Cheap decent quality red dot recommendations?

[Chuter]

Took a Tasco ProPoint off my Desert Eagle, put it on my wife's 15-22. Works great. Grabbed another ProPoint at a gun show last evening for $25. They work well.
Picked up a Mepro 21 for her Colt AR-15 and it's beautiful but you probably don't want to head to that price range.

 

[S&W1006]

Try the TruGlo Dual Color reflex sight. I have used one in both the 2011 and 2012 Ruger Rimfire World Championships to finish in the top 25 using either a 15-22 or a 22 AR conversion. About $65 at Dicks or cheaper on line. Another I have been using lately that may be on my rifle for the 2013 event is the Pentax HS20 ($55). You can mount them flat on the rail without a riser and get much reduced bore axis offset over a mil-spec red dot on a co-witness riser mount. The top guys in RR usually mount a red dot right on top of the rail with no riser.

I was talking to a coworker about he had a Truglo dual color he took off his AR. He said he didn't need it and sold it to me for $20. No complaints it mounted with no riser needed and it looks good. I will head to the range soon and give it a test. So far I am hapyy with it.

 

[had]

I got a trs 25 for my 15-22. Used it the first time today and I don't like it that much. I got it because it's so light.

My son has a gsg5 and I put a ncstar with laser on his and I like it much better. It was also about 20 bucks cheaper than the bushnell.

 

[BlueZero]

Bushnell has a 20% rebate now on the TRS-25 and a few other models.

PDF of the rebate here.

 

[rdxpo]

I just ordered a primary arms and got a mount for 69.99. Have seen a lot of good reviews for it on here. Once I get it and take it to the range I'll let everyone know what I think.

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[Uga15-22]

I have decided to get the Primary Arms MD-07 or MD-08. Any preferences between the two?

Also which riser will I need for lower 1/3 co-witness? I have the Magpul MOE sights.

 

[ncSmitty]

UTG DS3840 4-Inch ITA Red/Green Dot Sight with 2 QD Mounts and Flip-open Lens Caps

..snip...

Both these have been very good so far. UTG was 47.00shipped
NC Star was 74.00 shipped

The winner right here. UTG.

 

[OldEagleEars]

Being both frugal (I really mean CHEAP!!!) and curious about what technology had brought since I last used an AR-type rifle (M16A1, 1968-1971 S.E.Asian War Games); I got myself a 15-22 instead of a centerfire version. The iron sights included where just about what I remembered from back in the day (though my eyes weren't) so I started buying some inexpensive optics. The whole point was to avoid tying a bunch of money up in glass for what was really just a fancy plinker (I think you can relate) so I looked for decent stuff that didn't cost the earth. First, I got a Pentax Gameseeker reflex from Sportsman's Guide that was a little hard to zero but did a heck of a job when it was dialed in. Then I picked up a pair of BSA 'scopes; one a 1-power, 3MOA red/blue/green-dot that was far easier to adjust and keeps it's zero quite well. The second was also a BSA, this a 3-12X40 that also fits on a riser for operating rod clearance. All of these have been more than accurate for my needs and have cost less than $100 combined (riser included). Would I take them hunting Hajiis in Afghanistan? No, but that ain't my job and a 15-22 wasn't made for that either. This stuff does an adequate job of satisfying my curiosity and putting bullets where I want them. If that's good enough for you, then look on the lower end of the price dial.

 

[Jyezahn]

Being both frugal (I really mean CHEAP!!!) and curious about what technology had brought since I last used an AR-type rifle (M16A1, 1968-1971 S.E.Asian War Games); I got myself a 15-22 instead of a centerfire version.

Frugal as it may be, if you really want to see how AR tech has changed, check out the newer centerfires. Piston driven, etc... They run MUCH cleaner than the M16A1's and A2's.

 

[rdxpo]

Finally got my red dot. Primary arms pa30cr. So far so good

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[CatFanInTn]

I just purchased the BSA Huntsman (red/blue/green) from Academy Sports... They had sent me a gift card in the mail that all but paid for about $10 of it including tax.

I was able to check it out in the store and the "dot" seemed solid. By the time I got home, the dot was already starting to turn into a star. Needless to say, I'm taking it back and getting money back and buying the Bushnell TRS - 25.

