1-6 or 1-8 scope for AR

[Bcowette]

Considering putting a 1-6 or 1-8 type scope on my AR. Would prefer a 30mm tube as I already have a SWFA quick detach mount but open to a 34mm tube also.

What are some of the best options out there under $1000 street price?

 

[Formidilosus]

Under a thousand, there’s only one worth anything- SWFA 1-6x HD.


That is if functioning correctly and holding zero matters to you.

 

[bruceleroy]

Even the cheap scopes are fitting that bill these days. I've done Primary Arms and a few others and despite what people will say they hold up nicely. Almost all of them at given price points are made in the same factories anyways so it is really hard to screw it up these days.
The SWFA is a good scope but reticles seem to be a beauty to be held in the eye of the beholder. I hate their reticle. Viper quality glass (really good) , but not worth the 1k in my opinion.

 

[justinspicher]

I put a NF 1-8x on my AR and have had no issues with it so far. I got a really good deal on it and it surpasses every other scope I’ve owned.

 

[Elkhntr08]

My question would be, what do you want to do with it. My .556 upper wears a Nikon M223 3-12, use it for plinking and coyotes. The SOCOM upper started with a 4x ACOG, it now has a Burris MTAC 1.5-6. I’ll take the MTAC over the ACOG any day.
Going to build a SBR and latch on to my son’s EOTEC to try it out for CQC.

 

[Bcowette]

Possibly hunting, plinking a couple times a year, personal defense. The thought behind the 1x low end is to make it versatile enough for personal defense.

I do have the a 3-9 VXR patrol that I moved to a different gun that i may move back onto it.

 

[Stingray]

I’ve used different optics. I’m debating eotech or 1-8. For the price you’re targeting, I’d go trijicon accupower 1-8 with red illumination.

 

[USMC-40]

I have a Bushnell on a mid-length rifle that’s a 1-8.5 and rock solid for under 1k

SWFA is mediocre at best. Mushy turrets, poor glass, and not a great reticle

 

[Lionhound1975]

I have a Primary Arms 1-6x24 with a 30mm tube and ACSS reticle which I like just fine on one of my ARs. It is way below your $1000 limit but I think it is very versatile and have not had any issues with it in 2 years. I have an Aimpoint on my duty rifle which is great for CQB and room clearing but is not so great for a 200 yard shot on a coyote for example. I have also had EOTechs and ACOGs on my previous duty rifles overseas and they also are great for certain situations but not so great for others. So for an all round optic that you can use for home defense, hunting, and messing around with at the range I think the PA 1-6x24 ACSS is a reliable option. I'm sure that getting close to the $1000 limit there are better options out there from Trijicon, etc.

 

[mwf008]

I’ve been out of the 3 gun game for several years but back then vortex was very popular in the 1-6. I ran a razor which is above your budget but lots of folks used the lower and mid priced options from vortex. They make a cheap 1-8 now, might be worth looking into. PSA has been advertising specials on some 1-6 and 1-8 models.

 

[22lr]

There are some awesome options from Vortex in that budget. The Strike Eagle series is pretty on point, for way lower than your price range (but you may be looking for something nicer). Personally I have an older 1st gen PST 1-4x and absolutely love it, it's a beast! But for under $600 you can easily find a Gen II PST 1-6x and they have some great reticle options to boot. If you shop around for used, your flirting with the Razor line for that budget which may be worth holding out till you find one...

The hard part about buying optics these days is every month there are new options and you'll regret buying what you just bought... LOL. At least that's the story of my life.

 

[Hill Difficulty]

Can't help but smell a whiff of green-eyed monster when reading critical descriptions of SWFA stuff, particularly when based on value or reliability. SS turrets/glass/reticles on my carbine scopes are killer + I can't imagine anything under $1,000 that can offer the same clarity & super-fast acquisition on game or steel at distances. And never take my word for it - just look and dial yourself.

 

[USMC-40]

That is actually good advice, but I would add " I am cooperative and will give a statement with my attorney".

As someone who has investigated dozens of both citizen and officer involved shootings, as well as been involved in the investigation of over 80 homicides, the advice from 87TT is absolutely correct. I have never seen a law abiding citizen prosecuted for a homicide, and a lot has to do with 3 things: your statement to Police, the DA desire to make a conviction stat off your actions, and your standing in the community.

It seems to me with the limited information provided that Ryan C used good judgement in not shooting at a vehicle leaving the scene of a hot prowl burglary (not a robbery).

The last question I always asked in an shooting interview was "what did you think would happen if you did not fire?" The entire case is in your response.( I used that question myself as it was used on me in a fatal officer involved gunfight interview 11 years ago).

Remember, every murder is a homicide, but not every homicide is a murder.

But, there is a lawyer on the tip of every bullet you fire. ( you may be cleared criminally but not from civil litigation).

Can't help but smell a whiff of green-eyed monster when reading critical descriptions of SWFA stuff, particularly when based on value or reliability. SS turrets/glass/reticles on my carbine scopes are killer + I can't imagine anything under $1,000 that can offer the same clarity & super-fast acquisition on game or steel at distances. And never take my word for it - just look and dial yourself.

green eyed monster? No sir, I’ve just had the opportunity to use first class optics in my life and know the difference

 

[sdfuller]

I had the strike eagle and hated the reticle. I love my leupold vx5 1-5x w/ fire dot duplex reticle for yote hunting and plinking. I moved from an aimpoint T1 to this for similar reasons. You can find good deals on them too. I found mine new for about $650


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rickjames80]

I would go with 1-6 personally. Anyone have any info on the SWFA 1-4?

 

[Formidilosus]

I would go with 1-6 personally. Anyone have any info on the SWFA 1-4?

If you are asking about the current 1-4x Classic, they generally work fine on 223’s. Failures have happened on guns with recoil.

 

[rickjames80]

If you are asking about the current 1-4x Classic, they generally work fine on 223’s. Failures have happened on guns with recoil.

Thanks Form, I was talking about the classic and looking for a 223!

 

[notradame]

8x is getting into enough magnification to make precision shots at 500-600 yards.

6x bridges the gap between a basic 4x magnification, which is great for general purpose shooting out to those ranges, and 8x, which allows precision.

Unless you need the extra magnification for the increased precision it offers, 6x is as high as I would go in a general purpose rifle. I would leave 8x for a DMR type rifle.

 

[Bcowette]

Anyone have any experience with the Meopta Optika6 line in 1-6x24?

After doing some research on 1x scopes I think one important feature to me would be a flat view when set at 1x. The fishbowl view is something that would bother me.

 

[Horseman]

I would vote the 1-6 over the 1-8 if you are staying with a 30mm tube and 24mm objective lens.
For more than 6x, I would want a bigger objective than 24mm