E. O. Tech sight on FAL

Idaho 45 Vaquero · September 12, 2016, 03:36 PM

Howdy All,

I found a new E.O. Tech 512 sight available for quite a bit under the normal retail price. I don't really know anything specific about electronic or red dot sights or how they work.

The only gun I could use a sight on is a .308 FAL. I tried mounting a fullsize 4x scope on my FAL only to learn that my rifle isn't very accurate (5 inches at 100yds.) and hits just about as well with open sights. I'm now thinking that an electronic sight of some sort might be just the thing. I will still keep my iron sights on my FAL as backup.

Questions:
Is E.O. Tech 512 sights strong enough and reliable for the recoil of a 7.62x51mm?
How far forward do I have to mount it? It seems everybody puts them just over the magazine on their AR's. The reason I ask, is will it get in the way of my carry-handle?
What range are they still useful at? I'll be mainly shooting under 200yds. If I shoot farther than 200yd. it would only be if somebody was shooting at me; lob a few rounds around at them to let them know I'm ticked off.

Old Bill Dibble · September 12, 2016, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Is E.O. Tech 512 sights strong enough and reliable for the recoil of a 7.62x51mm?

Absolutely.

Quote:

How far forward do I have to mount it? It seems everybody puts them just over the magazine on their AR's. The reason I ask, is will it get in the way of my carry-handle?

Depends upon what you want. I mostly mount an RDS forward to reduce the size of the dot. At 1" the circle will be 65" and the dot 1" at 100 yards. Move the scope forward and it reduces proportionally.

Quote:

What range are they still useful at? I'll be mainly shooting under 200yds. If I shoot farther than 200yd. it would only be if somebody was shooting at me; lob a few rounds around at them to let them know I'm ticked off.

Interesting philosophy. It is more than adequate for 200 yards.

Fishbed77 · September 13, 2016, 03:31 PM

The first question I'd ask myself is whether that EOtech 512 you found is still less expensive than an Aimpoint PRO, because, in my experience, the PRO is better in every respect (unless you are really married to the EOtech reticle).

Venom1956 · September 13, 2016, 07:56 PM

Also make sure it's actually a real eotech. There are tons of knockoffs and replicas. I don't mean to offend but I just thought I'd point that out.

snolden · September 13, 2016, 10:24 PM

I ran an Eotech 552 for several years and 1000's of rounds on my FAL with no problems. It is on an AR15 now.

Strangely enough, I took it off in order to mount a 1-4 scope on mine because they have all been accurate to 600+ yards. I average 2-3 MOA with the right surplus or ZQI. With hand loads I have no issue with 1.5-2.5 MOA.

I recommend new ammo or a barrel change. I also had one FAL that simply needed to be recrowned in order to bring the accuracy back.

odugrad · September 14, 2016, 07:55 AM

I'm with Fishbed. If you can, I'd get an Aimpoint.

I'm surprised people are still considering EOTech with all their recent issues.

Get the Aimpoint and don't look back.

Destructo6 · September 14, 2016, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Depends upon what you want. I mostly mount an RDS forward to reduce the size of the dot. At 1" the circle will be 65" and the dot 1" at 100 yards. Move the scope forward and it reduces proportionally.

That is not true with an EoTech. The dot and ring are the same size, in relation to the target, regardless of how close/far it is from your eye. It will fill more of your sight's glass the further you move it forward, but it will be the same size on your target. The power of a hologram.

I'd think the EoTech would sit rather high, mounted on a FAL's dust cover.

snolden · September 15, 2016, 09:27 PM

The eotech sits high, but I pushed mine all the way out so half sat over the handguards and it worked well with a normal cheekweld.

chicharrones · September 15, 2016, 10:11 PM

My EOTech experience is the same as yours Destructo.

September 12, 2016, 03:36 PM	#1
Idaho 45 Vaquero Member Join Date: March 15, 2015 Location: Idaho, nothing but sagebrush Posts: 96	E. O. Tech sight on FAL Howdy All, I found a new E.O. Tech 512 sight available for quite a bit under the normal retail price. I don't really know anything specific about electronic or red dot sights or how they work. The only gun I could use a sight on is a .308 FAL. I tried mounting a fullsize 4x scope on my FAL only to learn that my rifle isn't very accurate (5 inches at 100yds.) and hits just about as well with open sights. I'm now thinking that an electronic sight of some sort might be just the thing. I will still keep my iron sights on my FAL as backup. Questions: Is E.O. Tech 512 sights strong enough and reliable for the recoil of a 7.62x51mm? How far forward do I have to mount it? It seems everybody puts them just over the magazine on their AR's. The reason I ask, is will it get in the way of my carry-handle? What range are they still useful at? I'll be mainly shooting under 200yds. If I shoot farther than 200yd. it would only be if somebody was shooting at me; lob a few rounds around at them to let them know I'm ticked off.

September 13, 2016, 07:56 PM	#4
Venom1956 Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2008 Location: WI Posts: 3,656	Also make sure it's actually a real eotech. There are tons of knockoffs and replicas. I don't mean to offend but I just thought I'd point that out. __________________ E-Shock rounds are engineered to expend maximum energy into soft targets, turning the density mass into an expanding rotational cone of NyTrilium matrix particles, causing neurological collapse to the central nervous system.- Yeah I can do that. I guarantee you will know it if a bicyclist hits your house going 1000 mph. -Smaug

September 13, 2016, 03:31 PM	#3
Fishbed77 Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Posts: 4,862	The first question I'd ask myself is whether that EOtech 512 you found is still less expensive than an Aimpoint PRO, because, in my experience, the PRO is better in every respect (unless you are really married to the EOtech reticle).

September 13, 2016, 10:24 PM	#5
snolden Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2006 Location: N. E. AZ Posts: 387	I ran an Eotech 552 for several years and 1000's of rounds on my FAL with no problems. It is on an AR15 now. Strangely enough, I took it off in order to mount a 1-4 scope on mine because they have all been accurate to 600+ yards. I average 2-3 MOA with the right surplus or ZQI. With hand loads I have no issue with 1.5-2.5 MOA. I recommend new ammo or a barrel change. I also had one FAL that simply needed to be recrowned in order to bring the accuracy back.

September 14, 2016, 07:55 AM	#6
odugrad Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2013 Location: The East Coast Posts: 477	I'm with Fishbed. If you can, I'd get an Aimpoint. I'm surprised people are still considering EOTech with all their recent issues. Get the Aimpoint and don't look back.

September 15, 2016, 09:27 PM	#8
snolden Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2006 Location: N. E. AZ Posts: 387	The eotech sits high, but I pushed mine all the way out so half sat over the handguards and it worked well with a normal cheekweld.

September 15, 2016, 10:11 PM	#9
chicharrones Member Join Date: August 7, 2015 Location: Galveston Bay is an Hour Away Posts: 30	My EOTech experience is the same as yours Destructo.