By Travis Pike

When it comes to selecting AR 15 optics, or really any rifle optics, you have hundreds of options. It can be easy to get sucked into one idea or the other. At the end of the day its all about compromises. Will you compromise longer range performance for CQB dominance? Will you sacrifice CQB for range? The AR 15 does excel well in a variety of different roles and even your standard 16-inch AR can hit a target out to 500 yards. My favorite compromise is a 4 power fixed scope like the Trijicon ACOG, or the more modern Browe Tactical Optic. I find these scopes to be the best AR 15 scope of both worlds for both CQB and long range shooting.

Without a doubt, a 4X scope will let you reach out and touch a man-sized target at that 500-yard range. A 4X scope is a bit more versatile than that though.

When I suggest a fixed 4x scope I will surely get a response around the lines of “How do you use this optic in close quarters?” If I’m fighting inside a room, or shooting a target at 10 yards what do I do? That’s when we get on the subject of the Bindon Aiming Concept.

This is something I learned during my time as an infantry Marine. I spent five years as a grunt and was issued a variety of weapons. Every Marine has a rifle, regardless of their role and every Marine is supposed to be well-trained on a rifle. Marine rifles are equipped with the Trijicon ACOG, a fixed 4 power optic. We fight in every clime and place so the Marine Corps certainly had a technique for close quarters shooting with an ACOG. A technique we used extensively when training.

What Is It?

The Bindon Aiming Concept is named after Glyn Bindon, its inventor and the founder of Trijicon. The technique’s primary rule is to keep both eyes opened.

You see the target at close range, keeping both eyes opened you raise the scope to your eye and maintain focus on the target. When you are in bad breath range of a bad guy it’s not too hard to keep the focus on him.

The illuminated reticle of your optic will be floating in front of you, it will look odd, but it will be there. If you keep focussing on the target and do not concentrate into the optic, you will be successful in using the Bindon Aiming Concept. There are two different ways to use the BAC, and they both work at different ranges.

At Room To Room Distance

Once that red reticle is on the target, you pull that trigger until you achieve your desired results. This technique is for instinctive shooting when speed is more important than accuracy. You want to try and place the red dot on the upper torso of the target.

Beyond Room To Room Distance

When it comes to close ranges that are beyond inside a room you still use the Bindon Aiming Concept. This is for shooting from 25 yards out to 200 yards or so. You follow some of the same rules. You bring the gun into your shoulder, keep focused on the target, but see the red chevron and place it on the target. This keeps you shooting fast, but allows you to be precise and score solid hits on target.

Additionally, if you are engaging a target at 25 yards and a secondary threat presents itself at a longer range you can then focus into the optic and take that shot effortlessly.

Does It Work?

Yes, yes, and yes it does. I’ve been using the Bindon Aiming Concept for years now, in and out of the Marine Corps. At close range, the Bindon Aiming Concept is incredibly useful. While speed matters, precision is still essential. Using this method with a fixed four power optic is an effective means to score effective hits on an enemy.

In several stages of training in the Marines, we shoot “Tables.” Table 1 is fundamentals and long-range marksmanship. Tables 2, 3, and 4 are all focused on close range shooting. During these “Tables” we have a standard focused on chest, pelvic, and headshots. The BAC allowed placing those rounds where they needed to be.

Instead of talking about it, how about I show you? I am using a 4×32 Browe Tactical Optic on my SIG rifle. This target is the Modern Warrior T1 target with head, pelvis, and chest areas well defined. So let’s see what I can do.

Bindon Aiming Concept – Chest

Bindon Aiming Concept – Pelvis

Downsides

Nothing is perfect, and the Bindon Aiming Concept does have some flaws. Will the Bindon Aiming Concept and a 4X scope be as effective and easy to use as a red dot at close range?

No, it will not, this is true. Will it be combat effective? Without a doubt, it’s a combat effective technique. If you are about to go to clear rooms and you can choose an optic, take a red dot. If you are going to fight in a versatile environment, take a versatile optic. A 4X optic with an illuminated reticle is a versatile optic for an asymmetric situation.

It does take some practice and training to learn, and you have to keep the habit and skill sharp. It’s very easy to fall out of practice, and then this leads to forgetting to focus on the target and falling into the optic.

Proven In Hell

The Marines proved over and over that the ACOG in an invaluable tool. From the street to street fighting of Fallujah to the open fields of Afghanistan the 4X optic is a powerhouse. In the civilian world, it’s still at home for hunting and competition use.

The BAC technique is just as useful in a hunting and dynamic shooting competition environment. If you’ve ever gone through a 3-Gun stage, you know the targets on the rifle course are at a variety of ranges. Targets can be 10 foot away or a 100 foot away, a 4X optic and the BAC allow this to be an excellent all around optic. For hunters, the 4X optic gives you that moderate range power and the BAC gives you an option for that under the tree stand type range.

Just remember to get out there and practice. That shouldn’t be too hard, who doesn’t need a little more range time in their life?

Thanks to Travis for this post. Click here to see his article on Best Rifle Scope: Choosing, Mounting, Sighting, Maintaining Optics – The Definitive Guide

Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine gunner who served with 2nd Bn 2nd Marines for 5 years. He deployed in 2009 to Afghanistan and again in 2011 with the 22nd MEU(SOC) during a record setting 11 months at sea. He’s trained with the Romanian Army, the Spanish Marines, the Emirate Marines and the Afghan National Army. He serves as an NRA certified pistol instructor and teaches concealed carry classes. You can find more articles from him on IOutdoorPursuit.com