AR red dot optics?

[pioneer]

I'd like to thank those who posted responses and engaged in discussions about the pluses and minuses of various optics.  A little background info:

I am building the gun from scratch.  My son gave me the lower for Christmas, and I'd like to get it done before the Obama hits the fan.  Because I'm not confident in my gun building abilities, I am having it built for me by a trusted friend and gunsmith, who refuses to charge me labor.  (It goes back to something in our days as uniform police officers.) 

The rifle will be one of my SHTF rifles, and I have no intention of going to either Afghanistan, or Iraq with it.  After a break-in period and becoming satisfied with whatever optics I decide on, it will spend a lot of time in one of my safes.  The rifle will not be used in competition, long-range target shooting, or hunting of any kind.  I don't need, or want high-end optics on it for now. 

After my career as a police officer, I worked for Leupold for about 5 years, which was just a few miles from my home at the time.  While at Leupold I managed to befriend a number of highly paid engineers and world-class shooters.  Using their expertise and the company facilities, I managed to put together a couple of tack-driving rifles with top-o-the-line Leupold optics, purchased at employee discount of course.  I also managed to learn a little bit about optics and what to look for, and what to avoid.  I'm a firm believer in the old saying, "you get what you pay for."

Now, having said all of that, I'm in a bit of a financial bind at the moment, as are many of us.  Over the Christmas Holidays, we had a record snow fall for our neck of the woods.  That record snow fall and unusual arctic cold air blast, caused some damage to my house and property.  Some, but not all covered by insurance.  In regards to the AR, I want to put it together with the basics, in the A-3 configuration, and slap some kind of reliable 1x, red/green/amber/whatever optics on it.  As time goes by and my higher priority expenses are back under control, I will look into upgrading.  I’m loyal to Leupold products, and will look seriously at their CQT.  For now, I just want to get it operational. 

Thanks again, Pioneer AKA: Ron

[saltydogbk]

 Recently bought an AR, wanted to put some kind of sight on it so I bought a BSA.  Seems okay, not alot of rounds through it.  The one thing I did do is keep the iron sights and mount the "dot" high enough to let me use both.  I hate batteries.  So that is why I use both the dot and iron sights.  Cause when tshtf, there will be limited batteries available.  Just my 2cents

[Big Frank]

I haven't used my BSA red dot enough to know if it's any good. If I put it back on one of my guns, time will tell. My other red dot sight was too bulky for a pistol and too darned big of a dot for a rifle. I think it was a Tasco. Whatever it was it broke years ago. So far those 2 were all I had so I can't really say any are good AND cheap.

[ericire12]

Pioneer,

You may want to just stick with the iron sights for now.

[DesertMarine]

Pioneer, certainly understand your situation.  I am in somewhat the same position.  I want a collapisble stock for my AR and Aimpoint Comp2 sight but can't right now.  For now I have a Leupold 6X fixed powder scope on it.  Doesn't look right but works.  I too am partial to Leupold scopes.  On my other upper with a 24" bull barrel, I use a Leupold 6.5X20 EFR, great combination.  Enjoy.

[Sponsor]

[pioneer]

Pioneer,You may want to just stick with the iron sights for now.

But, I don't want to do that. 

[JohnZ]

My son presented me with a Bushmaster 5.56 lower on Christmas morning, leaving it up to me to build the rest. I'm not sure if I want to thank him, or spank him. This gift is going to cost me about $800.00. My former partner / gunsmith will build it for me and said that's what the parts I want will cost. He won't charge me labor, but that's a long story.

Since I want an A3 flat-top configuration I'm interested in putting some kind of red dot optics on it that won't cost me an arm and a leg. My question is; What experience does anyone have with the lower cost red dots? I'm looking for positive as well as negative comments.
This rifle will not be used for 1000 yard tack-driving competition, just your basic SHTF defense and utility rifle.

They fog up, mounting systems aren't very good, they're not built to last, etc...

If you're going to strictly punch holes in paper, a cheapo red dot will work. Otherwise, I wouldn't skimp out. You pretty much get what you pay for with optics. Save up and keep your eyes peeled for a used Aimpoint ML2 or even an Eotech.

[Thanos]

I had this same argument in my head...it didn't turn out well.

I got a Trijicon ACOG with red dot. I figured you get what you pay for and if I wanted a good one, I should just get a good one. The red dot ones that are good are a bit more expensive, but in optics there is a reason. If I was using it for home defense, I would not trust my life to a $5 scope from China over a trusted manufacturer. I use optics in my line of work (Microscopes and loupes) and I can tell the difference instantly from the good ones and the cheap ones.

[PegLeg45]

I like Bushnell scopes and was wondering if anyone has used or knows of these?

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0037645712540a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all_NYR&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&QueryText=bushnell&sort=all&Go.y=0&_D%3AhasJS=+&Nty=1&hasJS=true&Ne=2510&nyr=1&N=4542&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23&Go.x=0&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1


http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0015003711540a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all_NYR&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&QueryText=bushnell&sort=all&Go.y=0&_D%3AhasJS=+&Nty=1&hasJS=true&Ne=2510&nyr=1&N=4542&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23&Go.x=0&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1


thanks.

 

[Ironhawk]

Pioneer,  I'll say off the bat that I haven't handled either of these optics personally.  They have been recommended to me, for light plinking and paper punching.  Neither of these options have been explored or mentioned in this thread, so I wanted to add my two cents. I have no idea what your budget is when you say not an arm and a leg, but here it goes.  They are both Bushnell optics.  The first being the Eotech clone.  Everything that I've heard and seen, is that these are a decent red dot.  Average MSRP is in the neighborhood $200 i think.  The other one is the Bushnell Trophy MP 1x32 red dot.  Its housing loosely resembles the Acog, and utilizes a t-dot reticle.  It retails for something like $150.  Again, I haven't heard any consistent bad reports about either one.  90 to 10, the people that bought and use them really like em.  Hope this helps, and I hope your recovery from this winter goes smoothly.