Aimpoint CompM2
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The CompM2 is a red dot gunsight manufactured by Aimpoint AB.
The device is MIL-SPEC. In the U.S. military, it is designated M68 Close Combat Optic (M68 CCO; NSN: 1240-01-411-1265) and is also known as M68 Aimpoint. The sight is designed for use with the M16/M4 family of rifles, but can be mounted on any weapon fitted with a Picatinny rail. It is also NVG-compatible—the aiming dot is still visible through night vision scopes and goggles.
The sight is water-tight down to 25 meters and runs on one 3-volt Lithium battery type 2L76 or DL1/3N. The aiming dot's brightness is adjustable for better visibility and increased battery life.
The M68 is parallax-free outside of 50m, meaning that while the red dot moves around the inside of sight based on eye position, it always represents the point of aim. Inside of 50m the red dot has to be kept in the center of the reticle.[citation needed]
The CompM2 is used across branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, Sweden, and various NATO countries. A variant known as the ECOS-N (NSN: 1240-01-495-1385) is also issued as part of the U.S. SOPMOD kit. The sight is also available on the civilian market and is employed by various law enforcement organizations (especially for SWAT type situations that involve close quarters work) and by recreational shooters.
Some Special Forces and Airborne units in the US Army have replaced the M68 with the EOTech holographic sight. Many soldiers purchase EOTech sights with their own money for use on their rifles in combat zones.
The M68 is often faulted for its short battery life when the dot visibility is set to high, which is necessary for bright environments. The On/Off/Visibility knob is also prone to turning unintentionally when the weapon is stowed or retrieved, such as when mounting and dismounting vehicles. Batteries often burn out due to unintentional engagement of the sight's power. Large rubber bands are sometimes used on the sight to keep the knob from turning accidentally. Aimpoint's successor to the M68 (the CompM3) claims a single battery will provide 50,000 hours of operation on brightness level 7 out of 10.
Some users of the M203 grenade launcher prefer not to use the M68, even when available, because it restricts visibility of the M203's leaf sight. However, with the introduction of the KAC Quadrant Optical Sight for the M203/PI, this is becoming less of a problem, as the KAC QOS is mounted normally on the left-hand side of the weapon, allowing the further use of optical sights on the flattop receiver of the rifle.
[edit] Dimensions
- Length: 130 mm (5.1 in)
- Width: 55 mm (2.2 in)
- Height: 55 mm (2.2 in)
- Mounting ring width: 30 mm (1.2 in)
- Weight: 200 g (7.1 oz)
[edit] See also
- For the M68 105 mm Rifled Tank Gun, see Royal Ordnance L7.
