Optic Support Group

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MaterDei

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Hi. My name is Mater D. and I need help.

Last month I spent $1000 on a new AR. It's a very nice weapon with a flat top and BUIS installed, It has normal carbine handguards, a standard A2 flash suppressor and a run of the mill 6 position stock. I think I got a good deal on the components and was very happy with the rifle. After shooting it a few times I decided that I might like to put a nice red dot sight on it.

This is when the trouble began.

I figured a nice red dot would cost me $100 - $200. Afterall, it's only a 1X red dot, nothing fancy. I just wanted something that would be durable and accurate. I started looking at the various sight options and though I didn't want to spend much I decided to get an Aimpoint CompM3. That's right, I spent $500 on a red dot sight. Can you believe that? Oh well, based on my research here on THR and ARFCOM I decided that this is a well regarded sight that should stand up to the rigors of daily use.

Of course, with the sight I needed a mount. No problem, right? Just do a simple search for 30mm Aimpoint mounts and lay out the $20 for something that looks good and I'm done, right? WRONG! I won't go into the bloody details but I decided that the best bang for the buck was a Larue Tactical cantilever mount. $140! $140! $140! Are you kidding me? Well, I bought it. I'm a real sucker, $140 for a little piece of steel. Yep, that's what my research suggested was the best bang for the buck. How in the world did I convince myself that a $140 mount for a $500 dollar red dot sight was a good deal? I think I'm sick and I need help! In the course of my research I've found out that Aimpoint has a real nice 3X magnifier. I won't even mention all of the cool night vision devices that I ran across.

Please help me...

Please...
 
Please help me...

Please...
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Now how on earth are a bunch of fellow addicts supposed to help you?

My only advice, which isn't going to be helpful since you already have almost everything, is buy used. I just bought a nearly mint condition ACOG TA31F and an ARMS #19 quick detach for $750.:D

I'll take a couple of surfaces blemishes(not even scratches) for ~$500-600 in savings.:)

Don't get me started on mounts...I'm glad the guy that I bought it from already had one included in the price...It always stings less that way.

Although it is really cool, unless you are in the military you are starting to get into mall ninja territory with the night vision stuff. :p
 
Now how on earth are a bunch of fellow addicts supposed to help you?
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Simple, we get together and compare notes on where the best sales are so we can save a bunch of money on the next buch of state of the art new fangled gotta have doodads.
:D
 
it is a good deal.

compared to spending $130 on an optic and a mount, neither of which will hold zero for a day
 
Can't help you since I would have made the same choice (except I might have gone with the even pricier Comp M4). If you feel bad about the purchase spend another $40 on an NCStar red dot. It will help you appreciate the nice, quality gear you did purchase.
 
If you feel bad about the purchase spend another $40 on an NCStar red dot.
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I've already got a BSA on my daughter's 10/22. I think I paid about $40 for it. Durable would not be an adjective that I would use to describe it, that's for sure. I figured paying a couple of hundred dollars on a sight + mount would be reasonable. Nope. It seems to me that there is a gap in the market for these things.

For example, with flashlights you've got got Surefires on one end, maglite and others at the other end and a whole bunch of middle priced but quality lights in the middle such as Streamlight.

With sights there seems to be Trijicon, Aimpoint, and EOTech at the high end and BSA, NCStar, and others on the low end. Who is in the middle? Where are the sights that people argue are just about as good as the big boys but a lot less expensive like Streamlight is to Surefire?

Did I just not see them?
 
Master Dei, Burris Speed Dot around $175, Bushnell Trophy around $138 at opticsplanet.com are reasonable midrange red dots. Lot's of good quality mounts available for under $50 including Leupold QR extra high rings.
 
Master Dei, Burris Speed Dot around $175, Bushnell Trophy around $138 at opticsplanet.com are reasonable midrange red dots. Lot's of good quality mounts available for under $50 including Leupold QR extra high rings.
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Don't forget the S.P.O.T. Red Dot. An Arfcommer broke his rifle while trying to break the SPOT. The SPOT kept on ticking and held zero.
 
I've got one flattop AR that needs optics, and am purchasing a .308 AR that will need optics, too. So I feel your pain, plus some.

At least yours came with BUIS on it. Try explaining to your wife why you are SO excited that you found a rear BUIS for ONLY $50, shipped (used). I think she's considering a committment to a padded room for me. I got two rear BUIS for $100, just found a front one for $60 shipped, and still on the lookout for the last one I need. I decided to go with a Millett DMS-1 scope for the AR-15, so I can use at 1X normally, but then go up in power for longer shots as needed. I haven't decided on a higher power scope for the .308, yet, but I need to figure out if I can get that scope up high enough to use the BUIS for closer targets.

Ben
 
Materdei, I am going to go out on a limb and guess your life is worth at least $1640. I could be wrong. But, that is my guess.

Lets say it is 1 year from now, the power has been out in your town for a week now due to earthquake, financial collapse, hurricane (take your pick). People have run out of food and are starting to go house to house for something to eat. People have been killed. Houses are on fire. The police are not to be found. You are tired and afraid for your family. You hear a someone in your backyard. He has a rifle. You don't recognize him...

That rifle, scope, and mount will be your best friend.

See how easy that was? Purchase justified.
 
Benelli, you're speaking my language! My life is worth little but my wife and six kids are priceless and that is why I'm willing to spend a few extra bucks for quality components. With that said, I'd like to buy quality for a reasonable price. :)
 
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Six kids?!?!?!?!:what: I guess I shouldn't be surprised with a name like Mater Dei.:) Now I understand the complaining about spending so much on optics, you got some serious mouths to feed!:p

Benelli, you're speaking my language!
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Mine as well! I have to be able to justify all these guns, optics and ammo somehow.:D:D:D
 
I decided that the best bang for the buck was a Larue Tactical cantilever mount. $140! $140! $140!
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I saved $140 by not buying a mount because I chose an EOTech which has an integral mount :neener:




But then I got the GG&G Accucam QD lever, the GG&G flip lens covers, and the GG&G battery compartment latch.

I guess I didn't save $140 afterall :eek:
 
I have the opposite problem. I can't get myself to buy optics because I keep telling myself the $$$ it'd cost to buy the quality optics I wanted could buy me another gun or two. These choices are getting harder and harder to make.
 
I have the opposite problem. I can't get myself to buy optics because I keep telling myself the $$$ it'd cost to buy the quality optics I wanted could buy me another gun or two. These choices are getting harder and harder to make.
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That's how I felt myself...But once you do get some quality optics, it makes the gun you already own way, way more fun...So in a way you are getting a new gun.

With that said, I'm not spending another penny on optics until we see what happens after the elections.
 
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