If you are not familiar with a what a Red Dot rear or magnifying scope is, then you are in good company - neither did I until a few weeks ago. You may have seen these occasionally popping up in photos of US troops in Iraq - a small telescopic sight just behind an Aimpont scope - and wondered what the heck that was all about!

 
Photo credit: STAR AIRSOFT

Well, the premise of these little magnifiers - and that's all they are, they have no cross-hair of their own - is to extend the use of the normal Red Dot from a CQB reflex sight to a short range marksman scope. Normally you would either use one or the other - a reflex scope or a telescopic scope - but by using the magnifying scope you have the best of both worlds.

"[The Red Dot scope is]... fast on target, and makes rapid multiple target engagement a snap at CQB ranges. However, what if you want to engage the enemy or hostile subject at extended range, outside the typicle distance envelope for close quarters battle (CQB)? The Aimpoint 3X Magnifier sight/3-Power Magnifier sight attaches/detaches instantly to any MILSPEC M1913 Picatinny rail flattop receiver, right behind any Aimpoint CompM2 Red Dot sight...If you have to re-engage at CQB ranges, you just twist/pivot the 3-Power/3X Magnifier sight right back off --just as fast--and you're back in business." Defence Review

Airsoft replicas

Replica versions of the X3 magnifying scopes are starting to come onto t market, and are relatively cheap to buy. There are two makes which I have been able to find on Hong Kong airsoft web sites, one made by Star Airsoft and another which appears to be a Chinese replica.

I purchased the Star version as it was - ironically - slightly cheaper than the Chinese model, although (irony upon irony) it's the Chinese replica that is a more authentic faxcimily of the real Aimpoint 3XMAG magnifying scope!

Read more about the real AImpoint X3 scope here:  AIMPOINT® 3XMAG

The Star 3 x 28 scope (pictured left) was $65 from UN Company, and the Chinese X3 is also available from them at $80 (although this does include the QD mount, which the Star doesn't have). In my case I wanted to use a 'see through' high level scope ring mount, so I could also use my iron sights.

(So far I have only found these on one UK airsoft retailer's site - andysairsoft.co.uk is selling the Chinese replica at £79.99!) 

The Star model is very good quality, it has a metal tube, nice sharp optics and comes with a set of clear dust covers. The Chinese X3 comes with a plastic flip up cover for the rear optic. 

Usefulness?

Well,  why use a X3 rear scope - isn't it just adding extra kit that could otherwise be handled by a X2+ ACOG type Red Dot?

Yes and No. The whole point of the separate magnifying scope is to allow you to benefit  to the full in both CQB and medium range situations. The Red Dot is already issued widely among US forces in Iraq, and so issuing the X3 scope, instead of unnecessarily re-equiping troops with a magnified ACOG makes a lot of financial sense.

So if you already have a AImpoint type scope the X3 magnifier is a great way to extend the versatility of your loadout.