recommendations for optics for my AR(s)?

[RP88]

okay.

Very soon, my panic-order AR 'kit' will be in my possession (by soon, I mean within five weeks or so according to CMMG).

I am thinking about putting a 'decent' optic on it. I am looking for a good optic with decent battery life, quality, and will hold a zero.

what are some good, AFFORDABLE optics out there that would work? Is 'affordable' out of the question? I'm thinking something in the $70-120 range, but that may be pushing it. I'm of course not opposed to spending the required extra needed to get something worth what I'll pay for, but I'm not trying to get something like a holosight or an Acog.

feel free to share what works for you. All help appreciated.

 

[possum]

i run eotechs, if i didn't have the money for a quality optic i would run buis or iron sights only.

 

[benEzra]

I've heard the BSA red dots aren't bad. They won't stand up to the abuse that an Aimpoint or Eotech will, but they'll hold up to normal use pretty well, and you can get them for less than $50.

A Tasco ProPoint red/green dot is also fun, though again there may be durability issues compared to the more expensive optics, and you'll get more glare off the lens and such due to some optical surfaces being uncoated.

 

[Deepskyy]

Bushnell makes a very nice 1X32 T-dot optic. I have it on my MP15 and love it. Red and Green with 5 different brightness settings.
http://www.opticsplanet.com/reviews/reviews-bushnell-trophy-1x32-riflescope-730132p.html

 

[lipadj46]

The cheap scopes are always a crap shoot. At least the AR has minimal recoil so you don't have to worry as much about tearing the thing apart.

I've heard good things about these and was going to get one for my hi point 995:

http://www.swfa.com/c-2214-vortex-strikefire-red-dot-sights.aspx

I also like the burris fast fire:

http://www.swfa.com/c-1220-burris-fastfire-red-dot-reflex-sight.aspx

These bushnell are made by eotech but are not quite cheap, still inexpensive:

http://www.swfa.com/c-196-bushnell-holosights.aspx

I have also seen these around but do not have any experience:

http://www.swfa.com/c-1529-millett-sp-electronic-red-dot-sights.aspx

These Bushnells also:

http://www.swfa.com/c-198-bushnell-trophy-rifle-scopes.aspx

 

[zammyman]

Bushnell if you want something inexpensive, Burris if you want something mid range, Eotech if you want something higher end.

 

[JWarren]

What do you want the optic to do?

Is it a CQB sight, a 1-4X, or a more magnified optic?

What is the ranges and conditions you will need it to shoot in?


Those questions must be answered before anyone can give you an intelligent answer.


-- John

 

[DJW]

The irons on my A2 work fine for me to 600 yds.

 

[pgeleven]

Bushnell makes a very nice 1X32 T-dot optic. I have it on my MP15 and love it. Red and Green with 5 different brightness settings.

+1 i have that mounted on my WASR and it stands up just fine and holds a good zero. plus most people will mistake it for an ACOG and think you have money. double plus!

 

[MM]

Hakko, nice red dot w/ different changeble reticles. Not nearly as rugged as my EO. It co-witnesses with the irons (adjustments work well) and is a hoot for around $125.00.
MM

 

[Lonestar.45]

I put a Bushnell Trophy 1.75-4 shotgun scope on my first AR. It has held up fine and works great. If it will stand up to shotgun recoil, it will be okay for an AR. That said, on my other AR's I have Aimpoints and LaRue BUIS which I like better.

Look into the various shotgun scopes out there and you will find a good deal. Many 3-gun shooters run them. Weaver makes a good one. Simmons did at one time but I think they discontinued it. Nikon may have one. Good luck.

 

[doc540]

"The irons on my A2 work fine for me to 600 yds."

I wish I could see 600 yds, much less shoot 600 with irons.

 

[DJW]

Doc;
Try a high power match and you will find the black is large enough to see easily at 600. It is about 33 minutes up from your 300 zero. YMMV.
You will need a 80 gr. bullet loaded longer than magazine length. Some use the 77 but at that distance every little thing helps!
Dave

 

[taliv]

YMMV.

i guess so

my 600 yrd dope is 9 minutes up from my 300 yrd zero.

 

[Safety First]

RP88

I just received my LMT AR 15 and I did not want to spend Big Bucks on my optics for now. I selected the TruGlo 42mm 2.5 MOA Red Dot with 2X magnification for around $80.00. It may be a week or so before I have the chance to shoot it, so for now I can't give an opinion on it. I can post more once I have put a little lead down range.

 

[DJW]

Taliv;
you are closer than my memory told me..............looked in my book and it was 12 minutes up from 300 to 600 for me. don't know where the #33 came from..........sorry,
Dave

 

[RP88]

like all my guns, the range is gonna be sub-100 yards, since I don't get much time to go anywhere else. Just looking for something nicer than standard irons to aim and to look cool with my ninja wall-climbing boots.

 

[taliv]

heh, np, djw... my math is as screwed up as your memory. i somehow subtracted 6 from 15 and came up with 6

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

Don't go too cheap or you will end up having to buy something again. About the cheapest I have ever gone and been pleased is about $200 retail.

 

[SHvar]

The Eotech and the Bushnell holograghic sight are made on the same production line by the same company, just a different name on each. Ive been told by those who bought both that they should have saved their money and just got the Bushnell.
I looked at less expensive versions of the 1x32 t dot reticle scope I bought, and spent the extra money on the Bushnell. I have always switched from other brands back to Bushnell every time on every rifle except one that is not worth switching really.
Depends what you are looking for, I know people who prefer Nikon, Ziess, and other companies. Of course you could spend alot of money on an ACOG if thats what you want.

 

[Thin Black Line]

We've had an Ultradot hold up well for a few thousand rds on an AR15.

We had a BSA that has held up for <1000 rds so far on an AR15, but another
that started to lose zero on an AK somewhere around 500 rds.

You get what you pay for.

 

[NC-Mike]

I really like the Millet DMS I put on a AP4 carbine.

Its a 1x4 red-dot. Can work as a reflex, single plane optic at 1x and still dial up to 4x for long shots. Heck of a scope for money if you ask me.

Big thread on that scope on AR-15 forum here:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=18&t=326527&page=1

I'm using the command arms one piece mount. It runs about 25 bucks and the scope is around 225.00.

That might bust the budget but it is a pretty solid setup for 250 dollars.

 

[Zundfolge]

ATN makes several inexpensive but decent red dots.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/atn-laser-sights.html

I had an ATN Digital on my AR (until I replaced it with an ACOG). worked real well (except that you had to remove the battery when storing since the on/off switch was on the side and pressure from the eggshell lining of the case would turn it on).

 

[geronimo13]

I have a BSA holo red dot on my Keltec su15 and I love it. It's not going to last like a bushnell but when on sale at Midway they are $30. They are very light compared to a high power scope, the aquisition is almost instantaneous and especially good for mover's. here's a pic of accuracy at 100 yards


looking thru it:


I mostly practice with a cheap simmons blazer 3x9 ($45) off a bench but have about 400 rounds with the red dot. I can easily pop clays off the 100 yard berm with it and hit empty 5gal propane tanks at 300yds with 18" holdover. The red dot mounted behing the rear iron ghost ring means I always have a working sighting system and I feel it's the best for the semi auto rifles. Hunting the High power scope is much better.

 

[briansmithwins]

I'd save the $70 that a crap optic would cost and get extra mags instead. Or ammo.

BSW