A durable red dot sight for $100?

[BigFatGuy]

I got a Sightmark red dot as a gift, put it on my wife's 10/22, and she loved it.

This weekend, in the middle of a class, the sight wonked over about 20moa of its own volition. Needless to say the sight is no longer trustworthy.

I'm not looking for a ton of options, if it's got adjustable brightness and color I'll be stoked... But is there a red dot sight that's durable enough to live on a rimfire rifle without losing zero randomly for around $100?

[TacticalPlinker]

Bushnell TRS-25 or Primary Arms micro red dot. Both less than $100 without the riser mount needed to co-witness on an AR-15 platform.

Either one will do the job for a rimfire, and strong enough if in the future you want to use it with a larger caliber.

[Ricky-Ray]

I've had this one on my 10/22 for the last 3 years and no issues.

http://www.amazon.com/Leapers-Golden-Image-Integral-Weaver/dp/B0045RAHGQ/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1384762976&sr=8-12&keywords=leapers+red+dot

[SonofWWIIDI]

This one has worked well on my buckmark contour. So well in fact that I'm ordering another one for a dedicated .22 AR that I built.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/sights-optics/red-dot-scopes/tru-glo-trubrite-open-red-dot-sight-tg8380b.html

Edit: $11 cheaper here:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/929725/truglo-tru-brite-reflex-red-dot-sight-red-and-green-4-pattern-reticle-25-moa-dot-5-moa-dot-25-moa-circle-dot-5-moa-circle-dot-with-integral-weaver-style-base-matte

[Ladyrr]

Did you check the sight mark for the correct fitting, but adjusting the nut underneath? Have my sight mark punted on my rail of a 5.56 no issue with losing zero. After 1000rounds.

[ratled]

Bushnell TRS-25 or Primary Arms micro red dot. Both less than $100 without the riser mount needed to co-witness on an AR-15 platform.

Either one will do the job for a rimfire, and strong enough if in the future you want to use it with a larger caliber.

+1

ratled

[G21Shooter]

Bushnell TRS-25 or Primary Arms micro red dot. Both less than $100 without the riser mount needed to co-witness on an AR-15 platform.

Either one will do the job for a rimfire, and strong enough if in the future you want to use it with a larger caliber.

Nailed it. Another option is the Burris Fastfire II(this dot won't fail you on any caliber).

[BigFatGuy]

Thanks for the comments, all... I'll see what strikes her fancy...

Three questions:

do the sights in an enclosed tube work better in bright sunlight than the more open designs?

Do most people mount these sights close to the eye or out further near the support hand on a target-shooting rifle? I figured being further out would help make the dot less obtrusive if you aren't looking for a quick reflex sight...

When they rate the size of the dot in moa, at what eye relief is that calculated?

[MaHoTex]

I put the Centerpoint (WalMart) red dot on my M&P15-22 a couple of years ago and have had no problems with it. I think it was around $50 or so.

I have 2 different ones made by Vortex, one of which is sitting in my safe in case the Centerpoint craps out on me.

[majtom94]

I use BARSKA Red Dot 30mm Riflescope $30 from Amazon on a Mossberg AR-15 Tactical 22. After many thousands of rounds it is still spot on.

[sd_shooter]

I put the Centerpoint (WalMart) red dot on my M&P15-22 a couple of years ago and have had no problems with it. I think it was around $50 or so.

I have the same one on my 15-22, it's been just as good as various more expensive sights I've tried:
- Several reticle options. One of the best has three stacked dots and is very high resolution, almost as good as my Eotech.
- Red/green select and brightness control
- Only 1x, but good enough for rimfire

[baffomet]

Bushnell TRS-25 or Primary Arms micro red dot. Both less than $100 without the riser mount needed to co-witness on an AR-15 platform.

Either one will do the job for a rimfire, and strong enough if in the future you want to use it with a larger caliber.

I was looking for the same thing as the OP, however, I have a Sig 522. If I wanted to get the PA micro dot would I then need a medium riser(?) to co-witness?

Thanks!

[mshill]

I have a collection of sub-$100 red dots.

I have BSA 30mm 5moa dots ($30) on my .22lr rifles. One is red only with 11 intensity settings and the other is red, green, or blue with 3 intensity settings. Both are sufficiently bright to use in full sunlight but are a little too bright indoors even on the lowest setting.

I have a Tru-glo 30mm 5moa red dot ($60) with 11 intensity settings on an AR. A little better quality built than the BSA. Holds zero fine but a bit heavier than the BSA.

I just picked up a Bushnell TRS-25 which is a 25mm 3moa red dot with 11 intensity settings. It also sits on an AR but I have not had it at the range yet.

I did realize, and it became more apparent that I have
a slight astigmatism which is more pronounced with the smaller dot on the TRS-25. It also makes the blue dot on the BSA appear as a star burst instead of a dot.

[BBJohnnyT]

Bushnell TRS-25 or Primary Arms micro red dot. Both less than $100 without the riser mount needed to co-witness on an AR-15 platform.

Either one will do the job for a rimfire, and strong enough if in the future you want to use it with a larger caliber.

+1. I've owned both for years and used them on both a 10/22 and an AR-15. They're a solid buy.

[crufflers]

Bushnell TRS-25 or Primary Arms micro red dot. Both less than $100 without the riser mount needed to co-witness on an AR-15 platform.

Either one will do the job for a rimfire, and strong enough if in the future you want to use it with a larger caliber.

+1 on the Bushnell TRS-25

I have two - one on an AR-22 co-witnessed with a medium riser, and another on a MarkII Target pistol currently. They move around with ease if you want to try it on something else.

If I got another, I would try a PA microdot just for the hell of it.

+1 on trying to secure the Sightmark better also. I have a Ultra NVQD model. It sounds like you might just need to adjust the QD tension. It will come loose for sure. Tighten it. Mine tightens pretty easy without a tool if you can reach the screw head, then just walk it in until it is very tight with the QD arm secured but so tight where you can't close the QD arm (but close).

I also have cheaper red dots that always worked well enough like a 30mm Tasco (super dim not recommended), and a 50mm BSA (bright enough, but too bulky and dot not real sharp). I'd get the TRS-25.