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So, today as I was putting some fresh lube on the AR in anticipation of (finally) taking it back to the range tomorrow, it occurred to me that perhaps I should consider something beyond just my iron sights. So, I've done a little reading online about the different types of optics, etc.. but would love to hear from you guys what resources you might suggest, or what your own experiences are.

The AR is primarily intended as a defensive weapon. I don't hunt with it. I don't plan to shoot anything with it that's particularly far away (100-200yd maximum and that's a pretty rare day).

Right now at aimsurplus.com you can get a vortex sparc for 159. That's a pretty good deal and they work rather well and have full lifetime warranty. I really like my spac, however I just purchased an aimpoint pro at $400. That leave it on for 3 years is a great selling point. They only have 10 yr warranty for civilian use but I think their newer model can be fixed unlike their first stuff. They are battle proven. Eotech 512 are also another choice around 400 bucks but there are several models you can choose from up to around 600. I have no experience with eotech, but it is also battle proven so I would consider them also.

If you are on a real budget primary arms puts out good stuff and has great customer service.

There is nothing wrong with iron sights. They don't need batteries, they don't fog up, and they are dang hard to break. My suggestion is to learn your rifle and the iron sights first then consider an optical sight.





From what you are telling us your rifle is primarily for home protection - - - The first thing I would put on a home defense rifle is a good light that can be turned on and off with a pressure switch. Next would be a red dot sight that can be co-witnessed with your irons. A sling would finish the accessories on the gun. Actually, a rifle fitted out like that would be a great combat rifle too.

MoJo wrote:There is nothing wrong with iron sights. They don't need batteries, they don't fog up, and they are dang hard to break. My suggestion is to learn your rifle and the iron sights first then consider an optical sight.

MoJo wrote:The first thing I would put on a home defense rifle is a good light that can be turned on and off with a pressure switch.

This, but I'm not a big fan of tape switches. I keep my light mounted so I can hit the tailcap with my thumb, like so:



Fewer points of failure and less chance of an "accidental discharge" of the light (EDIT: not my rifle)

As for optics, The Aimpoint PRO is a fantastic choice as you can leave it on for 3+ years before changing batteries, and it's solid and reliable. Irons can be hard to pick up at night, even with a light, but a red dot is instantaneous. Plus, the PRO uses CR123 batteries, which is the same thing most tactical flashlights and weaponlights use. I've simplified so that all but two of my optics and all of my lights (two PROs, one EOTech XPS3-0, multiple lights) all use the same batteries. The other two optics both use CR2032s.

The Strikefire uses CR2 batteries. I was looking into getting one for my AK but decided against it for that reason

My M&P has an Elzetta mount with a flashlight mounted under the barrel simply press the tailcap and you have light. My other AR has an S&W pistol type weapon light mounted to the handguard on a short piece of rail (Weaver Scope Mount) Both are press on release off.

MoJo wrote:My M&P has an Elzetta mount with a flashlight mounted under the barrel simply press the tailcap and you have light. My other AR has an S&W pistol type weapon light mounted to the handguard on a short piece of rail (Weaver Scope Mount) Both are press on release off.

Okay then Wasn't sure if you meant tailcap or tape type.

MadMonkey wrote:

MoJo wrote:My M&P has an Elzetta mount with a flashlight mounted under the barrel simply press the tailcap and you have light. My other AR has an S&W pistol type weapon light mounted to the handguard on a short piece of rail (Weaver Scope Mount) Both are press on release off.

Okay then Wasn't sure if you meant tailcap or tape type.

Hey I am a charter member of the KISS society. The whole Murphy family is swarming whenever you go into harm's way.

MoJo wrote:

And that's why I prefer EOTech.

You can poke a hole all the way through an EOTech and you'll still get an accurate hit so long as you can see the red dot. Somebody shoots the optic off your rifle...a whole 'nother matter.

Iron sights? You bet!

By the way, as I understand it BUIS stands for Back Up Iron Sights, not backup plastic sights. I wonder if you would go with some of the cheaper plastic sights I keep seeing, or would you go with metal sights?

Not a post steal, just a question in the line.

TLE2 wrote:By the way, as I understand it BUIS stands for Back Up Iron Sights, not backup plastic sights. I wonder if you would go with some of the cheaper plastic sights I keep seeing, or would you go with metal sights?

Troy Industries, front and back. IMHO

Is there really such a thing as a Back Up Plastic Sight?

Say it ain't so, Joe. Say it ain't so...

Skiprr wrote:Is there really such a thing as a Back Up Plastic Sight?

Magpul's polymer flip-up sights. I would assume those would be considered plastic since most people consider polymer as a "plastic" in the gun world.

I have two sets of the Magpul backup sights and I wouldn't hesitate to get another. So far they seem very tough and about half the price of a comparable metal set, and an impact hard enough to break them would most likely bend a metal sight as well (in my opinion, I haven't tried it).

There's also my thought that under a SEVERE impact (harsh enough to break either metal or polymer), the metal sight could potentially damage the forward rail or gas block, or the flattop of the receiver, whereas the polymer sight SHOULD simply break off.

Again, I haven't tested that, and I think such an impact would be unlikely without causing damage to the rest of the gun. Something to think about though.

Do Glocks have polymer sights?

Thanks guys. I've been shooting with just the iron sights for a little over a year now, and feel pretty good about those. I completely support the learn-irons-first strategy which is why I've held off buying an optic so far. I'll check out the EOTech and AimPoint red dots.

A flashlight also sounds like a great idea. I'll look into those too.

newTexan wrote:Thanks guys. I've been shooting with just the iron sights for a little over a year now, and feel pretty good about those. I completely support the learn-irons-first strategy which is why I've held off buying an optic so far. I'll check out the EOTech and AimPoint red dots.

A flashlight also sounds like a great idea. I'll look into those too.

My son has an Aimpoint Micro on one of his ARs, and we both have EOTechs + magnifiers on other carbines. I'm drawn to the light weight of the Aimpoint Micro, and I might buy one if I build another AR, but with my aging eyes I use the magnifier on my EOTech most of the time. Plus, what Skiprr said about battle damage to EOTechs is spot on. There used to be a vendor I would see at gunshows (they may still be there, for all I know) that had an EOTech on display that had a bullet hole right through the lens, and you could still turn it on and use it.