like the post says, i just bought my first AR today. it was built and sold by this guy Rob but it didn't come with sights or optics. the rifle only cost me $840 so im not complaining.

anyway i need your guys help deciding on what type of optics i should get (keep in mind, i spent all my money on the rifle). i know irons are a give3n but id rather get a scope or reflex or something. im looking to spend no more than $50. i was thinking about a 1-4x scope so it could act like a quick target acquisition sight at 1x and a decent target scope at 4x...OR i was thinking about getting some type of reflex or holo sight and eventually get a slide-to-side magnifier later down the line when i actually have some real money to spend.


what are your thoughts? what optics do you guys use?



 just so you guys have a good idea of what i have here is the build:

FMK AR1 polymer lower receiver

Rock River lower parts kit

Adcor upper

USGI BCG

16" M4 barrel 1/7" twist

Quad rail picatinny gas block

30 round GI Magazine

what ever you do, don't buy the cheap 30-50 dollar reflex/holo sights off ebay.  they are made for airsoft/bb guns and will break on you if you try to put them on a gun which has any type of real recoil! 

cheapest holo site I'd go with is the Burris fast fire gen3.

I don't usually recommend cheap optics for anything except maybe a .22 LR. I have had my share of cheap optics and mounts and I have found that on anything other than a .22 I have had nothing but bad experiences. And even on .22 rifles I have had my share of bad experiences with some cheap optics and cheap mounts. Personally, I would wait and save for a decent scope and mount/rings.

But if you really don't want to wait I have had good experience with the BSA Sweet 22 scopes for my .22 rifles. They also make one for .223. I don't have any experience with this scope but if it as good as their .22 scopes it should work okay for you until you can get a better scope. Here is a link to Natchez Shooters Supply:

http://www.natchezss.com/#q%3Dsweet%2520223

As far as mounts are concerned you could try a UTG which can be found at X-Ring pretty inexpensively. I had one of these on my AR for a while. It was okay but not as good as Warne Rings I have on it now.

Honestly, I would just buy some inexpensive iron sights first.

Wait till you have a little money to buy a better optic as opposed to getting one that will just fail/break.

Cant think of any decent combat type optics for $50.  I'd recommend getting a backup iron sight and ammo for now, then saving up money for better optics a bit later.  If you can shoot good with irons, you'll shoot even better with optics later.

Hate to break it to you, but the options that you state in your post are way over your $50 price range.  Even low end 1-4x scopes will run you pretty close to $100 and if your lucky you might get some rings to go with it.  I can only recommend what I have used for RDS and it would be an Aimpoint or Eotech.  Both are expensive, but arguably the most reliable RDS's on the market.

Here's a site that lists "sample" or display models for cheaper, you can maybe get lucky here:
http://www.samplelist.com/

For magnifiers PA has a sale right now on this:
https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_Deluxe_3X_Magnifier_p/pa3xdlx.htm

Just the magnifier will max out your $50 budget and that doesn't include a mount.  FYI swing/flip mounts are more pricey than a fixed.

So what I'm going to recommend is that you save up and get you something decent, I think you'll thank yourself later. I've seen MBUS sights on here for $50 before that might be something for you to consider.  Just my .02.  Good luck 

go look at primary arms all my guns have their red dot sights and are pretty good for the price

just buy some magpul backup irons for the time being, then save up.

once you get 150-200 bucks, your options open up considerably.

.

Howzit
I don't mean to go off topic, but I would highly suggest a BAD lever for your AR.

As far as optics go, I like Eotech and Aimpoint. Got some Eotechs that go for pretty cheap.

Howzit
I don't mean to go off topic, but I would highly suggest a BAD lever for your AR.

As far as optics go, I like Eotech and Aimpoint. Got some Eotechs that go for pretty cheap.

shieeettt the lowest i see even used eotechs are like 350$ i was thinking maybe one of those knock off eotechs for 50-60 bucks lol. anyone have experience with these?

"i was thinking maybe one of those knock off eotechs for 50-60 bucks lol. anyone have experience with these?"

what ever you do, don't buy the cheap 30-50 dollar reflex/holo sights off ebay.  they are made for airsoft/bb guns and will break on you if you try to put them on a gun which has any type of real recoil! 

In bold is the type of knock off eotechs you speak of.  Not recommended, they are not built to take that type of recoil... But it's your money.

you should start doing some in depth research before you buy.

Aimpoint and Eotech are two of the most recognizable names and are definitely quality, but there are other less expensive options that will still give you a quality optic.  stuff like Burris and Vortex sights will come in at lower price points and i've heard they are good sights, and if you feel adventurous, looking at eastern european optics might get you something you'll like for a cheaper price too.

as far as those Russian/Belorussian optics go, they are a lot of nice options for less money, with the only caveat that, while cheaper, they are usually a bit rougher and less full featured.  they are however usually built like tanks, which is great, because i'd imagine getting yor warranty work done is a pain in the ass.


but shop around, you might find something you like that will suit your needs, if you arent dead set on an aimpoint or something.

Lucid HD7

Get irons. What happens wen the 50-60$ el cheapie brok.

I will suggest two things.

1. Get familiar at shooting with iron sights.  Like someone else mentioned, the better you shoot with irons the better you will usually shoot with a sight.

2. Go down to x ring and talk with the guys. They have many different scopes at many different price ranges that can do many different things. Even if its only informational, go have a chat with them.

Primary arms micro dot
Similar to aimpoint t1 and is compatible with all its mounts

Xring got red dot sights as low as $49.95. Lifetime warranty.

Same goes for the 4x scopes with rings. $34.95 lifetime warranty!!!

Local serviced. No waiting.

Get an aimpoint