Armed Polite Society

Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Jim147 on June 07, 2021, 04:12:55 PM

Title: AR optics?
Post by: Jim147 on June 07, 2021, 04:12:55 PM
I'm putting together a new lightweight AR for home and other defense with occasional plinking.

On my fist one I had the big battery Eotech. I can afford that right now and my eyes aren't getting younger so I was thinking maybe a 1x4x32. Anyone running something similar? Or other thoughts welcome also.
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: MechAg94 on June 07, 2021, 05:17:15 PM
I have a Trijicon 1-4 that is pretty good.  It is the cheapest 1-4 they offer (Accupoint?).  I never tried to use it for any tactical stuff.  As a scope it has good glass.  IMO, unless you really need the magnification, they are a large IMO for a light weight AR.  They are all about 10" long.  However, if you really want one rifle that does everything, it can fit your needs. 

I mostly shoot rifles off the bench so opinions will vary. 

Take a look at Primary Arms prism optics.  They have a model with a fixed 2X plus illuminated reticle that is still pretty small.  Only downside is it still has eye relief so you can't mount it forward like a red dot.
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: Ben on June 07, 2021, 05:20:13 PM
I am liking my Primary Arms 1-6x Raptor with ACSS. Though my other ARs are all on red dots.

What is your budget?
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: bedlamite on June 07, 2021, 06:03:45 PM
What is your budget?

^this


Here's what I'd look at:

low budget: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1019637344?pid=376627

Better: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018393928?pid=921516

I've never been impressed with any Chinese optic.
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: Boomhauer on June 07, 2021, 06:29:36 PM
The 1-4 or 1-6 optics with BDC reticles are very nice you can hit out to 600 easy on a 10” plate with one
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: French G. on June 07, 2021, 06:31:35 PM
Nikon M-223 1-4x is nice, I use one on my AR.
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: Jim147 on June 07, 2021, 07:08:52 PM
My budget is a little tight right now. I may even go with irons for the time being.

I have a 24" bull barrel with nice glass if I need to reach out and touch something.

Maybe one of the halo sights with a magnifier?

Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: Perd Hapley on June 07, 2021, 07:14:31 PM
My budget is a little tight right now. I may even go with irons for the time being.

I have a 24" bull barrel with nice glass if I need to reach out and touch something.

Maybe one of the halo sights with a magnifier?

How low are we going? Optics Planet has these in stock.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/primary-arms-primary-arms-1-4x24mm-illuminated-riflescope.html

Not an optics guru, but I get the impression those are considered sort of a rock bottom minimum for a variable optic. Below that, you have your Monstrums and Barskas, and what-not.
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: dogmush on June 07, 2021, 07:30:31 PM
I run a lot of LPVO's (1-4 and 1-6's) and I still like them for positive target ID, but on the carbine I run for run and gun, I switched back to my Eotech this winter. Man sized targets out to 150 or so are still easy hits, it's fast, and as soon as I get in a wierd position (shooting around something, or crouching cand shooting from cover) the eye box constraints of a magnified optic really get in the way.

For a "home defense" gun I am back to 1x red dots with nice big windows. Keep your head up and both eyes open.

For a "general purpose " rifle that you might need to observe things or hunt animals, a 1-6x is still pretty handy, and the Primary Arms ACSS's linked above are great choices.

An Eotech XPS2 ain't cheap, but man they work.  (Full disclosure: I have a handful of PA microdots on my toys, because I have a budget too)
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: MechAg94 on June 07, 2021, 09:24:02 PM
That is really where my opinion sits.  The adjustable optics are better if you really need to reach out back normal iron sight distances.  If I only had one rifle, maybe the LVPO would be a good choice.  Otherwise I find I like the smaller, compact red dots.


Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: French G. on June 07, 2021, 11:25:02 PM
My optics life is kinda limited, I shot so much with irons. By far my favorite scope was a compact ACOG fixed 2x on my carry handle. Very fast. My default with the 1-4x is leave it on one.
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: Lennyjoe on June 08, 2021, 09:13:06 AM

For a "home defense" gun I am back to 1x red dots with nice big windows. Keep your head up and both eyes open.


I like the Sig MSR for my home defense rifle.  https://www.opticsplanet.com/sig-sauer-romeo-msr-red-dot-sight.html
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: MechAg94 on June 08, 2021, 05:25:20 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2-hDOSeipU

The Smallest, Lightest Prism Optic: Vortex Spitfire Gen II 5x -- TFB TV
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: Jim147 on June 08, 2021, 05:44:04 PM
Lots of options. I go to one of the links and wind up looking at 400 plus optics.

As far as budget, I have enough to get the Eotech I want but really want to stay under $300 if I can. I may have sold several firearms over the years of illness but I still have several. So I can cover all my needs without this one.

I ordered iron sites for it today and will run those until I can get to the city and get some hands on time with a few. Even with the eyes getting older I can see pretty well with a peep.
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: Jim147 on June 09, 2021, 03:28:39 PM
I'm being teased now. I got an email today for a 512 @ $418.
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: dogmush on June 09, 2021, 03:56:34 PM
Big Daddy Unlimited has the 512s for $393.

They've got a good stock of other models as well.
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: Perd Hapley on June 09, 2021, 07:35:24 PM
I ordered iron sites for it today and will run those until I can get to the city and get some hands on time with a few. Even with the eyes getting older I can see pretty well with a peep.

