Looking for a general duty red dot

[RTFM]

OK - looking for opinions on a red dot that won't cost more than the AK I want to put it on.
I'm not looking for (though would love to have) an Aimpoint, EOTech.... et all.
Can't afford it, and I stopped getting paid to be in harms way in the early 90's

Not looking for cheap junk, not looking for gold lined.
Anyone have any suggestions for decent rd dots in the $100 ~ $250 range... speak up please.

(AK does not have the side mount - this will go on a top cover rail)


Thanks. 
 

[fightingquaker13]

I'd look at Bushnell and Vortech (sp?). They seem pretty good for short $$$. Not sure about how they work on bright days, but I haven't heard any complaints about either.

[DanPatWork]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/929725/truglo-tru-brite-reflex-red-dot-sight-red-and-green-4-pattern-reticle-25-moa-dot-5-moa-dot-25-moa-circle-dot-5-moa-circle-dot-with-integral-weaver-style-base-matte

Cheap,a little bulky but not to bad, bright reticle in two colors. I wouldn't trust it for a combat optic but it is functional enough for an every day shooter. I put one on my AR when I first started to "accessorise". Now I am looking at another one for a 10-22 project.

[alfsauve]

I like the Bushnell First Strike Red Dot for a simple low-end.  Only problem is that you must put the cover on to turn it off.  That is of course balanced by the fact that there is no on-off switch to break or go bad.


http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=21653.0

[billt]

I'll be the third to vote for Bushnell. I've been really impressed with a lot of what Bushnell is manufacturing these days. They are putting out some very good optics for the money. I'm completely sold on their Elite 3200 Tactical Series. The clarity easily compares to my Leupolds, and they return to, and hold zero as good or better than any brand I've ever used.

[Sponsor]

[alfsauve]

RE:  Bushnell:  The 3200 and the 4200 series and their Legend were some of the few that would stand up to air-rifle recoil.   Since everyone's gone PCP and Bushnell has changed their product line a bunch I'm not sure if it's still true, but I always thought highly of their top products lines.

[billt]

I stopped getting paid to be in harms way in the early 90's. Not looking for cheap junk, not looking for gold lined.

This is a good point. I think many invest in these high end scopes for no other reason than to mimic what, "the soldiers carry". While there is nothing wrong with that, it does involve paying a lot for something you really don't need. Take an ACOG for example. Many will tell you a Trijicon is the only way to go, and most everything else is junk. Same with Aimpoint for red dots, and U.S. Optics and Nightforce for tactical scopes. How many civilians put their equipment through the same rigors the military does in Iraq, Afghanistan, or most anywhere else? Almost none. While it's certainly nice to have the strongest and the best, most are paying a real premium for something they'll never require.

Most of these are simply not necessary for 99.9% of most shooters. The only civilian exception I would make is for die hard competitors who want to leave absolutely nothing to chance. Even then, they could easily get away with spending a lot less. Now if you're someone who can lay down 2 1/2K for a scope like it's nothing, then fine. But few shooters fall into that category. With today's economy, when you take into account the rising price of guns and ammo, that money could go a lot further buying things that will keep you going to the range to shoot. Instead of sitting home admiring a rig that you have minimum ammo for.

[RTFM]

Nailed it billt

And alfsauve I remember your post - I just could not REMEMBER where your post was... memory... age... you  know the drill.

Thank you all - looks like there are some good options out there.

[BBJohnnyT]

Primary Arms imports some red dots that are far nicer than anything else within their price points.  But they go quick when they become available. 

https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_s/586.htm

I got one of their MD-08 models in their last batch last month.  Very rugged.  I shot about 120 rounds of 5.56 with it and holds zero fine.  Also, it's very bright and clear compared to the greenish tint found in others at this price point.

[JC5123]

I have had great luck with Burris optics. Reasonably priced, but darn good glass. I wouldn't hesitate to go with one of theirs.