Red dot/laser combo for AR flat top receiver

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

  • No ad networks!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • Bountied

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 6, 2012
    6,893
    Pasadena
    Right - but replaceable? Description makes it sound not.

    I don't believe it is replaceable, so lifetime could be compromised. However, with the money you save on batteries you can buy a new one after 5 years or so. I guess it would depend on usage etc.
     

    SkiPatrolDude

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Oct 24, 2017
    3,331
    Timonium-Lutherville
    As others have stated, I don't recommend a visible laser.

    The Aimpoint PRO or the Trijicon MRO are some of the highest value "duty grade" optics out there. You can lump an EoTech 512 in there too if that's what you prefer. I personally had the MRO green dot and hated it... stick with the red version. Plus the green dot has relatively poor battery life compared to the red. I am color-blind, so was sold on the green after being told it would help... it actually made things worse when shooting outdoors.

    I've also got pretty bad astigmatism in my left eye. To the point where I sold my PRO and MRO and replaced with a Vortex UH1 (similar to an Eotech) and a Holosun 510C on my home defense SBR. I am not typically a Holosun fan but the 510C just worked too well for me and my intended purpose. It feels a little weird sitting on top of a top teir DD suppressed SBR, but whatever.

    If this rifle may serve double duty as a defensive rig, I would consider a dot with substantial battery life (40-50K hours). The major downside to the Eotechs and the Vortex UH1 is that you need to press a button to turn it on each time and the battery life isn't great. Not an issue with a range toy, but if this was a grab and go rifle then I would consider other options (my opinion).

    If you have astigmatism I would definitely consider the 510C or the 512C (the fully enclosed version), or go a different direction and consider a good LPVO.

    Just my 0.02 and my personal experience from spending entirely way too much cash on swapping optics. I'm told the newer generation Aimpoint T2's and CompM5's have addressed the astigmatism issue, but they run $800+. If money is no object and you want the absolute best there is, check them out.
     

    SkiPatrolDude

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Oct 24, 2017
    3,331
    Timonium-Lutherville
    If it were me, I would forego the laser and stick with the red dot in consideration of the wife, opting maybe for a light instead. That's just me though.

    ^ this.

    I will preface this by saying you must train this way first, but I can easily score hits on a steel silhouette target at 15 yards at night using only the beam of my weapon light. I have a Scout m600DF mounted on my defensive rifles and the center of the beam is pretty well zeroed with the rifle at close ranges. I've also trained this way with a few handguns.

    From an HD perspective (7 yards and in), I am completely confident in my lights ability to give me a rough POA, further supplemented by the red dot.

    None of this should be taken as personal advice. End of day your situation and abilities are unique and should always be a major consideration or how you set yourself up. And regardless of your set up, training is key.
     

    Bountied

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 6, 2012
    6,893
    Pasadena
    ^ this.

    I will preface this by saying you must train this way first, but I can easily score hits on a steel silhouette target at 15 yards at night using only the beam of my weapon light. I have a Scout m600DF mounted on my defensive rifles and the center of the beam is pretty well zeroed with the rifle at close ranges. I've also trained this way with a few handguns.

    From an HD perspective (7 yards and in), I am completely confident in my lights ability to give me a rough POA, further supplemented by the red dot.

    None of this should be taken as personal advice. End of day your situation and abilities are unique and should always be a major consideration or how you set yourself up. And regardless of your set up, training is key.

    Most of my lights have a brighter area in the middle, and when aiming lines up with the sights so it's pretty much like a laser. Would work well with shotguns too. The down side would be that I'm looking at a wall, another type of "target" might not give you the same perspective.
     

    rockstarr

    Major Deplorable
    Feb 25, 2013
    4,592
    The Bolshevik Lands
    As others have stated, I don't recommend a visible laser.

    The Aimpoint PRO or the Trijicon MRO are some of the highest value "duty grade" optics out there. You can lump an EoTech 512 in there too if that's what you prefer. I personally had the MRO green dot and hated it... stick with the red version. Plus the green dot has relatively poor battery life compared to the red. I am color-blind, so was sold on the green after being told it would help... it actually made things worse when shooting outdoors.

    I've also got pretty bad astigmatism in my left eye. To the point where I sold my PRO and MRO and replaced with a Vortex UH1 (similar to an Eotech) and a Holosun 510C on my home defense SBR. I am not typically a Holosun fan but the 510C just worked too well for me and my intended purpose. It feels a little weird sitting on top of a top teir DD suppressed SBR, but whatever.

    If this rifle may serve double duty as a defensive rig, I would consider a dot with substantial battery life (40-50K hours). The major downside to the Eotechs and the Vortex UH1 is that you need to press a button to turn it on each time and the battery life isn't great. Not an issue with a range toy, but if this was a grab and go rifle then I would consider other options (my opinion).

    If you have astigmatism I would definitely consider the 510C or the 512C (the fully enclosed version), or go a different direction and consider a good LPVO.

    Just my 0.02 and my personal experience from spending entirely way too much cash on swapping optics. I'm told the newer generation Aimpoint T2's and CompM5's have addressed the astigmatism issue, but they run $800+. If money is no object and you want the absolute best there is, check them out.


    I’m caught in this situation as well. I have an lwrc di rifle that I currently have irons only on. I can’t decide whether or not to put an lpvo ( Steiner p4xi 1-4 or a vortex viper pst 1-6 on it or drop a holosun 510C (never heard of the 512) on it. Decisions...

    It’s just going to be a range toy, which is why the decision is harder.
     

    outrider58

    Eats Bacon Raw
    MDS Supporter
    Jul 29, 2014
    49,815
    I’m caught in this situation as well. I have an lwrc di rifle that I currently have irons only on. I can’t decide whether or not to put an lpvo ( Steiner p4xi 1-4 or a vortex viper pst 1-6 on it or drop a holosun 510C (never heard of the 512) on it. Decisions...

    It’s just going to be a range toy, which is why the decision is harder.

    IMHO, an LPVO is made for that setup.
     

    Attachments

    • recce gun.jpg
      recce gun.jpg
      102.9 KB · Views: 130

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,731
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I’ve been happy thus far with Veteran-owned Tacticon products: https://tacticon.com/

    TIP: order JUST 1 ITEM first order because once you register your first purchase you will receive a Lifetime Code good for 25% off all future purchases ..

    This Firefly V2 in particular used to be on our overnight travel / hotel pcc but, I just swapped it onto the under-rail on the wife’s nightstand Glock 34 (after lotsa white light, she likes lasers, A LOT and prefers green): https://tacticon.com/product/pistol-laser-flashlight-combo/

    I’m up to six of these now on everything from a Scorpion Micro and Stribog SP9A3 to several S&W M&P15-22’s: https://tacticon.com/product/predator-v3-micro-red-dot-sight/

    3 of these cantilevered on a Tavor TS-12, a Tavor X95 and I don’t think I’ve mounted the 3rd one, yet: https://tacticon.com/product/predator-red-dot-sight/

    Finally, just received 3 of these in today’s Mail and tomorrow one will be going on a Zastava M70 AK ... https://tacticon.com/product/red-dot-reflex-sight-for-ar15-rifle/

    I just ordered a Firefly V2 with green laser for $53 and change shipped. :party29:
     

    Users who are viewing this thread

    Latest posts

    Forum statistics

    Threads
    274,920
    Messages
    7,258,945
    Members
    33,349
    Latest member
    christian04

    Latest threads

    Top Bottom