Help me choose budget-friendly optics

[TripleDigitRide]

I need optics for two 16" AR's and one AR pistol.

I've always purchased expensive optics, but that isn't an option at the moment. I'd like to stay around $100 +/- each, if possible. Cheaper wouldn't hurt my feelings, but I don't want complete garbage.

I'd like one to be good out to a few-hundred yards, one out to 100 yards or so, and the pistol will be more fir CQC use.

I'm talking toddler-size targets, not precision shooting. Edited April 6, 2016 by TripleDigitRide

[peejman]

Primary Arms.

[mikegideon]

What peej said

[Dolomite_supafly]

Wow, I know toddlers can get annoying but.....

Seriously though, are you wanting a red dot or manified optics?

[Smith]

Right now psa has the Burris AR PCL at a ridiculous price. I have three and they are great at double the price.
http://palmettostatearmory.com/bushnell-ar-optics-1-4x-24mm-throw-down-pcl-ar91424i.html Edited April 6, 2016 by Smith

[TripleDigitRide]

Wow, I know toddlers can get annoying but.....

Seriously though, are you wanting a red dot or manified optics?

The one being used out to a few-hundred definitely need to be magnified.

The one being used for out to 100 or so could probably use a some magnification, but I haven't made up my mind. I had one of the Vortex Strikefires with the screw in magnifier, and it seemed to work pretty well. I'm not sure if the Strikefire II's come with the magnifier.

The AR pistol needs a red dot.

[Patrick Henry]

I have read good things about the Nikon Pro Staff line.  They might be a little out of your budget unless you find a good sale

[Dolomite_supafly]

Right now psa has the Burris AR PCL at a ridiculous price. I have three and they are great at double the price.
http://palmettostatearmory.com/bushnell-ar-optics-1-4x-24mm-throw-down-pcl-ar91424i.html

 

That is such a great deal I went ahead and picked one up. Should work great on my 300 Blackout.

[mikegideon]

That is such a great deal I went ahead and picked one up. Should work great on my 300 Blackout.

 

I have one on my Blackout. Good stuff

[Patrick Henry]

I have also heard good things about the Bushnell TRS 1x25 red dot that PSA has on sale for $80.  Has anyone used this and if so would it work on a shotgun with slugs?  

[TripleDigitRide]

I have also heard good things about the Bushnell TRS 1x25 red dot that PSA has on sale for $80.  Has anyone used this and if so would it work on a shotgun with slugs?  

I've heard good things about the TRS. That's what I was leaning towards for the pistol.

[mikegideon]

I've heard good things about the TRS. That's what I was leaning towards for the pistol.

 

Almost bought one of those too.

[TripleDigitRide]

Right now psa has the Burris AR PCL at a ridiculous price. I have three and they are great at double the price.
http://palmettostatearmory.com/bushnell-ar-optics-1-4x-24mm-throw-down-pcl-ar91424i.html

 

I have one on my Blackout. Good stuff

 

What kind of mount are you guys running? Did you have to do away with the rear BUIS?

[mikegideon]

What kind of mount are you guys running? Did you have to do away with the rear BUIS?

 

You don't wanna know... Larue.

[TrickyNicky]

I've ben very happy with my PEPR QD mount. The larue seems better, but for the money I
think the PEPR is more than serviceable. I also have some Warne elevated rings made for AR mounting that have a QD lever of sorts on them and they were also very reasonably priced and seem solid.

[mikegideon]

I've ben very happy with my PEPR QD mount. The larue seems better, but for the money I
think the PEPR is more than serviceable. I also have some Warne elevated rings made for AR mounting that have a QD lever of sorts on them and they were also very reasonably priced and seem solid.

 

I have both. The Larue is a LOT better. With that said, The PEPR QD is fine. 

[Smith]

I have one in the PEBR QD and it is fine but big and heavy compared to a Larue or my choice the ADM. The Primary Arms one piece mounts are good on the low end.

[Smith]

I have also heard good things about the Bushnell TRS 1x25 red dot that PSA has on sale for $80. Has anyone used this and if so would it work on a shotgun with slugs?

Yes, I've used them a lot, especially on Saiga 12's. Great red dots, hold up well.

[R1100R]

I'm running five Bushnell trs-25's. They are great sights for the money.

[KKing]

Primary Arms.

Yep. I have 4 of their dots, love em all. I have too many weapons to have $400+ optics on each.

[TripleDigitRide]

Budget shmudget. I should have known better than to come here and start asking questions. The Bushnell and Burris have been ordered. I guess it could have been worse.

For those of you running the TRS-25's on your AR's, what mounts are you running. I've read a few complaints about some folks having co-witness issues.

[peejman]

Budget shmudget. I should have known better than to come here and start asking questions. The Bushnell and Burris have been ordered. I guess it could have been worse.

For those of you running the TRS-25's on your AR's, what mounts are you running. I've read a few complaints about some folks having co-witness issues.

 

 

My wife's AR has a TRS-25, with the standard AR riser.  It was a package deal from PSA a year or two ago.  It's absolute co-witness and seems to be fine.  The PA red dot on my AR is lower 1/3 cowitness, which I like better.  The PA also has a bit better optics.  The view and dot are both more crisp.  Both rifles have flip-up rear sights with standard front sights. 

[TripleDigitRide]

My wife's AR has a TRS-25, with the standard AR riser. It was a package deal from PSA a year or two ago. It's absolute co-witness and seems to be fine. The PA red dot on my AR is lower 1/3 cowitness, which I like better. The PA also has a bit better optics. The view and dot are both more crisp. Both rifles have flip-up rear sights with standard front sights.

Would you mind posting a link to the PA optic you're talking about? Thank you in advance.

[peejman]

Would you mind posting a link to the PA optic you're talking about? Thank you in advance.

 

 

I think it's this one.  And I think I paid about half that for it... http://palmettostatearmory.com/bushnell-trs-25-hirise-ar-optic-ar731306.html

[TripleDigitRide]

I think it's this one. And I think I paid about half that for it... http://palmettostatearmory.com/bushnell-trs-25-hirise-ar-optic-ar731306.html

That's the Bushnell. You mentioned that you were running a PA.