Author Topic: Carby got his gun... (Read 3429 times)

Matthew Carberry · « **on:** October 08, 2009, 10:25:54 PM »

Okay, so this poor student bought an AR (the CMMG M4 mentioned recently).

I have 7 Magpul Pmags and a MBUS en route.

So, optic, red dot type, unmagnified. I want zero lectures/comments about "save up for top drawer", "you get what you pay for", etc. I wrote that tune years ago. I will have money for top drawer in a bit, I want a "good enough" for right now.

So, for around $150, just for now, for general use (assume I'm not on my way to a war zone) what's a decent piece of gear?

Also, I assume a med. height mount will get the rise about correct off of a flat top rail?

Monkeyleg · « **Reply #1 on:** October 08, 2009, 10:58:29 PM »

Bushnell makes a fairly decent knockoff of the ACOG sights for about $175.

Matthew Carberry · « **Reply #2 on:** October 08, 2009, 11:00:10 PM »

Don't suppose you know a guy or anything?...

Boomhauer · « **Reply #3 on:** October 08, 2009, 11:01:51 PM »

Quote

So, for around $150, just for now, for general use (assume I'm not on my way to a war zone) what's a decent piece of gear?

A used Aimpoint, older generation. Put out an ad for something like the Aimpoint 5000. It won't have the battery life of the newer ones, but will be of good quality. I picked one up for $100 several months back.

Quote

Bushnell makes a fairly decent knockoff of the ACOG sights for about $175.

It's not a knockoff of the ACOG. It's a reddot that happens to be housed in something that approximates an ACOG housing.

But I've heard it's "OK". I wouldn't know for sure, because I save my money and put it towards top quality.

Matthew Carberry · « **Reply #4 on:** October 08, 2009, 11:10:12 PM »

Quote from: Avenger29 on October 08, 2009, 11:01:51 PM

A used Aimpoint, older generation. Put out an ad for something like the Aimpoint 5000. It won't have the battery life of the newer ones, but will be of good quality. I picked one up for $100 several months back.

It's not a knockoff of the ACOG. It's a reddot that happens to be housed in something that approximates an ACOG housing.

But I've heard it's "OK". I wouldn't know for sure, because I save my money and put it towards top quality.

Thanks...

You'll pay for the bolded bit.

Jim147 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 08, 2009, 11:16:53 PM »

Quote from: carebear on October 08, 2009, 11:00:10 PM

Don't suppose you know a guy or anything?...

They have a retail store off 87th and I-35 in Lenexa, KS and one in Lee's Summit, MO. I used to work across the highway from them in Overland Park,KS.

I'm not up that way much anymore but maybe someone else in the area can check to see if they run them on special. (My brother has one. It works great.)

jim

Monkeyleg · « **Reply #6 on:** October 08, 2009, 11:47:50 PM »

Yes, Carebear, I know someone.

When you decide what you want, PM me. I can get just about anything, and usually at a good price. (I've done so for other APS members).

Ryan in Maine · « **Reply #7 on:** October 09, 2009, 12:13:17 AM »

I've seen the Nikon Monarch going for a little over $150. $180, maybe. Always liked Nikon's optics myself.

roo_ster · « **Reply #8 on:** October 09, 2009, 12:25:13 AM »

The Streamlight TL-1 (I think?) weapon light with picatinny rail mount system goes for ~$100 best street price. For $200, you get a laser, too.

I'd rather have that than a POS scope. But, then, I have busted a lot of POS scopes.

The older Aimpoints are good. I have experience with them on ARs going back to the 4000 models, IIRC. The newer ones are better, but the older ones were retired from use rather than replaced as they broke, 'cause they didn't do that much.

Hawkmoon · « **Reply #9 on:** October 09, 2009, 12:45:09 AM »

Quote from: carebear on October 08, 2009, 10:25:54 PM

So, optic, red dot type, unmagnified. I want zero lectures/comments about "save up for top drawer", "you get what you pay for", etc. I wrote that tune years ago. I will have money for top drawer in a bit, I want a "good enough" for right now.

So, for around $150, just for now, for general use (assume I'm not on my way to a war zone) what's a decent piece of gear?

What are you actually looking for, a red dot scope or a reflex type sight? And how much do you/will you actually shoot this rifle? If you are really looking for a red dot scope, several different companies such as Bushnell, Barska, and even "Famous Maker" (yes, that is a brand) have them in 30mm and 40mm sizes for under 50 bucks. I'm convinced they all come out of the same factory in China. Only the name on the box changes.

I have had one on an AR and another on a Henry lever action .22 for several years. Other than the fact my defective color vision doesn't let me see the red dot at all in bright daylight, they're fine. (The cure for that was to pay a few more bucks and get another that has a green dot.)

CDNN usually has very good prices on this type and grade of optics.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #10 on:** October 09, 2009, 12:57:09 AM »

Quote from: carebear on October 08, 2009, 10:25:54 PM

So, for around $150, just for now, for general use (assume I'm not on my way to a war zone) what's a decent piece of gear?

Can we assume that by "general use," you mean "surviving the zombie apocalypse, while protecting a herd of NFL cheerleaders that must help you to re-people the earth"?

Yes, of course that's what you mean.

Gewehr98 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 09, 2009, 01:01:11 AM »

How are you with the original AR-15/M16 iron sights?

