Best Sight for Short Distance?

[BrutusMK2]

I need an optic for my M&P 15 Sport 2. I use it for target/plinking, HD, and SHTF if that ever happens. Currently I don't shoot past 25 yards due to the limits of my local range. What type of optic would be best? From what I've read online I'm thinking a red dot makes the most sense based on my current use. Does this sound right? Or would a scope be better? Also what red dot would you recommend around $200 or less. Open to any opinions! Thanks!

 

[walkin' trails]

I'm kind of hard pressed to recommend one in the $200 range. If it's something that you're going to rely on for self defense, the possibility that it could fail to function or drift way off zero is something to consider - even for the short range use you've described. I've heard that Vortex makes some affordable sights with a good warranty, but I have no experience with them. SIG makes the Romeo series red dots. The prices appear to run a bit more than your $200, but they're not near as expensive as an equivalent size Aimpoint. For those, I'm waiting for some no-BS reviews cause they kind of looked promising to me. I. had used an EOTech 552 for the past 12 or so years until it quit holding zero. An armorer told me that it was still good for short range, somethings you have to be precise at close distances too. The Aimpoint PRO can be had for under $400 and is a solid piece of equipment though a bit large.

I'm guessing that you have iron sights on your 15. If not, I'd acquire a set before electronic sights, and also a good weapons light.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

For a recreational red dot I'd suggest considering the Bushnell TRS-25 or the Primary Arms MicroDot. Both are under $100 and have quite good reputations for recreational use.

Once you start thinking about HD and SHTF, then you're talking about a rifle that has a different role than recreation. There really isn't a cheap optic in the $200 range that I would consider worthy.

Aimpoint makes what they call a ACO for a bit under $400 and a PRO for a bit over $400. Solid optics worthy of consideration. Then there's Aimpoint models for $600 and above.

My opinion is that there isn't much between the the sub $100 and the $400+. Some guys pay $200 for a Vortex but I don't think you're getting much more for the money over the sub $100 optics mentioned above other than a warranty.

 

[fyimo]

If you are not set on a Red Dot there are excellent AR scopes for $200 or less such as the Nikon P223 3x32mm scope for about $150. I have two AR's with the Nikon P223 3x9x40mm scope and they are excellent and that scope is on sale at Midway for $169 this weekend.

 

[Goblin]

I'd recommend you use the irons for anything that close in. From there, I'd consider a red dot, then a scope. The Burris FastFire is an expensive red dot and both Leupold, Nikon and Redfield make high quality scopes (just not the highest available) in the $200 price range if you check for even the slightest of discounts online.

 

[Neumann]

I have an Aimpoint PRO, which I strongly recommend. It is the same as more expensive Aimpoint models, but doesn't have night vision settings. The single CR1/3 battery lasts 2 years, even if you never turn it off. The 2 MOA dot nearly covers the black of a 100 yard rifle target, but you can keep your rounds in the black at that range.

Unlike a scope, even an illuminated scope, the red dot is easy to see in all kinds of light, and you can shoot with both eyes open.

Aimpoint makes a very effective 3x scope to be used ahead of the sight. It also works with an Eotech. It's very rugged and can be mounted on a LaRue swing mount for close quarters.

 

[blues7]

Neumann, my understanding is that the Aimpoint PRO is compatible with night vision equipment (whereas some, like my H-2 are not and also may come in 2 MOA and 4 MOA versions). There have been some changes to other versions so it might be most accurate to say "similar" to other versions but I'm quibbling a bit (depending on specific needs).

 

[Jt7009]

Good luck. I purchased a Vortex Strikefire II for my Sport and am quite satisfied. Purchase was on the recommendation of a friend who has thousands of rounds through his Bushmaster with the Strikefire with no problems. Cost 175.00 within the last 9 months. My use is similar to yours. I think there may be a lot of us using the sports as plinkers, target shooting and as part of my HD tools.

Of course there are many high end (expensive) choices and as many opinions on which is best. Sometimes the chatter hear reminds me of my street racing days long, long ago. Mouse motor or Rat motor? Different engines which both can go fast as hell. Choose your pizen mister.

 

[DougS]

I need a sight for my M&P 15 Sport 2. I use it for target/plinking, HD, and SHTF if that ever happens. Currently I don't shoot past 25 yards due to the limits of my local range. What type of scope would be best? From what I've read online I'm thinking a red dot makes the most sense based on my current use. Does this sound right? Also what red dot would you recommend around $200 or less. Open to any opinions! Thanks!

Strikefire ll. I love mine. Just as good as an eotech, trujicon, or aimpoint at half the cost.

 

[cyphertext]

Strikefire ll. I love mine. Just as good as an eotech, trujicon, or aimpoint at half the cost.

Umm, no... while it may be a good red dot sight, it is not "just as good as" Aimpoint or Trijicon. One only has to look at battery life on the Aimpoint vs the Strikefire to see this.

I'm not one to think that you must have an Aimpoint or nothing in a defensive situation. If I grab a rifle with a Bushnell TRS-25 on it, I will use it as long as the red dot comes on... but that is the difference. The Aimpoint can be left on and ready to use. The less expensive RDS have a greater chance of having a dead battery.

 

[JaPes]

. The Aimpoint can be left on and ready to use.

and survive an IED blast...

and survive being run over by a semi...

and survive bieing grazed by a 7.62 x 39 projectile...

...and survive a house fire.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXdriW3KfwU[/ame]

Vortex, Bushnell, Primary Arms, Holo Sun, and whatever other dot of those tiers is nowhere as good as an Aimpoint, EoTech, or Trijicon ACOG. Here is something I've learned the long and expensive route. When one of your reasons to buy BRAND X is the rationale "it's just as good as an Aimpoint" (or EoTech, or Trijicon ACOG), it's primarily because you are unable to delay gratification in order to purchase the better item.

Person A has an income level high enough where they do not have to wait to buy an Aimpoint/EoTech/ACOG. Person B does not, but has $200 right now. Person B can choose to delay gratification and save a bit here and there to get to the buy in price of an Aimpoint/EoTech/ACOG. It may take a few months, but it can be done.

Example:

Someone not me delays gratification, saves up over time, and buys an Aimpoint. That's all they're ever going to spend on a LED driven optic because Aimpoint is the absolute best LED driven optic.

Me on the other hand, I couldn't delay gratification. I bought a Bushnell TRS something or other. I'm not happy. I buy a Bushnell T Dot because it's just as good as an Aimpoint and it has that ACOG profile. I'm not happy. I decide I want a micro dot, but I don't want to pay Aimpoint money. I buy a Primary Arms micro dot. I decide to buy a PA magnifier. I'm still not happy. I buy an EoTech 516. I'm starting to be happy. Phil kindly tells me that I may not have made the best choice. I back it up with an EoTech G3 magnifier. I'm really happy.

Bushnell #1 = $50
Bushnell #2 = $215
Primary Arms = $110
Primary Arms = $90
EoTech 512 = $450
EoTech G3 = $525

Total Spent over time = $1440

Here's the hard part, and Phil can use me as a prime example. I thought I'd be happy with the EoTech, then EoTech faced a government lawsuit because EoTech optics did not operate as EoTech claimed in the field. I returned the EoTech 512 to EoTech and am saddled with a G3 magnifier that I can't return.

Phil advised me over the entire time I've been here to just buy an Aimpoint. If I wanted fixed magnification (which he doesn't advocate) buy a Trijicon. Did I take his advice? No. Look how much money I've spent so far. I should have just been patient, delayed gratification, really thought about what I wanted, and bought an Aimpoint.

 

[Arik]

Strikefire ll. I love mine. Just as good as an eotech, trujicon, or aimpoint at half the cost.

If you're doing recreational shooting. ...sure. But Strikefire is no where near as good as. Aim points are some seriously tough optics.

It's like saying that Walmart or Target kitchen knife sets are as good as professional chef knives. And its not because Chefs are elitests. Or the typical Chinese pocket knife is as good as a Randal

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I'm not one to think that you must have an Aimpoint or nothing in a defensive situation. If I grab a rifle with a Bushnell TRS-25 on it, I will use it as long as the red dot comes on... but that is the difference. The Aimpoint can be left on and ready to use. The less expensive RDS have a greater chance of having a dead battery.

Comparing the Vortex StrikeFire II to something like my H1 is silly, but comparing the $200 Vortex to a sub $100 Bushnell TRS-25 is relevant.

The Vortex is rated between 300 hours (high) and 6k hours (low). Bushnell a flat 3k hours. Tells me that the circuitry build is on par between Vortex and Bushnell. The difference being that the Vortex has an auto-shutoff so when you pick up the rifle after 12hrs it don't work. At least with the Bushnell it's possible to regularly change the battery and have a working red dot whenever needed. That's not possible with the Vortex. You must always pickup the rifle and fiddle with buttons. As far as I'm concerned, advantage goes to Bushnell in any type of self defense role even though neither optic is duty worthy IMO.

