Many of us own firearms because they’re fun to shoot…
But that really is just a byproduct of a more important reason why we own them… and that reason is self defense…
Now, most self defense encounters are going to happen at short distances, and sometimes this type of fighting is referred to as CQB (Close Quarters Battle)…
So it’s important to set up your gear to be ready for these types of defensive scenarios…
But one of the major questions that always pops up is this… What’s the best CQB optic for my carbine…?
That’s a great question, and it’s one I’ll be answering in this post buy giving you my list of the top 5 best optics for CQB…
By the end, you’ll have a good understanding of which optics are currently available, and you should have all the information you need to determine which is going to work best for you…
Let’s begin!
Best CQB Optic – Top 5 List…
The best CQB Optic is the Aimpoint Micro T2. It’s the best because it is extremely rugged and reliable, and it’s also very lightweight which keeps your carbine fast into action. Additionally, it has ultra long battery life which means the battery is unlikely to go out on you at the wrong time…
Below, I’ll explain why I think the Aimpoint Micro T2 is the best optic for CQB in greater detail…
And I’ll also share with you 4 other amazing CQB optics that you should consider…
1. Aimpoint Micro T2 (Best Overall Pick!)
My number 1 pick for the best CQB optic is the Aimpoint Micro T2, and there are many reasons why…
It’s the perfect red dot optic for tactical applications because of its compact size and extreme durability, and it was designed using the feedback, skills, and experience of military and law enforcement professionals…
It can also be easily mounted on almost any weapon platform, and because of its popularity, there are a number of mounting options that have developed over the years…
Main Benefits Of The Aimpoint Micro T2…
The Aimpoint Micro T2 has a number of features which will benefit you as the shooter…
- Compact Size: The small size of the Micro T2 offers you many advantages. It makes the optic ideal for various weapon systems including carbines, rifles, handguns, submachine guns, and shotguns. It also keeps your weapon lightweight, fast, and handy which is incredibly important for CQB.
- Extremely Rugged Design: Aimpoint is famous for making extremely rugged optic, and the build quality and reliability that you get with this optic is fantastic.
- Night Vision Brightness Settings: This allows you to run the optic in darkness (with the use of NV equipment).
- Included Flip Up Lens Covers: The back cover is transparent, and the front cover is blacked out. This set up actually works well in emergencies as you can shoot with both eyes open and lens caps closed.
- Crystal Clear Lens: With cutting-edge lens coating, you get a super clear sight picture when looking through the optic.
- 2 MOA Dot Reticle: This is a great reticle size because it’s very quick and easy for your eye to acquire, and at the same time, it’s very precise when aiming at small targets in the distance.
- Sealed Tube: The sealed tube design makes the Aimpoint Micro T2 perfect to use in adverse weather conditions, including dust, rain, snow, sand, and mud, and it’s waterproof in up to 80 feet of water.
- Ultra Long Battery Life: The battery on the Aimpoint Micro T2 can power the sight for around 50,000 hours. This means that you can keep the sight turned on at all times (so that it’s always at the ready) and not have to worry about the battery dying on you at the wrong time.
Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Aimpoint Micro T2:
2. Eotech EXPS3
The next optic on my list is the Eotech EXPS3. Like the Aimpoint Micro T2, this optic was created for professional use, and there are a number of reason why it’s perfect for close-quarter engagements with fast-moving targets…
It will easily mount on a tactical carbine or a submachine gun, and the Circle Dot Reticle really sets it apart from a lot of other red dot sights and makes it ideal for CQB…
On top of that it has night vision compatible brightness settings, which differentiates it from the EXPS2, and it’s a Holographic sight which means the lens is extremely large, clear, and gives you a wide field of view…
Main Benefits Of The Eotech EXPS3…
Here are a few of the benefits and features that you get with the Eotech EXPS3…
- Circle Dot Reticle: Eotechs are famous for their Circle Dot Reticles, and the most effective one for CQB is the large 68 MOA ring surrounding the precise 1 MOA dot in the center. This is a very fast reticle to use because that large 68 MOA ring helps you shoot with blazing speed at CQB distances, but you still have a precise 1 MOA dot to make your shot when accuracy is required.
- Night Vision Compatible: You can use the EXPS3 at night with the use of Night Vision equipment.
- Large Sight Window: You can easily aim with two eyes open, which helps you have fast and accurate target acquisition.
- Multiple Brightness Settings: These allow you to set the reticle brightness to the perfect level no matter the lighting conditions that you’re shooting in.
- Water Resistant: It is water resistant in up to 33 feet of water and can easily handle rainy or wet conditions.
- Solid Battery Life: This optic has a long battery life of up to 1000 hours at normal settings.
Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Eotech EXPS3:
3. Trijicon MRO 1x25mm 2 MOA Reticle
Next on this list of amazing CQB optics is the Trijicon MRO. This red dot sight is perfect for carbines, rifles, and submachine guns, and it can also be easily used on shotguns…
It is a reflex-style sealed sight that offers you fast target acquisition, and rock-solid durability and reliability…
The brightness control dial is specifically made to be easy to use and has eight distint brightness settings…
It’s greatest feature is probably the large Objective lens that it sports, which is designed to give you a wide field of view and allow you to aim and shoot extremely quickly…
Main Benefits The Of Trijicon MRO…
Below are some of the many benefits of going with the Trijicon MRO…
- 25mm Objective Lens: This large obective lens gives you a huge field of view when you’re aiming through the sight. This allows you to see more, and acquire your targets extremely fast.
- Compact Size: The Trijicon MRO is a micro red dot sight. It’s small and lightweight which keeps your carbine handy and fast into action, but the large field of view that you get gives it an advantage over other micro red dot sights.
- Water Resistant: It is fully sealed so it can withstand adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, mud, sand, etc., and it’s rated to be waterproof in up to 30 meters ( 98 feet) of water.
- Large Viewing Area: Aside from giving you a wide field of view, the large Objective lens is designed to reduce ‘tube effect’ and give you greater situational awareness (to know what’s going on around you and your target).
- Ultra Long Battery Life: The MRO has extremely long battery life of around 5 years, which means you can leave the sight on at all times, and not worry about draining the battery.
- Multi-coated Lenses: The Multi-coated lenses give you greater contrast when looking through the optic and improve their durability.
- Crisp 2 MOA Reticle: As I’ve said before, 2 MOA is a great size for the dot because it is easy to acquire and precise at the same time.
- Multiple Brightness Settings: The MRO features 8 brightness settings with 2 NV settings, which allows you to set the reticle to the perfect brightness setting or use it at night with NV equipment.
Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Trijicon MRO:
4. Aimpoint PRO (Patrol Rifle Optic)
Number 4 on the list is the Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic. This red dot sight was specifically designed to aid law enforcement under the daily tough and rigorous conditions they face…
It can be used on rifles and carbines and is built with Aimpoint quality to be extremely rugged…
It also comes with a mount that you can adjust to the perfect height and is a more affordable option than the Aimpoint Micro T2…
Main Benefits Of The Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic…
Here are some of the benefits and features of the Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic:
- Extremely Rugged: The Aimpoint PRO was designed for law enforcement use, and because of that, it is built to handle to the toughest conditions and still keep on working for you.
- Water Resistance: The Aimpoint PRO is waterproof in up to 150 feet of water, and can easily handle rainy, wet, or snowy conditions.
- Included Mount: This optic comes with an adjustable mount (so you won’t have to spend extra money to mount it). On top of that, the included mount has removable spacers so it can be used on a wide variety of rifles and carbines.
- Crisp 2 MOA Dot Reticle: Again, a great size to help you shoot fast and accurately.
- Multiple Brightness Settings: This optic comes with 10 brightness settings including an extra bright setting and NV settings.
- Ultra Long Battery Life: The Aimpoint Pro has a long battery life of around 30,000 hour. So, again, it can be left on and ready to go at all times without the need to worry about the battery dying on you.
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5. Sig Sauer Romeo5 (Best budget Option)
The Sig Sauer Romeo5 is my budget pick if you’re looking for an affordable CQB optic…
These red dot sights are tough, reliable, and loaded with some pretty useful features considering their affordable price point…
They’re built to a pretty high standard, and they also have really long battery life. They also feature the same footprint as the Aimpoint Micro T2…
So even though they come with a high and a low mount, there are a number of ways to easily mount it onto your rifle or carbine…
Main Benefits Of The Sig Sauer Romeo5…
Here are some of the benefits and features that make this budget option a true gem in the world of red dot optics…
- Ultra Long Battery Life: This sight gives you around 40,000 hours of battery life. So, like many of the other more costly options, it’s not likely to die on you at the wrong time, especially if you change out the battery once every year.
- Water Resistant: The Romeo5 is waterproof in up to 1 meter of water, and can easily handle being used in rainy or snowy weather.
- Motion-Activated Illumination (MOTAC): This sight features Sig’s MOTAC (Motion-Activated Illumination) technology. This means that the sight will automatically turn off when it’s not in use and automatically turn on as soon as it senses motion. This is a great feature that will save you battery life.
- Included High Mount And Low Mount: This sight comes with a high mount for use with an AR-15, and a low mount for use with other weapon systems. The included mount is a great addition because it means you won’t have to go out and buy another part just to get your optic mounted on your carbine.
- Affordable Price: As I said, this is my budget pick, but I think you get a ton of value considering the price that you pay.
Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Sig Sauer Romeo5: