Thoughts on AR scopes ???

[Silverlode]

Looking for a scope for 5.56 AR. Nothing particularly high powered. Might be happy with 4x. I have been eyeballing the Leupold Mark AR rifle scopes but would like opinions from anyone who has used one. Looking at the 1.5-4x20mm and 3-9x40mm.

Any other brands/models I should be looking at?

Thanks

Edit: Doh - Right after I posted this I saw the sticky/official 1-4x scope thread. I will start there.

 

[erwos]

There are two coming out in ~45 days that are really worth waiting for:
1. Primary Arms 1-6x
2. Bushnell Throw Down PCL 1-4x

Both of them are FFP, illuminated, have excellent BDC reticles, and are sold by very reputable companies. The PA has a much better (albeit busier) reticle and better magnification, but there has been confirmation from pre-review samples that the Bushnell has excellent glass and illumination (the latter being something that PA has not really excelled at in the past). The Bushnell also comes with a built-in, fold-down throw lever.

I honestly think that either or both of these scopes could be a game changer for the market, given their price-performance-features mix. These are the sorts of features we saw at ~$500-$600 (ie, Viper PST), and they're being put into scopes for about half that price. That's huge.

 

[ChrisD]

I have two Nikon P223 fixed 3x power scopes with the Nikon mounts. They go for around $149.00 for the scope, and the mounts I think were around $60.00. Nice optics for the money.

 

[sailskidrive]

Check out the SWFA 1-6x Super Sniper and Vortex Razor 1-6x.

I have little faith in Primary Arms, Bushnell's value lines, or any Chinese assembled scope in general...

Quality HD German or Japanese glass itself is going to cost more than the retail price of those scopes.

If you don't want to spend that much the Nikon M-223 is a very nice scope for the $$$.

 

[SpruceJPG]

I have two Nikon P223 fixed 3x power scopes with the Nikon mounts. They go for around $149.00 for the scope, and the mounts I think were around $60.00. Nice optics for the money.

I've thought about getting that same scope setup for mine. The quality/price of the Nikon glass is hard to beat.

 

[Pmbspyder]

Get a nikon 1-4. Best bang for your buck IMO

 

[byf43]

Can''t comment on 1-4x, but, I've got a couple of the Nikon ProStaff 2-7x scopes and I REALLY like 'em!!!!

Great glass for the $$$.

 

[clandestine]

Leupy VX-R Patrol, 1.25-4 on a LaRue LT104 Q.D. mount.

MIL/MIL Adjustments, Illuminated, Auto Shut Off/Auto Turn ON/Fantaistic Glass, Great Reticle.

 

[erwos]

I have little faith in Primary Arms, Bushnell's value lines, or any Chinese assembled scope in general...

PA's stuff has performed fine. They have a track record. It is ludicrous to essentially say "let's not have a < $200 segment of the market". That's what cutting out China basically does.

Also, you realize that the M-223 is made in the Philippines, right? They're not Japanese-made scopes.

If you don't want to spend that much the Nikon M-223 is a very nice scope for the $$$.

The Nikon M-223 has great glass, and that's about it. No illumination, and the standard point blank reticle is horrible. It took me a long time to deprogram myself from the "glass quality is everything" view of the scope world promoted in some circles. Glass quality is important, but it's not everything.

 

[NeverSurrender]

Leupy VX-R Patrol, 1.25-4 on a LaRue LT104 Q.D. mount.

MIL/MIL Adjustments, Illuminated, Auto Shut Off/Auto Turn ON/Fantaistic Glass, Great Reticle.

What do you think about an EOtech with the magnifier on the swing away mount? I love the EOtech for close-in (don't currently have the magnifier), would the magnifier combo have any major disadvantages over a straight scope? Seems like a versatile combo.

 

[clandestine]

What do you think about an EOtech with the magnifier on the swing away mount? I love the EOtech for close-in (don't currently have the magnifier), would the magnifier combo have any major disadvantages over a straight scope? Seems like a versatile combo.

Never been a fan of EoTechs. Tons of problems with them on a professional level. If you want JUST a red dot then its a good choice for some people depending on eyesight since the reticle is easy to pick up.

If you want magnification get a variable scope on a Q.D. mount. The Eotech with a Magnifier is just too much complexity and unnecessary weight. It doenst have the reticle needed for precision work or ranging either.

 

[NeverSurrender]

Thanks for your reply. Sounds like I should spend the $500 that the magnifier costs on a scope.

 

[aquashooter]

Any opinions on the Burris AR-332? It's a 3X with red and green reticles.

 

[clandestine]

Any opinions on the Burris AR-332? It's a 3X with red and green reticles.

I have has terrible experiences with Burris Optics. Nikon has better built optics and better Customer Service IMHO.

 

[drewhall]

I have a leupold vx-hog 1-4. Despite the cheesey name and the fact it says pig plex on the reticle it is awesome for the price. Clear glass and easy to use reticle. Its a leupold.. What else can I say?

 

[vector03]

Have a look at this thread. Maybe you're looking for something like this?


http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=123314

 

[Silverlode]

I appreciate all the responses thus far. Cost is only somewhat of a factor here. Would like to keep it under $800 but I am not intending to mount a $150 scope on a $2K rifle.

What do you think about an EOtech with the magnifier on the swing away mount? I love the EOtech for close-in (don't currently have the magnifier), would the magnifier combo have any major disadvantages over a straight scope? Seems like a versatile combo.

I have a couple of EOTechs and like them, but I have never been in a situation where I had to lug around the extra weight all day. One I have mounted with a cheap Leapers/UTG 3x magnifier. I wanted to try the idea out before dropping big money on a better magnifier. I was pleasantly surprised at the results. At 200 yds (from a bench or laying down) I was ringing a 8x12" plate probably 75-80% of the time. 300 yds was maybe 1 shot in 5 hitting the plate, but the misses were typically by less than a foot.

 

[Pinecone]

Burris 1-4x. I know Chad doesn't like them, but others have had good experiences.

MTAC for a better illumination control. TAC30 to save about $100.

I have an MTAC on an AR and love it.

Sport Optics (www.sportoptics.com) has them on sale right now. And great people to deal with.

If I had more to spend, it would probably be a Viper PST 1-4x. Or a Vortex Razor.

1x bottom is nice, as you can use it like a red dot, with both eyes open.

 

[SCARCQB]

Ive had good luck with the Eotech/ magnifier combo

My favorite is a LE6920, eotech 552/ aimpoint 3x on a LaRue FTS mount. It is accurate enough to hit 12" plates at 600 yards and quick on CQB ranges. The Eotech's window also serves as a big BUIS and can be used for quick shots at close ranges.

Im not a big fan of standard scopes on AR rifles due to the time it takes to focus / eye relief issues.

Trijicon ACOGs with the Bindon aiming feature ( fiber optic) is the best AR scope IMHO. Cost is prohibitive but you generally get what you pay for. It can be used like a Red Dot ( Ala Armson OEG) and instantly switches to magnified optics as soon as your eye focuses on the reticle.

Im setting up an 18" Tavor with an Eotech 517 supplemented by a Lucid 2-5x magnifier on a FTS mount. This set up should be versatile for CQB to mid range applications.

 

[boss281]

I have two Nikon P223 fixed 3x power scopes with the Nikon mounts. They go for around $149.00 for the scope, and the mounts I think were around $60.00. Nice optics for the money.

Funny, I've had one of those on my Windham and just plain pleased with it. It works...