Optics - Forgotten Weapons

The First Red Dot Sights: Aimpoint Electronic, MkIII, and Aimpoint 1000

January 17, 2026 Ian McCollum 6

Today we are looking at the first commercial red dot optic, and its successors. In 1975, Aimpoint released the Aimpoint Electronic, a collimating optic using an LED as a light source. It was intended for […]

How Red Dot Sights Work (What is a Collimator?)

January 16, 2026 Ian McCollum 18

A whole lot of people have used red dot sights, but how many actually understand how they work? Let’s see if we can fix that today…

Optic and Reticle Choices (featuring Mike Branson)

March 14, 2025 Ian McCollum 6

I’m speaking with Mike Branson of Gideon Optics at SHOT Show 2025, and today the topic is scope and reticle choice. What is good, what is bad, and what is best for you?

Red Dots: How Cheap is too Cheap? (featuring Mike Branson)

February 7, 2025 Ian McCollum 2

I met up with Mike Branson of Gideon Optics at SHOT Show 2025. Today, we are talking about red dot price and quality. It’s easy to get a good red dot if you are willing […]

Primary Arms’ HTX-1: A Completely US-Made Red Dot Sight

February 1, 2025 Ian McCollum 2

Primary Arms just recently announced their HTX-1 red dot, and it sounds pretty cool. From a technical perspective, it has a lot of good points – a clever adapter plate mounting system, two different reticles, […]

Aimpoint’s New COA: Clever Optics Advancement

January 14, 2025 Ian McCollum 28

Let me first mention something that I didn’t cover in the video: what does “COA” stand for? Well, nothing. They just wanted a name that they could trademark that wasn’t already in use. So go […]

New Reproduction Colt 4x AR-15 Scope by Brownells

May 26, 2024 Ian McCollum 7

In the 1970s and 80s, Colt offered a 4×20 fixed power scope for its commercial AR (the SP-1). These replaced the earlier 3x scopes, and were designed to fit directly to the rifle’s carry handle. […]

The Truth Behind the One Chinese Red Dot Factory

May 19, 2024 Ian McCollum 13

At SHOT Show this year Ian took some time to speak with Mike Branson of Gideon Optics (formerly of Primary Arms and Swampfox). Mike’s a friend and a true optics nerd, and I figured he […]

Fundamentals of LPVOs: Cheap vs Expensive

April 7, 2024 Ian McCollum 2

At SHOT Show this year I took some time to speak with Mike Branson of Gideon Optics (formerly of Primary Arms and Swampfox). Mike’s a friend and a true optics nerd, and I figured he […]

Intro to Prism Scopes: What are they Anyway?

March 24, 2024 Ian McCollum 4

At SHOT Show this year I took some time to speak with Mike Branson of Gideon Optics (formerly of Primary ands and Swampfox). Mike’s a friend and a true optics nerd, and I figured he […]