Josh,I am 45 also.My eyes are not what they used to be.I had a TA 31 ACOG when i deployed to Iraq in 04 05 time period.I zeroed stateside with m855 ball.When i arrived in Kuwait we confirmed zero.It was still on with different lot of ammo.I carried and fired the rifle frequently for a year in country.It never lost zero.I still have an m4 i built on an A1 upper iron sight only.I use it as a truck gun of sorts.I can still hit 8 in steel plates to 200 about every shot and 300 most of the time.I can scare the shit out of the target at 400.Like i said eyes are starting to fail.My m4 with a TA 01 nsn ACOG is my go to rifle.The 8 in steel at 400 dont stand a chance.What ever works for you is what i would go with.I make my 19 yr old son shoot with irons sometime to keep his skills sharp.He is suprised how well irons shoot.He has good eyes.Needless to say i think Acogs are some of the best sights made.They are just high.Richard
After I got done hanging every bell and whistle on my heavy-barreled Rock River Arms carbine, I could barely manipulated it with one hand. And when I attended a carbine class and saw the rapid manipulation and clearance drills that were necessary, I realized that Rock River Arms wasn't going to cut it. It's fine as entry entry weapon for which it was set up . . . with the EOTech, heavy barrel, the forward grip, and the flashlight. but it's not very wieldy as carbines go.
My favorite AR is my simplest AR. It is a 14.5 inch (pinned and welded flash hider) Noveski upper on a Yankee Hill lower. It has a Midwest industries free float rail and an Aimpoint comp M3 in a Larue QD Mount. It cowitnesses iron sights. So if the optic fails, or if I just don't have time to turn it on, I can always go straight to irons.
But iron sights are getting harder and harder to use as I get older. I can see them fine on my M1A, but on a short carbine they are too close to focus. And even if not for that, they are pretty useless at night.
It depends on the situation. I left my first AR KISS. Fixed a2 hbar. I was always a believer in the KISS concept. Fast forward to putting together my patrol rifle....
I like irons, but they are useless at night. An optic with illumination is a must. Same for a flashlight. I can't tell you how many time I've been on containment in a backyard that is pitch black. I absolutely cannot imagine having a patrol weapon without a light. You have to be able to identify your target and know where that round is going. I put a grip pod on it because most of the time I use my AR it's from a PRO position on containment. I don't like vertical foregrips but after a few hours the bipod is nice. I really like a clean AR but a light and an optic are essential if you might use it at night.
Most important is knowing your weapon, it's strengths and limitations. I was issued an ACOG back in the day. I also qualified expert numerous times with the A2 irons.
The M16A2 still holds a fond place in my memory. Possibly why I built a semi-auto clone.
Oh, and that's not just a parade sling. It's a hell of a shooting aid.
Definitely, I have to say that I never used a sling until I got an AR and got curious and decided to hook it up and try it. And WOW! I never thought it would help that much . Like seriously, every rifle I get from now on will have a sling. Its amazing. After I figured out how to use it.....well Ill just say I cant recommend a sling enough. It is truly the most useful attachment you can put on a AR period.
JoshcBoucher personally I would not worry about all the add on stuff if you do not have any need for them. Iron sights are good, ACOG's are good too,. and I like shooting both whenever I can. So far keeping a detailed data book for my AR-15 is the best thing I've done for it.
Now I have the other add on stuff like the grip bi pod & Surefire weapon light but I rarely use them. I'm getting a Surefire suppressor and a civi IR laser and maybe a helmet mounted NV setup so I can go hog hunting at night. Other than the suppressor none of that crap is going to be mounted for a casual day plinking at the range.
I may be an odd man out but I don't care for acogs. Don't like the eye relief or the fixed power. I'd prefer a quality 1-4 or 6 scope any day. I have a Pride and Fowler CQLR on my Larue 5.56 and love it.