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Page AR-15 » Optics, Mounts, and Sights
AR Sponsor: bravocompany
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Posted: 1/1/2007 10:01:19 AM EDT
Happy New Year to all of you. Good to be here. The info available on this forum is a bit overwhelming for an old fart who, in the late '60s walked into a gun shop and saw this on the wall. http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/BladerunnerXP/AR15SP1.jpg
Without hesitation I pulled out my wallet and bought it. It was a Colt AR15 SP1, 2 digit s/n and quickly became my most trusted companion. Great shooter, no frills, no bells or whistles, just iron sight deadly. I often kick my ass that I had to sell it--but that's another story.
Now, today, after many years of missing the AR, I recently bought a DPMS flattop Carbine w/ detachable handle. So far I am having a grand time with it. Considering my age and less than perfect vision I am doing OK with the iron sights and just fair with a low end (Simmons 3-9x40) scope. I know that both this rifle and I are capable of much better performance, so, here's my request for advice from the pros.
I have perused this Optics forum in search of the best sighting setup for my specific needs and have gotten thoroughly confused. My first concern is self-defense. I am in no condition to actively participate in open combat, but I want to be prepared for a worst case scenario. And I simply want to have some fun with precision shooting (paper punching and plinking) from close range out to 300 m. If my eyesight was 20/20, I'd stick with Iron sights, but I ain't a kid anymore and the optics technology today is so impressive that I know I need a good optics setup for accuracy with self-defense foremost. I have tossed around so many possibilities that I cannot decide. A Variable scope? Fixed mag scope? An ACOG? A red dot? A BUIS is in the deal. For up to $1000 what then is my best option?
Appreciate any help, and again, I wish you all a great shooting year.
Bladerunner

Link Posted: 1/1/2007 10:39:45 AM EDT
[#1]
Well, if I had to absolutely put an optic of sorts on an SP1, it would have to be an Armson oeg, or a Compact ACOG. You can find a them both in this thread: For Those New to the AR: Here Are Some Optic Options
Link Posted: 1/1/2007 1:19:00 PM EDT
[#2]
Thanks, cyclic, but the rifle in question is not an SP1, it's a flattop carbine, 16" barrel. I am looking at the thread you recommended. Thanks again.
Link Posted: 1/1/2007 1:36:42 PM EDT
[#3]
check out the acog with BAC as this would be my choice.


Link Posted: 1/1/2007 2:19:24 PM EDT
[#4]
As someone else who has reached, and somewhat surpassed the age where your eyes start going south, I'd highly recommend that you TRY some different options before you spend a ton of money.  Many people do not get along very well with the BAC built into many ACOGs, I can shoot with one quite well, but my Brother can't use them at all.  If you can use the BAC a 4x ACOG would make a great, if rather expensive, optic for you.

If you've got an astigmatism you probably will not like a red dot or an Eotech.  Again, look through one before you buy.  If you don't have an astigmatism, and most of your shooting will be under 200 yards then a good red dot or Eotech may be the best sight for you. They're fast and best of all, you don't have to be able to focus up close and at a distance at the same time to be able to use them effectively.

For longer distances you'll want some magnification.  I prefer the low power variables with a minimum of 4x on the upper end and no greater than 1.5 on the lower end.  I've got two like this, a Simmons and an Leupold.  The Leupold cost 5 times as much as the Simmons but to be honest, I like the Simmons better and am going to be selling the Leupold to a friend.  

Many low power variables also have a lit reticle and some are bright enough to be used as a red dot at close range.  Most of these are $600 and above, but the Mueller 1x-4x that's in the works, assuming that it ever makes it to market, may very well be a great option, it should be bright enough for daylight red dot use and in the $300 price range. But to be honest, we've been waiting for it for a couple of years now.  If I didn't have the Simmons 1.5x5x20 that I like so much I would have bought something else.  But in another thread what's supposed to be the final prototype is being tested now.

Good luck and we're glad to have you back in the AR owners ranks!
Page AR-15 » Optics, Mounts, and Sights
AR Sponsor: bravocompany
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