Optics for my first AR15

MoMoney

MoMoney

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Purchased a Wilson Combat Tactical Recon in 5.56 and will be getting it in late September or so. Will be my first AR.

In the meantime I'm looking to pick up whatever accessories I need before it arrives. My main thoughts are on what kind of optic to get (Red dot? ACOG? some kind of 1-4x? 1-6x?), but if anyone has any other ideas for what I'm going to need I'll take any and all suggestions!

I'm looking for something that'll suit me for almost any kind of shooting I want, so I'm leaning towards a nice 1-4x or 1-6x. Obviously I'll be out for some target shooting but probably wont be going for insanely long shots, but I'm very interested in more close range tactical competitions/fun stuff like that (I'm a total noob, apologies for not knowing proper terminology) so it'd be nice if whatever I get would work well for that. That's where I think maybe a 1-4x may be best vs. a 1-6x?

I don't know a ton about why one would want a red dot or acog vs. a standard scope, so if anyone has some feedback on that as well, that'd be great.

Last but not least, if anyone has just general suggestions for a certain model of sight that'll work well with my AR-15 that is a good value, always appreciated. I'm hoping to spend under $600-800 or so, but if I can get something under that.. that's always nice.

Thanks in advance for the help!



EDIT: I am considering the Vortex Razor HD 1-4 x 24 that's listed in EE right now for around $900, but I think it may be a little outdated? Should I avoid optics that are 4-5 years old and discontinued, or are they generally good value if kept in good shape?
 
At that price, I'd buy a variable 1-4 or 1-6.

I would look at Trijicon Accupower/Accupoints. They typically sell for ~$800 and are excellent for the money. Many have had great experiences with cheaper Vortex products and Primary Arms, but I can't speak to those personally.

I've never handled a Gen 1 Razor, but my Gen 2 Razor 1-6 is excellent.
 
MoMoney said:
EDIT: I am considering the Vortex Razor HD 1-4 x 24 that's listed in EE right now for around $900, but I think it may be a little outdated? Should I avoid optics that are 4-5 years old and discontinued, or are they generally good value if kept in good shape?
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You are correct in that the 1x4's are getting outdated, lots of 1x6's and 1x8's out there now. That's the direction I would lean vs Red dot or fixed magnification sight like an Acog, as they have the magnification perks of fixed optic with the both eyes open red dot abilities of a 1x optic, and while they might not be as quite as good as a dedicated fixed mag. optic or red dot, they are a great compromise. As a baseline, the Vortex Strike Eagle 1x6 is $420 at Cabela's so they have come down in price a lot. The Razor is of course a higher value scope but I would stray away from the 1-4x.
 
MoMoney said:
I'm looking for something that'll suit me for almost any kind of shooting I want, so I'm leaning towards a nice 1-4x or 1-6x. Obviously I'll be out for some target shooting but probably wont be going for insanely long shots, but I'm very interested in more close range tactical competitions/fun stuff like that (I'm a total noob, apologies for not knowing proper terminology) so it'd be nice if whatever I get would work well for that. That's where I think maybe a 1-4x may be best vs. a 1-6x?
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Really depends on what kind of shooting you want to do. Lots of good discussion in this thread:

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...What-is-your-go-to-optic-for-your-black-rifle

No one optic is perfect for everything. For the kind of closer-range run-and-gun stuff you mention, a TA33 ACOG is just about perfect... kind of like a red dot with some magnification, and still lightweight, very robust and simple.
 
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I wouldn't worry much about "old" optics. I have an Aimpoint comp ML3, and an Eotech SU231 that still run flawlessly. Well made optics, like other things, last a lifetime. That being said, yes the 1-4's are behind the trend of 1-6 and 1-8's but if you aren't planning on shooting very far, a well made 1-4 power is perfectly fine. Hell, most competent shooters will do just fine with a 1-4.
Don't get too wrapped up on all the Gucci trends in the gun industry. So many new guys come into this side of the sport, have to buy the latest and greatest and fanciest pieces but don't consider their end use or their abilities.

