In 1997, two heavily armed subjects robbed a bank in North Hollywood, California. Both suspects were wearing body armor and carrying rifles when they were confronted by LAPD officers. Ready for a confrontation with officers, they opened fire and engaged in a 44-minute gunfight that involved nearly 2,000 rounds of ammunition and resulted in injuries to 20 people, including 12 officers and eight civilians, and the deaths of both robbers. 

The heavy armor worn by the suspects rendered the law enforcement officers’ handguns and shotguns ineffective. Even though one of the suspects had been shot in the chest by a SWAT officer with a rifle, the armor plate the suspect was wearing prevented the round from penetrating. Other officers on scene were able to obtain additional rifles and ammunition from a local gun shop, helping to even the odds. Eventually, one suspect died because of blood loss, and the other one committed suicide instead of being taken into custody.

Following this incident, police officers nationwide began to trade in their shotguns for patrol rifles. Prior to this, even most SWAT teams were equipped with weapons that fired pistol cartridges, such as the Heckler & Koch MP5. But the prospect of facing armed suspects wearing body armor became a game-changer.

When an officer can use an optic to get a closer look, they can make better threat assessment decisions.

LPVOs in law enforcement

The use of magnified optics on rifles is nothing new. They’ve been used effectively by hunters for decades. Military and law enforcement snipers have made great use of magnified optics, but it wasn’t until the mid-1990s that the need for magnification for regular infantry use was realized. It started with magnifiers and then quickly turned to fixed-power optics like the Trijicon ACOG. In 2002, the U.S. military saw a need to equip designated marksman rifles (DMRs) with magnified optics. Coupled with the rise in popularity of three-gun competition, a race between optic manufacturers ensued, which has led to the current crop of outstanding low-powered variable optics (LPVOs).

Duty-quality LPVOs are built tough and durable. These rugged optics are waterproof, fog-resistant and shock-resistant. Even with hard use and abuse, when paired with a quality mount, they hold their zero.

LPVOs are becoming an increasingly popular choice for police officers because they offer a versatile mix of speed, precision and adaptability. Whether in an urban or rural environment, LPVOs are suitable for very close to intermediate distances. At 1x magnification, an LPVO works like a red-dot sight for fast target acquisition. But with a simple turn, officers can quickly switch to higher magnification for a better view or longer, more precise shots.

Just to make sure there’s no misunderstanding, LPVOs on a rifle don’t turn the user into a sniper. The real advantage lies in their ability to help officers make better decisions. When an officer can use an optic to get a closer look, they can make better threat assessment decisions. For instance, magnification can help distinguish between a weapon and a phone. LPVOs can also be useful for surveillance or overwatch roles where spotting and identifying potential threats matters just as much as engaging them. While it’s true that LPVOs can help officers make better hits on target, the fact is, the main advantage is that better decisions based on better information make life better for everyone.

Comparing optics

In 2014, I started carrying a 1-6X LPVO on my patrol rifle at a time when most of the optics riding atop rifles consisted of red dots or fixed-magnification units from an array of manufacturers, and this is still true today. There’s nothing wrong with red-dot or fixed-magnification optics, and there’s nothing wrong with using a magnifier. The big advantage of using an LPVO over those other options is the user has the best of everything in one package.

LPVOs provide the ultimate in flexibility and overall usability. At 1x, they are nearly as fast and simple to use as a reflex-style red dot. I say nearly as fast because LPVOs have a slightly tighter eye box and less forgiving eye relief compared to red dots even at 1x. This is easily overcome with familiarity and training, whereas no amount of training provides the magnification advantage of an LPVO.

LPVOs offer a wide range of reticles for users to choose from depending on operational needs or preferences. There are simple dots or circles, which can reduce the training needed to make the switch to an LPVO. Additionally, there are a variety of ranging reticles, or bullet drop compensating (BDC) reticles, that factor in caliber and distance. Most have a glass-etched reticle that can be illuminated based on light conditions or the operator’s choice. This gives the LPVO an advantage because using the aiming point effectively isn’t dependent on batteries.

LPVO reticles also account for parallax and magnification adjustments. For example, at 1x, many LPVOs have simple dot/circle aiming points, but when the magnification is dialed up, their BDC reticles become visible. Without going too much into the details and mechanics of first and second focal plane optic choices, LPVOs can provide different aiming options and different magnifications. Compared to a magnifier that simply magnifies the size of the existing reticle, an LPVO gives the user a more usable aiming point under a variety of conditions.

Lastly, too many officers fail to properly align the magnifier behind their red-dot optics, causing parallax issues that affect the point of aim/point of impact. Parallax is the apparent shift of the reticle relative to the target when you change positions. At 1x, this isn’t really a big concern, but at longer distances, if the magnifier and red dot optic aren’t properly aligned, it will affect the point of impact. A magnifier and a red dot optic must be a married pair. Magnifiers and red dots are not interchangeable without a shift in zero. 

Compared to a red dot with a separate magnifier, an LPVO is less awkward and cumbersome. Magnifiers can be flipped to the side, allowing users to see their red dot unimpeded. But when it is flipped to the side, magnifiers are known to get in the way and hang up on things like slings and ballistic vests. The fact that there’s yet another item to manipulate and deal with can overcomplicate things for the user. Is it a big deal? Absolutely not, but some people would simply rather choose not to have to deal with a magnifier that can flip back and forth.

The downside

There are some drawbacks to LPVOs that can’t be ignored. One downside is weight. LPVOs
simply weigh more than a red dot or fixed-magnification optic. Depending on the optic and mount, an LPVO can weigh a half-pound more than a red dot and magnifier. That doesn’t seem like a huge difference, but the longer you carry the rifle around, the more you will notice that extra weight. Sure, you can go lighter by choosing a lighter mount and optic, but that takes us right to the other disadvantage of LPVOs.

Probably the biggest obstacle to fielding an LPVO is cost. If you want a lightweight but durable optic and mount combination, it’s going to cost you. A duty-quality LPVO and mount is going to start around $2,500 and go up from there. Compared to a red dot and magnifier combination priced around $1,100, the price can definitely be a hurdle for a lot of officers and departments. This is not an issue that is easily overcome.

The next evolution

If weight and cost don’t cause you to shy away from LPVOs, then welcome to the next evolution of the patrol rifle. LPVOs can boost the capabilities of every officer who carries one by offering true 1x flexibility in close quarters and magnification for better threat assessment at a distance. LPVOs don’t turn patrol officers into snipers. The most important part of any tactical deployment is good decision-making, and LPVOs give officers the tools they need to be better at every turn.