Frag Out! Magazine

Considering the use of LVPO on the HK416 we have to admit that it is a very flexible solution. Quality optics, easy ad- justments, different reticles and magnifi- cation are definite pros. Main disadvan- tage is weight, problems when shooting in NVGs or gas masks and durability. You can deal with them but you need to be aware of them. We cope with night vision/ gas mask compatibility by adding offset mounted MRDS/BUIS. The weight was al- ways the problem we couldn't solve. JWK ultimately purchased Bushnell Elite Tactical 1-6.5x25 scopes with MRAD second focal plane reticle. Why SFP and MRAD? This we will share with you during our LVPO class. It was a right choice but we still wanted to shave the weight off the rifles. As part of our internal testing we bought on our own some 1.25-4x scopes - Leupold VX Patrol with MRAD SPR ret- icle in SFP. It was the one of the lightest LVPOs available, together with the mount it was just slightly heavier than XPS with a magnifier. The feedback from tests in Poland and Afghanistan was positive. We have found a couple flaws: lack of zero-locks, the dot brightness adjustment (up & down) and MIL-SPEC non-compli- ance. Other than that, VX Patrol is a great scope effective against targets up to 500 meters. In our opinion, the LVPOs on the rifles are a great solution for a wide array of special operations. Nothing comes for free unfortunately and to fully exploit its potential you need to learn ballistics. Without knowledge such optics won't be a tactical advantage but a burden. Surely, you can use the scope without the ballis- tic compensation but this solution has some other flaws too. Since we moved to scopes, the hated 14.5" barrels came back. When paired with LVPO, the gun became effective over extended distances. To cut the weight we bought Lancer Systems extended length carbon fiber handguards. We played with minimalistic MFT stocks as a possible replacement for Magpul MOEs. We were also looking for lighter accessories such as weapon lights, like Olight Valkyrie Mini. As a result, MFT stocks were approved and Olight, due its poor quality, was crossed off. The long process of HK416 upgrade and customization was done when we re- tired from JWK. Our final conclusion af- ter all of the tests, trials and experiments was simple: one weapon for all types of special operations is the key. In theory, all the barrel length swapping, different calibers, different sights and accesso- ries for different missions seems like a perfect solution. But we are not living in the perfect world and in reality having so many configurations is a problem result- ing from different sights, reticles and ca- libers and ballistics. Far more simple and effective is a single "optimized" weapon configuration tailored to the main area of operations and potential threats. Then, techniques, tactics and procedures must be optimized. All the lessons learned during the opti- mal weapon configuration research were bedrock for our Target Creators shooting classes. We have created universal con- figurations built accordingly to the variety of our classes and, still, reasonably priced ones. Our AR and AK setups feature solu- tions that will prove themselves in CQB/ DA type scenarios and mid-range engage- ments. If you plan to save some money and your time, you are definitely welcome to our shooting classes where you are going to learn how to shoot quickly and accurately, and how to properly and effec- tively configure your long gun. 32 www.fragoutmag.com

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