Interview
Optic and Reticle Choices (featuring Mike Branson)
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?
Optics
Commentary
Red Dots: How Cheap is too Cheap? (featuring Mike Branson)
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 […]
Interview
Primary Arms’ HTX-1: A Completely US-Made Red Dot Sight
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, […]
Optics
Aimpoint’s New COA: Clever Optics Advancement
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 […]
Accessories
New Reproduction Colt 4x AR-15 Scope by Brownells
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. […]
Interview
The Truth Behind the One Chinese Red Dot Factory
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 […]
Commentary
Fundamentals of LPVOs: Cheap vs Expensive
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 […]
Commentary
Intro to Prism Scopes: What are they Anyway?
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 […]
Commentary
Cheap vs Expensive Red Dots: What’s the Difference?
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 […]
Accessories
Romeo M17 Red Dot: Worth It?
In my opinion, the SIG Romeo-M17 red dot is a really good piece of gear, but substantially overpriced. This is a red dot that SIG has developed specifically for the M17 and M18 military pistols, […]