Red dots, holographic, ACOG, Iron sights Low power scopes ,Which do you prefer?

[holdover]

Ive never trained on any of them except Iron sights. I do like the ACOG but its pricy and not sure if its worth it for CQB. I cant see paying 4-500 for a 1x red dot "optic"

I dont know, what the fuss is all about . What do you prefer ?

 

[Xae289]

I like red dots very well and have them on my defensive rifles. I only practice out to 200 yards max, and out to those distances, they work well for me. I zero for a maximum point-blank range so I don't hold over at any distance at which I'd expect to shoot at anything. Using them has the training issue that you now have to unlearn to focus on the reticle and instead should focus on the target and place the dot on it where you want to hit.

I liked the ACOG (RCO) in the Marine Corps, but to distances like <25 yds, I definitely like red dots better. That said, if I did have to shoot 200-500 yards, I'd much rather have an ACOG or any magnified optic with at least 3 or 4x magnification. They also cost more than any gun I own. If I wanted something similar at a price I'd be willing to pay, I'd probably look seriously into a 4x prism optic. They look good from having handled them. But I doubt at the prices I'd buy would any have a glow-in-the-dark tritium reticle like the ACOG. With a low-power optic, I don't think I'd go for variable magnification, probably just something fixed.

Holographic sights look awesome. Never tried any.

As for iron sights, they work great. To me, they don't work better than any of the other options. With iron sights I find myself fighting my eye's focus. All the other options for all their pros and cons, the biggest pro to me for all of them over irons is that they declutter my brain. I'm aligning 2 things, the target and the optic, vs 3 things, the target, the front sight post, and the rear sight. That said, they're light, don't need batteries, and having one of the others doesn't necessarily exclude having them as well.

 

[togmaster]

I like red dots very well and have them on my defensive rifles. I only practice out to 200 yards max, and out to those distances, they work well for me. I zero for a maximum point-blank range so I don't hold over at any distance at which I'd expect to shoot at anything. Using them has the training issue that you now have to unlearn to focus on the reticle and instead should focus on the target and place the dot on it where you want to hit.

I liked the ACOG (RCO) in the Marine Corps, but to distances like <25 yds, I definitely like red dots better. That said, if I did have to shoot 200-500 yards, I'd much rather have an ACOG or any magnified optic with at least 3 or 4x magnification. They also cost more than any gun I own. If I wanted something similar at a price I'd be willing to pay, I'd probably look seriously into a 4x prism optic. They look good from having handled them. But I doubt at the prices I'd buy would any have a glow-in-the-dark tritium reticle like the ACOG. With a low-power optic, I don't think I'd go for variable magnification, probably just something fixed.

Holographic sights look awesome. Never tried any.

As for iron sights, they work great. To me, they don't work better than any of the other options. With iron sights I find myself fighting my eye's focus. All the other options for all their pros and cons, the biggest pro to me for all of them over irons is that they declutter my brain. I'm aligning 2 things, the target and the optic, vs 3 things, the target, the front sight post, and the rear sight. That said, they're light, don't need batteries, and having one of the others doesn't necessarily exclude having them as well.

What he said. Red dot on everything. Rifle, pistol and shotgun.

 

[Mosinitis]

I was an iron sight shooter for most of my shooting career. Started with optics only 4 years ago when the rules of my shooting discipline changed to allow it. If you are over 45 forget iron sights, it will be a struggle and will amplify your normal eyesight aging. I actually shot irons till I was 55 and did well with it, but that required continues adjustments. What kind of optics you should choose will depend on what type of shooting you do and trying this and trying that. What works for some, doesn't work for others.

 

[Vantrepes]

My eyes are crap, so irons at any distance I couldn't throw the gun at the target is out.
For me, a red dot is slightly faster to pick up a target, but a prismatic, or LPV will always have a reticule. It might be black, but it's something, and you don't have to turn it on to see it.
I went with a LPV because it was more adaptable. One thing is the LPV is going to be less forgiving about cheek weld, eye relief, and the like, so practice, practice, practice, and you will get faster on picking up the target, and shooting at 1x.

