Widely used by the U.S Military, and a very renowned and trusted manufacturer of optics and illuminated sights on the market. Trijicon is the Mercedes-Benz of firearm scopes. Not in budget for everyone, but still very desirable. Here we’ll learn more about their line of scopes and also review the best optics offered by them.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Trijicon Scopes
- OUR TOP PICK: Trijicon AccuPoint 2.5-10x56
- RUNNER-UP: Trijicon AccuPoint 5-20x50
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Trijicon AccuPoint 2.5-12.5x42mm
Comparison of the Best Trijicon Scope
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Who is Trijicon?
Trijicon is an America based company that manufactures optical devices for firearms. The company was created in 1981 by founder Glyn Bindon. He started by selling scopes from his family house and later bought a business place in Wixom, Michigan where the company is headquartered today.
All Trijicon products are designed in Michigan. Most of them are manufactured in the U.S at facilities in Wixom, Michigan, or Auburn, California. All of their component imports are made from Japan. Whereas the line of Huron®, Ascent®, Tenmile®, and Credo® riflescopes are manufactured entirely in Japan. Trijicon backs all its products by a limited lifetime warranty.
Why Are Trijicon Scopes So Popular?
Trijicon scopes are extremely popular among the masses despite their overwhelming prices. The three basic reasons for that are durability, quality, and reputation.
Trijicon scopes are as tough as hell. There have been recorded incidents where these scopes have stopped bullets and saved the lives of soldiers. You may beat it, bury it in sand or snow, dip it in water or toss it. That scope is still going to work.
Another factor is the amazing quality and clarity of the glass. Trijicon scopes use the best available lens technology for clarity and accuracy.
Finally, Trijicon scopes are widely used by the military and have a proven track record through numerous battles.
Review of the Best Trijicon Scopes
Trijicon manufactures some of the finest optics for firearms. However, buying a Trijicon scope is more of a long-term investment rather than a casual purchase. Which is why you need to be aware of the best most popular models from the company.
Best Overall:
Trijicon AccuPoint 2.5-10x56
Pros
Cons
Best Uses For the Trijicon AccuPoint 2.5-10x56
This variable power scope from Trijicon is best for low light hunting. The large 56 mm objective has exceptional light gathering capability and the tritium illuminated dot reticle helps with target acquisition. The magnifying power is limited to 10 x which also limits the effective range of this scope. However, you cannot beat it during dawn or dusk.
Other uses include close-range tactical application, plinking, and practice. This scope is especially good for hogs and coyotes who generally show up at about the very last light.
Is the Trijicon AccuPoint 2.5-10x56 Compatible With Any Rifle?
The scope is shockproof and will work with almost any semi-auto or bolt action rifle you deem fit. People have been successfully using it with AR and bolt actions like the Remington 700. It has an option for a mil-dot reticle to help with trajectory estimations. Best for a range up to 400 yards.
What Do I Need to Know About Mounting the Trijicon AccuPoint 2.5-10x56?
This scope does not come with any mount or mounting hardware. So you’ll have to find one for yourself. However, that’s not actually a challenge because the scope has a 56 mm large objective and will work ideally with high rise mounts only.
The maximum eye relief is 4.1 inches. Which is generous enough for most users and rifles. The adjustment range for turrets is 50 MOA with ¼ inch clicks.
Runner-up:
Trijicon AccuPoint 5-20x50
Pros
Cons
Best Uses For the Trijicon AccuPoint 5-20x50
This Accupoint model from Trijicon is a medium to long-range scope, perfect for shooting targets beyond 200 yards. The 40 MOA adjustment works out quite well up to 1000 - 1200 yards but may seem less on occasions for distances more than that. The illuminated reticle will work great for hogs, deer, prairie dogs, and coyotes.
The scope is available in a variety of different reticle options. So you can choose the one that suits you the best.
Is the Trijicon AccuPoint 5-20x50 Compatible With Any Rifle?
This scope is suitable for rifles that can shoot accurately up to 1200 yards. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t use it with low caliber rifles. It works best with the .30 caliber range. Bullets like .308, .300 Win Mag, and 6.5 Creedmoor are the best suited calibers for this rifle.
What Do I Need to Know About Mounting the Trijicon AccuPoint 5-20x50?
The scope comes with a sunshade that can be installed or removed as and when needed. It goes over 14 inches with the sunshade, so make sure your rifle has ample mounting space. The objective size is 50 mm so medium or high mounts will do, depending upon the kind and size of rifle you are using.
