#StarlightScope

I went to Cabela’s to pick up an order and took a walk in their used firearm section. On the counter they have this IDF Sniper Rifle certified by Springfield Armory.

Fortunately night vision has come a very long way in terms of thermal and Infrared optics choices that today’s grunts have. However, once upon a time, 6 pound passive starlight PVS 2s were considered state of the art when it came to the capabilities of U.S. troops fighting at night. The scope first entered service at the height of the Vietnam War and despite its cumbersome size and ridiculous weight, it did prove its use among Soldiers and Marines in their patrol bases. It was probably too heavy to carry out on many patrols, but as a rifle equipped with one on a post at night where mobility wasn’t an issue, it could be a force multiplier, especially when the Viet Cong wanted to strike or probe the lines at night.