Scope/Red Dot Combosfor AR15?

TWtommers

TWtommers

Instructor
Joined
Jul 15, 2010
Messages
2,615
Likes
432
Location
South Central MA
Feedback: 17 / 0 / 0
The more I shoot my AR the more I love it. I have a cheap Tasco red dot on it right now that actually isn't bad at about 50 yards or less. Unfortunately, at anything longer, the 5 MOA red dot will completely cover objects like pumpkins making it much harder to hit a small jar of Tannerite under said pumpkin.

I'd love to get a magnifying scope on there. Anything between 4x and 9x is fine and variable would be okay. I'd want to use this for hitting smaller targets at 100 yards or more. But, I also want a red dot to be able to quickly acquire larger targets at closer ranges.

I am not competing with this setup and I'm not clearing rooms. Just looking to get the most out of one rifle. I've seen NCStar has a combo sight for short money. I don't have high hopes for it. I'm guessing I could also probably setup something with two different scopes and a riser mount. I'd love to hear ideas and, if you've got 'em, see picture of what others have done.
 
What about a 2x dot? I picked one up after clicking on the ballistic reload banner and saw an add for one that got good reviews on a few other sites.
Haven't used it yet but from screwing around with it it seems ok.
 
I run a Daniel Defense 1 O'clock mount horizontally, with a Primary arms Mini dot

firebirdweb.jpg


The problem when you run the dot off the top of the scope is the offset is huge, you have to aim very high or low when not shooting at the distance you zero'ed at
 
Last edited:
I'm a big fan of low power variables for a do all rifle. I have a meopta 1-4x on my ar and love it. For a lower price range, the burris 1-4s I've seen are pretty nice.

Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk
 
I have become very fond of my Aimpoints, I have and M3 and M4S and and the magnifier, but the set up with LaRue mounts is expensive as hell but it works great for me. The magnification is a little lower than what you stated but I like that you can just flip the magnifier out of the way when your not using it (which for me is most of the time).
 
Last edited:
Supermoto said:
Jar, Did you get the Primary Arms 1-4x for your Nordic? How's that?
Click to expand...

It's decent for the price. I'm spoiled by the Meopta. I think the PA 1-4 is fine for a 22 practice tool, but I'd want better on a centerfire. The glass isn't super, the eye relief is very touchy on 4x, and the illumination is useless in sunlight. For $180 shipped including their deluxe extended mount, I think it's a good value though.

Will you be at the NB rifle match later this month? I can bring it for you to look through.
 
Are there any/many fixed 4x optics choices outside of ACOGs? Elcans? I currently have a Vortex Viper PST 1-4x on top of an otherwise lightweight AR, and the bulk and weight of it has me second guessing the setup. I love having the 4x option, so I'm wondering if there's a fixed 4x alternative I can run that might be lighter and more compact even with a micro reddot on the side (much like supermoto's setup). If not I might swicth over to an aimpoint and fixed irons.
 
The problem with inexpensive is you often get what you pay for. Stay in your budget but make sure your budget actually encompasses what you're looking to get from a sight.

EDIT

4x doesn't mean you can't use the gun close up - it just means you need to get used to it. I've got an ACOG on mine and have no trouble doing the Vtac 9 hole drill at 50 yds in the 40's.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for all the comments. There are some options here I didn't know about.

I'm thinking that a mini/micro red dot mounted to another scope or mount might be what I want. When using a magnified scope I really want to be able to be more precise and a mil dot type reticle is nice then. I'm concerned that with a red dot plus a magnifier I'll just end up magnifying the dot as well which won't help me be more accurate. Am I misunderstanding the way that works?
 
TWtommers said:
Thanks for all the comments. There are some options here I didn't know about.

I'm thinking that a mini/micro red dot mounted to another scope or mount might be what I want. When using a magnified scope I really want to be able to be more precise and a mil dot type reticle is nice then. I'm concerned that with a red dot plus a magnifier I'll just end up magnifying the dot as well which won't help me be more accurate. Am I misunderstanding the way that works?
Click to expand...

Correct the magnifier also magnifies the dot. You can also look at 1-4x adjustable scopes. The 1x is almost as fast as red dot up close and give good precision at distance
 
Supermoto said:
Correct the magnifier also magnifies the dot. You can also look at 1-4x adjustable scopes. The 1x is almost as fast as red dot up close and give good precision at distance
Click to expand...