Balog · « **Reply #12 on:** October 09, 2009, 12:12:18 PM »

I always loathed Aimpoints. Eotechs are great though.

MechAg94 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 09, 2009, 12:42:04 PM »

In my experience, I can shoot just as accurately with irons as I can with a basic red dot. And that is with an EOTech that has a pretty small dot.

Recently, I found a 2X, 2MOA AIMpoint that is a little easier as the magnification gives you something over and above irons without being too much. I have always been an EOTech fan, but the extreme battery life of the AIMpoint is a big plus. THe AIMpoint I got was about $300. It was on sale a while back I believe at MidwayUSA.

Suggestion: If you really just want to have one to have one, my suggestion is to get the absolutely cheapest version that will do what you want. Then down the road, you can look at something better if you want to stick with it. It only benefits you in low light/short range anyway. You might also consider an inexpensive 4X scope (Simmons or something) to round out the equipment.

Headless Thompson Gunner · « **Reply #14 on:** October 09, 2009, 12:54:46 PM »

Quote from: MechAg94 on October 09, 2009, 12:42:04 PM

You might also consider an inexpensive 4X scope (Simmons or something) to round out the equipment.

This would be my suggestion. A solid, well-made 2X or 4X fixed power scope can be had for a hundred clams, and I suspect it'd be much more usable and reliable than a cheapie red dot sight.

charby · « **Reply #15 on:** October 09, 2009, 01:23:27 PM »

I thought it said Charby got his gun.

I was disappointed because I thought someone was giving me a new firearm. :)

dogmush · « **Reply #16 on:** October 09, 2009, 03:39:17 PM »

One of my AR's wears a Vortex Strikefire. They can be had for about $150.

It works, is unmagnified, holds zero, comes with an "AR" mount that gives me a nice cowitness, and has decent batt. life. (I think, I haven't worn my first one down yet)

It's not an M68CCO or an EOTech, and it's definatly not as good as the ACOG I had overseas, but for a home and range rifle it's decent.

StrikeFire

CyBuzz · « **Reply #17 on:** October 09, 2009, 03:59:04 PM »

i have the bushnell. I like it. would i have liked an aimpoint or acog, yes, but then i could not have purchased my SOCOM 16

I got the bushnell from amazon...it is cheaper now...$135 and I paid 144.50
http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Tactical-Elite-Green-Riflescope/dp/B0019SS8CE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1255118216&sr=8-1

I would like to try a StrikeFire. They seem line an interesting company(Vortex) and a lifetime warranty on an inexpensive red dot is nothing to turn your head at. Optics Planet has the strikefire for 149. I think that is the same as from Vortex. I don't know about shipping though.

AZRedhawk44 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 09, 2009, 04:06:14 PM »

Quote from: fistful on October 09, 2009, 12:57:09 AM

Can we assume that by "general use," you mean "surviving the zombie apocalypse, while protecting a herd of NFL cheerleaders that must help you to re-people the earth"?

How did YOU get a copy of my TEOTWAWKI plans?

[must fortify bunker with fisty-proofing...]
...
[/fortify]

OK, better.

Carebear: Just use the irons. Save the $150 for food for your bevvy of NFL cheerleaders.

SADShooter · « **Reply #19 on:** October 09, 2009, 04:18:27 PM »

I haven't used one, but the Truglo products seem to have a pretty good reputation. I'm planning a MadOgre-esque CAR 30, and the Truglo 2x42 dot has piqued my interest.

Matthew Carberry · « **Reply #20 on:** October 09, 2009, 07:12:39 PM »

How am I with iron sights?

I lettered in Rifle in high school. I'm a former Sgt. in the By G-d US Marine Corps. I'm a multiple-award Expert Rifleman and hold the (unofficial) range record for long-range pop-up targets with the SAW on the local Army post (as of 2002 or so anyway).

If I have a rifle, and I can see you, and you can imitate a "D-mod" or "E" target for a few seconds, I can hit you with iron sights.

I'm looking for a reflex-type red dot sight for plinking and light zombie extermination as required until I can pull together a grand to get an EoTech and magnifier.

Spending $150-ish on a sight now will not impact nor delay my ability to gather that larger amount of money in a few months. Something usable now is not contradictory with something better later, that is a false dichotomy people use that I just don't understand. Since I don't have a family to support $150 is nothing. I can pull that together in change, I could pull that together in change when I was eight.

Matthew Carberry · « **Reply #21 on:** October 09, 2009, 07:34:49 PM »

Sorry for getting all ranty there at the end. Pet peeve.

I do appreciate all the recommendations. I have a couple bids in on some used top quality stuff, didn't even think to look for that.

We'll see how that works out. If not, I'm also looking at the second choice suggestions that have been made. Mags and MBUS aren't here yet and my group buy of ammo is in a couple days so for now I'm just oiling and hoping the zombies wait a little longer.

Bigjake · « **Reply #22 on:** October 10, 2009, 10:14:37 AM »

I was going to suggest looking in the used dept, but you found that out yourself.

My Sig wears an EoTech 512 that was just walking around the gunshow in some kid-who-needed-money's for sale bag. Not that out of the ordinary, just gotta keep your eyes open.

News:

Author Topic: Carby got his gun... (Read 3429 times)