What scope for my AR-15?

[Buck Snort]

I just picked us a LaRue AR-15 and I'm starting to think about springing for a scope or holo-sight of some sort. Is there any general concensus as to what works best on that platform?

 

[KW]

What kind of shooting are you doing with it? There's a big difference between shooting smelly bearded men at 10' and shooting varmints at 300 yards.

What's your price range? You can find some decent stuff for $1-300 that will serve you well for typical use. If you want something that has all the best features and will survive the coming nuclear holocaust you can easily spend upward of $1000.

 

[XxM0nEyMaKeRxX]

http://www.bushnell.com/products/scopes/riflescopes/elite4200/421424M/

That would be my choice assuming your not using it as a hunting rifle.

 

[inherentical]

I have a US Optics SN-3 1.8-10x on top of my 20" LaRue AR. I felt that gave me the best balance of what I was looking to do with the gun. Originally I had a Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x on top of it, but I really thought that was way too much scope. I'd like to throw that one on a East Ridge Guns .50 BMG eventually.

 

[Al LaVodka]

Maybe an "integral scope" specifically designed for the AR?

I spent a good $36 each for what is basically a knockoff of the old Colt Carrying Handle integrated M-16 scopes. These 4x scopes have a built in mount and attach to the handle directly, and are designed to be self zeroing easy on and off. They are about the same length as the handle, have a bullet drop compensator in addition to a Mil-Dot reticle, are acceptably iron-sight see-thru, and the coated optics are only 20mm (4/5th inches) and low so can use them without an additional cheekrest reasonably well. No additional scope mount. 13 ounces isn't exactly light though. Sportsman's Guide has 'em but they are ONLY for sale to Members at this time.

I have an original Colt 3x but it is now too valuable to use! I bought another brand of these a few months ago from another retailer NCStar was it?) -- the mount detent ball didn't engage and it turned out they were all bad and had to be returned to the manufacturer! These Barska brand? I ordered two a few days ago!

Al

 

[LRS_Ranger]

Some people I know (read: people do cool stuff with these toys) swear by the Nightforce 1-4. I'm saving up for one myself... Crystal clear optics and top notch quality. But again, what are you planning on doing with it?

 

[ozarkhillbilly]

An eotech, if you want a 1x, is a good buy for the money at around $450.00. If you want som magnifiacation then a good 1-4x scope is a good way to go.

 

[Kenpo]

Some good things being said about the nightforce for sure.

http://www.tacticalintervention.com/reviewnightforce1-4.html

Interesting thread on some other 1-4 options;

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=104

http://www.10-8forums.com/ubbthread...ds=schmidt+bender&topic=&Search=true#Post4435

I'm curious as to everyone's thoughts on why someone would choose a 1-4 optic like the nightforce, Swarovski, USO SN-4, S&B Short Dot etc over a set up like the Aimpoint CompML3 paired with an Aimpoint 3xMag on the Larue pivot mount. The whole set up would be $1000-$1300 bucks and pretty fast and flexible.

 

[MrCleanOK]

Let what you want to do with the rifle dictate your choice in type of optic, then buy the best you can afford.

 

[Zak Smith]

Here is one way to break it down


article | Fighting Carbine Optics

 

[Kenpo]

I'm curious as to everyone's thoughts on why someone would choose a 1-4 optic like the nightforce, Swarovski, USO SN-4, S&B Short Dot etc over a set up like the Aimpoint CompML3 paired with an Aimpoint 3xMag on the Larue pivot mount. The whole set up would be $1000-$1300 bucks and pretty fast and flexible.

Set up like this: http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/catalog/pivani.gif

 

[gdcpony]

For a $100 bill you could mount a Konus 1.5-5x32 Aimpro. I love mine. I have them one ALL my rifles now. The reticle is the best I have seen for fast and precise shooting combined. For fast shooting just center the diamond and squeeze. For a little more precision the inner crosshair is fine enough to pick a spot on a groundhog at 300yds. I first got one for my deer gun (20ga H&R Ultra-slugger Thumbhole) and was so impressed with it, I got more of them. I have yet to have a failure and I am not gentle on my gear.

 

[Zak Smith]

Kenpo, there are some disadvantages to the magnifier systems. One of them is that the field of view is typically much less than a "native" magnified optic.

Also, hold-over points in the reticle are critical to making hits on smallish targets past about 200 yards.