When I took my Sport II to the range and it was a max 25yds I thought no problem with my iron sights,I was wrong.As you can tell from my acct name I'm an old guy(73) and 25 yds is to long for accurate shots.I have read a lot on magnifiers behind a red dot,but what I understand it's fairly heavy and I would like to avoid excess weight.So,you guys with older eyes or problems with your eyes,what do you use or recommend.I will probably never shoot over 100 yds,probably mostly the 25 yd range and home defense.Probably for home the red dot would be ideal,but would like to shoot a little longer.

Red dots are good out to 100 or more as long as you aren't trying for teeny tiny groups...... the dots generally cover 2-4 inches at 100yds.... but some super fast 6moa dots are available......like the little Vortez Viper....... with riser...... maybe 4-5 oz. max.

If you are having trouble at 25...... is it seeing the target or the sights....... if its lining up the sights..... rear front and target......... once you get a red dot sight zeroed; just put the dot on what you want to break and squeeze.

I'm 72 and found that with astigmatism, red dots are like grape clusters, so I avoid them.
The Vortex prism scope is an etched reticle, so there's no problem with distortion. If you only want out to 100 yards, look at the Vortex Spitfire 1X prism scope. It's a dot with a circle around it, for fast acquisition and good out to 100 yards on man sized targets, but works very well on close-up shots too. I use the 3X version, because I like to shoot at smaller targets, out to 200 yards.

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NRA R.S.O. & Life Member

Depends on what's going on with your eyes and what type of shooting you'll be doing.

I can't keep the front sight anywhere near in focus and see down range worth a darn (up until my late 30s I could). So... I wear my corrective distance glasses and use a 1x red dot optic. With the red dot, it only requires me to focus down range on the target and the dot is there. Love it. I shoot offhand at steel and am not interested in precision shooting at paper from a bench. I don't think much of red dot/magnifier combos.

1x red dots are not the best for those suffering from astigmatism. Dot will sometimes look like a comet with a tail or cluster of grapes. Not very pleasant. Suggest visiting a retailer and getting some eyes-on experience before choosing one, and ask to see different size dots. Some guys say the EOTech is best for those suffering from astigmatism. When I'm wearing my distances glasses and focusing down range the dot looks great... without my distance glasses it looks like a red bomb exploded.

As far as weight... I've got an Aimpoint Micro with mount that weighs 5.8oz, and recently acquired a Trijicon RMR with mount that comes in at a featherweight 2.8oz.

Another way to go is a low power 1-4x optic, and there are some 1-6x and 1-8x too. No matter what your eyes are suffering a magnified optic will help. If all you're doing is paper punching that would be the way to go IMO. There are so many to choose from... $100 to $2,000. I've got a budget Bushnell 1-4x that works fine. If weight is an overriding consideration, Leupold has a 1-4x VX-2 that weighs only 8oz. Midway has them on sale today at $239. There are soooooooooo many choices.

Happy optics hunting.

Within a hundred yards a standard red dot is hard to beat and you shouldn't need any magnification. If you can see your target just put the dot on it and squeeze off the shot. I had (maybe still have) horrible astigmatism and while the Eotech type hologram sights were a little fuzzy the dot in something like an Aimpoint was perfectly serviceable for me.

If you're strictly looking for accuracy then some sort of magnified optic might suit you well but I just don't like them for fast target acquisition within a hundred yards. Some people swear by them but I find they slow me down for some weird reason.

Should be a ton of younger guys in your area with all sorts of different setups on their carbines. I'm sure just about any of them would be happy to let you try their gear to see what you think.

I have a red/green dot Vortex Strikefire II on my M&P 15 Sport. You don't put them all in the same hole at 100 yds. but you do shoot decent groups. I've got the same problem you do, getting older and eyes not what they used to be.
imgur: the simple 404 page

This is half price and a steal.

Vortex Spitfire Prism Scope 1x20mm Spitfire DRT MOA - $149.99 (Free S/H over $99 w/code "97FREE") | Slickguns | gun.deals

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NRA R.S.O. & Life Member

Chief is right. Strikefire II is a solid red dot that doesn't break the bank. I've been really happy with mine. Palmetto State Armory is running a pretty sweet deal right now on the Strikefire II with 10 PMAGs.

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America First

Thanks guys,that helps,will go to cabellas or bass pro to get some hands on,will let you know

Lucid P7 illuminated reticle with 4X fixed magnification.

Perfect. Inside those big box stores should be 100yds or more so you'll get an idea of what your target will look like. If you're not sure... ask the sales guy to let ya take a look at a range finder.

I agree with what Phil said and our carbines are set up almost the same.
I use a Aimpoint PRO instead of the Aimpoint Micro and I use the standard GI flash-hider where Phil uses a Lantac.
We shoot the same trigger a Wilson TTU. Mine is basically a HD gun [and a some time hog shooter. ]
He shoots a lot of steel with his.

Sounds like we talked about how to set them up the same,
but we don't know each other. It just worked out that way.

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CSM, U S Army(Ret) 1963-1990