The parallax adjuster is well placed and easy to use. The turrets are exposed which may not suit the preferences of everybody. But that is not a problem at all.
Best for the Money:
Trijicon AccuPoint 2.5-12.5x42mm
Pros
Cons
Best Uses For the Trijicon AccuPoint 2.5-12.5x42mm
The APT riflescope has a maximum magnification of 12.5x which makes it suitable to reach distances up to 400 yards. The reticle is self-illuminated and works great in low light. Plus it auto-adjusts the brightness depending upon the level of ambient light. All the internals and an EMP-proof design make it a perfect scope to create a designated marksman rifle (DMR).
Other uses include low light hunting, competition, and tactical uses.
Is the Trijicon AccuPoint 2.5-12.5x42mm Compatible With Any Rifle?
This scope will work with all semi-auto and bolt action rifles regardless of the caliber. The scope is around 14 inches in length and has a maximum eye relief of 3.9 inches. The construction is shockproof to ensure proper handling of recoil.
What Do I Need to Know About Mounting the Trijicon AccuPoint 2.5-12.5x42mm?
The scope can be mounted using 30 mm scope mounting rings or a quick detach scope mount. Whatever suits you the best. It works great in low light conditions and won’t require a sunshade for broad daylight. The scope is around 22 oz. in weight, so it will add some bulk to your rifle.
The fiber optic/tritium sight absorbs light and auto-adjusts illumination. But make sure you don’t sit it right next to a very brightly illuminated power source.
Best Trijicon ACOG Scope:
Trijicon ACOG 4x32 TA31RCO
Pros
Cons
Best Uses For the Trijicon ACOG 4x32 TA31RCO
The best use for this model is Combat. That’s what it has been used for by the military for a long time now. The scope has a battery-less internal illumination that presents a super-bright reticle visible under all lighting conditions.
While combat is not an expected use in civilian life. This scope is best suited for 3-gun competitions, practice, range use, and hunting fast-moving targets at close range. Or to be clear - hogs.
Is the Trijicon ACOG 4x32 TA31RCO Compatible With Any Rifle?
The TA31RCO was specifically designed for the M16 family of rifles. While people also use it with other rifles like the AK. But given its eye-relief, the scope is best suited for semi-auto or full-auto assault rifles that offer that low eye relief when you shoulder the rifle.
What Do I Need to Know About Mounting the Trijicon ACOG 4x32 TA31RCO?
This is an A4 model and not an M4 model. There’s a difference between the two. This scope can be mounted using a simple flat-head screwdriver. As the base is ready-to-mount and works with Picatinny/Weaver rails. It has been designed to suit a 20 inch AR barrel shooting 5.56 FMJ bullets. The sight relief is low so you may want to opt for a 3.5x model if it doesn’t seem optimal.
Best Trijicon Vcog Scope:
Trijicon VCOG 1-6x24
Pros
Cons
Best Uses For the Trijicon VCOG 1-6x24
This is an all-use tactical riflescope perfect for taking short or long-range shots. The 6x magnification works great up to 500-600 yards. The constant eye relief also qualifies it as a scout scope. Other uses include 3 gun competitions (mind the weight), low light hunting, and close quarter combat. Doesn’t matter if you are a civilian hunter or law enforcement/military tactical operative. It is a versatile solution.
Is the Trijicon VCOG 1-6x24 Compatible With Any Rifle?
This scope works great with .223 and .308 calibers with a bullet weight of 55 or 69 grains. However, that doesn’t limit its use to AR rifles only. It will also suit scout rifles like the M1A or Steyr Scout due to its fixed eye relief.
What Do I Need to Know About Mounting the Trijicon VCOG 1-6x24?
The scope comes with an in-built mount. Just place it over the rail and screw using a flathead screwdriver. The reticle is battery illuminated and offers a wide field of view and good eye relief. The illumination is bright and can be adjusted with ease. So is the case with the magnification ring.
The crosshair lines may feel too fine at low magnification in some reticle options. But adjusting the brightness will definitely help to overcome that.
Best Trijicon AR 15 Scope:
Trijicon ACOG 6x48
Pros
Cons
Best Uses For the Trijicon ACOG 6x48
The field of view, reticle, and glass clarity of this scope is excellent. It was designed as a quick-acquisition scope for combat and marksmanship. Which it does flawlessly. The best uses for this scope in civilian life include bench shooting, short/long-range hunting from a stationary position. Since it has some bulk to it.
