Trijicon VCOG 1-6x24mm Scope

The Trijicon 1-6x24mm VCOG was introduced a full year before this year’s flood of similar optics.

With the incredible outpouring of 1-6x24mm rifle scopes at SHOT Show this year, I thought it would be a good time to take a look back at the [easyazon_link identifier=”B00GXEID2O” locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]Trijicon VCOG[/easyazon_link], 1-6x24mm rifle scope. Trijicon beat the rush, and introduced their VCOG at the 2014 SHOT Show, a full year before this year’s offerings.

Trijicon has almost become synonymous with high quality AR-15 rifle optics with their prolific [easyazon_link identifier=”B000NJZ9FO” locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]ACOG[/easyazon_link] used for years by the U.S. Military in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. According to Trijicon, they wanted to combine the toughness and function of the combat-proven ACOG, into a new style of variable optic. The [easyazon_link identifier=”B00GXEIDUG” locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]Trijicon VCOG[/easyazon_link] (Variable Combat Optical Gunsight) is the result of that effort, offering the now very popular option of 1-6x24mm in a variable power rifle optic.

Law enforcement has quickly adapted to magnified reflex scopes to provide a much greater diversity in shot options.

American-Made Machined Aluminum

The [easyazon_link identifier=”B00GXEIGG2″ locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]Trijicon VCOG[/easyazon_link] was designed and built-in the USA, something that many competitors cannot claim. Machined from 7075-T6 aluminum forgings, the same material used in the construction of many AR-15 rifles, the VCOG is finished off with a [easyazon_link identifier=”B00TR2R7A8″ locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]Mil-Spec[/easyazon_link] hard-hat anodized coating. Trijicon advertises that the VCOG will meet all the rigorous demands of duty, hunting, or competition shooting, and with their proven ACOG it is highly likely that claim will ring true.

The Trijicon VCOG in military applications.

The VCOG has an integral mount to securely attach the optic to any [easyazon_link identifier=”B00LGK5TNG” locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]M1913 Picatinny rail[/easyazon_link], with a height designed for flat top AR-platfrom rifles. Two slotted screws secure the optic to the rail. Unlike longer magnification scopes, the VCOG (just 10.05″ long) leaves officers or civilian shooters plenty of space in front of the objective for night vision or thermal optics.

The VCOG hand-screw mount option

The QD VCOG mounting option.

Reflex or Long Range Shooting

The [easyazon_link identifier=”B00GXEIEJQ” locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]Trijicon VCOG[/easyazon_link] provides shooters the flexibility to engage close-in CQB targets, like simple reflex red dot sights, but also out to the maximum range of most service rifles (around 500 yards for a 14.5″ barrel, or 600 yards for a 20″ barrel). For our purposes, the “maximum effective range” is centered around the range that an AR-15 .223/5.56mm bullet maintains enough velocity and accuracy to be lethal in striking a human target (Trijicon strongly markets to military end users, and also covers law enforcement users).

Reflex shooting is no problem with the illuminated VCOG reticle set at 1x power.

Reflex shooting is easy with the illuminated VCOG reticle at 1x.

The 6x magnification is really beneficial to make “point” shots on specific targets out to the maximum effective range, and is noticeably better than even a 4x magnification. The VCOG has an enlarged, knurled adjustment handle running lengthwise along the entire optic bezel making magnification adjustments incredibly easy even while the shooter stays on target, or with gloved hands.

Police officers are much more accountable for shots, and the 6x magnification of the VCOG provides a high level of confidence at longer range shots.

Police officers are much more accountable for shots. The VCOG’s 6x magnification provides a high level of confidence for longer range engagements.

In addition to the reflex and magnification sighting options, the VCOG is also equipped with [easyazon_link identifier=”B00915HTFY” locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]bullet-drop compensation/easyazon_link reticle markings for the specific caliber selected. This provides the shooter with incredibly fast aim points for 100-yard interval distances, without the need to make MOA turret adjustments. This method is by far the fastest and most effective way to engage multiple targets and various distances.

Snipers often deploy with AR-platforms and the 6x VCOG BDC reticle provides long-range precision.

A rheostat illumination control turret is located on the main tube, opposite the windage turret, and has an off position between each of the six brightness settings.

Trijicon VCOG Specifications

Length – 10.05″
Width – 2.51″
Height – 2.73″
Weight – 23.2 oz. (without mount or battery)
Objective Lens – 24mm
Magnification – 1-6x
First Focal Plane Reticle – Reticle and target increase size with higher magnifications
Eye Relief – 4.0″ Constant
Field of View (FOV) – 1x = 95.0′ and 6x = 15.9′ @ 100 yards
Zero Adjustments – 0.5 MOA per click, 90 MOA total elevation and windage range
Power Source – (1) Lithium or Alkaline AA battery
Brightness Settings – (6), off through high
Battery Life – 700 hours continuous at brightness setting 4 of 6 (@ 70-degrees)
Mounting – Thumb-screw mount, or Quick release mount (No rings needed)
Waterproof – 66.0′ (20m)
Limited Lifetime Warranty; Electronics for 5-years from date of manufacture
MSRP – $2,270.00

Superior Lenses & Reticle Options

As to be expected the [easyazon_link identifier=”B00GXEIGN0″ locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]Trijicon VCOG[/easyazon_link] uses lenses that are fully multi-coated with a broadband anti-reflective coating to maximize light transmission. At the same time the lens coatings provide military-grade abrasion resistance.

The [easyazon_link identifier=”B00GXEIDD8″ locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]Trijicon VCOG[/easyazon_link] will initially be offered with seven (7) different reticle choices. There will be (4) .223/5.56mm options, (2) .308 options, and (1) .300 BLK option. Trijicon’s strong marketing to the military is evident with the initial higher weighted 5.56mm and .308 caliber bullet options.

The Trijicon VCOG’s superior lens coatings provide outstanding visual clarity of long and short-range targets.

The 55-grain 5.56mm is a popular civilian and military round as well, but I’m disappointed that Trijicon did not offer the 62-grain 5.56mm that is popular with law enforcement agencies. Each will have the first focal plane allowing the ballistic reticle to be used at any magnification. Though not included, Trijicon does offer specially fitted [easyazon_link identifier=”B00I2T75UY” locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]Trijicon Tenebraex flip-up lens caps[/easyazon_link] for the VCOG 1-6x24mm scope.

Horseshoe/Dot

55 & 75-grain 5.56mm
175-grain .308 caliber

The famous and popular Horseshoe/Dot Trijicon reticle.

Segmented Circle

55 & 75-grain 5.56mm
175-grain .308 caliber
115-grain .300BLK.

The 5.56mm and .308 caliber Segmented Circle reticle.

The .300 BLK Segmented Circle reticle.

Trijicon has proven themselves on the battlefield, for duty use, in the hunting fields, and in competitions. The [easyazon_link identifier=”B00GXEID2O” locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]Trijicon VCOG[/easyazon_link] offers even more versatility than its famous brother the ACOG, in my opinion, with variable magnification settings instead of having to pick a specific magnification like the ACOG. With the 1-6x options, the VCOG covers nearly every AR-platform shooting situation. You may want to check out the review of the company’s new MRO also.