Need AR optic

[Texasred]

Planning on finally setting up my Stag AR w/ an optic, and accesories. The gun is stock and has only ben shot approx. 50 times. I have just paid my truck off, so now I can afford to play with this. It's a flat top with a folding rear sight, M4 style 16" bbl, 1/9", and collapsible stock. Anybody recommend a good optic in the below 500.00 range. I saw an article in the latest Guns & Ammo about Nikon's AR 223. Was thinking that the 1-4x28 would be perfect. This will be my go to gun, home defense(CQB), truck gun, SHTF, and maybe some hunting of hogs. I am concerned on wheter or not the scope is too powerful to be able to use indoors. Is this a good choice? What about the 2-8x32? Anybody recommend a good sling as well? A good load for defense?
I imagine the maximum range of this gun will be 300 yards.
I also plan on buying a backup BCG, was thinking about LMT, any opinions?

 

[Tirod]

Any scope is too powerful indoors - most shots would be less than 12 feet. That's so close, how could you miss?

4 of 5 reasons seem to be less than 100 yard applications. Hogs, possibly a longer shot. At less than 100, a red dot would be the best choice for fast acquisition and repeat shots. 1X would give heads up, eyes open targeting for the quick response needed for items 1 thru 4, and still work well with hunting. Hogs are much like deer in body size, the overall MOA view of a red dot still works.

I've got a bolt action with a 3X9, even on low power, it's hard to quickly pick up the target in the scope. With a Gen1 Aimpoint, it's much quicker to see and shoot, which is why the military has gone to them.

If at all possible get with friends who have them and try them out. Scopes are invaluable for longer range precision shooting, red dots are the way to go for close in and fast. The trade off is that you can shoot a red dot further out within reason, but you can't shoot a scope fast and up close.

 

[wally]

Scopes are invaluable for longer range precision shooting, red dots are the way to go for close in and fast. The trade off is that you can shoot a red dot further out within reason, but you can't shoot a scope fast and up close.

That is why I really like the Millet DMS, its a true 1X with zoom to 4X and an illuminated red dot. With the dot on at 1X you can use it like a red dot with both eyes open for fast and close, but zoomed out to 4X its a nice scope. My only complaint is that its pretty large. Price is about $50 less than what I've seen for the new Nikon M223 1-4X.

--wally.

 

[bk1]

Anyone try the M223 yet? I really like my Nikon Team Primos scope and Nikons in general get good reviews so I'm curious about their M223.

 

[NY Marksman]

You might consider an Aimpoint with a 3X or 5X magnifier. I have that setup on my AR and it works well out to about 300 yards, I also have a Weaver Classic V24 6-24X42 scope but I only use the magnified scope for longer range target shooting.

 

[benEzra]

I like the Eotech holographic sights. An Eotech 516 (decent battery life on 2 Walmart CR123's, lower 1/3 cowitness right out of the box with no riser needed) is available from Bravo Company for $439.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/EOTech-516-p/eotech 516.a65-fslash-1.htm

Not really the best choice for shooting at 300 yards (it's unmagnified), but for 0 to 200 it's darn good and 300 is doable if you have good eyes. Of course, you could also put a removable flip-to-side 3x or 4x magnifier behind it for longer range shooting, but that would exceed the $500 limit by a considerable margin.

 

[Mags]

The Millet DMS sounds like what you are after. Here is one at MidwayUSA.
For your backup BCG get a Bravo Company, I got a Bravo Company for my primary in my Bushmaster and use the Bushmaster bolt for a spare after I upgraded the extractor spring and insert. The Bravo BCG can be found here.

 

[Zerodefect]

Aimpoint ml3 in a lt129 mount:
http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=20
A quality reddot (redblob actually) can be really precise compared to irons, but no magnification is tough. But you can do fine as soon as learn your holdovers with a proper 50yd Zero.

A scope really limits the AR to certain uses. A good 1-4x is IMO a good scope offering magnification like an ACOG , IE: mid range use. But is not as quick or adaptable as a regular 1x sight. A really don't like having a scope on my "go-to, home defense, or CQB" gun.

