Scope or Red Dot

[m41]

I was ready to buy a Nikon P223 3x9x40 scope for my
Sport but then I read some articles about the Vortex Strike Fire red/green dot and I was wondering which would be the best for general target shooting since they both are close in price.

 

[SickMAK90]

I prefer red dots on a carbine I'm going to shoot within 100 yards. If you are going to hunt or shoot off a bench a lot then a scope will suit you better.

I would also recommend a primary arms microdot with an American defense mount over the strike fire. The on/off and adjustment "buttons" on the vortex strike fire suck.

 

[Vinney47]

Really depends on what direction you are going with your rifle. For precision shooting, a magnified scope is a better option. If you want a close quarters combat rifle, a red dot is better for fast target acquisition and better heads up view.

Just my opinion

 

[BillyJack2012]

Also depends if you are shooting for groups or are you just popping steel at 100 yards. I'd go with a red dot for anything under 100 yards. Then, get a scope for your 2nd build.

 

[don5]

Really depends on what direction you are going with your rifle. For precision shooting, a magnified scope is a better option. If you want a close quarters combat rifle, a red dot is better for fast target acquisition and better heads up view.

Just my opinion

OP- I agree with Vinney on this as well. I like the Nikon scopes especially the P223 3x9 with the BDC reticle. I have 3 of these and I have not been disappointed.

 

[cyphertext]

As others have said, scope if your goal is one ragged hole, red dot if it is getting hits quick and a hit is a hit.

 

[Jpk150]

Anyone know if the Redfield Counterstrike will work with the S&W magpul ar15? Will front site be an issue?

Thx
Jpk150

 

[cyphertext]

Anyone know if the Redfield Counterstrike will work with the S&W magpul ar15? Will front site be an issue?

Thx
Jpk150

Sure it will work, it is just a matter of how will the dot co-witness with the front sight, absolute co-witness, or lower 1/3rd.

 

[ASTMedic]

Hello, been lurking but thought I'd toss in my 2 cents.

When I was shopping around trying to make the same choice I came across the Burris Tac30. It's a 1-4x24 scope that, at 1 power, will allow you to shoot with almost no magnification thus no distortion. When needed you can turn it up to give a little magnification. Varying brightness levels by pressing a button. The up side that I really liked was that the reticle is etched not projected. So if the power fails you still have the reticle there.

It also has hold over points with a chart for different 5.56 grain weights. It is dead on out past 300 for me but that's the farthest I've tried it.

Now there is a new version of the scope that improved on the areas people didn't like on the TAC30. It's called the MTAC. Basically the same optic with some small changes.

Granted you can't co-witness but with a etched reticle it's always there.

 

[jeeps]

In red dot the best cheap seat is the Aimpoint Patrol. As said for hunting and target work the scope,but for self defense and combat the Aimpoint.

 

[Mack]

I agree with jeeps Aimpoint Pro is the way to go.

 

[Kadonny]

I can appreciate you guys recommending a $400 red dot in the Aimpoint, it's a great optic. However, I'll argue that it's the "best cheap seat". if you want to spend considerably less and still get a quality optic, look at the Primary Arms. For under a $100 you get a quality red dot.

 

[SickMAK90]

I really like my aimpoint ml3, but I think my next red dot is going to be a primary arms micro with a ADM mount. They seems to be very good quality for the price, but I'd opt for a good mount.

 

[gdnagle]

I can appreciate you guys recommending a $400 red dot in the Aimpoint, it's a great optic. However, I'll argue that it's the "best cheap seat". if you want to spend considerably less and still get a quality optic, look at the Primary Arms. For under a $100 you get a quality red dot.

Pa has some nice, less then $100 red dots. They also have a special on the Vortex Sparc micro, had it this past weekend for $40 off made it the same as the Strikefire. I have the Sparc and no complaints even at $200, as it comes with everything you need to get started.

Like stated for accurate shooting go with the scope, for quick accusation go red dot.

 

[SmokeStack Lightning]

I've got the Vortex StrikeFire on my 15/22, Aimpoint Pro on my 'T'.

The Vortex operates just as well as the Aimpoint and has 6 more brightness levels for the dot.

Aimpoint sez theirs has 9 brightness settings, but the first 5-6 levels are for night vision which I don't have.

On the brightest level the 'halo' effect on the Aimpoint is terrible and the dot distorts.

Very little halo w/StrikeFire and the dot is just as bright as the Pro.

I'd give the SPARC a try, especially if it can be had for what I paid for my StrikeFire.

On the brightest level, the Aimpoint dot looks as tho I'm witnessing the 'Birth of a Star'.

