A sight magnifier is an

optical telescope An optical telescope gathers and focus (optics), focuses light mainly from the visible spectrum, visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum, to create a magnification, magnified image for direct visual inspection, to make a photograph, or to co ...

that can be paired with a non-magnifying optical sight on a weapon to create a

telescopic sight A telescopic sight, commonly called a scope informally, is an optical sighting device based on a refracting telescope. It is equipped with some form of a referencing pattern – known as a ''reticle'' – mounted in a focally appropriate p ...

. They work with the parallel collimated

reticle A reticle or reticule, also known as a graticule or crosshair, is a pattern of fine lines or markings built into the eyepiece of an optical device such as a telescopic sight, spotting scope, theodolite, optical microscope or the electronic v ...

image produced by

red dot sight A red dot sight is a common classification for a non- magnifying reflector (or reflex) sight that provides an illuminated red dot to the user as a point of aim. A standard design uses a red light-emitting diode (LED) at the focus of collimati ...

s and

holographic weapon sight A holographic weapon sight or holographic diffraction sight is a non-magnification, magnifying gunsight that allows the user to look through a glass optical window and see a holographic reticle image superimposed at a distance on the field of view. ...

s. They may synonymously be referred to as a red dot magnifier, reflex sight magnifier, holographic sight magnifier, or flip to side magnifiers.

Description

Sight magnifiers are optical telescopes that provide increased magnification to a shooter's view when they are engaged. They are commonly mounted behind red dot and holographic sights that produce a collimated reticle image. Most have mounts which allow them to flip to the side when not in use, though immobile mounts exist as well. This allows the user to switch between a non-magnified image and a telescopic magnified view for more distant targets. Magnifiers typically are 3× telescopes but can range from 2–6× or more. They are used by

police The police are Law enforcement organization, a constituted body of Law enforcement officer, people empowered by a State (polity), state with the aim of Law enforcement, enforcing the law and protecting the Public order policing, public order ...

and

special operations forces Special forces or special operations forces (SOF) are military units trained to conduct special operations. NATO has defined special operations as "military activities conducted by specially designated, organized, selected, trained and equip ...

who may use the non-magnified optic for

close-quarters combat Close-quarters battle (CQB), also called close-quarters combat (CQC), is a close combat situation between multiple combatants involving ranged (typically firearm-based) or melee combat. It can occur between military units, law enforcement and Cr ...

and utilize the magnifier to engage farther targets. Hunters may also use them as the increased magnification can aid in target discrimination when prey are difficult to spot in brush or vegetation. Magnifiers offer several advantages and disadvantages compared to other firearm sights. Use of the magnifier is very quick and is easier than rotating the housing of a traditional

. However, there typically is no option to make fine increases or decreases in zoom, as one would be able to with a standard telescopic sight. Weight may become an issue as well. While the non-magnified optic and the magnifier may each be lighter than other optics, when combined with mounts a magnifier setup may be significantly heavier and/or unbalanced compared to traditional telescopic sights. When flipped to the side, the magnifier may also snag on obstacles. The same may apply to cost with the combined cost for optic, magnifier, and mounts may be greater than the cost for a variable power telescopic sight.

Use

A magnifier is mounted onto a firearm, usually on a

Picatinny rail The 1913 rail (MIL-STD-1913 rail) is an American rail integration system designed by Richard Swan that provides a mounting platform for firearm accessories. It forms part of the NATO standard STANAG 2324 rail. It was originally used for mount ...

, in line with the primary non-magnified optic. When not in use, the magnifier may be flipped to the side (usually the right) so the shooter sees through their non-magnified optic alone; when flipped in line, it will magnify the view through the non-magnified optic. This will also have the effect of magnifying the sight so the red dot or holographic reticle will appear larger as well. When flipped in, the user will also have to account for parallax and eye relief. The non-magnified optic and the magnifier is placed so that the user will have the correct amount of eye relief when looking through the magnifier.

Notes

References

External links

{{Firearms Firearm sights