So confused by Optics

[Fat Old Guy]

Just purchased my first AR-15, I definitely will be spending a lot of time learning to use the iron sights first before I actually buy any type of optic.

There are so many different optics and it is getting confusing. ACOG, LPVO, Red Dot, Red Dot + magnifier, Holographic??????????? Absolute Co-witness vs 1/3 lower sights?????????

As a NOOB, I don't know where to start or what to ask.

All I know is that this rifle will be for HD and going to a range and shooting 200 meters at the most.

Please help point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance.

[damon1272]

So what you plan on shooting a red dot or a lpvo/a cog would work. Red dot will not be as accurate or easy to see out to 200 but target can still be engaged. The a cog is just a fixed power scope that is bomb proof. Easier to hit targets but may be more of an issue at close range. Lvpo would be your best bet. 1x4/6/8 power work well. On the low end the one power works near like a red dot but you have the magnification at further ranges.
Now it comes down to money. I recommend spend as much as you can afford on a LPVO scope. Trijicon vortex Leupold to name just a few brands. Deals to be had used.

[n8vrmind]

Go on YouTube and watch 5 hrs of video on AR Optics. Then you will be an expert.

Ask yourself, what do you want to do with the rifle, how far out you wanna shoot, can your caliber shoot that far? do you have a local range that lets you shoot that far?

[Hornetsnest]

I was recently in a similar situation and ended up going with a 1-6x LPVO because of its versatility. At 1x it functions similar to a red dot for HD ranges. Being able to adjust up to 6x is good for identifying and hitting farther targets on the range or for property defense. Down side is they are usually a bit heavier and take up a lot of real estate on your rail.

Another option was a prism scope, which is basically a red dot with some fixed magnification. They are more compact and usually lighter than LPVOs. Down side is they are fixed power so can be more difficult to use indoors or CQB and can be harder to ID farther targets.

Red dots are great for HD and/or CQB but you really need a magnifier to ID and effectively engage at 100-300 yards. However, magnifiers Ive seen are fixed power, so they are limited as well.

And this not even bringing up the budget aspect LOL. It honestly comes down to shooter preference and being real with yourself about what role you want this rifle to play. No real "wrong answer".

[Fat Old Guy]

Go on YouTube and watch 5 hrs of video on AR Optics. Then you will be an expert.

Ask yourself, what do you want to do with the rifle, how far out you wanna shoot, can your caliber shoot that far? do you have a local range that lets you shoot that far?

That's my problem, YouTube can be helpful, BUT it can also be too much info. HD is the primary use for the rifle, so no farther than 30 feet in close quarters. I do want to be able to go an outdoor range and shoot at least 100 meters.

I'm shooting Federal 5.56 NATO 55 grain FMJBT. I should be able to reach 200 meters

[sigstroker]

ACOG is a bit spendy for first AR.

[Fat Old Guy]

I was recently in a similar situation and ended up going with a 1-6x LPVO because of its versatility. At 1x it functions similar to a red dot for HD ranges. Being able to adjust up to 6x is good for identifying and hitting farther targets on the range or for property defense. Down side is they are usually a bit heavier and take up a lot of real estate on your rail.

Another option was a prism scope, which is basically a red dot with some fixed magnification. They are more compact and usually lighter than LPVOs. Down side is they are fixed power so can be more difficult to use indoors or CQB and can be harder to ID farther targets.

Red dots are great for HD and/or CQB but you really need a magnifier to ID and effectively engage at 100-300 yards. However, magnifiers Ive seen are fixed power, so they are limited as well.

And this not even bringing up the budget aspect LOL. It honestly comes down to shooter preference and being real with yourself about what role you want this rifle to play. No real "wrong answer".

Honestly this is a HD rifle first and foremost, then a range rifle out to 200 meters. Budget is not an issue.

I have seen Red dots used with a magnifier, what magnification would you suggest for 1-300 yards?

[audiophil2]

For out to 200 meters iron sights or 2moa red dot. That is all I use. Most of my guns are iron sights. I have 10inch plates on my gun range from 20- 240 yards. 556 shoots so flat you don't need to adjust. I run my rear sight wide for close shots and flip it for over 100. My red dot I can use out to 500 yards.

Magnifiers are bad. That 2 moa red dot at 100 yards covers 2 inches of a plate. A 3x magnifier bumps it to 6 inches. If you can't tell what your target looks like at 200 yards you need to get your eyes corrected first.

[kurac]

Just get an Aimpoint Pro and call it done. With all the rioting (I mean peaceful protesting) going on, I see a lot of guys that have some pretty big scopes on their AR's that they are carrying in town, or at night, they might look cool or intimidating but will be nearly useless unless you are shooting at well lit stationary targets.

[deckhandmike]

Just a normal red dot will work fine. I’d look at a aimpoint pro or aimpoint t1. I own a pile of guns but on my hd rifle just a basic aimpoint pro and a light. I trust my life with it and it’s fun to plink out to 200 yards.

[Scotty]

Magnifiers are bad. That 2 moa red dot at 100 yards covers 2 inches of a plate. A 3x magnifier bumps it to 6 inches. If you can't tell what your target looks like at 200 yards you need to get your eyes corrected first.

Magnifiers do not increase the dot size. A 2 moa dot is still 2 moa with a 3x magnifier. Yes the dot will look bigger, but so will the target. The dot size relative to the target stays the same.

[1919_4_ME]

For your needs I would recommend a Steiner P4Xi 1-4x24mm. One of the best LPVOs for the money.



Buy here

https://cameralandny.com/shop/steiner-p4xi-1-4x24-p3tr-illuminated-law-enforcement/a5505f90-eb13-0134-dfd8-00163e9110c0?variation=1467309&query=steiner%20p4xi

[five.five-six]

300m with irons all day long.

Op, you don’t need a optic.

[nitroxdiver]

So confused by Optics

That's my problem, YouTube can be helpful, BUT it can also be too much info. HD is the primary use for the rifle, so no farther than 30 feet in close quarters. I do want to be able to go an outdoor range and shoot at least 100 meters.

I'm shooting Federal 5.56 NATO 55 grain FMJBT. I should be able to reach 200 meters

[sigstroker]

And yet, you won't find an Open IPSC 3 gun shooter without one.