Author Topic: AR optics?  (Read 1456 times)

Jim147

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AR optics?
« 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.
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MechAg94

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Re: AR optics?
« Reply #1 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.
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Ben

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Re: AR optics?
« Reply #2 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?
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bedlamite

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Re: AR optics?
« Reply #3 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.
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Boomhauer

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Re: AR optics?
« Reply #4 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
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French G.

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Re: AR optics?
« Reply #5 on: June 07, 2021, 06:31:35 PM »
Nikon M-223 1-4x is nice, I use one on my AR.
AKA Navy Joe   

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Jim147

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Re: AR optics?
« Reply #6 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?

Sometimes we carry more weight then we owe.
And sometimes goes on and on and on.

BAH-WEEP-GRAAAGHNAH WHEEP NI-NI BONG

Perd Hapley

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Re: AR optics?
« Reply #7 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.
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dogmush

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Re: AR optics?
« Reply #8 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)

MechAg94

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Re: AR optics?
« Reply #9 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.


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French G.

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Re: AR optics?
« Reply #10 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.
AKA Navy Joe   

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Lennyjoe

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Re: AR optics?
« Reply #11 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

MechAg94

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Re: AR optics?
« Reply #12 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
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Jim147

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Re: AR optics?
« Reply #13 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.
Sometimes we carry more weight then we owe.
And sometimes goes on and on and on.

BAH-WEEP-GRAAAGHNAH WHEEP NI-NI BONG

Jim147

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Re: AR optics?
« Reply #14 on: June 09, 2021, 03:28:39 PM »
I'm being teased now. I got an email today for a 512 @ $418.
Sometimes we carry more weight then we owe.
And sometimes goes on and on and on.

BAH-WEEP-GRAAAGHNAH WHEEP NI-NI BONG

dogmush

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Re: AR optics?
« Reply #15 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.

Perd Hapley

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Re: AR optics?
« Reply #16 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.
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Jim147

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Re: AR optics?
« Reply #17 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.
Sometimes we carry more weight then we owe.
And sometimes goes on and on and on.

BAH-WEEP-GRAAAGHNAH WHEEP NI-NI BONG

Boomhauer

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Re: AR optics?
« Reply #18 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.
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Perd Hapley

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Re: AR optics?
« Reply #19 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:
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Re: AR optics?
« Reply #20 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.

Jim147

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Re: AR optics?
« Reply #21 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.
Sometimes we carry more weight then we owe.
And sometimes goes on and on and on.

BAH-WEEP-GRAAAGHNAH WHEEP NI-NI BONG

MechAg94

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Re: AR optics?
« Reply #22 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.
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Jim147

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Re: AR optics?
« Reply #23 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.
Sometimes we carry more weight then we owe.
And sometimes goes on and on and on.

BAH-WEEP-GRAAAGHNAH WHEEP NI-NI BONG

Lennyjoe

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