 

[Jmac00]

everything i own has iron sites, except my 30-30, because i VERY rarely shoot over 100 yards. the 30-30 is zero'd at 200 yards with Hornady 160 gr FTX projectiles, running a smidge hot. I RELOAD my own, so i pump up the powder by a few grains.

on the 1895 guide gun I installed Skinner Alaskan peep sites, excellent quality sites, i removed the stock buckhorn, rear site, installed the Skinner 'blank' with a extra ,040 aperture, for 'bright- light' conditions, the sites come with .096 aperture. but you can get .070, .125 and .155, or simply leave the aperture out.

 

[GOPerfect]

I used to be able to hit out to at least 300 meters using only iron sights.

I have gotten a bit old, my eyes are proof of this.

I am a luminated scope kind of guy as well as red dot.

 

[SomeSoldier]

If ACOGs weren't so expensive I would have one of those. Right now I am enjoying a multi powered sight with red dot on a canted mount. Red dots make acquiring targeted faster in my experience.

Anything 10 meters or closer, point shooting, 15 - 300 meters red dot, precision shooting at 200 meters or greater muti powered sight.

 

[Jmac00]

fuck it, anything over 200 yards, im using a mortar ~~~ screw accuracy

 

[Phazer]

fuck it, anything over 200 yards, im using a mortar ~~~ screw accuracy

 

[Criticalt]

For what I need guns for, iron sights have always worked fine.
Im into hunting and self defense..... Dont care for target shooting.
I have scopes on 2 rifles.....a Vortex Viper PST 25x50 on my 338 LM and the cheapo Vortex Crossfire 2 that came on my Mossberg 308.
The Viper is a must on the 338 but I wish I could remove the scope on the 308.....I dont need it.
Two of my buddies are die hard red dot fans for pistols but I shoot just as good without......even under pressure. Im not against red dot but I dont like the look.

 

[FRB]

Being a green horn to all this I am tossed to what I need. I appreciate threads like this. I need to get out and SHOOT to find out what I need. With my age and eyes I am thinking along these lines: Tomahawk LPVO Riflescope Series

 

[Celt]

I like shooting handguns with irons, rifles with scopes. Although at 47 my eyes arent quite as sharp with irons so I recently ordered a green dot optic for a handgun. Ill have to update this how i like it once i set it all up.

 

[Edwardteach72]

Being a green horn to all this I am tossed to what I need. I appreciate threads like this. I need to get out and SHOOT to find out what I need. With my age and eyes I am thinking along these lines: Tomahawk LPVO Riflescope Series

Don't expect much from this.. the problem people get with lpvo is the eye box, usually lower priced glass will have smaller eye boxes, conversely some expensive lpvos also have a bad eye box

 

[SomeSoldier]

Don't expect much from this.. the problem people get with lpvo is the eye box, usually lower priced glass will have smaller eye boxes, conversely some expensive lpvos also have a bad eye box

Research and hands on is key.

 

[FRB]

Research and hands on is key.

I did check it our at Ganders, I did notice that the eye box was small... Had to be very steady. I for sure want to see one in action before spending $$. Thanks!

 

[holdover]

I have this one
Primary Arms SLx 5 Gen III 5x Compact Prism Sight with Illuminated ACSS 5.56/5.45/.308 Reticle Matte


Primary Arms SLx 5 Gen III 5x Compact Prism Sight Illuminated ACSS (midwayusa.com)


It has an ACOG reticle , I Havent had a chance to shoot it yet, so I cant say much about it except that the reticle shrinks at full power making it a little tough .


I was considering the Eotech. A tried and true battle proven sight . But 1x seems pricy , and I dont like the weight .

EOTech EXPS3-0 Holographic Weapon Sight 68 MOA Circle 1 MOA Dot (midwayusa.com)



This is new from Leupold, I like the weight , and the BDC. and that it is 34 MM for a bigger field of view.
Leupold Freedom RDS Red Dot Sight 34mm Tube 1x 34 1.0 MOA Dot 223 BDC Turret with Mount Matte


Leupold Freedom RDS Red Dot Sight 34mm Tube 1x 34 1.0 MOA Dot 223 BDC (midwayusa.com)

And of course the ACOG. and Aimpoint.

 

[holdover]

scratch the Leopold red dot.


Leupold Freedom RDS Honest Review - YouTube