Recommendations for under $100 optic/red dot for AR

[E7Wrangler]

Slowing getting an AR15 put together to play (2 gun, 3 gun, any shooting sport I can) this spring. I am on a pretty tight budget and some of you have already been great help on putting a rifle together. Now I need sights. Looking for recommendations for under $100.00 red dot/reflex sights (I have Cabelas points yehaw!). I know this puts me in lower quality but I am not going to war or betting my life on the sight I just want to play the games sooner rather than later. I can always put the cheaper sight on a .22 if I want to upgrade down the road.

So recommend away both positive and negative recommendations gratefully accepted. Thanks in advance.

 

[KLB]

Does it have to be sold by Cabelas?

 

[sloughfoot]

The TRS-25 with riser is $115. It is a great red dot with 3000 hour battery life. I found one once at GM on sale for $90.....

 

[FWJK]

The TRS-25 with riser is $115. It is a great red dot with 3000 hour battery life. I found one once at GM on sale for $90.....

Yep, that's the one. I have seen them online even cheaper...

 

[42769vette]

The TRS-25 with riser is $115. It is a great red dot with 3000 hour battery life. I found one once at GM on sale for $90.....

Close this thread, this is your answer.

 

[poweraddict]

I'very been looking online for reviews on cheap optics and the Bushnell TRS-25 seems to be the way to go.

 

[johntheplinker]

Another vote for the TRS-25, with one caveat. Avoid the ones with the emitter at the 6:00 position, with those the dot is not visible in the upper 1/3 of the tube.
Got one on my Mossberg 835 that I took off an AR. A couple 1000 rounds out of the AR and a couple 100 of 3" and 3 1/2" out of the Mossy and no issues. Not to mention the Mossy gets the snot beat out of it being drug through the woods and brush hunting and the 25 holds zero well.

 

[LPMan59]

None.

spend $170 and get the primary arms adv rds. 50k hours after life and there are some great torture tests on YouTube.

 

[Slonsteady]

Give the UTG 3.8" red/green dot a look on Amazon. I have the QD model and it has held up well. Includes dust covers and battery. You will have $ left over for ammo.

 

[E7Wrangler]

Does it have to be sold by Cabelas?

Doesn't have to sold at Cabelas. I can always use the points for ammo instead.

 

[Bigtanker]

What size MOA is the dot on the TRS?

 

[chezuki]

What size MOA is the dot on the TRS?

Bushnell claims 3, but it looks much larger on the brightest setting than it does in the dimmest.

Bushnell - TRS 1x 25mm

 

[KLB]

Primary Arms is another option.
Primary Arms Micro Dot With Removable Base

 

[Audie Murphy]

Primary Arms is another option.
Primary Arms Micro Dot With Removable Base

I was about to mention this,Ihave a couple of them.One on a KSG,very durable

 

[1775usmarine]

Another vote TRS. Have one on my GP100 with probably close to 200 357mag through it and countless 38 and it still keeps ticking.

I would have to agree with the emitter in the 6 o clock position which I think may be older ones. I have one of those on my S&W 3906 and I'm having a hard time keeping a zero.

 

[E7Wrangler]

Do I need a riser if my upper has a standard front sight?

 

[E7Wrangler]

I know I don't "need" one but what say ye about a flip to the side magnifier with the red dot. UTG has one for about 75 bucks. Certainly not on my highest priority list but would anyone get one?

 

[johntheplinker]

Another vote TRS. Have one on my GP100 with probably close to 200 357mag through it and countless 38 and it still keeps ticking.

I would have to agree with the emitter in the 6 o clock position which I think may be older ones. I have one of those on my S&W 3906 and I'm having a hard time keeping a zero.

Bushnell started with the emitter at about 4:00, moved it to 6, then back to 4 after folks complained.

Do I need a riser if my upper has a standard front sight?

Yes, IIRC I used a 3/4" riser for a 1/3 co-witness. There are two packages, one is just the scope and the other has a riser included.

 

[Sniper 79]

I grabbed up a couple Bushnell Trophy XLT 3-9x40 scopes from Cabelas. They were on sale and Bushy had a factory rebate. Got them for like 50 bucks each and they come with flip caps.

AR's don't have any real recoil. I wouldn't hesitate to put a Simmons on one.

I don't care for a dot sight and prefer to magnify what's about to get lead poison.

 

[warthog]

you can find used Vortex Strikefire Red Dots in the classifieds for right at $100... I really like those myself though I am getting a bit old so I am changing to Spitfires now. I also like the Spitfire reticle but those are way out of your price range.