Aimpoint Micro T-2: Aimpoint’s red-dot sights are often considered some of the most reliable in the industry. The Micro T-2 features a rugged housing with beefed-up turret protection. Its 3-MOA dot reticle comes with illumination settings for nearly any scenario—four for night vision and eight for daylight—and it can be paired with an optional magnifier. The sight is also rated for a run time of 50,000 hours on one CR2032 battery.
AIM Sports Prismatic Series: The value-priced Prismatic Series 4x32mm tri-illuminated tactical scope from AIM Sports is a good option for close- and intermediate-range shooting. Two versions are available. One has rails on three sights of the scope for accessories, and the other features a backup fiber-optic front sight and fully adjustable rear open sight. Both versions sport tri-illuminated (red, green and blue) mil-dot reticles. With aircraft-grade aluminum housings, these sights are equipped with integrated Weaver/Picatinny mounts.
Bushnell Elite Tactical ERS 3.5-21x50mm: The Elite Tactical ERS 3.5-21x50mm scope is designed for long-range precision shooting and features in a first-focal-plane G2 reticle that provides holdovers at any range and also allows shooters to more quickly engage moving targets. Features include a side parallax adjustment and 0.1-mil clicks with 10 mils per revolution. Black and Flat Dark Earth versions are available.
Bushnell Enrage: The new Enrage red-dot sight from Bushnell is equipped with a 2-MOA dot reticle with eight brightness settings. It also features the company’s longest-lasting battery, multi-coated optics and an optional high-rise mount, making it a perfect fit for ARs.
C-More Systems 1-6x24mm C3: The 1-6x24mm C3 scope from C-More Systems was built with 3-Gun shooters in mind. The illuminated TJ1I reticle—inspired by champion shooter Todd Jarrett—features a red center dot and bullet-drop subtension lines for aiming out to 800 yards, and it’s calibrated for a 55-grain .223 Remington bullet. The scope also features lockable, zero-stop target turrets and a 30mm tube body.
EOTech Vudu: Need to take a precise shot? The Vudu 3.5-18x50mm scope from EOTech can help make it happen. It features a 34mm tube, XC High-Density glass and an illuminated reticle mounted in the first focal plane. The turrets allow for fast and easy-to-read click adjustments, and a parallax adjustment is included.
Hartman MH1: The MH1 is an Israeli-made red dot that has the largest field of view through the sight than other comparable sights. This translates to faster target acquisitions. It is powered by either a single CR123 battery or uses a USB plug and rechargeable battery. The MH1 is also waterproof up to 20 feet and features ambidextrous activation buttons and a sleep mode. (hartman-il.com). scope also features lockable, zero-stop target turrets and a 30mm tube body.
Hi-Lux 1-4x24mm CMR1: Part of Hi-Lux’s Close to Medium Range (CMR) series, the 1-4x24mm CMR1 is an affordable tactical scope designed for speed up close yet precision at longer distances. Built on a 30mm tube, the CMR1 is equipped with an illuminated AVS-CMR1 reticle designed around the ballistics of a 62-grain 223 Remington cartridge as well as a 168-grain .308 Winchester round.
Leupold 1.5-4x20mm Mark AR MOD 1: Designed specifically for AR-platform rifles, the 1.5-4x20mm Mark AR MOD 1 from Leupold offers a green-illuminated Firedot-G SPR or Duplex reticle and precise 0.1-mil click adjustments, all built into a compact and rugged scope. The scope has a 1-inch main tube, a tactile power selector and Leupold’s proven lens coatings.
Lucid P7: The P7 is a combat optic with fixed 4X magnification. It offers fast target acquisitions with a ballistic MOA holdover reticle. The unit weighs only19 ounces and will run up to 2,500 hours on a single AA battery. The P7 is also waterproof, shockproof and fog-proof. It comes with a built-in mount designed for use on an AR-platform rifle.
Meopta MeoTac 3-12x50mm RD: The compact MeoTac 3-12x50mm RD scope from Meopta is designed for tactical uses. It features a 34mm tube and an illuminated mil-dot reticle. Other features include a side-focus parallax adjustment from 25 meters to infinity, oversized zero-stop tactical turrets and an integrated illumination control with 16 intensity levels.
