AR optic knowledge needed

[jedd274]

Own a MP15T need help understanding best optic for I'm generally a paper puncher but it is my SHTF primary weapon.
Really trying to be reasonable on the budget as I know I will not be buying the AGOG or Eotech as they or just to for out of my budget, but believe me I would if I could. I,ve narrowed it down to a few company's in no special order they are....
Burris: AR332
AR536
AR1x ( new to market )

Sightmark: Wolfhound 3x24 or 6x44

Vortex: spitfire3x

Note there are a few other choices that I'd like to mention but these are at the top of my list.

The guns main purpose is shooting 25-150 yds. practice and plinking. I've done a lot of internet research on these items and as I truly know no expert I turn to you. These are my main requirements or demands if you will of the optic.
1. Reliability & quality
2. reticle size and clearity
3. warranty and customer service

 

[bhayles]

Here's a thread where that is discussed at length:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p15-rifles/379129-sad-truth-i-had-face-week-optics.html
I'm ordering this one:
https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary-Arms-2-5X-Compact-Scope-PAC2-5X-p/pac2.5x.htm

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

You've listed 1x optics through 6x. That a pretty wide range.

When you say practice and plinking 25 to 150yds that can mean different things. To me it means shooting offhand with a 1x red at a soda can or steel plate. Perfect for me. I don't care where the bullet strikes the target, just as long as it does.

However, if you are one of those guys who sits at a shooting table agonizing over how close the bullet holes are together on a piece of paper then a 1x red dot would not be the best choice.

Which is closer to what you want to do with your rifle?

Generally speaking, a 1x red dot is good for faster target acquisition and for guys who really don't want magnification but struggle with older eyes and iron sights. Magnified optics help identify targets and more precision aiming.

Of the optics you listed...

I don't don't think those Burris optics are worth the extra coin over a PA optic. I have read of the AR-332 with canted reticles which you would expect from any dime store optic.

Forget the Sightmark.

Vortex Spitfire is new.. who knows? But the last guy to do a review of a Vortex SPARC was not so good.

 

[bhayles]

...1x red dot is good for faster target acquisition and for guys who really don't want magnification but struggle with older eyes and iron sights.

Huh...funny, I don't recall ever meeting you, Phil, but you seem to have me pegged...

 

[thecatch8]

my advice is not to skimp and settle......if you can't afford $360 for a 512, open up a savings account and stick $100 a month in there until you can afford it. Everything else besides an EOTech or Aimpoint is complete trash and will only leave your wallet and your stick feeling lonely and miserable....

 

[bhayles]

Matter of opinion, and we know about those...

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Matter of opinion, and we know about those...

Right.

$360 is a lot of money to mount a brick on your rifle.

 

[thecatch8]

or you could just flush $200 down the toilet and still be left void of an optic........and I can almost guarantee my 15T with KMR rail, MFT stock, and EOTech brick is lighter than anything you're running, but that is neither here nor there!

 

[jedd274]

Primary Arms huh, they are all over the internet just unsure of product good & bad reviews seem to be 50-50. Except when you get into the forums and read about I guess when you put it next to burris line the only difference is the warranty. But in three years most company's would probably dismiss your complaints anyway.

What about a leatherwood 1-4x24 cmr ( not cmr 4 unless I can get it for the same price). Any one have thoughts....

 

[JaPes]

Primary Arms huh, they are all over the internet just unsure of product good & bad reviews seem to be 50-50. Except when you get into the forums and read about I guess when you put it next to burris line the only difference is the warranty. But in three years most company's would probably dismiss your complaints anyway.

What about a leatherwood 1-4x24 cmr ( not cmr 4 unless I can get it for the same price). Any one have thoughts....

Primary Arms Micro Dot is one of the best budget dots out there. I had a M3 clone that ran fine, but my eyes changed. A couple of my friends run the PA Microdot w/mount bundle package and they've got no complaints.

Here's a link to a web blog where guys put various budget red dots to the test.

?Budget? Red Dot Sight Comparison ? Part 1 | The Bang Switch

?Budget? Red Dot Sight Comparison ? Part 2 | The Bang Switch

?Budget? Red Dot Sight Comparison ? Part 3 | The Bang Switch

I started this comparison having never used a Primary Arms product, and by the end, the Primary Arms MD-06L was my personal favorite.

