CTF Photonics - CTF-3 Laser Aiming Module
So far it seems very well-constructed. The CNC billet 6065 aluminum body feels solid, the rail clamp is well thought-out, the and the battery caps don't impede button activation as much as I thought they would.
However, getting the bad out of the way first, the adjustment turrets, contrary to my original assumption, do not feature 'clicky' MOA increments - they seem like they've got an internal o-ring somewhere to tension the screws for zeroing adjustment and the marks on the vertical turret are just there as witness marks more than actual adjustments.
Additionally the screws are small and seem easy to strip for how much pressure's needed to turn them. But for they do seem like they'll hold zero no issue once adjusted, for what it's worth.
The unit is incredibly low-profile as you would expect - an IR-only laser diode sits center over bore with what amounts to two independent 300-style scout flashlight bodies sitting saddleback on either side of the top rail. One holds a white light and the other would hold some form of IR illuminator head (B.E. Meyers KIJI, Z-Bolt Blazer, 3EIR Vulcan).
It seems like a good solution for secondary or tertiary builds that you wanna tack NV capabilities onto. Incidentally, due to being so low-profile, it's the perfect MFAL for an AK or other rifles that you can't put excessively tall optic risers on due to the stock being lower than the top of the receiver.
I've ordered a Z-Bolt Blazer Head and will be donating this laser to @bureau-of-mines' AK in trade for a Holosun IRIS-3 or AMMJ Penumbra (depending on whether the former restocks before I make up the additional cash to afford the latter).
For the sake of comparison, here's the CTF-3 without any heads in between a Steiner DBAL D2 and an EG NGAL.
The CTF-3 seems like a large unit, but it's very flat and carries most of its weight in the integral flashlight bodies, which it spreads out nicely. Plus the fact it eliminates a separate white light setup also cuts down greatly on weight.
While I don't recommend this unit for AR15's (given the abundance of better options now), I'd say it still has a niche to fill. Basically, it's a DIR-V that traded the lighter weight and the crane port for superior build quality and sheer modularity. And also not costing $2000 fucking dollars.
