ATIBAL is pleased to announce that...

With the ever constant threats facing law enforcement, the need to be ready for threats is a must. The need for a rifle equipped Officer or Deputy to end a threat a distance farther than 100 yards is becoming a reality. Across the Country, Departments are recognizing this and as a result are allowing their Officers and Deputies to utilize Low Power Variable Optics (LPVOs). This being fact, the Omaha Police Department also recognizes this threat and is at the forefront with creating and adopting curriculum giving permission to our Officers to utilize LPVOs that have been approved per our Department Policy. The permission we give to Officers to utilize approved optics is nothing short of the Department holding true to its commitment to ensure the safety of our citizens from threats that may arise. Within our LPVO Program we thought of the catastrophic event that could happen, then worked backwards from that. We took into account many situations to include the Active Killer in Las Vegas, NV and applied that to our jurisdiction and topography. We took into account the reality that a Patrol Officer would overwhelmingly likely be among the first to respond to such an incident. This Officer would need to identify the target at distance and eliminate said target in order to save lives. That same Officer would also need expose themselves to CQB style operations. Thus the need for Officers to engage threats at intermediate distances as well as threats that were, what we call bad breath distances and anything in between. The decision was made to find optics that could afford or Officers the ability to eliminate threats both a close range and intermediate range distances as well as stand up to the abuses that our Officers would inflict on the optics due to everyday and operational use as well as the environmental abuses of our location. With the mission of finding optics that meet our expectations and parameters being mentioned, the testing of the ATIBAL Mirage XP6 sought for testing. This After Action Review (AAR) is to explain the attributes and drawbacks of the ATIBAL Mirage XP6. At the conclusion of this AAR a recommendation for approval to allow Officers to carry the MIRAGE XP6 will be explained. This testing lasted 90 days.

1. Live Fire Testing:
Throughout this testing over 600 rounds were fired from a DDMK18. This live fire consisted of both static flat range activity (0-100 yards) as well as dynamic CQB and Intermediate range (300 yards) engagements. The first that will be discussed is the static flat range activity (0-100 yards).

A.Static Flat Range Activity (0-100 yards):
Known Distance Firing on standard UTC style target: This training is standard for the Omaha Police Department Rifle Program and also serves as part of the monthly training for SWAT. During this time, the optic was found to have performed well as it was able to increase the shooters ability to magnify the target at 100 yards. This aided the shooter with quicker target acquisition. This was in no small part to due to the clarity of the glass as well as the type of reticle ATIBAL has chosen to use. The shooter was also able to acquire targets faster than those shooters that were operating an EOTECH. During standard transport of the optic that was attached to the rifle, the optic was found not to have lost its zero. This is taking into account the gear the shooter was wearing as the optic was constantly exposed to coming into contact with the shooters gear as he moved.

B. Dynamic CQB:

During this time, the shooters optic mount became loose. This resulted in the shot placement being off its intended impact point but still within the desired target. As a result the optic’s zero had to be readjusted by merely making a 4 click adjustment. The loss of zero was most likely due to the mount and not the optic but it speaks volumes that even with a loose mount the optic was still able to be used to deliver hits on target placed at 50 yards. During the CQB portion of this testing the shooter found that the optic performed differently than his EOTECH which is the primary sighting system for DDMK18 on Omaha SWAT. The shooter found that with wearing his standard PPE which included hearing protection attached to a helmet was less than desirable due to the necessary check weld that was required to effectively gain a clear sight picture. The shooter in turn had to remove his ear protection on that side to accommodate. Once this was done the shooter found that the optic performed to a desired satisfaction. This was found to be different than the shooter using his EOTECH in which case the shooter did not need to remove his hearing protection and was still able to gain a clear sight picture. However, there are many variables that are in play that cannot be altered such as a shooters physical makeup. There is also the fact that Patrol Officers not operating in a SWAT capacity would likely not be wearing a helmet with ear protection affixed.

C. Intermediate Distance (100-300 yards):
During this phase of testing the shooter was able to engage targets that were placed at distances up to 300 yards. The targets used during this testing were steel targets no larger than that of a standard UTC paper target. The optic was found to have performed above expectations at it was equipped to a DDMK18 which had a 10” barrel. The shooter found that no adjustments of the optic were necessary as the reticle was able to accommodate any hold needed at that range. The shooter was able to acquire targets quickly and shots were delivered accurately and repeatedly at distances up to and including 300 yards. This speaks volumes of the optic as will later be explained in the AAR.

2. Durability Testing:
In this phase of testing the optic was exposed to repeated abuse that could be sustained by an Officer. The optic was dropped and slid across rough terrain that would be found in a rural and urban environment, exposed to severe and rapid temperature fluctuation as well as moisture. During this phase, the optics throw lever had snapped where it screws into the optics magnification ring. This however, did not impact the optics zero nor its ability to adjust magnification. No other issues were of note. This again speaks volumes of the durability of the optic.

Conclusion and Recommendation:

In conclusion of the testing the ATIBAL Mirage XP6 was found to have performed above expectation. While the only true downfall of the optic itself with on other variables was the throw lever breaking, this did not minimize or hinder its ability to perform. And while the shooter was unable to gain a clear sight picture while wearing his helmet equipped with hearing protection this should not disqualify the optic due to the fact that the shooters physical makeup is an unchangeable makeup as well as the fact that this hindrance would have happened to this shooter with any currently approved optic. Couple these drawbacks with the ability of this optics ability to perform at or above our expectations with engaging targets from 0-300 yards while being subject to abuse leaves little doubt that the optic can perform to our standard that we have set forth. The last advantage that cannot be overlooked is the financial cost of the optic. With the current MSPR from ATIBAL being $415.00 this optic could be afforded by any rifle operator Department wide due to the voucher. Therefore, I recommend this optic be approved for duty carry.

Find out more information and specs on the Atibal XP6 1-6x FFP by clicking here.