Author Topic: 475 recoil destroys aimpoint (Read 2768 times)

shilo · « **on:** December 02, 2007, 03:51:30 AM »

About a year ago I put a new Aimpoint 9000 on my 7.5" 475 using Freedom's base and two Aimpoint wide rings. I shot it that way for a couple of months and then took it off and went back to the iron sights because I just didn't like how bulky the gun was with the sight. About two weeks ago I wanted to see if I'd like an Aimpoint on my slug gun so I put it on my slug gun. I went to the range and the first shot was low right about 10" @ 50yds. So I put in the appropriate # of clicks and no change. I put a few more clicks in and it moved alittle. I was concerned because the click adjustments no longer felt solid. The elevation clicks were barely there and would barely catch. To make a long story short; over the next 15rds the scope did not track with the adjustment. Just when I thought it was there the next shot would be at the edge of the paper. I went home pulled the Aimpoint off and put a regular scope on and had the gun zeroed in 3 shots. I fired some more shots just to be sure and got a nice group of 5/8" holes touching or nearly touching each other so it's not the gun or ammo. The gun is a Rem 870 with Hasting fully rifled cantelever scope mount slug barrel shooting Lightfield hybrid slugs. I thought Aimpoints were supposed to be tough? Maybe there're only OK on guns with .223 level recoil? It's not like it endured thousands of rounds of 475 either. Less than 500 rounds. I will contact Aimpoint and hopefully they will fix it, especially considering what these units cost.

STJ · « **Reply #1 on:** December 02, 2007, 04:49:18 AM »

It can happen with any scope. I had a Leupold M2 shatter the eyes piece lens while on my FA 454. I was shooting 325s at 1400fps, which really isn't too much....of course Leupold gave me a new replacement...

And that one has held up with no issues.

Sverre A. · « **Reply #2 on:** December 02, 2007, 07:32:49 AM »

For long time ago - I wrote that my .454 "damaged" two Aimpoints

.

Since then - I have used Docter sights - and it doesn`t matter what load I shoot with.

And the Docter is so small - that I don`t feel that I have any optic on the gun

shilo · « **Reply #3 on:** December 02, 2007, 08:33:52 AM »

Sverre A. What happened to your Aimpoints? You like the Doctor sights? They hold up well? How is the battery life with them? Any problems with parallax? I've heard, don't know if this is correct, that those type of sights have problems with alot of parallax. Any additional information will be much appreciated.

Sverre A. · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2007, 09:24:18 AM »

What happened to your Aimpoints?

The red point disappered!

How is the battery life with them?
Not changed mine yet (and the first I bought is now 2 years)

Any problems with parallax? I've heard, don't know if this is correct, that those type of sights have problems with alot of parallax. Any additional information will be much appreciated.

Can`t say that I have noticed any parallax - but most of my shots is done up to 70 m.

LarryL · « **Reply #5 on:** December 14, 2007, 05:45:48 AM »

I used to have a Desert Eagle .44 mag that killed two Aimpoints. In both cases, it shattered the rear lens. The first one lasted maybe 75-100 rounds. Aimpoint replaced it no questions asked. I put it on and the rear lens shattered again, on the first clip! I sent it back and they did replace it again. However, it never went back on the Desert Eagle! Instead, I put it on my Ithaca 37 smooth bore slug gun. It has stayed there now for many years, and probably 50-75 rounds of 2-3/4" Brenneke mag slugs with no troubles. This combo can hold about 3" groups at 100yds.

Bob Baker · « **Reply #6 on:** December 14, 2007, 11:39:02 AM »

We will have bases available for the Trijicon and JP Entprises red dot sights within the next couple weeks if that is of any help. We did quite a bit of shooting with those sights on various calibers including 454 without any problems.

Over the years we tried several Aimpoints and none held up.

paul105 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 14, 2007, 04:26:30 PM »

I can't wait to give one of these a try.

Anybody have any preference -- JP Ent vs. Trigicon. Also is Trigicon and Doctor the same? Is the Trigicon or Doctor worth the extra money?

Thanks,

Paul

shilo · « **Reply #8 on:** December 19, 2007, 02:04:44 AM »

Please let us know when those bases are available. Sounds like it should be a nice compact combination. That was one thing I didn't like about the aimpoint on the gun - it was just so big. Also, would like to repeat the question - any difference between JP enterprise, trijicon, and doctor in terms of quality, features, durability? I am extremely dissappointed with the aimpoint. I thought that based on all of the military's testing this was one tough sight. I am very concerned about all the men going into harms way depending on these sights.

STJ · « **Reply #9 on:** December 19, 2007, 10:59:20 AM »

The Docters (Trijicon) are nicer than the JPs. Better lens, coating and construction. And if you are sticking it on a FA why go cheap...the doctors aren't that much more, about $100.

Bob Baker · « **Reply #10 on:** December 19, 2007, 12:28:54 PM »

The anodized bases arrived today so they will be ready to ship in the next day or so.

We have tried the Trijicon but the JP Entprises sight hasn't arrived yet. It is my understanding that the two sights are the same. Also, from my understanding the Docter sight is a different sight all together and will not fit the bases we made.

Sverre A. · « **Reply #11 on:** December 19, 2007, 01:09:57 PM »

"not fit the bases we made"

- because my experience with Docter on my guns have been very politely.

