Favorite economic AR-15 HD/CQC sight

[Bill Daniel]

Thinking of assembling an AR-15. This will be an economy build and would like a good but economic sight. Any tried and true favorites.
Thanks,
Bill

[denvernoob]

Honestly, on the economic side for HD/cqc - I would stay with irons that have a large aperture 0-2 ring. I tried a couple cheap red dots and I never felt comfortable with them.

I have to add... I'm doing a cheap build myself. Check out CDNN. They got chrome lined barrels for $99 right now!

[dahermit]

I assembled one using a complete upper from Palmetto Arms and a lower kit to construct a facsimile of an M4 Carbine.

[rickyrick]

Surefire and flip-up sights will do anything that a homeowner needs, if you want budget.

[doofus47]

depends what you want as "cheap." I have a Burris Fast Fire 3 that I use for chasing deer in timber. That's as close to CQX as I get, but it is good for me.

[kymasabe]

I'm running a Sig Romeo4c on my AR right now, wasn't budget red dot when I bought it, but I'd consider a Romeo5 or Holosun if I needed another similar red dot.

[Fishbed77]

Aimpoint PRO.

There are cheaper red dot sights, but none that I would trust for defensive use.

If you are looking for good iron sights, there are many inexpensive and high quality options out there. Standard fixed A2 sights work great, as do the options from Daniel Defense, Troy, and others.

[Sharkbite]

Ive got an Aimpoint PRO on one of my SBR’s. Its a good optic, no doubt. The downside is battery availability. You cant just walk into Wally world and find the little 1/3N sitting on the shelf. At least i cant around me. I have to order and keep em stocked.

I also have a Sig Romeo 5, that runs on AAA. i like that one better. Circle/dot reticle, motion activated. Smaller and lighter then the PRO. Ive run it hard both taking and teaching classes... its earned my trust.

[greentick]

Primary arms microdot

Lots of torture tests on this series of cheep red dots.

[MarkCO]

Holosun first, PA second.

[berettaprofessor]

I'm going to put a plug in for a Bushnell TRS-25. At one time you could get them for $49 on Amazon or OpticsPlanet, now the best price is $63 on Ebay. However, if you live near a Bushnell Outlet, I just purchased one two weeks ago for $40 there. I've got them on two AR pistols with moderate shooting through both and neither has had an issue.

[rickyrick]

I’ve had some of the suggested cheap dots, they have been sturdy and work well. The problem is the random dead batteries when I take them out of the cabinet.
The likelihood that I’d find myself defending my home with an AR instead of a pistol is astronomically low... but two of my carbines I have switched back to iron sights, just in case.

[stagpanther]

My experience is all cheap reddots fall apart or start flaring in the lens eventually.

[riffraff]

Sig Romeo 5s can be had for around $100 I believe (have not had to buy one in awhile though, check Ebay and Amazon) - my experience so far is they are solid..

Its impossible to beat a laser for speed - crimson trace has them which mount on a picatinny that are sweet on a light AR - they even get you to 100+ yards no problem.

[MarkCO]

Its impossible to beat a laser for speed - crimson trace has them which mount on a picatinny that is sweet on a light AR.

Takes a little work, but yes, once you get there. But there are some lighting conditions that mess them up, even the top of the line green ones.

My guns that I might shoot at night all have a laser on them. Target ID in low light is easier with a laser than a red dot optic. I think I have 6 of the CT laser modules.

[riffraff]

Originally Posted by MarkCO

Takes a little work, but yes, once you get there. But there are some lighting conditions that mess them up, even the top of the line green ones.

My guns that I might shoot at night all have a laser on them. Target ID in low light is easier with a laser than a red dot optic. I think I have 6 of the CT laser modules.

Yes I should have qualified that - in the sun outside no good, though inside in well lit areas still blatantly visible .

[DMK]

I’ve had some of the suggested cheap dots, they have been sturdy and work well. The problem is the random dead batteries when I take them out of the cabinet.
The likelihood that I’d find myself defending my home with an AR instead of a pistol is astronomically low... but two of my carbines I have switched back to iron sights, just in case.

That's one of the reasons I've equipped my carbines with either an Aimpoint CompM2 or Primary Arms MD-ADS (Not the MD-RGB) red dot. 50,000 hours battery life even when left on 24/7. Change the battery every presidential election.

I've never had battery issues with the above two sights. I've never had to use Primary Arms lifetime warranty on these sights either.

[rickyrick]

Aimpoint CompM2 or Primary Arms MD-ADS

I might actually give the PA MD-ADS a try, but for now, I’m not buying anything until everything gets back to normal and I come out of this on the other side still employed.

[Bill Daniel]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Will probably go with flip up irons at first and consider some of the other options, rds vs laser later.
Thanks and all the best,
Bill

[stagpanther]

But there are some lighting conditions that mess them up, even the top of the line green ones.

Been there, tried that, no way ever again in conventional daytime outdoor shooting.

[lunger]

Will probably go with flip up irons at first and consider some of the other options, rds vs laser later.

Take a look at the carry handle type sights also .

I went the opposite way . After trying various red dots and scopes, I decided I prefer keeping it simple .Chose the carry handle irons. No need to worry about batteries and I shoot as well as optics in most conditions.

I would avoid the cheap nock off version . There are some deals on EBAY occasionally on ones people remove from new rifles, although they are getting a little harder to find .

[dakota.potts]

Not a fan of iron sights for close-in shooting in compromised positions where there's a high likelihood it will be too dark to see them anyways. Large apertures with tritium do help with this but are more expensive and may not have as precise a sight picture for larger aiming.

My home defense/farm rifle has an Eotech 512 on it right now. I don't know what you consider a "budget" optic. I got it on sale for $350 which was a budget buy for me at the time, but would be out of my budget now. It's a very quick optic for shooting both eyes open, and with astigmatism it actually seems less affected than reflex-style red dots for me. The 512 is the little longer version that takes AA batteries. Not as compact as the XPS series (and difficult to mount a magnifier behind it while staying on the upper) but the batteries are far more common and the price difference is significant.

I had a Holosun on a Grand Power Stribog and really didn't care for it. I felt like I was fighting for my eye to pick it up every time, even on a modestly-lit indoor range and a high power setting. I forget which model it was, maybe the 403. The little Aimpoint Micro looking one with the solar on top.

[Cheapshooter]

For an optic sight, the Sig Romeo 5 is a great choice. Great design features, Well built, and reliable without breaking the bank on over priced "approved" brands!
My Romeo 5 with Ozark Armament Micro Flip Up Backup Sights team up well on my 300 Blackout pistol. Work great with zero problems.

[rickyrick]

Either way, if anyone foresees the need to defend yourself in a pitch black part of your home, please put a Surefire or similar quality light on it.

[wnycollector]

Another vote for the Bushnell TRS-25. I own four of them. Two are on 7.62x39 AK pattern rifles (Saiga and Romanian RH-10), two are on 5.56 AR's. The oldest has been on a BCM 14.5 muddy for six years with zero issues and thousands of rounds. For the money they are very hard to beat.