Hey all,

I recently purchased a Sightmark Sure Shot Reflex Sight with Quick-Detach Mount and want to get a magifier for it..

I'd like to get one with a flip away mount, I don't want complete junk, but I don't want/need an EoTech or real expensive one.

I've never really researched these sights or magnifiers before so I'm looking to those with more experience for help!

Thanks,

-Masta

Primary arms has some for cheap

The few primary units I've handled and owned were pretty good. Having said that, I thought the included FTS mount was junk. I have heard of a few other brands being OK(as well as you probably have - like vortex and burris (i think)), but never heard anything about the mounts.

I always wanted a larue mount for mine, but often wondered if it was even worth it (like parking a ford pinto in a garage meant for lambos and ferarris). I knew that eventually I'd get tired of the weight and crappy mount and just ended up with an ACOG.

I'm not bashing this setup though. I really liked mine. I think the higher quality stuff (like the larue mount and an aimpoint mag) would have been sturdier and lighter and I may not have been shopping for something better. When reality sets in (and the price of it) - I realised that an ACOG was around the same price as my dream combo (M4s, aimpoint mag, larue mount) - and truth be told I really wanted one anyway..... and you see why I did that.

Comparing the setups...
The M4s was everything I ever thought a red dot could be.
Flipping the mag into place, I had honestly hoped for a little more clarity, but looking through that many lenses will do that. It was decent, and only the pickiest shooter would dislike it (I was ok with it).
The results were ok too. I went from hitting bowling pins at 100yds with ease to picking off golf balls most of the time at that same range(I could atleast make them dance and roll around).

The ACOG (that you didn't ask about) - does all that, but clearer and better - but not without some tradeoffs. Shooting into/out of different lighting situations can be a challenge (or require a glow stick). Close and fast work takes some getting used to as both eyes have to train to superimpose that chevron on the target.

In summary - I think the PA stuff works ok, and you'll be happy if you change the mount.
A good solid light weight RD/mag/FTSmount makes a great do-all rifle in my opinion, but like most swiss-army-like stuff it won't do all of it the best.

Sorry for the story... but I thought I'd share my evolution through these parts. Maybe it will help confuse the situation a little.

Excellent info thanks!

I'm jealous You guys get to play around with everything you stock That would be awesome! I've always wanted to look through all of the magnifiers to see how they compare. If I had a chance to do that I probably would have bought one a long time ago.

+1 All of this!

I have spent enough on other magnifiers and mounts to have bought n Eotec or Aimpoint version with mount.  The biggest reason I didn't was because the Eotech or Aimpoint had a fixed focus.  I have a minor astigmatism that blurs the dot, but can be focused out with the economy models.

The Vortex Magnifier is as close to perfect as I have found.  The ADM mount bundled with the Vortex is ALMOST perfect.  I really like that it does not flop around.  But the fact that the ADM mount positions the magnifier forward when flipped to the side, this has caused me a couple of issues.   I snapped the screw on mine horsing it to the left trying to clear my Matech BUIS.  It will be taken care of np by Vortex, I just have to pay shipping.

With my choice of BUIS, I have to run the ADM mount swinging to the right.  I have had no issues doing this, but I don't like the fact that my ejected cases clearly hit the top of the ring of the mount when swung to to the right position.  It has NOT happened yet, but it makes me nervous that a case could bounce back in to the ejection port causing a malfunction.   This is only an issue in concept so far and only an issue if you run a BUIS that will not allow you to swing the magnifier to the left away from the ejection port.

The Burris mount looks like the better deal actually, but I would like to coon finger one to see if it locks up as tight as the ADM mount.  Because the Burris flips to the side only it would not position the magnifier over the ejection port.  Therefore, running the magnifier on the right or left would just be a matter of personal preference to me.

Thanks for the info Mark!

Any thoughts on the sightmark 3x or 5x magnifiers?

Thanks,

-Masta

Had a Sightmark 3x.  It was really clear and worked great for about 300 rounds.  Then the seals busted and it fogged to the point of uselessness.

CTD replaced it with a Firefield for me.  Seems to be holding up but the optics are really dark.

Keep in mind that the non adjustable azimuth magnifiers like the Sightmark may or may not line up perfectly with the economy non adjustable mounts.  By spending a little more on the adjustable magnifier like the Vortex or Primary Arms Deluxe you will have more lee way on what mount you choose.