Cheap Red Dot that will Co-Witness with an AR?

[Newbie22]

Hi all,

Recently I've been really enjoying my CMMG dedicated .22 AR upper, and I've been thinking about getting a cheap red dot for the extra fun factor. I've had positive experiences with the Millet I bought for my 10/22, but this time I'm looking for something a little more specific. My upper has a fixed front sight, and in a perfect world I would like the red dot to co-witness with the irons, since of course I can't remove the gas block and can only fold down the rear MBUS. Does anyone know of such sight or sight + rail riser combo that will fit the bill? I'm looking to spend between $50 and $100 for the sight, plus a little bit extra if it needs a rail riser. Worst comes to worse I can always buy any old red dot and an extra tall riser, but I was hoping some of you might have better ideas. Thanks!

Note: this sight is going to permanently reside on my .22s, so durability with larger calibers isn't a concern. Hopefully this will keep the price down somewhat. Thanks.

Anthony

 

[Mr. Farknocker]

You'll find two categories of red dots in the $100 and under range: those in the $30-40 range and those in the $80-$100 range. The red dots in the $30-40 range will work with 22 LR rifles and even the 223/5.56 chambered AR15s but can't handle much more than that. The 223/5.56 may even be too much for this category so be prepared to return red dots that don't hold up. The red dots in the $80-90 are generally bullet proof and will hold zero with the larger caliber rifles. Bushnell's TRS25 is well-liked and falls within this category. Sporting a 3 MOA dot, this little optic holds zero even on my Mosin Nagant aka mule kicker. Coupled with a UTG riser, the TRS25 provides me with an absolute co-witness on my AR15. The actual UTG Model number escapes me but you should have no problem finding the reference on youtube. The cost of the riser is around $10.

 

[Newbie22]

Coupled with a UTG riser, the TRS25 provides me with an absolute co-witness in my AR15

Thank you, this is exactly the type of response I was looking for, although I would still like to hear what other people have working for them. You wouldn't happen to know whether that's a 1/2" or 1" riser would you? I checked their website and UTG sells both.

 

[Quentin]

I agree that the Bushnell TRS-25 is a pretty good RDS for the money. I have two that have held up fine on a couple 5.56 ARs. I prefer bottom 1/3 cowitness and find the high profile UTG mount (MNT-RS10S3) works well. I bought the mount as a temporary solution thinking it wouldn't hold up but have been pleasantly surprised.

http://www.amazon.com/UTG-Profile-Riser-Mount-slots/dp/B003TWZG4G/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_text_z


I believe this mount provides absolute cowitness (MNT-RS08S3)
http://www.amazon.com/UTG-Medium-Pr...id=1361234627&sr=8-2&keywords=bushnell+trs-25

 

[tuj]

find a used ultradot, best red dot for your money.

 

[mberoose]

Primary Arms Micro dots are worth checking out too.

 

[Warp]

For a cheap fun red dot I'd look at Primary Arms.

 

[mjw930]

Vortex Strikefire With the high mount. $149 street price and it's a perfect co-witness that will hold zero just fine on a 5.56 AR.

Edit, it looks like it's $169 where it's in stock, no sales right now.

 

[Newbie22]

Thanks for the info everyone. How about closer to the $50 price point? This red dot is going to permanently live on my .22 rifles, so 5.56 or stronger durability isn't really a consideration.

 

[mjw930]

This one might be what you are looking for.

http://www.amazon.com/UTG-DS3039-3-...id=1361237067&sr=1-27&keywords=pistol+red+dot

 

[bri]

+1 for Primary Arms.

 

[Warp]

Thanks for the info everyone. How about closer to the $50 price point? This red dot is going to permanently live on my .22 rifles, so 5.56 or stronger durability isn't really a consideration.

I don't think there will be anything "permanent" about a $50 red dot sight.

 

[EBK]

Thanks for the info everyone. How about closer to the $50 price point? This red dot is going to permanently live on my .22 rifles, so 5.56 or stronger durability isn't really a consideration.

The primary arms 30mm red dot is only 69$ when in stock.

 

[Mr. Farknocker]

Egad! Lots of typos in my first post. So much for using an iphone while sitting in a car waiting for a friend to jump start my dead vehicle.

I made a couple of youtube videos on three red dots. I bought a $34 centerpoint from Walmart, a Bushnell TRS25 for $75 from Amazon and a Sightmark for $90 on eBay. I returned the the centerpoint because it wouldn't hold zero on my AR15 and the Sightmark because it performed even worse. The sightmark is a Burris Fastfire II knockoff with a 3 MOA dot. I ended up buying Burris Fastfire II (with a 4 MOA dot) and the dot holds on my SKS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PCSVgzWsdo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkoqMV2r5tE

Frankly, I would recommend that you spend the extra money to get a red dot in the $80-90 range.

 

[Newbie22]

Frankly, I would recommend that you spend the extra money to get a red dot in the $80-90 range.

Sounds like this is the way I'll end up going. Longevity is important to me (within reason, I realize I'm not buying an Aimpoint). How about a $80 - $100 thats built like a tank and will last a fair amount of time? Size and weight aren't all that important, I'm not bringing my .22 to Afghanistan. But I'd like it to last a few years.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

unless it is a .22, I cant see going cheap, you get what you pay for even with minor recoil.

 

[ShooterGuy]

+1 For Primary Arms, when they're in stock.

 

[Hacker15E]

Another vote for the TRS-25 on the riser. Great value.

 

[EBK]

Sounds like this is the way I'll end up going. Longevity is important to me (within reason, I realize I'm not buying an Aimpoint). How about a $80 - $100 thats built like a tank and will last a fair amount of time? Size and weight aren't all that important, I'm not bringing my .22 to Afghanistan. But I'd like it to last a few years.

Still gonna say look at Primary arms. Good balance between price and durability

 

[Warp]

I am also still going to say Primary Arms

Although I don't know of any "built like a tank" red dots in that price range, I think the PA will be at least as good as any of the other opt ions

 

[Mr. Farknocker]

I wouldn't hesitate on picking up a PA. Frankly, I think they all sit on the same platform; They just wear different badges. That's why they all look and operate alike.

 

[Warp]

I wouldn't hesitate on picking up a PA. Frankly, I think they all sit on the same platform; They just wear different badges. That's why they all look and operate alike.

Well, they don't all operate alike, really

Unless I am confused about what you mean by 'all'

 

[madcratebuilder]

A big +1 for the PA micro dot. True co-witness, it's light, small profile, and long battery life.

 

[Buck Kramer]

UTG makes one made to co-witness standard sights, works for me.

 

[12Bravo20]

I am using a Primary Arms micro with UTG high riser for a lower 1/3 co-witness on my AR57 upper. I bought mine directly from PA when they were in stock last month. The Bushnell TRS-25 with riser is another good one in the price range.