Red dot sights

[zxcvbob]

This is the right forum, isn't it?

I'm looking for a new red dot sight for a .22 target pistol to replace the POS reflex sight I've got on there now*. Having been burned once with a kind-of expensive sight, I know that price is not a good indicator of quality (although ridiculously low price is probably a good indicator of lack of quality) Also major brand names like Browning and Pentax don't necessarily mean much because they license their names...

Any recommendations under $100? Here's one that I found that looks interesting, but I think my rail might be Weaver instead of Picatinny: http://www.opticsplanet.net/leapers...-dot-sight-w-integral-qd-picatinny-mount.html It might fit anyway, but not sure I want to chance it. I guess I could call Optics Planet...

This is for a Ruger .22/45 Mark II with the 6 7/8" bull barrel.

*ATN "Digital Compact Ultrasight", which worked great for about 2 years and now shuts itself off from the recoil. On a heavy .22 shooting standard-velocity ammo. A common problem with this model, as I've found out too late, and I was lucky to get 2 years out of it.

 

[mbopp]

Are you looking for a tube or open (reflex) sight? The Burris FastFire II is popular with the .22 handgun crowd but it's $200. And in a few weeks (SHOT show?) the FastFire III will be coming out.
I've tried scopes, reflex, and tube red dots and prefer the reflex sight. I have an older Bushnell Holosight that gets swapped between my Contender and .22 pistol.

I have a Bushnell 1" red dot tube sight on my BL22 that's been OK. For a handgun sight I've been looking at this:

http://www.opticsplanet.net/mueller-optical-1x22x-33mm-quick-shot-waterproof-red-dot-scope.html

 

[zxcvbob]

Here's the one that currently has caught my eye: http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-1x25-trophy-series-riflescope-trs-25-red-dot-731303.html

The one I linked in my first post is kind of heavy; I didn't notice that at first. The bushnell weighs about 3 ounces, same as my ATN. Is it the same one you have?

 

[Crunchy Frog]

Lessons I have learned:

Don't buy cheap shoes.
Don't buy cheap tools.
Don't buy cheap optics.

I was interested in trying red dot sights and purchased a tube-type sight for a 10/22 and a reflex sight for a .22 pistol. I paid $60 for both. Both sights failed in short order. I did not bother sending them back for replacements but rather chalked it up as a "lesson paid for".

Recently I bought an optics-ready 22/45. I went for the Burris FastFire II (this was just before the III was announced); it cost me about $200 and at that price point I'm expecting it to last. I looked at some other sights but figured that the optic should not cost more than the gun!

The Bushnell seems to get good reviews. If I wanted a tube type sight (say, that 10/22 still needs something) I would give it a hard look. At one point Bushnell had a $30 rebate on Trophy scopes and would honor it on the TRS-25 which makes it a really good buy.

 

[Psa1m144]

I'm going to be the annoying guy who tells you to spend more money than you want to. In my personal experience combined with what I've heard and read, don't buy an optic that costs <$150. You'll end up buying 4-5 cheap ones to find one that works well (if your lucky) and by then you could have bought a top of the line product.

I just purchased a Vortex SPARC and it is phenomenal for for the price ($180-200). Vortex has a great reputation on top of that. If you do go the cheaper route, make sure you read tons of reviews of the specific product you decide to get, so you know what you are getting into.

 

[acmax95]

I am very happy with my Primary Arms micro dot Aimpoint clone. It was around $80 I believe.

 

[Batty67]

I too have a Vortex SPARC, a new one actually, since my first one's on/off siwth was defective. Great CS, emailed a UPS label to ship it back and I had a new one within a week. Very nice/fine dot. Good price.