Primary Arms red dot?

[1Luv4SF]

Any feedback on the PA optics would be appreciated. I need a red dot that will stand the recoil of my .308 AR but EOtech and Aimpoint are out of my price range.

[secret.asian.man]

good stuff on my ar15, i don't know about a .308. i am dead on accurate up to 400 yards with no adjustments, then i have to raise the rifle higher and higher for 500 and 600 yards. Primary Arms red dots hold at 0 with 0 flaws so far, i've owned mine fore a little over a year. i haven't tested it any further distances.

[damndave]

There are tons of reviews for it on ARFCOM. From what I read, they are very good quality for the money.

[MilitaryArms]

The PA sights are modest quality sights, they are nicely made for their price point. They're fairly rugged but there are more durable sights out there that don't break the bank. I have PA sights and use them, but not on my primary range rifles.

I HIGHLY recommend this sight. It's probably the best economy RDS I've tested so far.

[ejhc11]

The Lucids are nice but they also weigh three times more than a PA MicroDot and cost almost twice.

The PA MicroDot is my choice and its brighter than my Bushnell TRS-25. Plus Primary Arms support is next to none.

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac352/ejhc11/AR15/ARCQBOptics.jpg

[MilitaryArms]

i can't really say 4oz's is a huge, or even noticeable difference when the sight is mounted to the receiver at the balance point. I've put my PA micro dot on my 6920 with its base and the HD7 and I can't tell any difference in weight or balance. My PA micro weighs just shy of 10oz with it's base and the HD7 weighs 13oz with its integrated base.

The HD7 is going to withstand quite a bit more abuse than the PA Micro. For a go-to rifle, I would want something more rugged. I don't think Jason at Primary Arms is going to tell you that his Micro sight is "military tough" meaning if you're going to bump/bang it around that it's going to hold up like a sight designed for that type of use.

The PA sights are intended as range tools. If you are building a range rifle, then yes - the PA's are great sights at a great price point. If you're building a defensive rifle, I would opt for something better suited for the task.

[ejhc11]

i can't really say 4oz's is a huge, or even noticeable difference when the sight is mounted to the receiver at the balance point. I've put my PA micro dot on my 6920 with its base and the HD7 and I can't tell any difference in weight or balance. My PA micro weighs just shy of 10oz with it's base and the HD7 weighs 13oz with its integrated base.

The HD7 is going to withstand quite a bit more abuse than the PA Micro. For a go-to rifle, I would want something more rugged. I don't think Jason at Primary Arms is going to tell you that his Micro sight is "military tough" meaning if you're going to bump/bang it around that it's going to hold up like a sight designed for that type of use.

The PA sights are intended as range tools. If you are building a range rifle, then yes - the PA's are great sights at a great price point. If you're building a defensive rifle, I would opt for something better suited for the task.

Last time I checked Canada and Mexico wasn't invading us, so I would say YES my rifle is a range rifle and the PA MicroDot suffices. If I needed a better optic I would skip the Chinese made Lucid and go straight to a USA made optic like a Trijicon ACOG. I hate devices that use batteries because when the real SHTF I think batteries are gonna be a little scarce.

[MrPlink]

I hate devices that use batteries because when the real SHTF I think batteries are gonna be a little scarce.

sounds like a great argument for an aimpoint

[Randee]

Having seen it myself, they will withstand a 308 without issue, if your interested Im trying to get rid of mine!

[MilitaryArms]

Last time I checked Canada and Mexico wasn't invading us, so I would say YES my rifle is a range rifle and the PA MicroDot suffices. If I needed a better optic I would skip the Chinese made Lucid and go straight to a USA made optic like a Trijicon ACOG. I hate devices that use batteries because when the real SHTF I think batteries are gonna be a little scarce.

Not everyone uses their rifle the same, some actually use their rifles more than others. Some folks use them to take rifle courses, hard core rifle courses. People also like to use their rifles in competition where things get knocked around. We also have a number of LEO's who buy sights out there who need something that can be trusted to perform.

It has nothing to do with Mexico and Canada invading.

There are plenty of AAA batteries out there, enough that they wouldn't be in short supply for years even if they stopped making them tomorrow. You can also buy a 20 pack and tuck them away and have years of batteries on hand.

Most SHTF situations won't last more than a few weeks or months (LA Riots or Katrina). I know people like to think civilization will suddenly disappear and we'll be thrust back into the stone age, but that's crazy talk. The reality is that civil unrest or government collapse are temporary issues. If a meteor causes an extinction event, the last thing you're going to have to worry about is a rifle or batteries.

[ejhc11]

Not everyone uses their rifle the same, some actually use their rifles more than others. Some folks use them to take rifle courses, hard core rifle courses. People also like to use their rifles in competition where things get knocked around. We also have a number of LEO's who buy sights out there who need something that can be trusted to perform.

It has nothing to do with Mexico and Canada invading.

There are plenty of AAA batteries out there, enough that they wouldn't be in short supply for years even if they stopped making them tomorrow. You can also buy a 20 pack and tuck them away and have years of batteries on hand.

Most SHTF situations won't last more than a few weeks or months (LA Riots or Katrina). I know people like to think civilization will suddenly disappear and we'll be thrust back into the stone age, but that's crazy talk. The reality is that civil unrest or government collapse are temporary issues. If a meteor causes an extinction event, the last thing you're going to have to worry about is a rifle or batteries.

That's exactly my point, and why my PA Microdot is the perfect fit for me. I use it on the range only. I'm not an LEO who needs the extra protection, cost and weight from another optical company. Don't see the reason too. I kill paper and steel plates.

[Paper Boy]

I have one on an AR pistol. It worked in about 20 degree weather and held zero after bouncing around in the back seat of a truck when I was offroading. Thats good enough for me...

[lagann]

PA red dots are good quality for the money...i just dont know how long they will last with 308 recoil. Most people seem to use them for their .22 caliber rifles like me.

I would take a look at the Vortex Sparc if budget allows.

[squee116]

The PA Microdot I had was a bit blurry for the dot. My Aimpoint C3 doesn't have that issue, nor my old eotech. The Vortex Strikefire(red only) seems to be a decent optic, for 150.

To MilitaryArmsChannel's point, the LucidHD7 seems to get some great reviews. It is certainly more money, but after buying a sparc, I can say that quality is worth the money. If you watch his review, he shows where to get discount on the HD7. Ends up around 170-something I think.

Or you can always get some bargain deals on used optics in the "firearm accessories" forum in the market place. I have an old EOtech for 135 in there right now.

[marsh1]

PA red dots are good quality for the money...i just dont know how long they will last with 308 recoil. Most people seem to use them for their .22 caliber rifles like me.

I would take a look at the Vortex Sparc if budget allows.

Our Micro Dots can easily handle a .308. They are very popular on Shotguns.

Marshall