That's what I feared. My biggest issue with my cheap red dot now is that its roughly the size of Alderaan at 100 yards. So, I can tell if I have a Buick in my sights but that's about the extent of my accuracy. I like being able to see the target more clearly at a distance and dial in a little better so I may go the piggy back route.
 
TWtommers said:
That's what I feared. My biggest issue with my cheap red dot now is that its roughly the size of Alderaan at 100 yards. So, I can tell if I have a Buick in my sights but that's about the extent of my accuracy. I like being able to see the target more clearly at a distance and dial in a little better so I may go the piggy back route.
Click to expand...

One trick you can do is use the top of the dot to aim. One of the issues I had with my Burris XTR was when the target was just smaller than the outer circle, I did not have good contrast bewteen the target and the background and couldn't always tell if I was on target. With the chevron on the ACOG, I no longer have that issue, Finding the target and knowing that I am on target is much faster
 
Supermoto said:
One trick you can do is use the top of the dot to aim. One of the issues I had with my Burris XTR was when the target was just smaller than the outer circle, I did not have good contrast bewteen the target and the background and couldn't always tell if I was on target. With the chevron on the ACOG, I no longer have that issue, Finding the target and knowing that I am on target is much faster
Click to expand...

Good tip! Thanks
 
A friend of mine has a Millet "DMS" scope and is happy with it. It has 1 to 4x magnification and a circle dot reticle. These scopes can be had for just over $200 when on sale.
 
atmay said:
You can buy mounts that go around scope tubes for micro red dots.

And I've had good luck with my CMore STS
Click to expand...

jar said:
I'm a big fan of low power variables for a do all rifle. I have a meopta 1-4x on my ar and love it. For a lower price range, the burris 1-4s I've seen are pretty nice.

Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Supermoto said:
Jar, Did you get the Primary Arms 1-4x for your Nordic? How's that?
Click to expand...

Gammon said:
A friend of mine has a Millet "DMS" scope and is happy with it. It has 1 to 4x magnification and a circle dot reticle. These scopes can be had for just over $200 when on sale.
Click to expand...

TWtommers said:
I'm really liking what I see there. It might be the winner. Thanks for that!
Click to expand...

Good stuff. So where did y'all buy these, and for about how much? I anticipate using iron sights for the time being, then maybe a lower end red dot or a 4x. The variable 1-4x sounds like where I might finally end up, with the others bouncing down the food chain to the .22 and the air gun.
 
Coyote33 said:
Good stuff. So where did y'all buy these, and for about how much? I anticipate using iron sights for the time being, then maybe a lower end red dot or a 4x. The variable 1-4x sounds like where I might finally end up, with the others bouncing down the food chain to the .22 and the air gun.
Click to expand...

SWFA.com usually has the Millet DMS in a combo pack with the Burris PEPR mount. When I had one, the PEPR had rails on top of the rings.

I bought my CMore off Amazon.
 
Coyote33 said:
Good stuff. So where did y'all buy these, and for about how much? I anticipate using iron sights for the time being, then maybe a lower end red dot or a 4x. The variable 1-4x sounds like where I might finally end up, with the others bouncing down the food chain to the .22 and the air gun.
Click to expand...

The Meopta runs about $800. The Burris MTAC is $400, the Tac 30 is $300. The glass in the two Burris scopes is the same, but the MTAC has better power and brightness adjustments. The primary arms is about $120.

I'm satisfied with the Primary Arms for the price, but you do get what you pay for. I'm spoiled by the meopta. I'm thinking about picking up a used tac 30 for the 22 if I can find one. I don't care that much about being able to change the power fast on my 22. If it were for a 223 I'd use in matches, I'd go MTAC so I could put a throw lever on it. From the scopes I've seen the meopta and the burris are the best value for money.

ETA: If you buy the Burris from Primary arms, it comes with a free PA mount.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

Bore scopes ..... automotive ok ?
Replies
13
Views
177
Waher
Waher
Creedmoor Scoped Rifle AR-15 Upper Carry Case On Sale
Replies
0
Views
110
Scott A.
Scott A.
Integrix(UTG) stepping up there scope quality/game
Replies
0
Views
218
DarkJoker33
DarkJoker33
QD scope mounts
Replies
17
Views
404
whatluck
whatluck
AR15 (M16A4 clone) sling adapter for stock plate.
Replies
6
Views
291
Andy in NH
Andy in NH
Back
Top Bottom