Minox 1-5x24mm ZX5: The 1-5x24mm ZX5 scope from Minox features a 30mm tube, an illuminated BDC or Plex reticle and 1-5X magnification. It offers flexibility and precision for both short- and long-range shooting distances. The scope’s body is made from shock-resistant anodized aluminum, and it’s purged with nitrogen to eliminate fogging. The rubber-armored eyepiece is easy to adjust for better focus.
NcSTAR SPD: The SPD from NcSTAR is a solar-powered reflex sight. The solar cell on top will power the SPD whenever there is sufficient sunlight, and whenever there isn’t, a single AA battery will keep the reflex sight running. The 2-MOA reticle has five brightness levels, and the SPD comes with an integrated, quick-release Picatinny/Weaver-style rail mount.
Nikon Black Force1000: The Black Force1000 riflescope delivers extreme targeting speed, repeatable precision and superior accuracy for hunters and 3-Gun competitors. With 1-4X magnification, the scope is designed for both-eyes-open shooting as well as precise aiming at extended distances. It is equipped with Nikon’s illuminated Speedforce reticle. The scope is built with an aircraft-grade aluminum alloy 30mm tube and wears a Type III hardcoat anodized finish.
Sig Sauer ROMEO6T: The ROME06T red-dot sight is specifically designed for ARs and comes equipped with a solar panel that provides up to nine hours of battery-free life, and the sight also uses one CR2032 battery as a backup. The sight comes with either a Ballistic Circle-Dot or Ballistic CirclePlex reticle. Each reticle has four modes: dot, circle-dot, dot with holds and circle-dot with holds. With a rugged 7075-T6 aluminum housing and quick-release mount, the ROME06T is ready for your AR right out of the box.
Sig Sauer TANGO6: The 1-6x42mm TANGO6 riflescope comes with one custom Sig Ballistic Turret (SBT) elevation dial calibrated to the caliber of your choice and environmental conditions. This particular TANGO6 is well suited for close-quarters battle, long-range shooting and 3-Gun competition. Features include the HDX optical system, HellFire fiber-optic and glass-etched illuminated reticle, and zero-stop turrets.
Sightmark Wolverine CSR LQD: The Wolverine CSR LQD is designed for quick target acquisitions on AR-platform rifles. The sights features a 2-MOA dot reticle with user-controlled brightness settings. The Wolverine CSR LQD’s housing is made from a single piece of 6061-T6 aluminum and has rubber armor, so it can take plenty of abuse. An integrated quick-detach mount ensures the sight will stay put on any Picatinny rail. The sight will run for six years on one AA battery.
TruGlo Omnia Series: TruGlo’s Omnia series scopes were designed for AR-15 shooters with features like 1-4X (Omnia4) or 1-6X (Omnia6) magnification for CQB shooting and long-distance precision with the illuminated All-Purpose Tactical Reticle (APTR). Each scope comes with a quick-zoom lever and a purpose-built APTUS tactical 30mm one-piece mount.
UTG 6.4” ITA Red/Green CQB T-Dot: The UTG 6.4” ITA Red/Green CQB T-Dot sight from Leapers is an extremely affordable yet rugged 1X red-dot sight. The sight features a red/green-illuminated T-Dot reticle, flip-up lens caps and a quick-detach mount for Picatinny rails.
Vortex Razor AMG UH-1: The Razor AMG UH-1 from Vortex Optics combines the durability, reliability and energy efficiency of a red dot with the sight picture and distortion-free reticle pattern of a holographic sight. The 1-MOA reticle has 15 brightness settings. It runs on a Micro USB rechargeable LFP 123A battery or CR123A battery. The Razor is only 3.5 inches long, and it weighs 11.8 ounces.
Mount a red-dot or reflex sight on an AR and you’ve created a weapon that is fast on target at close to medium range, and you’ll notice significantly faster follow-up shots. Pair your AR-platform rifle with a long-range precision optic and you have a setup that will reach and touch something—or somebody—when needed. Some compact, variable-magnification scopes offer a compromise, combining the best attributes of a precision optic and a reflex sight. In the gallery above is 20 AR optics to make every shot count.