A Trijicon Accupoint 1.25-4x or 1-4x with a green triangle would be my pick for a medium range scope. BAC works well.
http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=140

 

[Tacbandit]

EOTech 512 is supposed to be good...ran across one the other day for $345..new, in camo, though...

 

[Zerodefect]

http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=379
Lower 1/3rd co-witness and QR.

 

[Tacbandit]

Another scope you might look at is the Leupold Mark AR....Duplex or mildot, and you dial the distance you're shooting...I believe I saw them at Cabelas for $299 /duplex/3-9x40.
Leupold will also make custom dials for a particular handload, etc.
This would give me the option for something to reach out further than my red dot.

www.gunblast.com/Leupold-AR.htm
www.leupold.com/tactical/products/scopes/mark-AR-riflescopes/

 

[StarDust1]

EOTech or Aimpoint, either of which is a superior CQB optic, I'd stay away from magnifiers, just opt for a good BUIS for any longer range work, such as a MATech or GG&G multiple aperture single plane. The below Bushmaster(In name only)is outfitted with an EOTech A65 512, Matech BUIS, and other goodies one of which is a DD BCG....

 

[yongxingfreesty]

Aimpoint or m series

like
m2
ml2
m3
ml3
m4

 

[Quentin]

With only 50 rounds down the chamber I'd get more familiar with the rifle and its existing iron sights. Find out what ammo you'll normally use and give the rifle a better shakeout. Use that extra money now for ammo. Of course do as much research in the mean time on what optic will suit you best and hopefully try some candidates out at the range.

Sounds like for most of your uses a red dot would be best but honestly iron sights will do just fine as well. Most people with decent eyesight can do good things from 100 yards on in. Might as well see how they work out for you while you do your homework on optics.

 

[Gary G23]

My recommendation would be an EOTech sight and a Bravo Company BCG.

The EOTechs are extremely fast for close quarters work and are fine for 300 yards also. Several people were using the EOTechs successfully for the 300 yard targets at the Steel City Tactical Carbine Championship this weekend.

 

[gladi8tr]

This will help ya out

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=18&t=493308

 

[amprecon]

I prefer Aimpoint, battery life is incredible and I found the dot-in-circle setup on the EoTech too busy for me. I've used this website http://www.opticsplanet.net/aim-point-compc3-red-dot-sight-11421.html for most of my optics purchases and don't have any complaints.

 

[ZeBool]

Just my opinion, but before I spent big $ on an optic I would put an M16 BCG in it from BCM or Spike's Tactical. Every example of Stag's carrier key staking I've seen has been laughable to say the least. After that, I'd put an Aimpoint on it and a DD lite rail. Just my .02

 

[Tommygunn]

I would see about having an improperly staked gas key properly staked before buying a whole new BCG for it.

 

[W.E.G.]

Get a good red-dot and a Leupold Mark AR scope.
The EOTECH is inherently a QD design. Get QD riser for the scope.

Switch them out as circumstances may require.

Each returns to zero quite acceptably.

 

[steven58]

Hey Texasred,

Here's an informal write up I did on an Elcan red dot sight a while back. So far my friend who owns this sight has about 1,000 rounds through it with no problems. The sight is about the same size, weight and capability of an Aimpoint comp M4 and comes with the mount included for $450. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=515364

Just another choice to consider.

 

[Rokman]

I would choose one of the options that Zerodefect said. Leupold and Nikon offfer a 1x4 in their AR line of optics. That is probably all that you need. If not, choose the Lueopold Mark AR 3x9, or the Nikon M223 2x8. You should be satisfied with any of those.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

Ive got one eotec and 3 aimpoints and two acogs and if i could afford it everyone of my ars would be wearing acogs.

 

[FLAvalanche]

If 300 yards is your maximum then I would go with an EOTech holographic in front of a magnifier. I just got a Mako 5x like the one shown above and it works very well. You can take the EOTech out to 100 yards with ease and just slap on the magnifier for long shots.