 

[redshift20]

Another vote for the TRS-25. Great little red dot!

 

[powerserg31]

+1 for trs 25


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[trauma1]

I would not go with the TruGlo, I put one on a Ruger MK 3 and after 100 rds already having issues. The Bushnell seems to be better quality and a bit smaller as well. I guess you get what you pay for after all.

 

[Jyezahn]

I would not go with the TruGlo, I put one on a Ruger MK 3 and after 100 rds already having issues. The Bushnell seems to be better quality and a bit smaller as well. I guess you get what you pay for after all.

I've got over 3000 rds downrange with my 15-22 and a $65 TruGlo red/green on mine. No problems at all, solid zero from day 1. Some low cost things can be good quality.

 

[zotzer]

Another thumbs up to the TRS 25 with the UCG mid-size riser.

 

[QuiQNeZZ]

I was in the same boat as you. Couldn't see spending $100-150+ on a red dot for a .22 that's used primarily for plinking.

I wanted a reflex (open) style vs scope style for more peripheral vision, which ruled out a lot of options (I'm still not sure if that was the correct route).

Anyway., I chose the Mueller Quick Shot and got it for $95 shipped with a free tshirt and decal from joeboboutfitters.com
Mueller Quick Shot? 1×22×33 (Black) - Mueller Optics

I couldn't find any negative (or positive for that matter) reviews on the various forums and such, but I went for it anyway.
Apparently, Mueller is more known in the Turkey hunting world. I figured if it could handle a turkey gun it could handle my .22 .

All that said, I can't compare it to other red dots because it's my first. But other than reflection in certain light situations it's spot on and I love it. I'm hoping reflection/glare is an open sight problem regardless of brand, but I may be wrong. Hopefully someone with more experience can chime in.

I'm in the same boat as you were as I am not trying to spend more on optics then what the rifle costs. I also at first was thinking of getting an open type reflex like yours but after a little research I found out about the reflection/sunlight issue. Seems as though this is remedied with the "hooded" versions. I was going to go with a truglo model but it looks way too bulky. This may sound stupid but I use to play COD like crazy and hated the small (to me) tubed red dots that you could put on guns. I never liked them as they gave me a small field of view through it. I always played with open reflex sights on all my guns. Yeah I know, it's not the same with the real thing.

So I found this one from Vector optics that I like because the hood is somewhat thin and is also open on the sides, so it gives you the benefit of both an open and hooded reflex and it's not as bulky as the tru glo. Only thing is that I can't find any reviews, good or bad about it. So i'm going to take a chance and try it out. I REALLY like the way it looks and the fact that it has a quick release latch. When I eventually get my long range scope I'll likely get it with quick release latches so I can switch between the two easily.
Vector Optics Ratchet 1x23x34 Multi Reticle Red Green Dot Sight with Quick Mount | eBay

 

[breal201999]

I've got over 3000 rds downrange with my 15-22 and a $65 TruGlo red/green on mine. No problems at all, solid zero from day 1. Some low cost things can be good quality.

Another vote for the TruGlo. I think I paid less than $60 on Amazon and I finally dialed it in a couple of days ago and I was shooting 3 inch groups at 60 yards. I figure thats not too bad for 60 yards and no magnification. And it held zero after 200 rounds or so.

 

[Jgray1085]

Sightmark(sm14000)

I went with the sightmark ultra shot digital switch with qd. I got it for 99 shipped off amazon. I had it zeroed in in 5 rounds, since then I have put about 1000 rounds through my rifle and its held zero perfectly!! I really love this sight! It has no glare with the bright Arizona sun at any angles and a nice, crisp view! It has 4 reticles and has no parallax. It also has a red ar coating and the quick release is really nice. It does an absolute co-witness with my mbus. I would recommend this to any one, looks good on the 15-22 as well!!

 

[painprophet]

the bushnell TRS-25 is nice and has great reviews.i have one and love it and they cost around $100 anywhere they are sold.if you want to co witness with the stock sights then get a UTG .83" riser and it lines up perfectly.

I have the same setup on one of my AR-15's, very happy with it. It is very accurate. For about 100 bucks you can get the riser and red dot. Couldn't be happier and it's NutnFancy approved too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGLOd1jHz8E