AR sight option for aging eyes

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smithman 10

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Well, I guess I have to face reality finally. Approaching 70, shooting irons is harder and harder, especially with the short sight radius on a 16" Smith and Wesson Sport II. I use a bolt on AR carry handle with sights like I used 50 years ago in the service. Of course that was a 20" AR back then. I don't do too bad with that set-up but that front sight is getting fuzzier all the time.

BUT, being a supreme cheapskate, I don't want to spend a lot of $ for an alternative. How about some effective but modestly priced alternatives for a geezer who is finally acknowledging he's not a kid anymore. Would rather the sight didn't cost more than the rifle!!

That's me with my son, he's got the old gun, I've got the new one. A staged photo for my buddy, that's why no ear muffs. ash and dad shoot_edited.jpg
 
First, get your eyes checked for cataracts. My ability to use irons increased remarkably after the surgery. It is also nice to not wear glasses (since I had worn them for 58 years before getting the eye surgery).

My suggestions would all be optics, and they would run afoul of the carry handle and require a rail to mount.

That said, I have had good luck with a Burris Fastfire (Now called the SpeedBead). I suggest you check out the red dot sight options at www.opticsplanet.com.
 
If you don't want to spend a ton of money, but want a great sight for range use check out the Primary Arms offerings, I believe Optics Planet is now carrying some of the more popular models. The TRS-25 is basically the same as one of the PA models, the PA is usually a bit less expensive, get on their Email list, they often have some nice specials on sights and mount combos. Its also worth considering their "prismatic" models that are sorta like an ACOG without the tritium and fiber optics, they are fixed power in 2.5X, 3.5X, and 5X. I've the PA 5X model on my SCAR 17S and it works great, I like it a bit better than the 5X Burris 536 I have on my CMMG Mutant.

My suggestions would all be optics, and they would run afoul of the carry handle and require a rail to mount.
Click to expand...
I thought he said he had a "bolt on" carry handle/rear sight.
 
If you really want to stay with irons you can get close to the 20" rifle sight radius by removing the FSB and adding a low profile gas block, 15" free-float tube with full length "same plane" top rail and mounting a set of BUIS to your liking. This will be more work and likely at least as expensive as a quality red dot or prismatic scope for your flat top. Although the free float tube might increase your accuracy especially if you rest the barrel on something like the guy in the photo :)
 
20170106_151948.jpg
Aside from new prescription shooting glasses..........
This mil-spec Sightmark reflex sight solved my problems. It wasn't terribly expensive.... I can't remember for sure, but I think <$200.00.
Long battery life.
Quick detach mount.
Variable brightness.
Waterproof to 40m.
 
The Sig Romeo optics are decent and hqve recently been pretty cheap online. I got one from sportsmansoutdoor.com for less then $200 recently. They are rebranded Holosun products I think. Vortex makes some decent cheap red dots.
 
Dr T said:
First, get your eyes checked for cataracts. My ability to use irons increased remarkably after the surgery. It is also nice to not wear glasses (since I had worn them for 58 years before getting the eye surgery).

My suggestions would all be optics, and they would run afoul of the carry handle and require a rail to mount.

That said, I have had good luck with a Burris Fastfire (Now called the SpeedBead). I suggest you check out the red dot sight options at www.opticsplanet.com.
Click to expand...

Thanks, the eye doc (saw him recently) says I'm a few years away from needing cataract surgery. I'll check out Burris and opticsplanet.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Just what I needed to help me accept that it's time to give something other than irons a try.
 
Last edited:
Your first reply ...from Blade First...was the sight I was going to suggest. Both sons have this sight on their AR guns and do well with it. I've been shooting with a 1.5-4.5 scope on my AR. At low power I shoot close with both eyes open. More distance...dial it up.
I'm 67 so I empathize. Vision problems are hard to deal with!

Mark
 
I prefer red dots to the reflex sights myself. My father in law is in the same boat as you and a red dot works well for him. My vision is poor at distance and I find I see slot better through a low magnification scope than a red dot. The lenses in a scope refocuses the light coming through so your eyes don't have to.
 
I put a Nikon 3x P223 on my AR. You can get them for way under $200, I've seen refurbished ones at Natchez for under $150. Well worth the money. I too shot irons for about a year and a half before putting glass on. I target shoot a lot otherwise a red dot may have been a better alternative.

Jeff
 
About red dot sights, uncorrected astigmatism can make the dot look like a bunch of grapes. :( A few years back I thought I had a defective dot sight, but with my left eye I saw one dot, while with my right eye I saw a cluster. Hmm. New glasses fixed that for me, but even so, if I am not looking through the center of the eyeglass lens the dot begins to look like a comma. So, an issue to be aware of.
 
I have the same trouble, irons are fuzzy.

Cheap ($100 to $125) red dot or reflex sight. Have one on an AR. Like it.

Nikon 3X P223. ($150) Have one on an AR. Love it.

Either option will allow you to shoot to your potential again.
 
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