what kind of optic should I use on my AR?

J

JR Hartman

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
66   0   0
Location
chilliwack BC.
sorry, newb question, but I am a newb with AR-15 rifles.

new 16" AR-15(WW-15) and I am looking to put a non magnified optic on it.

should I go with a holosight or a tubed red dot?

plusses and minuses of each?

it will be a lower cost one, under $150, and closer to a hun would be great.

thank you.
 
For $150 just put some "iron" sights on it.

Then take some time getting use to it while saving up a bit more money for a better red dot.
 
+1 Don't waste your money on cheap optics. (Speaking from experience with multiple cheap optics).

Good iron sights go a long way on an AR. If you want to stretch it out a bit further, buy something decent that will be somewhat accurate and be able to hold zero.
 
I put a Vortex Strikefire on my AR... $189.99 comes with mount, flip up lens covers, few other accessories, and the great Vortex warranty... I didn't personally see the need to spend $500 on an Aimpoint or an Eotech
 
+3 stick with iron sights and when you save up enough money get a decent red dot. $100-150 is going to get you crap. Buy cheap, buy twice. One way to shoot for cheaper is a .22 LR conversion kit at closer distances and use the .223 at the end of your range session to clean out the gas tube.
 
Last edited:
If in time you are only going to the range, then go with a SPARC or Strikefire from Vortex.

If doing more like CQB or some sort of running an gunning training, then opt for an Aimpoint PRO.
 
A.T.R. said:
If in time you are only going to the range, then go with a SPARC or Strikefire from Vortex.

If doing more like CQB or some sort of running an gunning training, then opt for an Aimpoint PRO.
Click to expand...

x2 for the Pro... After 2 years of shooting with irons, I finally picked one up, the nice thing was, all I did was put away a few bucks every pay cheque, and soon enough I had enough to buy almost anything optic I wanted
 
Irons till you can afford a Hi-Lux CMR 1-4 ($400), I put one on my 14.5" and it is a great scope for the money.
As you gain experience and have a chance to try other peoples rifles that have higher end optics you'll understand the difference. I just bought my first Nightforce for my 338 Lapua and the difference is huge from it to a midrange scope. Now my Bushnell 6500 seems like a bottom end scope.
I have a fake EoTech and and a fakepoint T-1 from Ebay and while they work (the T-1 is better) they are still cheap crap. Optics are not the place to be cheap. If you don't care for magnification your far better off to go with irons till you can afford something good.

Good luck
 
I would guess he already has Iron sights.

That is why he is asking about putting on a Holosight or a red dot.

Most likely the NcStar type of weapon sight.

Nothing wrong with a low cost optic. Lots of people use them, myself included.

If they are so horrible, then why do most of the dealers at the top of this page sell them?

I would go with a simple red dot. Quite a few available at HI Caliber and Marstar, Etc.

Why are people afraid to admit that the holes in the paper at 10M or 25M are not any different if you use a $150 red dot or a $700 one?
 
Why are people afraid to admit that the holes in the paper at 10M or 25M are not any different if you use a $150 red dot or a $700 one?
Click to expand...

They'll put holes in paper at 10m or 25m.

Will they do the same, possibly, depending on the brand. The difference lies in durability, accuracy and dependability.

Problems you will encounter are low grade electronics, low quality glass, high battery use, retical movement, poor fit/machining etc.

Sure, lots of these low grade sights have great warranty as it's built into the price with high margins.

I'd rather not take a chance that the product I just bought is in that percentage of lemons they expect to come back.


However it all comes down to what you want to do with it, how much you want to spend, and if the product breaks, are you ok with the process to get it fixed or replaced.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom