Looking for an inexpensive prism scope for an AR-15. I know cheap is not the way to go. I want to put it on my BIL AR without spending many dollars. I will gift it to him so my Sister doesn't get to excited on the $$$ for his JohnJak AR-15 build.
Looking for an inexpensive prism scope for an AR-15. I know cheap is not the way to go. I want to put it on my BIL AR without spending many dollars. I will gift it to him so my Sister doesn't get to excited on the $$$ for his JohnJak AR-15 build.
I’m not sure what you consider inexpensive. Optics Planet has the Vortex Spitfire 1X for $180. These are excellent prism scopes (I own 2) . Good glass, nice reticle, plenty of brightness settings and Vortex Customer Service & lifetime no BS warranty can’t be beat. If that’s in your price range, I highly recommend this scope.
+1 on the Vortex Spitfire. I own two 3X (for my older eyes ...) and am very pleased.
I have the SwampFox Blade, and it works really well. I especially like the reticle on it.
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If you think vortex is cheap enough to give away, that's where I would look. For ar15 plinker hunting etc at 100 yards or less it's all you need. They have at least 2 models under 200. If it's because of astigmatism, I tested them both at cabelas at Christmas and they are awesome compared to my primary arms red dot, and my vortex red dot.
If you aren't in a big hurry I would look for used on ebay or ar15.com I bought my vortex prism scopes from both places for quite a bit less than new. And the vortex warranty goes with the scope, not the purchaser. They probably have the best warranty in optics. They have replaced stuff for me that I obviously abused. I tried to buy a mount for a magnifier that I dropped off my atv and they just sent it to me.
As you probably already know one of the advantages of a prism sight over a red dot is that it eliminates problems for those people that have astigmatism. The etched reticle is sharp and clear with no fuzziness, flair or distortion. Another huge benefit that many overlook is if the battery dies or if there is any kind of failure with the LED illumination, the etched recticle is still totally visible and usable with no battery at all! It is a high contract black reticle in a bright clear view, similar to cross hairs in a scope!
I've a couple..a Burris 3x and a Primary Arms 4x...love both. Under 200 yards the best for a 'hunting' type rifle.
(200 yrds is as far as my range goes...maybe good further, I dunno. I don't remember ever turning the illumination on, however, it's there if I need it)
Last edited by airfoil; 07-04-2022 at 02:20 PM.