I wanna put a red dot on a .22

The only problem with the cheap ones that I have or looked at is the dot usually looks scattered.

Just from personal experience, Vortex is the cheapest red dot I'd use for anything - they seem to be a sweet spot for the money. I've used many cheapies, and I'll use the Bushnell TRS25 as an example, they're just not good. Not bright, not very good dots, terrible battery life, not great mounting points, etc. Nothing kills a fun day plinking like a glitchy cheap red dot.

If I had to buy once, cry once, I'd get a newer, but used Aimpoint. Second choice, any Vortex.

For a .22, any cheap optic will do fine, as there is no recoil. I have had the same cheap RDS on my 22 rifle for over 5 yrs and no issues, except changing batteries. You could also look at the Dagger Defense red dot, cheap and has very good customer support.

https://www.amazon.com/DD-DAGGER-DE...00ZM3TMO0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

I have seen several problematic cheap red dots on .22's.

My vote is a Burris Fastfire III.

At least stick with s known name brand.
Burris
Sig
Vortex
Sightmark
Even tasco would be better than an unknown airsoft toy.

Sightmark Mini Pro Spec is a pretty decent open model. A little while ago Amazon had the up-to-date green variety for about $70. Make sure you get the modern version with the battery case on top, not locked up underneath. Also make sure you get a current enough version that the zeroing screws don't have to be locked up. It should serve you pretty well.

In closed type you simply cannot beat the Bushnell TRS-25.

UTG has a couple out that I can personally vouch for. One is the flip dot that was designed for the Glock MOS system and you would need an inexpensive weaver base. The other is their micro red dot that looks like a fastfire and comes with the weaver base. The flip dot is on my Glock 40 10mm and has held up well.

kenboyles72 said:

For a .22, any cheap optic will do fine

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I disagree as there are "good cheap" red dots and "bad cheap" red dots.

Another vote for the Bushnell TRS- 25. With some patient shopping they can be had for well under $100.

That said - I use the Vortex Venom on my favorite 22s

How about this? Ade Advanced Optics Huracan mini reflex sight for $40.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071JHZXF...aMdSP2CRWxatsoEuX3DQ&slotNum=2&tag=shoot02-20

Bushnell TRS 25 is the only cheap red-dot I'd use. I have two going on 6 years of use, one on a Buckmark and the other get's moved back and forth from my SIG 522 for plinking to my .357 lever action for deer season. I just picked up a third a year ago for my daughters M&P 15-22.

Acrmny said:

Plinking should be fine. Precise shooting, maybe not so much. Can be a lot like an aperture sight. Principle of operation is similar. Young, good eyes like them.

Some assembly required. Batteries not included. Not valid with any other offers. May be illegal in some countries, providence's, states, counties, towns, neighborhoods, houses, tents, parks, etc. (See store for details). Your mileage may vary.

I'm not a fan because of battery use on a tool like a firearm. My son is though (Army), even though he knows better.

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Huh?

Check out ADE Advanced Optics. Like almost everything they are available on Amazon. I've been using a couple of them on Ruger MK pistols for around two years now without any problems. I had no experience with red dots on pistols and had no idea if I could use or like one and chose these as a not expensive way to find out. Since I found I like them and I bought a Burris FastFire III for another pistol. The only draw back to the cheaper sight is they don't have click adjustments but locking screws but after it's sighted in it works as well. It's just a little more fiddly than positive click adjustment. Other than that it's a toss up between them to me.

Red dot sights do wonders for aging eyes. Use a small dot for accuracy, a large one for speed.

It's pure myth that it takes recoil to push the limits of a cheap optic and that anything will do on a rimfire. Of all the optics I've had fail, ALL of them were on rimfires because I believed it too. That said, the first red dot I ever tried was a $30 BSA from Walmart. It is still doing just fine. Still, I prefer to not go cheap on optics at all. The lowest cost red dot I'd recommend would be something like the TRS-25 or those from Primary Arms. I really like their advanced micro red dot with push button control. As a matter of fact, I'm going to remove the TRS-25 and put the PA advanced micro on my 22/45 today.

https://www.primaryarms.com/primary...ttons-and-up-to-50k-hour-battery-life-red-dot

I went with the Vortex Venom on my MKIV tactical, very happy with it. I debated getting a cheap one but decided I only wanted to buy one and not mess with a cheap one failing. Most of the cheap ones either have 5 stars or 1 star ratings for the same product, seems like luck of the draw whether or not you get one that won’t fail.

sabbfan said:

I went with the Vortex Venom on my MKIV tactical, very happy with it. I debated getting a cheap one but decided I only wanted to buy one and not mess with a cheap one failing. Most of the cheap ones either have 5 stars or 1 star ratings for the same product, seems like luck of the draw whether or not you get one that won’t fail.

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Funny thing is most folks, not me but most folks, think the Venom is cheap.

I'd say it's mid-priced. And among the cheapest of the truly viable options.

Put one on my XD .460 but have to say, I've not been impressed with it. Or reflex type sights in general.

I'm a Burris Fast Fire III fan for .22s Have it on my 10/22 and my 22/45.

ATLDave said:

I'd say it's mid-priced. And among the cheapest of the truly viable options.

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We agree on both things.

CraigC said:

Put one on my XD .460 but have to say, I've not been impressed with it. Or reflex type sights in general.

View attachment 838151

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What does it not do for you? Is the sight picture not significantly more refined than a notch and post type? Can you not focus on just one distance instead of trying to keep the front sight and target both in focus? Is there not less slop than a notch and post sighting system with the notch a little too wide for the post? Does the gun not shoot to the dot (which is, of course, correctable)?

alfsauve said:

I'm a Burris Fast Fire III fan for .22s Have it on my 10/22 and my 22/45.

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It is an excellent optic especially for the price. I honestly can't see how to choose between it and the Vortex Venom. Both excellent and similarly priced.