The scope has markings for quick drop estimations up to 1200 meters. So you can use it to accurately hit targets at long range.
Is the Trijicon ACOG 6x48 Compatible With Any Rifle?
The ACOG 6x48 has been exclusively designed for the M80 ball ammunition. More commonly known as 7.62x51 NATO or .308. Since the reticle markings adhere to this caliber. The scope has about 2.5 inches of eye relief and will work best with semi-auto AR-10’s and similar rifles in the same caliber.
What Do I Need to Know About Mounting the Trijicon ACOG 6x48?
The scope features an in-built TA51 mount in the base that can be mounted to any Picatinny/weaver rail and tightened using a flathead screwdriver. The top features a small Picatinny rail to attach any extra optics. But before you do that, remember that this scope is quite bulky. Additionally, the reticle markings for the drop are calibrated for meters and not yards. 1 meter is close to 1 yard. But 100 meters equals 109 yards.
Best Trijicon Thermal Scope:
Trijicon Electro Optics IR HUNTER MK3
Pros
Cons
Best Uses For the Trijicon Electro Optics IR HUNTER MK3
This is an IR based thermal scope that’ll help you sight and distinguish between targets over a long-range. The best use of this scope will be to hunt hogs, coyotes and other night roaming vermin for protection of your livestock/farm. The scope works in both day and night and can also be used as a simple observation monocular with image capture and video recording capabilities.
Is the Trijicon Electro Optics IR HUNTER MK3 Compatible With Any Rifle?
This is not a caliber specific scope. However, for best results, you must prefer using it with .223 or .308 caliber rifles. The scope can clearly distinguish between objects at a distance of 500-600 yards. It has a small eye relief of about 1 inch, so heavy caliber rifles may not be suitable, especially with glasses.
What Do I Need to Know About Mounting the Trijicon Electro Optics IR HUNTER MK3?
The scope comes with a Larue two-lever quick attach/detach scope mount for easy handling. The battery pack is on the left and the extender helps with improving the battery life of the scope. The digital menu can be accessed via small push buttons on the side.
The controls are very easy and the scope has a lot of in-built features that assist you with easy operation. The rangefinder is stadiametric and will not give away your position.
Best Trijicon Night Vision Scope:
Trijicon VCOG 1-8x28mm
Pros
Cons
Best Uses For the Trijicon VCOG 1-8x28mm
The VCOG is an upgraded version of the ACOG scopes with variable magnification and a battery illuminated reticle. Which clearly solves the over-brightness problem in broad daylight. The scope has an 8x zoom and 4 inches of eye relief to help you with scouting or hunting.
It can also be used by LEO and military personnel, including snipers. You can passively aim through NOD’s with it. Plus the 20-meter water resistance expands the scope of application.
Is the Trijicon VCOG 1-8x28mm Compatible With Any Rifle?
This scope will work best with 5.56 NATO rifles and .308 caliber rifles. The weight may not be suitable enough to use it on small caliber rifles. However, you can still use it with most rifles, SMG’s and light machine guns.
What Do I Need to Know About Mounting the Trijicon VCOG 1-8x28mm?
The scope includes an built-in thumb screw TA51 mount that attaches easily to any Picatinny or Weaver rail. The entire setup weighs around 31 oz. so stay prepared for that. The magnification ring offers smooth adjustments, and the almost constant eye relief at different zoom levels eliminates the need for any head or stock position adjustments. The liner and angular field of view are quite generous and offer a great eye box.
Types of Scopes From Trijicon
Let’s find out the different types of scopes sold by Trijicon and its outstanding features.
ACOG
Also known as the Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight. This is the most popular product from Trijicon that uses both tritium and fiber optics to project a battery-less illuminated reticle. It is used widely by the U.S Military.
Night Sights
Trijicon is also famous for its night sights such as the Trijicon HD night sights for Glock. They are a primary supplier of Tritium for most companies selling night sights on the market.
Reflex Sights
These include the famous Trijicon RMR, SRO, and other reflex sights that are manufactured for handguns, rifles, and shotguns. Trijicon’s reflex sights are known for their durability, fast acquisition, and amazingly clear sight pictures. There’s a reason why they are trusted by the Military and Law Enforcement.
