What are your opinions on red dot vs variable scopes for AR-15 rifles and best options under $500?

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 19:32:39 -0400

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2016 7:50 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 19:50:33 -0400

Red dot for sure. The only sight I have experience with and would recommend without reservation is the COMP M4. However it's well above the 500 mark. I also have used the COMP M2, and the dot is simply too wide and bright to be easy to use beyond 200 meters.

Response by SFC Jerry Humphries made Aug 28 at 2016 7:51 PM

SFC Jerry Humphries — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 19:51:14 -0400

I like the holographic sights by EO Tech they start about at $400 and go up from there.

Response by Sgt Seth Welch made Aug 28 at 2016 7:58 PM

Sgt Seth Welch — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 19:58:56 -0400

I've used red dot, acog and iron rights on the ar... I have always favored iron sights over all other optics. Just my opinion

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2016 8:04 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 20:04:40 -0400

Personally I think you get the best of both worlds under 50 meters and over 100 meters with a variable 1-4 X 24 or 1-6 x 30 scope. Yes a red dot excels at close range but that's its primary objective. In a real SHTF situation up close and personal will be far and few between. Which means the red dot will be beyond its limitations. And the variable does not have to be used with illumination. Of course this is all a matter of opinion. http://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-viper-pst-1-4x24-riflescope.html

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Response by Alan K. made Aug 28 at 2016 8:12 PM

Alan K. — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 20:12:16 -0400

AR 15 for CQB....Red dot. Up the ante' (7.62) and use a scope over 100 yards.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2016 8:14 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 20:14:38 -0400

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Response by SSgt Christopher Brose made Aug 28 at 2016 9:16 PM

SSgt Christopher Brose — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 21:16:49 -0400

It depends on the application. Target shooting? I'd go with iron sights. Hunting or sniping? Variable scope. Quick tactical action? Red dot.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 28 at 2016 9:17 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 21:17:51 -0400

I'm with MSgt Private RallyPoint Member with the PST on my light AR. You can crank the red reticle on for daylight but it excels at dusk. At one power, both eyes open, running varmints are toast. Getting them at 150-200 at 4X works. Someone mentioned the AR-10. I rebuilt my SM M1A into a long range propane cylinder buster with the Viper PST MRAD FFP 4-16X. Best fun is putting the road flare on a stick in front so you add powdered excitement to the propane going up. Lost a battery cover for the PST. Rang support up to buy a replacement. Oh no, we'll send you one for free. Good outfit.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Aug 28 at 2016 10:49 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 22:49:00 -0400

What's the role of the weapon?

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Aug 28 at 2016 11:27 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 23:27:59 -0400

Iron sights for anything before 300. Variable scope for everything beyond.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Aug 29 at 2016 12:47 AM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 00:47:13 -0400

I like the EO-Tech with 3x magnifier

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2016 6:32 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 06:32:54 -0400

Red dots with irons as your back up that's what I have and I can still shot 300+ meters with my irons if the red dot goes out.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2016 8:32 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 08:32:27 -0400

I like the Eotech red dot. Has worked well for me on an AR platform.

Response by GySgt Bill Smith made Aug 29 at 2016 9:52 AM

GySgt Bill Smith — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 09:52:04 -0400

http://www.primaryarms.com/scopes/c/140100/
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Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2016 10:12 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 10:12:01 -0400

It really depends on the purpose and the environment. For close up, you can't beat the red-dot (I use EoTechs and that was my go-to in the cities of Iraq). For distance, the ACOG is fantastic and used for convoys in rural environments (think Afghanistan)

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2016 12:41 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 12:41:44 -0400

I have a BSA "Sweet 223" 6-18x40scope on my Ruger Mini-14. I love it. If I recall correctly, I got it on sale for less than $50.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2016 2:26 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 14:26:58 -0400

Iron sights. Hoah

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 29 at 2016 5:24 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 17:24:24 -0400

I've used EOTech, Scope, Acog, as well as a few other applications. It depends on what you are doing.

With an AR-15, it is very possible to "outshoot the gun" using just the Iron Sights, as in get point accuracy at 500 meters even though the weapon is not "technically" rated for it. Adding any kind of optic is going to enhance that. Changing the distance (lowering it to 200-300 meters) is going to enhance that.

Personally, I like the EOTech for quick acquisition, but prefer variable power for longer distances.

Response by SFC James Barnes made Sep 8 at 2016 3:22 PM

SFC James Barnes — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 15:22:11 -0400

Depends on what I'm doing. I always have iron sights on my AR and do regularly shoot with them just because. But if I'm not going out past 300m or doing a run and gun i prefer red dots and Scopes for precision. But like I said I always have the irons if equipment fails or just for the challenge

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2016 1:13 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 13:13:42 -0400

The Red Dot is completely out for me. Being red/green colorblind, just to find the stupid dot in my field of vision requires turning the brightness up so high that the target I'm supposed tobe shooting at is washed out.

Iron sights--I vote for developing actual marksmanship skills.

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Dec 30 at 2016 11:22 AM

MSgt Mark Bucher — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 11:22:07 -0500

I've got a Vortex Strikefire on my M&P AR that I like a lot. Use iron sights on my other 2 5.56 ARs. I've got an M&P AR-15 22 that I've got a cheap Simmons 3x9 on top of. It's a tack driver out to 100 yards.

Response by SPC David S. made Jun 20 at 2019 12:51 PM

SPC David S. — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 12:51:13 -0400

All depends on purpose however overall for an AR - red dot