Both are not rated submersible.

Both have generic shockproof, waterproof, fogproof ratings.

So what is the buyer getting for a $200 Vortex over a $59 Bushnell other than a warranty?

Lot's of folks here have both and seem pleased with them.

 

[C J]

I like my Strikefire II.

 

[cyphertext]

I get what I can afford. I like vortex red dots. I don't see any reason to spend $400-500-600 on a red dot or scope. Unimed a lot of people on here, I don't use my AR for just "plinking" or punching holes in paper. I actually use mine for hunting-wild game and/or varmints. If you don't like it, I'll give 3 guesses of what you can kiss--but I think you'll only need one.

Buy what you want and can afford, but that doesn't make it "as good as". I hunt as well... My Sport has a Millet red dot that I bought on clearance. Meets my needs, but is not in the same league as Aimpoint. The hogs don't know the difference though.

The OP asked about $200 optics, so there is nothing wrong with your recommending the Vortex... meets the requirements of the OP. But if you say it is "as good as" Aimpoint or Trijicon, you should expect to be called out on it.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I like vortex red dots.

I like the color dark blue. But just because I like it doesn't mean it has light reflective qualities that are just as good as an orange traffic cone, which is on par with comparing dime store optics with Aimpoint and Trijicon.

I get what I can afford.

Understood. And keep in mind that optics manufactures can't afford to deliver a CompM4 quality optic at dime store prices.

If you don't like it, I'll give 3 guesses of what you can kiss--but I think you'll only need one.

This isn't something to get emotional over.

I've got a bunch of dime store optics. They serve the intended purpose well. But I'm not going to pretend they are on par with quality, purpose built duty-worthy optics like Aimpoiint and Trijicon.

 

[hstrawn]

I'm using a Centerpoint Tactile #70301 Dot Sight at the moment and have ZERO problems with it so far. It started on my Henry .22 and now sits on my M&P 15 Sport 2. Laugh if you will, but for $30 on Amazon it suits my short distance purposes well and leaves plenty of cash left over for ammo.

 

[cyphertext]

I'm using a Centerpoint Tactile #70301 Dot Sight at the moment and have ZERO problems with it so far. It started on my Henry .22 and now sits on my M&P 15 Sport 2. Laugh if you will, but for $30 on Amazon it suits my short distance purposes well and leaves plenty of cash left over for ammo.

As long as you don't try to tell me that it is as good as an Aimpoint and you shoot 3 shot groups that can be covered with a dime at 100 yards with it, I won't laugh.

I saw your review on Amazon. Using it for fun gun... if it quits working, so what. Nothing wrong with that!

 

[C J]

I have no doubt that the higher priced red dots are better. But there is a matter of the law of diminishing returns. Why save for this particular piece of hardware over something else that might be just as important to a person if not more important.

Sure you can buy a sight that will survive a tremendous amount of abuse. But I wonder how many of the "delayed gratification" crowd does the same with something like a car. They are far more likely to save your life than a scope. Some are much tougher and stand up to years of use while some are dead after a few short years. How many here have used the same logic about delayed gratification to hold out for a Mercedes S500. They are pretty much the benchmark for automobiles. They are less likely to leave you stranded somewhere and they will last many, many years. It all comes down to choices in life.

I'm not going to be rude like some have been. I understand that some people think it is very important to have the very best when it comes to a rifle. They can post photos of their Aimpoints if they wish. I'll post a photo of my S500.

I'm not trying to be offensive in any way. I'm just making the point that we all make choices unless our name happens to be Bill Gates or something similar.

BTW I do have scopes that cost every bit as much as an Aimpoint if not more. I do understand there are reasons for going with quality. But some of the things people say are bad about lower priced red dots are made up for by a good old fashioned iron sight. Still I do have a $1500 rifle with a $450 scope on it. I get it that quality counts. But so does the budget. Just remember that some choose to go this way with their money.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

CJ,

We are talking about optics that mount on our AR15s, not our vehicles.

If this was a car forum you'd be welcome to discuss that a Kia Rio is just as good as a Mercedes S550. However, this isn't a car forum nor are we going to discuss and post pictures of our cars here.

Back on topic....

Sure, we all have budgets and priorities. I have a bunch of dime store optics and mentioned a couple of them to the OP to consider for purchase. But to pretend that dime store red dot optics like Primary Arms, Vortex, Bushnell and others are the same as duty worthy optics like Aimpint and Trijicon is simply wrongheaded. However, they work well for me for recreational use.

I've had this Primary Arms Microdot for several years. It's provided excellent service.