STJ · « **Reply #12 on:** December 19, 2007, 03:07:19 PM »

Trijicon doesn't actually make the Docter but markets them..

http://www.trijicon.com/user/parts/products1.cfm?PartID=544

So if it is the sight from Trijicon that works, it should be a Docter. And the Docter is not the same as the JP...but I believe the bases are the same.

shilo · « **Reply #13 on:** December 19, 2007, 03:15:57 PM »

"because my experience with Doctor on my guns have been very politely." What are you trying to say?

shilo · « **Reply #14 on:** December 19, 2007, 03:20:01 PM »

This whole trijicon, doctor, and jp is getting confusing. Who makes what? Do they all fit the same or different bases? What is the difference in quality and features between them? Which one wouldn't you waste your money on? I already wasted enough money on that overpriced piece of crap aimpoint.

paul105 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 19, 2007, 03:59:04 PM »

The Docter and Trijicon are definitely different

http://www.trijicon.com/pdfs/reddot.pdf

Would also like clarification of Sverre A.s post. I read it to mean he was unhappy that the FA mount wouldn't work with the Docter unit because he had good experience with the Docter on his guns.

Sverre A, Is that what you ment? If so, are you using the Docter on FA revolvers? How are you mounting the Docter n the FAs.

Thanks,

Paul

LarryL · « **Reply #16 on:** December 20, 2007, 01:40:34 AM »

Shilo, Have you talked to Aimpoint yet? When I had my earlier troubles as described above, they replaced both shattered sights without question. While clearly the Aimpoint was unable to take the Desert Eagle recoil, the third one has worked great on my Ithaca slug gun. I didn't go into all the details, but the Desert Eagle also had a problem with jams and ejecting empties through your hair or bouncing them off your forehead. It ended up going back to Desert Eagle where they ended up changing the tolerance of the gas piston and port. They took a few thousanths off, but I don't recall if it was from the port or from the piston. They stated the slide velocity was too high, causing the failures to eject, or violent ejection. After that, it didn't seem to slam as hard on recoil, and didn't jam or hit me with the empties anymore. I never did try the Aimpoint back on it again though. Considering your experience, it sounds like that was a wise choice.

The thing that still has me puzzled to this day is that the Aimpoint was promoted by Magnum Research and even sold through their catalogue as an optional accessory for the Desert Eagle pistols...

Bob Baker · « **Reply #17 on:** December 20, 2007, 04:53:21 AM »

All good questions. Trijicon indicates the Docter has a little better clarity than the red dot and they require different bases. The Docter also has a 2 year warranty while the red dot has a life time warranty. The Docter also has more adjustment than the red dot but we are providing a shim with our bases so if someone needs more elevation adjustment they can just install the shim. From what we have found some gun/caliber combinations don't require the shim, some require the thick part of the shim forward, some in the back. It is a trial and error situation.

The comparison chart paul105 posted gives a good comparison between the two sights. Notice the g rating on both sights and the red dot is lighter than the Docter which typically will help it handle recoil better but not always.

Our sight bases are $48.00 plus freight and as stated that includes the shim.

Sverre A. · « **Reply #18 on:** December 20, 2007, 06:24:26 AM »

"Sverre A, Is that what you ment? If so, are you using the Docter on FA revolvers? How are you mounting the Docter n the FAs"

I have been using Doctor sights on my FA 454, Bisley 45 LC, FA 357 and my Marlin Guide Gun in cal. 45-70.
A friend of mine have made all the bases - because I want them as low as possible.

I have not had any trouble with my Docter`s, but "I" have damaged two Aimpoint`s.
I have no experience with Trijicon and JP Entprises - and can`t compare!
Clarification good enough

paul105 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 20, 2007, 07:17:20 AM »

Thanks Sverre A.

Paul

Sverre A. · « **Reply #20 on:** December 20, 2007, 08:30:17 AM »

If you don`t have somebody to make bases for you - you can buy Weigand`s weavertype base for FA, and Docter`s base

http://www.docter-germany.com/frontend/index.php?itid=615& (montageplatten)

which have to be mounted between Weigand`s and the Doctersight.

I thought this combination was too high - and therefor I let my friend make a lower solution.

paul105 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 20, 2007, 10:50:58 AM »

I am also looking for the lowest possible mounting solution.

Paul

shilo · « **Reply #22 on:** December 20, 2007, 11:54:12 AM »

LarryL, I am going to contact Aimpoint and hopefully they will fix it. When I get it back I guess I will just have an expensive red dot for a .22. Sverre A., thanks for clarifying and for the additional information. I'm going to look into the trijicon red dot with the FA base. Sounds like they've used it quite a bit and it is holding up for them. Anyone have any more information reguarding trijicon, doctor, or jp would like to hear it. Thanks

WL44 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 07, 2008, 09:07:09 PM »

Angry at myself!

Sometimes you just need to concentrate a bit better.

I recalled having seen this post and enquired aobut the mounts. Mine arrived yesterday - beautifully made; it looks like a great product.

But of course as Mr Baker said earlier in this post - my Docter won't fit on it! What an idiot. I should have come back to read this before going ahead...

Anyhow, what I planned as a review is just a comment now - those of you who have JP's etc. should like the base. It looks really nice.

WL44