CAR-15 optics?

[John in AR]

Suggestions for optics for a CAR-15…? My first one carries a Leupold 1-4X compact scope with heavy duplex. Works great, great light-gathering properties, very fast to acquire (on 1-2X), it’s Leupold tough, Leupold clear, and there are no batteries to dink with.

I’m starting to think of scoping the second one. May go with the same setup as the first, but am willing to entertain suggestions from others out there.

[RIKA]

John, what kind of 100 yard groups do you get with that heavy Duplex? Best I can get is 2 inches with a 4X Colt scope though I get 1" groups with another scope of the same power but finer reticle.

RIKA

[John in AR]

1 ½ or 2” is about it for me as well, but I’m no Annie Oakley by any stretch; I have to take my time to get those two-inch groups. The 1 ½” groups require REALLY taking time, using a bench.

But two inches @ 100 yards means you're within 1 inch from point of aim; I actually consider five or six-inch groups plenty acceptable in a defensive carbine. Basically, since it’s not a varmint gun, I wouldn’t bother with a varmint scope.

The little Leupold works so well, I can’t think of a better option myself; I’m just fishing for ideas. It’s small, light, and well, it just works really well. I looked at some ACOG’s, but they’re ridiculously priced. I called a gunshop in Little Rock yesterday, and I can pick up the Leupold new over the counter for $179; the ACOG’s are all over a thousand dollars, even on-line. While I confess to never using one, I really don’t see how they could be much faster to acquire than the Leupold at 1X is. It’s just “there”. You bring up the gun, no closing or squinting the off eye, just look ahead, and the reticule is there. Much like a scout scope is quicker than a ‘normal’ scope, this scope set at no magnification is quicker even than a scout scope. Set at zero magnification, the heavy-duplex just 'pops up' into your field of vision. (It’s not an absolute “1X” - it’s called a “1-4X”, but the tech specs actually list it as 1.3X to 5.2X.)

When needs dictate, just crank it up to 5.2-power, which is all the magnification I can see wanting in this kind of gun.

Just wondering if anyone else has a brilliant suggestion that I hadn’t considered. (That’s the price of not being omniscient – you have to admit you can learn from others…. ;) )

[Wylycoyte]

I'll take the Eotech 552 for about $350, Alex.

[RIKA]

1 ½ or 2” is about it for me as well, but I’m no Annie Oakley by any stretch; I have to take my time to get those two-inch groups. The 1 ½” groups require REALLY taking time, using a bench.


Thanks John. Its nice to know that I'm not alone. Probably the Leupold is your best bet for an excellent scope that can take hard use.

RIKA

[Garand]

I have a Bushnell 1x23mm Red Dot on my AR. Nice for CQB, but not much else.

[Magnum88C]

Funny John, I put one of those Leupolds on one fo my FALs, can't see going with anything else now. Ditched the whole ACOG idea (should look at how much the .308 versions cost).

Heck, it's a fighting rifle, like you said, not a varmint gun.

[John in AR]

Funny John, I put one of those Leupolds on one fo my FALs, can't see going with anything else now. Ditched the whole ACOG idea (should look at how much the .308 versions cost).

Heck, it's a fighting rifle, like you said, not a varmint gun.


Yeah, I definitely like mine a lot. (Just looking to learn from others' experiences.)

Current setup is an A1 fixed carry handle (new gun is A2 fixed), with ARMS see-thru rail, in low-mount Leupold rings.

Benefits:

- It’s as low-mounted as you’re going to get a scope on a fixed-handle AR; the rear scope bell is less than a sixteenth of an inch off the rail.

- It’s got no batteries to die tomorrow or next month.

- It’s got a lifetime warranty.

- Being a Leupold, it has a lot better light-gathering characteristics than a compact scope should. I can see things at night with it that I literally can’t see with my naked eye.

- The heavy duplex reticule is very fast to pick up. Before buying, I compared it side-by-side to the same scope with the normal duplex reticule, and the heavy one “jumps out” at your eye a lot quicker. (Although as RIKA mentioned, you do lose a level of precision with it; that’s a trade-off you have to be willing to live with.)

- As fast as it is on low power, it still gives the instant option of cranking it up to 5-power if you want it.

- The see-thru ARMS rail allows instant backup use of the iron sights if the scope becomes damaged. No removing the scope, no flipping levers or popping up spring-loaded sights, you just shift your eye to the irons that are always visible.

- Being a matte finish, it even matches the gun cosmetically.


(Told you I liked it a lot….) :)

[BigEd63]

The only other scopes I'd consider are Leupolds also. The 1.5-5x VX-III or whatever they call the line now. And the 1-3x CQT which will work sans batteries plus it uses "AA" ones so I can recharge them on a solar powered unit.

[Rhino]

I am looking at an Isreali trilux sight for my car. Originally disigned for the FAL by UK it uses tritium for the illumination but works fine without. has an inverted pointer with a tiny aperture for fine shots, quite quick and about $100 without the illuminator (they are 35 ectra)

Rhino

[andy]

carrying handle scope is NOT "just there" for most folks. That's why they have flat tops and cheekpcs. You got a timer? what's your average for react, raise from low ready, and hit a 10" gong at 25m? Gun at 45 degree down angle, basically, safety engaged, finger outside of the guard, gunbutt between upper arm and ribcage. If your time is not under .90 second, it's not as fast as an optic. The iron sights make 1.0 second not that difficult to achieve. At least, that is true for one that is V notched, with a good trigger pull, with pistol grip and buttstock that actually fit the shooter.

[RIKA]

I would never have an AR with a V-notched rear sight. The circular one works just fine.

RIKA

[Magnum88C]

The ONE thing AR really do have is excellent iron sights, you'd be a fool to change them.