Scope for DDM4

[dza1284]

So I am finishing up my first AR build. It will have the DDM4 upper reciever group. I was wondering what is a quality affordable scope and mount. It seems red dot is the most common so I am thinking of going that way. I don't have a price range because I honestly don't know what they cost. So if anyone any info on price ranges for different quality, type of scope you recommend (red dot or other), and scope and mount you recommend?

[till44]

What will you be using the gun for? (range, HD, classes)

A decent red dot's price will range from $100 to $800.

1-4 Scopes allow you to use the scope for HD/CQB work as well as magnify a target out to distance. They can range from $100 to $1000.

Then there are the ACOG style scopes with varying magnification. The can cost as little as $80 or as much as $1000.

Your price range and end goal will/should determine what optics sits on your rifle. I run red dots on 3 of mine and a 1-4 on another. Two with Aimpoint T1 in Larue high mounts ($645 a piece), an M3 clone from Primary Arms on the .22 plinker ($90), and a PA 1-4 scope ($115) in Larue L-104 mount ($195). I plan to upgrade the PA 1-4 to an Accupoint eventually, but it works great for now.

My end goal for my guns were classes, HD/CQB style shooting.

[zman]

Also, google these AR-15 specific scopes:

Leupold Mark AR
Nikon M-223

[dza1284]

Its just a multipurpose gun. It is my first nice rifle. I will use it for plinking, protection etc. I want to be accurate at a decent range so some magnification would nice but also want it to be good for a shorter range. With that being said what do you think?

[dza1284]

What about this?

http://www.valhallaarmory.com/3_9x42_Ultimate_AR_15_Scope_p/st3942g-ult.htm

[Endless]

I run a Trijicon Acog on my Colt LE6940 and ATN Gen 4 at night for shooting at night.

I also have a DDM4 and use a Trijicon Tri-Power with Bobro mount. I really like it and use that same setup on my KRISS 45 ACP.

[tomd1584]

What about this?

http://www.valhallaarmory.com/3_9x42...t3942g-ult.htm

I'd buy Jeffu's trijcon 4x clone with red dot before I bought that.

It doesnt even tell you the company who makes it. Just remember: Buy once, cry once.

[tacticalcity]

Quality and affordable don't exactly go together when referring to scopes.

How will you be using it? Bench rest shooting? Taking an AR shooting course? Both?

Bench rest shooting you want magnification. The more the better...even though it is an AR, fun bench rest shooting means hitting what you are aiming at. You just want to keep it from looking too goofy. If the scope is heavier than rifle, it might be fun to shoot at the range, but it looks a little silly. Same pretty much goes for hunting game. Magnification helps when bagging coyotes. Avoid the ebay specials, or $200 "sniper" specials. They will not hold zero, or track well at all. Stick with name brand, and try to spend at least $600 or more if you plan on keeping it for a while. If you plan to just use it to hold you over while you save up, then I understand spending less. Personally I like the Trijicon Accupoint Scopes as my entry level AR magnified scopes. They start in the $600 range. Leupold is my next step up. They start in the $1000 range. However, I will do a $200 ebay special on something if I just can't swing it and use it for a few months while I save up for what I really want.

If the rifle is meant for tactical running and gunning however, you either want a red dot or a variable low power scope. If you plan on taking a practical rifle course or tactical carbine course almost all of the shots are going to be fairly close up, because in real life the shots would be close up. What you do on the average shooting range does not resemble real life at all. In real life, the range resembles sniping from a clock tower more than it does self-defense - not very realistic training. For real life, run and gun stuff, I like Aimpoint Red Dots which start around $400. I used to be an EoTech fan, but their attention to quality control sucks these days. The plastic covers look like somebody tie-dyed them and took sand paper to them. Really ugly. They used to be great. Not sure what happened. But if they pay so little attention to the finish, I am worried they are not paying attention to more important quality issues as well.

If the gun is something of hybrid (both run and gun and a bench rest queen) then the 1-?x? low power variable scopes are great. Trijicon Accupoints are my favorite, but Millet makes one for a little less money. When running and gunning you can turn the magnification all the way down and it works like a red dot. When you need to reach out there, turn the dial and you have a little but of magnification to help out - though not exactly enough for really long range shooting. These are becoming more and more popular these days.

While I used to love ACOGS, I realized over time they just don't cut it. They are too much magnification for real life running and gunning and not enough magnification for bench rest shooting to be fun. They look cool only because we've seen so many pictures of them. But they are an out dated concept. Man was that hard for me to accept...because I was a die hard ACOG guy for a very long time. You'll notice I still have some brand loyality to Trijicon. That is mostly about liking tritium reticles because my eye goes right to them without effort or delay, but also about having been very impressed with their quality and attention to detail.

I am not a fan of magnifiers behind a red dot. They are clunky as heck, and always in the way. They end up in the box or sold off on ebay more often than not. One of those things that sounds good in theory, but kinda sucks in practice.

And yes, I do know there are exceptions to everything I said above. There are shooters out there who can make 300 yard shots with red dots all day long and get tight groupings. That's neither practical nor fun for the average shooter. There are guys who do great with CQB and ACOGs, but most of us would find it a struggle and a little annoying for close up work, and for long range work and would be better off with a variable low power scope or red dot.

Just my $0.02.

[Sniper3142]

Quality and affordable don't exactly go together when referring to scopes...

Just my $0.02.

+ 100 to everything tacticalcity said.

For a good multipurpose optic, I'd look at something like the TR24.

[2Cute2Shoot]

I just want to write that I'm also looking for a scope for my AR & when I started a thread, a lot of people said "people are only responding nicely because you're a girl" and "if you were a guy, they would just tell you to use the search button" etc, etc. Well, I'm proud of all the nice responses I've seen to DZA that disprove this

DZA, I love your gun! I think I have similar needs to you, though my gun is much cheaper, so i think I can get away with putting a cheaper scope on it than you can . I really like the compact scopes over the really long ones, and I too want one with a little maginfication for 'plinkering' but also for personal defense. I hope all the smart people here continue to treat you nicely

[2Cute2Shoot]

I just want to write that I'm also looking for a scope for my AR & when I started a thread, a lot of people said "people are only responding nicely because you're a girl" and "if you were a guy, they would just tell you to use the search button" etc, etc. Well, I'm proud of all the nice responses I've seen to DZA that disprove this

DZA, I love your gun! I think I have similar needs to you, though my gun is much cheaper, so i think I can get away with putting a cheaper scope on it than you can . I really like the compact scopes over the really long ones, and I too want one with a little maginfication for 'plinkering' but also for personal defense. I hope all the smart people here continue to treat you nicely

[2Cute2Shoot]

This is what someone posted on my thread about the JeffU Acog clone with a red dot attached:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=282051

I love the way the compact ACOG looks on top of an AR and i think it would look really good on yours, but I also think the little glass on top looks silly.

I hope someone can recommend a good scope that can be adjusted from 1-4x or 1-2x magnification that has the nice compact ACOG look too. Do you guys know what brand the JeffU clone is?

[Isaiah4Autumn]

Do you guys know what brand the JeffU clone is?

It's a japanease clone...no brand name like the others but the best thing to do is to pm jeff and he's very helpful and responsive to get back to you...top sight is CQB...it's a red dot

[BunMaster]

http://www.primaryarms.com/category.sc?categoryId=5

look into these. High quality. Incredibly affordable.

[2Cute2Shoot]

It's a japanease clone...no brand name like the others but the best thing to do is to pm jeff and he's very helpful and responsive to get back to you...top sight is CQB...it's a red dot

Wait...Jeff is a Calguns member? Oh, I thought the brand was JeffU. I was searching on google and couldn't find it.

So people are buying scopes on Calguns that don't even have a brand name? Are they good? DZA, I think this scope would look REALLY good on your DD!