If it were me, I'd sooner buy a well made razor 1-4 vs a cheaper 1-6 strike eagle. Then again, I wouldn't have dropped 3 grand on a rifle with the plan to put cheap budget optics on it either.
I'd be putting my Nightforce NX8 on it.
 
Some fantastic replies guys. Will be a difficult decision for sure.

I'm beginning to think I might look at upping my budget a bit more. Maybe around $1200 or so? I honestly just don't know how much I should be spending on glass vs. my gun. I got my gun for a great price (around 2.2k after taxes) but I know it's typically well over $3k usually, so should I be spending more than 600-800 on a sight for it? I don't know..

I am very tempted on the Razor 1-4, if I can find a 1-6 for under $1100 that'll suit me well and wouldn't get me any looks at the range for having cheap optics on my gun.. I'll go for it. Other than that, with what I have in mind, 4x is about all I'd need but if I can get something higher, I know it'd get some use eventually.

If anyone else has more suggestions of good current models I can get within my budget, or a bit over my budget - please do!

Wanstalls also has a BUSHNELL SMRS 1-6x for under $1200 currently as well. I don't know if that's a great price (it's used but I hear it's brand new, just been opened) but I don't hear Bushnell talked about a ton when it comes to AR scopes.
 
I had an optisan 1-6 msr reticle.
It was a very well made Optic with very clear glass.
Just don’t have enough magnification for me.
 
3k for an AR? That’s far from typical. Most are well under 2k. Mind you some people get carried away with accessories.
 
Bushnell makes durable, quality optics, but the glass tends to be a little worse than a lot of the compatible brands. Lots of people use them.

I just ordered a Burris AR 332 which is a fixed 3x for one of my rifles, as it will mostly be used for close-medium range hunting, and I've always wanted an ACOG so for $500 it'll be a good test to see how I like a fixed magnification optic prior to dropping 3-4 times that. Burris, Nikon, Bushnell, and Vortex all make decent low power variable magnification scopes for under $1000. Vortex, Sig Sauer, and Trijicon would be the brands I'd look at in the $1k-$2K range, the Trijicon would be my choice but that's at the top end of that price bracket. Anything over the $2k mark and you really can't go wrong if you have the money.
 
Leg said:
3k for an AR? That’s far from typical. Most are well under 2k. Mind you some people get carried away with accessories.
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Apologies, I didn't mean for a "typical AR". I meant for a typical Wilson Combat Tactical Recon. Originally I was going with an LE6920 though so I definitely understand you can get a solid AR for half of what I spent!
 
FoxAlpha said:
If you can increase the budget a bit, I've heard great things about the new eotech vudu 1-6.

https://www.durhamoutdoors.ca/collections/optic/products/eotech-vudu-1-6x24-ffp-sr1-reticle-mrad

Something worth considering also, going with an LPVO you'll need a decent mount to go with it.

Welcome to the world of AR's, where there's always something else you have to spend money on.
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FWIW, the Vudu I looked through was from from daylight bright. Not everyone views that as necessary in a LPVO, but it's something that I look for.
 
Anpaul said:
FWIW, the Vudu I looked through was from from daylight bright. Not everyone views that as necessary in a LPVO, but it's something that I look for.
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For me, this is critical. It's the entire reason I sold my NXS 1-4 in favor of he NX8. The added mag was a benefit, but not the primary reason.
 
Advice? Master your iron sights. Find a good quality red dot ( trjicon mro, aimpoint, eotech ) and once you mastered the dot, buy a3x magnifier. Wish i new this a while back...
 
What if I went with a Swarovski Z6i 1-6?... oh god I am so tempted.

On the other hand, anyone have opinions on the Bushnell Elite Tactical 1-6.5x SMRS?
 
I have a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6. It fits your price point nicely and I have had no trouble with mine at CQB. Vortex Canada has a lifetime no bs warranty and are quick and easy to deal with.
 
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