 

[jeeps]

The cheaper Aim point patrol will run 3 years left on on one battery. The cheaper Chinese red dots maybe will run 3-6 months on one battery. The better Aim point will run 5 years on one battery left on for 5 years. You get what you pay for.

 

[gdogs]

The cheaper Aim point patrol will run 3 years left on on one battery. The cheaper Chinese red dots maybe will run 3-6 months on one battery. The better Aim point will run 5 years on one battery left on for 5 years. You get what you pay for.

I'm not disputing that Aimpoint makes one hell of a sight, but I can buy a ton of batteries for $300 and then just not leave my red dots on all the time. Do buy a good mount though if you go the Primary Arms route, and I will second the above AD recommendation. The justifaction for buying high quality glass isn't the same as for buying expensive red dots, at least not for me. To each his own on that though. I own several PA red dots and they've never failed me. And the few issues that I've heard of were resolved quickly by the owner.

 

[jeeps]

We leave our Aimpoints on and replace battery every 3 years for $5-6 a pop. Allways ready day or night. Keep a date when battery was replaced under lense cover. No time to fumble with battery's or switch's when needed.

 

[wild_weasel]

Being a border line Mall Ninja I went with the AimPoint PRO. I served as a contractor in Afghanistan and the AimPoints held up really well. I also wear continues focus glasses which do not play well with a magnifying scope whereas with the red dot I can keep both eyes open and the red dot is clear with no distortion. Most of my shooting is limited to an indoor 25 yard range anyway for fun, nothing serious.

 

[dannybot]

I use an MTAC it is a compromise for sure, kind of slow for a red dot, but I can still hit 8" plates at 200 yards and sometimes 20" plate at 500 yards.

There are many compromise 'combat' optics like the TAC30, MTAC, PA compact scopes that can do both CQB and stll make long shots.

 

[gdnagle]

I've got the Vortex StrikeFire on my 15/22, Aimpoint Pro on my 'T'.

The Vortex operates just as well as the Aimpoint and has 6 more brightness levels for the dot.

Aimpoint sez theirs has 9 brightness settings, but the first 5-6 levels are for night vision which I don't have.

On the brightest level the 'halo' effect on the Aimpoint is terrible and the dot distorts.

Very little halo w/StrikeFire and the dot is just as bright as the Pro.

I'd give the SPARC a try, especially if it can be had for what I paid for my StrikeFire.

On the brightest level, the Aimpoint dot looks as tho I'm witnessing the 'Birth of a Star'.

PA has a labor day sale $50 Sparc $60 off Strikefire.

 

[Sabby]

just a note on the sparc....

the on/off pressure switch is a bad design ....

way to easy to "bump" it on and with a auto shut off after 6 hrs i.e. putting your weapon away in a case be it hard or soft turns/bumps the unit on ..
bump the switch with another rifle in the gun safe turns it on

cleaning your weapon with the unite ... you get my point?

battery cap is twitchy.. trying to find the sweet spot were it stays on when you need it ...too tight and the unite will not turn itself off or auto shut off....

and not tight enough the unite will turn itself on and or shuts off during a shot {noting over 9mm was use with the sparc} so recoil is ruled out

bring a coin just in case and an extra battery

Best thing is Vortex has a we'll replace it or fix it pre pay shipping label ....

the only thing it cost you is your sanity

 

[m41]

Thanks for all the replies and good information I went ahead and ordered the Nikon P223 and may get a red dot later. Agarin thanks for the replies.

 

[SickMAK90]

just a note on the sparc....

the on/off pressure switch is a bad design ....

way to easy to "bump" it on and with a auto shut off after 6 hrs i.e. putting your weapon away in a case be it hard or soft turns/bumps the unit on ..
bump the switch with another rifle in the gun safe turns it on

cleaning your weapon with the unite ... you get my point?

battery cap is twitchy.. trying to find the sweet spot were it stays on when you need it ...too tight and the unite will not turn itself off or auto shut off....

and not tight enough the unite will turn itself on and or shuts off during a shot {noting over 9mm was use with the sparc} so recoil is ruled out

bring a coin just in case and an extra battery

Best thing is Vortex has a we'll replace it or fix it pre pay shipping label ....

the only thing it cost you is your sanity

The on/off and adjustment buttons is the reason I would never own a strikefire or sparc. They are really, really bad. A friend and I got into a debate about vortex vs PA, which he repeatedly complained that PA is "chinese s%^$". I had to quickly inform him the vortex was also...

I will probably end up with another aimpoint myself. Unless I can find one of the new eotechs for ~$400.