Since your criteria is both recreation and self defense, there are no dime store optics suitable. If it was just for recreation then I'd suggest looking at primary arms microdot and Bushnell trs25.
Get an Aimpoint and be done with it.
Like Phil said, budget and self defense typically don't go together. Even Marshal, the owner of Primary Arms, doesn't recommend their optics for duty type use.
What does that really mean though? Is a Primary Arms red dot going to automatically die if something goes bump in the night? No, no more than a Colt AR is going to protect you better than your S&W Sport. However, there is more risk involved with the budget optic.
Budget optics typically do not offer the same battery life as an Aimpoint with the exception of the Primary Arms MD-ADS (theoretical, not proven). So a drawback to a budget optic is that you can't leave it on. Messing with the red dot to turn on and get a useable brightness level under stress may not be that easy.
Budget optics are also more prone to quit working when being bounced around. If this is rifle is going to sit in the safe, this may not be a concern... but if it is going to be a "trunk gun" in case "SHTF", or a patrol rifle for an officer, the higher priced optic has less failure rate from this type of treatment.
With all that being said, Eotech was a praised, higher priced optic and now everyone is sending them in for a refund... so, take a look at you can afford, what your realistic use is, and decide from there.
For myself, I am about to go with one of the Primary Arms MD-ADS. With the longer battery life and clearer glass, I see it as an upgrade from what I am currently using. My AR is not my primary defensive weapon, but if the battery in the red dot lasts more than a year, and I replace it every year, it would more than likely meet my needs. And truth be told, the user forgetting to change the battery is probably the weak link in both the Primary Arms and the Aim Point.