Riflescopes
Trijicon also manufactures low, medium, and high power rifle scopes. One of their famous scopes is the Trijicon accupoint that is trusted by competitive precision shooters for it’s tracking, quick adjustments, and clarity at long range.
Comparison Overview
Let’s compare Trijicon with some other more prominent and popular brands of optics to give you an idea of what you’ll be spending our money at.
Truglo vs. Trijicon
Truglo is renowned for making fiber optic sights, whereas Trijicon has its fame for tritium based sights. Truglo products are good for what they are on a budget. However, Trijicon is a top of the line brand with more ‘proven’ products and an exorbitantly high price compared to Truglo.
Ameriglo vs. Trijicon
Both Ameriglo and Trijicon are suppliers for the U.S Military. However, after Trijicon acquired Ameriglo in 2018, it’s all the same on the backend. However, Ameriglo sights are far cheaper. Trijicon sights have sharp edges so some people do not prefer them for handling reasons.
Eotech vs. Trijicon
As for the above pair, EOtech and Trijicon sights are used by the military. While Trijicon has its ACOG, EOtech is known for its 553 holographic sights. The latter excels when reflex sights are concerned.
Vortex vs. Trijicon
Vortex and Trijicon scopes differ in terms of quality. It’s not that Vortex scopes are not up to the mark. But you can still feel the difference in scope clarity, durability, and overall experience.
Trijicon vs. Leupold
Trijicons use a no-battery illuminated reticle and offer better tracking. Leupold on the other hand is known for its durable and affordable scopes suitable for the average hunter.
Conclusion
Trijicon manufactures top of the line scopes and some of their models are extensively used by the U.S Military. They offer scopes with exceptional build and performance quality. Although their scopes are far from being affordable for the average Joe, the quality and results you get are unmatchable.
People Also Ask
Trijicon is an interesting company to talk about. Their reputation precedes them, and so does a lot of questions about their products and procedures. Let’s understand them in detail.
Are Trijicon Scopes Worth the Money?
Absolutely. Trijicon scopes are widely renowned and appreciated for their performance. There’s a reason why the military uses them for combat. Some specific models like the thermal scope and VCOG exceed your expectations in terms of performance.
Why Are Trijicon ACOGs so Expensive?
The reason why ACOGs are so expensive is that they are tough as a rock and the epitome of excellence in terms of quality. The adjustments are durable and the reticle is clear and intuitive. ACOGs cannot be beaten in quality and reliability.
How Long Will a Trijicon ACOG Last?
Scientifically speaking, the half-life of tritium is 12 years. That is when tritium will be half as bright as its original state. ACOGs remains perfectly usable for about 15 - 20 years. Some even go up to 22. However, the tritium can be changed if it decays or needs to be replaced.
How to Tell if Trijicon ACOG is Real
As recommended by Trijicon. Every ACOG will be marked with the serial number on the top of the scope, both on the eyepiece and the main housing. ACOGs have a statement on the left side of the unit mentioning that it contains tritium. Plus the words “Trijicon ACOG" are forged as raised letters on the main housing.
How Long Do Trijicon Night Sights Last?
Trijicon night sights are warranted for tritium to last for at least 12 years. Which is its half-life by the way.
But pertaining to realistic expectations, Trijicon night sights will last for at least five to six years in the worst of cases.
Will Trijicon Replace Tritium in ACOG?
Yes. Trijicon will change the tritium in your ACOG and will charge you an amount of at least $150. Additionally, you may check if the product’s date of purchase to know if it’s still under warranty. Since you’ll then get it done for free. It is warranted for 15 years on fiber optics scopes and 10 years on non-fiber optic scopes.
Is the ACOG Outdated?
The ACOG is going nowhere out-of-use anytime soon. It’s comparable to an AK-47 that never gets old. Unless you respect its limitations and use it for the right purpose. There are more advanced scopes than the ACOG due to technology advancements. But it still has its place.
Do Trijicon Night Sights Fade?
All night sights fade. Since they use tritium for illumination and tritium decays over time. Tritium will be half as bright in 12 years. Most night sights start losing their brightness after five to six years of use.
Does Trijicon Own Ameriglo?
Yes. In a deal closed on Jun 28, 2018, Trijicon acquired the famous brand Ameriglo as a stand-alone brand. Ameriglo was already a renowned manufacturer of optics and a supplier for the U.S military.
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