatest criterion I have for a patrol optic is it's ability to hold zero. That is followed very closely by the optic's ability to withstand the elements (rain, snow, dust,Etc). If the thing can't survive life in a patrol car, it is of little benefit. One of the things that caught my attention about the Leatherwood are the company's claims that it is very durable. That seems to be supported by some of the posts above (and not so much by others). Optical quality and reticle design are important, but less so than the characteristics mentioned above, because almost any descent optic is going to give better performance than iron sights which is what we have now (I know, I know, now we have to debate what constitutes "Descent"). Anyway, that's why I'm doing the research, I want to select an optic that WE CAN AFFORD TO ISSUE TO THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT. I have no doubt that the top of the line optics from the major players are very good. But I'm not looking a buying one, or two. I'm looking at outfitting eight patrol rifles, and three entry carbines. So take the price tag of the optic (and mount) and multiply if by 11, and then factor it into a budget where I was recently told not to order spare magazines due to the cost involved. Once I select an optic, I'm going to have to embark on a major sales initiative to get approval for the purchase. I've done it before (or we wouldn't even have patrol rifles). It's a pain in the ass, but if I don't do those kind of things, my officers and our citizens have to do without.
Thanks Again,
HRF