If they are fixed (non-flippy) sights, I am looking for recommendations.
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: Jim147 on June 09, 2021, 08:02:57 PM
Big Daddy Unlimited has the 512s for $393.

They've got a good stock of other models as well.

Dont tease me more.

If they are fixed (non-flippy) sights, I am looking for recommendations.

they are flip up, I have a front gas block with sight if you need one.
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: Boomhauer on June 09, 2021, 09:26:38 PM
If they are fixed (non-flippy) sights, I am looking for recommendations.

Daniel Defense has what you want I have a set on my rifle and are decently priced.
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: Perd Hapley on June 09, 2021, 09:29:25 PM
Daniel Defense has what you want I have a set on my rifle and are decently priced.

That was the conclusion I'd already come to, so thanks for nothin'.  :lol:
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: Zardozimo Oprah Bannedalas on June 11, 2021, 11:58:15 AM
I run a lot of LPVO's (1-4 and 1-6's) and I still like them for positive target ID, but on the carbine I run for run and gun, I switched back to my Eotech this winter. Man sized targets out to 150 or so are still easy hits, it's fast, and as soon as I get in a wierd position (shooting around something, or crouching cand shooting from cover) the eye box constraints of a magnified optic really get in the way.

For a "home defense" gun I am back to 1x red dots with nice big windows. Keep your head up and both eyes open.

For a "general purpose " rifle that you might need to observe things or hunt animals, a 1-6x is still pretty handy, and the Primary Arms ACSS's linked above are great choices.

An Eotech XPS2 ain't cheap, but man they work.  (Full disclosure: I have a handful of PA microdots on my toys, because I have a budget too)
All of this. I don't quite get the hate for the big-window red dots from some people. I did my own testing years ago and they were always faster, and the very trendy mini red dots were always dead last.
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: Jim147 on June 11, 2021, 02:13:38 PM
I'll keep looking for optics. I think I have a low power scope around here I might give a try.

Now I just need to get off my butt this weekend and go borrow a friends mill for a few hours and do up all these lowers I have sitting around.
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: MechAg94 on June 11, 2021, 02:49:07 PM
All of this. I don't quite get the hate for the big-window red dots from some people. I did my own testing years ago and they were always faster, and the very trendy mini red dots were always dead last.
I have a very old EOTech.  My main complaint was the battery life was pretty low at the time.  I haven't looked at them in a long time.  I will have to check.
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: Jim147 on June 11, 2021, 06:45:44 PM
The thing i liked about the Eotech was 100% co witness. If I didn't have time to turn it on I just used the steel sites with no problem.
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: Lennyjoe on June 13, 2021, 11:49:01 AM
Primary Arms has the Sig Romeo MSR 2 MOA red dot on sale for $89.99 for the next 24 hours. I have 2 and like them a lot.

https://www.primaryarms.com/sig-sauer-romeo-msr-red-dot-sight-2-moa?trk_msg=LTBR4RMCLFTKH2AE4PICBIHKBC&trk_contact=UA48OU9FCBP18RT2EAGP20A558&trk_sid=4AV8VDIQ6RRPE6F33F16IUKMBS&utm_source=listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=BANNER_1&utm_campaign=21_06_AD12_Sig-Sight
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: Jim147 on June 13, 2021, 01:13:59 PM
Primary Arms has the Sig Romeo MSR 2 MOA red dot on sale for $89.99 for the next 24 hours. I have 2 and like them a lot.

https://www.primaryarms.com/sig-sauer-romeo-msr-red-dot-sight-2-moa?trk_msg=LTBR4RMCLFTKH2AE4PICBIHKBC&trk_contact=UA48OU9FCBP18RT2EAGP20A558&trk_sid=4AV8VDIQ6RRPE6F33F16IUKMBS&utm_source=listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=BANNER_1&utm_campaign=21_06_AD12_Sig-Sight

I got that page saved now, will look at it more tonight.
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: Lennyjoe on June 13, 2021, 03:54:51 PM
I have one on my .223 AR pistol and 10MM Bullpup
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: Jim147 on June 14, 2021, 06:12:54 PM
I lost my internet this morning. By the time I got it back this afternoon it was back to $150.
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: French G. on June 14, 2021, 06:58:28 PM
I still come back to the Nikon m-223 series. They can get expensive but the 1-4 I have was $250. Finally got the correct scope mount and got it on yesterday for a middle of a thunderstorm sight in.
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: WLJ on June 14, 2021, 07:04:28 PM
Nikon dropped out of the firearms optics market.
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: bedlamite on June 14, 2021, 08:14:58 PM
Nikon dropped out of the firearms optics market.

And before that, they refused to honor their lifetime warranty.
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: Angel Eyes on June 14, 2021, 08:38:27 PM
Sig Romeo MSR and magnifier for $249:

https://www.bereli.com/sig-sauer-sorj72001-romeo-msr-combo-kit-1x20mm-compact-red-dot-w-micro-magnifier/

Just passing it along in case anyone is interested.
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: French G. on June 14, 2021, 11:09:10 PM
Nikon dropped out of the firearms optics market.
[/quote

Hmmm, I musta been under a rock. That sucks.
Title: Re: AR optics?
Post by: MechAg94 on June 15, 2021, 08:53:21 AM
I did not know that about Nikon.  Plenty of other choices these days.

I guess the market for the low and middle scope market is crowded not to mention all the alternative scopes people like for AR rifles. 

I have some Nikon binoculars that are pretty good for what they cost.