 

[jedd274]

Again this scope will never see game as I'm still a sporting man. I'm still using the 1st gun my dad bought me 3030 1894 oh so many years ago, just to fair to the deer I'm still using iron although I've got new ones in 1994 lol....

 

[jedd274]

Ya I've read those articles. Didn't sell me though

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Primary Arms huh, they are all over the internet just unsure of product good & bad reviews seem to be 50-50. Except when you get into the forums and read about I guess when you put it next to burris line the only difference is the warranty. But in three years most company's would probably dismiss your complaints anyway.

What about a leatherwood 1-4x24 cmr ( not cmr 4 unless I can get it for the same price). Any one have thoughts....

There are a ton of decent 1-4x scopes for ARs $200 on up. Of course you have to factor $$ for a mount (best to get a one-piece mount and those run about $90 on up for a decent one) compared to the compact scopes you were looking at that already come with a built-in mount. Nikon, Bushnell, Millet, Primary Arms, Vortex Crossfire II.

One thing to consider is if you really need an illuminated optic or not, or a fancy lit reticle or simple crosshairs. There are so many decent choices. If weight is a consideration keep that in mind.

 

[CrustyShellback]

Primary Arms huh, they are all over the internet just unsure of product good & bad reviews seem to be 50-50. Except when you get into the forums and read about I guess when you put it next to burris line the only difference is the warranty. But in three years most company's would probably dismiss your complaints anyway.

What about a leatherwood 1-4x24 cmr ( not cmr 4 unless I can get it for the same price). Any one have thoughts....

Just a quick note, the good & bad reviews are nowhere near 50-50. Primary Arms is a highly regarded optic, by anyone not obsessed with government contract optics.

Positive feedback is well over 80%, on any of their optics.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Everyone chill. I deleted some posts to get this thread back on track.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bhayles]

Everyone chill. I deleted some posts to get this thread back on track.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was about to get really out of hand, wasn't I?...

 

[Rastoff]

What about a leatherwood 1-4x24 cmr ( not cmr 4 unless I can get it for the same price). Any one have thoughts....

I have this very scope. It will set you back about $340 from Midway USA. Worth every penny.

The reticle is a little busy, but easy enough to understand. I like the circle for quick acquisition and the 4x for those longer shots. I have used mine in some training and it has proven to be quite tough. The zero stop works well and has not lost it's zero even with multiple turret adjustments.

For close in work I like the EOTech better. However, for multiple distances where you have a little more time, the CMR is a better choice.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Crusty is right. There are lots of guys here using PA optics. I can't remember reading anyone reporting a failed optic. Anyone?

Rastoff had the more expensive Vortex SPARC. He was dissatisfied with the parralax. I posted a vid of one of my PA MicroDots (I've had two for years) and he said it was a lot better.

PA is challenging the competition with their new compact magnified optics. They do a lot of listening to AR shooters and have recently made available compact optics worthy of consideration, IMO.

 

[coltle6920]

If you want a scope for plinking then listen to people who do the same.If you are seriously into hunting game and need quality and accuracy over long distances then listen to those people.

I scratch my head and often laugh at people that will buy...

A Lincoln Mark LT

When something like this will work as well...

A Ford F-150

I'm a firm believer that paying more doesn't always mean that something is better.

 

[Rastoff]

Rastoff had the more expensive Vortex SPARC. He was dissatisfied with the parralax. I posted a vid of one of my PA MicroDots (I've had two for years) and he said it was a lot better.

This is completely accurate. I was dissatisfied with the SPARC and Phil's video showed that the parallax issue on his PA MicroDot was a LOT better than the SPARC which was almost twice the price.

I'm a firm believer that paying more doesn't always mean that something is better.

This is true with all products. However, the axiom that you get what you pay for is apt.

Originally bought optics based on price. I was losing confidence in my shooting ability with a rifle. Then, through a little research, I found the Hi-Lux CMR. Through that I regained confidence in my ability to shoot. Then through about a year of research, I finally bought the Vortex PST. As good as the CMR was, the PST was that much better.

I was truly disappointed when I saw so much parallax error in the SPARC. I saw none of that in the Aimpoint Comp M3 I used. Of course the Aimpoint is a $600 optic.

You guys can buy cheap optics if you like. One day I may buy a PA MicroDot for myself, but I'm still on the fence. Even so, when it comes to magnified optics, learn from my mistakes. Spend more on a good optic so you don't spend more on many cheap ones.