Inexpensive sights

CLT65 · Oct 21, 2018

I know very little about red dot or holographic sights, but am thinking about getting one for an inexpensive rifle.

I've always used a scope if I needed precision and/or magnification, and good old iron sights for everything else. Never figured I had any use for anything else, but never used anything else either. I see on Amazon that they sell everything from cheap $15 sights (I assume for airsoft) on up to quality sights costing many hundreds.

What I'd be looking for would be something for less that $50 that would hold a zero and not fall apart when used on a .22lr or .223 rifle. I don't want something with a wandering zero or weird glare, but this is just for plinking. Does such a thing exist?

DirectDrive · Oct 21, 2018

Pick one.
You might have to bump your budget up some, though.
Red Dot Sights and Accessories | Primary Arms

powermad · Oct 21, 2018

Primary Arms gets the nod from me .
They have RD's in the $50 range
Affordable RD magnifiers as well.
AR-15 & AK-47 Parts & Accessories | Primary Arms

808hondacrguy · Oct 21, 2018

I actually have a couple of these cheap Amazon sights, and they are remarkable for the price. Sight snobs gonna hate, but I've had them for years, never had a problem with wandering zero, and have used them on everything from air guns to AR15s.
www.amazon.com/FSI-FieldSportI-Brightness-Setting，RED-Profile/dp/B00I007FPA/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1540141845&sr=8-9&keywords=fieldsport+red+dot+sight

bbbass · Oct 21, 2018

A bunch of these on eBay... I have bought several cheapo red dot sights for my shotgun and for my .223 and they work just fine.

New 2018 Truglo Red Dot Sight 2x42mm 2 Power Scope 2.5 MOA TG8030B2 788130010181 | eBay

Tony617 · Oct 21, 2018

I ordered a SIG Romeo 5 red dot from PSA for a $119.99 back in September. Great red dot for the money.

Alexx1401 · Oct 21, 2018

For a .22 almost anything seems to work and work well. I prefer Amazon just because I shop there almost daily. If you get a bad one they will take it back and pay the shipping to get it back. I have a few old ones that are some Chinese knock offs that I have had for many years. They have held up on both .22's and Pistol Caliber Carbines. Last couple I bought are Bushnell, ran about $50. They are small and work. Take one of the large button batteries which you can also buy cheaply on Amazon.

Member 34319 · Oct 21, 2018

I vote the sig or a holosun 403. They usually go on sale down to $100. Very nice red dots.

Jonnyuma · Oct 22, 2018

Holosun is gaining a pretty good reputation.

bgdawgrr · Oct 22, 2018

I also suggest Sig Romeo 5. It can be had at great sale price since they changed battery types. Best value on a great site imho.
More than your goal of $50 at around $100, but you get a site in with "Aimpoint" quality.
Long but impressive torcher test.

ilikegunspdx · Oct 25, 2018

CLT65 said:
I know very little about red dot or holographic sights, but am thinking about getting one for an inexpensive rifle.

I've always used a scope if I needed precision and/or magnification, and good old iron sights for everything else. Never figured I had any use for anything else, but never used anything else either. I see on Amazon that they sell everything from cheap $15 sights (I assume for airsoft) on up to quality sights costing many hundreds.

What I'd be looking for would be something for less that $50 that would hold a zero and not fall apart when used on a .22lr or .223 rifle. I don't want something with a wandering zero or weird glare, but this is just for plinking. Does such a thing exist?

I've used this $27 amazon red dot reflex sight on 9mm carbine and 22lr. 4 different dot choices, red or green color, very reliable, does not wander. Hard to beat it for the $. I dont know if it would handle high power rifle or not but has worked great for me on 9mm and 22lr.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B075...F8&qid=1540516437&sr=1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65

CLT65 · Oct 25, 2018

So many choices! Thanks everyone, I went ahead and got one coming. I'll give it a try and see how it works. I went cheap this time because it's just a "range toy".

808hondacrguy · Oct 26, 2018

Whatcha gettin?

CLT65 · Oct 26, 2018

It was a tossup, so I just ordered the one in post #11. I'm sure the others would have been fine too, I just chose one. If I get a bad one I can send it back. If I end up liking it but want more quality in the future I can get a better one. I figured this was as good a place as any to start

Even if it falls apart the day after the 90 day warranty is up, $27 isn't the end of the world.

ilikegunspdx · Oct 26, 2018

CLT65 said:
It was a tossup, so I just ordered the one in post #11. I'm sure the others would have been fine too, I just chose one. If I get a bad one I can send it back. If I end up liking it but want more quality in the future I can get a better one. I figured this was as good a place as any to start

Even if it falls apart the day after the 90 day warranty is up, $27 isn't the end of the world.

I think you'll like that one (not taking away anything from the other ones mentioned as it sounds like those are working great also). You can see a review of it here FYI. The guy is beating on it with a full water bottle which is pretty silly, but FWIW you can find it here: