bushmaster1313
Member
Looking for a red dot sight to put on a 223 semi auto to help introduce some newbies to shooting
Are any moderately priced Red Dot sights made in the USA?
Are any moderately priced Red Dot sights made in the USA?
Any lower priced Red Dot sights made in USA?
- Thread starter bushmaster1313
- Start date
- Status
briansmithwins
Member
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2005
- Messages
- 4,631
While not made in the USA the PA red dots actually do work good enough for plinking.
Several guys I shoot with have them on AR and AK rifles, and mine survived the Uzi.
For under $100 it ain't bad. The real Aimpoint is superior in every way, except price, but price can be an important factor on a fun gun. BSW
http://www.primaryarms.com/
Several guys I shoot with have them on AR and AK rifles, and mine survived the Uzi.
For under $100 it ain't bad. The real Aimpoint is superior in every way, except price, but price can be an important factor on a fun gun. BSW
http://www.primaryarms.com/
Try here:
http://www.vortexoptics.com/category/products
Good value for the money and so far an excellent company.
I have the Strikefire and it does what they say. I have also owned Aimpoint ML2 and Aimpoint H1. It is not in the same league as the Aimpoint sights but IMHO it is MUCH better than the other lower priced offerings.
I have decided to use low power optics if I need something better than irons. Call me old school but I don't like batteries on a serious purpose gun.
http://www.vortexoptics.com/category/products
Good value for the money and so far an excellent company.
I have the Strikefire and it does what they say. I have also owned Aimpoint ML2 and Aimpoint H1. It is not in the same league as the Aimpoint sights but IMHO it is MUCH better than the other lower priced offerings.
I have decided to use low power optics if I need something better than irons. Call me old school but I don't like batteries on a serious purpose gun.
Last edited:
bushmaster1313
Member
Can you get a red dot without batteries?
Z-Michigan
Member
The only RDS made in the USA is also the only RDS that doesn't use batteries, the Trijicon. They're not cheap though - around $400.
To my knowledge there are NO other red dot sights made in the USA (the EOTech is also made in the USA but is not really a red dot sight, though it is almost the same from the user's perspective; it's also $400+).
To my knowledge there are NO other red dot sights made in the USA (the EOTech is also made in the USA but is not really a red dot sight, though it is almost the same from the user's perspective; it's also $400+).
Leupold and Burris make prism sights (similar to a RDS) that do not require the batteries to work. The leupold is 1X and the Burris is 3X. They will not be as forgiving as a true RDS regarding eye relief and eye position but they are another interesting option.
I like the leupold or Nikon shotgun scopes for a low power optic for ranges out to about 200yds.
I like the leupold or Nikon shotgun scopes for a low power optic for ranges out to about 200yds.
Z-Michigan
Member
I think Leupold actually makes two prism sights, the CQT 1-3x and the fixed 1x. I assume both are made in the USA. The Burris sight doesn't seem to get uniformly good reviews and I'm not certain it's made in the USA either. It looks suspiciously similar to the Cabela's prism sight that recently came out, which is definitely not made in the USA.
Oh, of course Trijicon makes the ACOG sights in the USA, which are among the nicest prism sights anywhere - with prices to match. I managed to scoop a closeout 1.5x ACOG for "only" $550 (and needing a separate $80 mount too). I like it, but you are definitely paying a lot. Eye relief is more flexible (but not longer) than most other telescopic sights, but not in the same league as the truly unlimited eye relief of a red dot or EOTech.
Oh, of course Trijicon makes the ACOG sights in the USA, which are among the nicest prism sights anywhere - with prices to match. I managed to scoop a closeout 1.5x ACOG for "only" $550 (and needing a separate $80 mount too). I like it, but you are definitely paying a lot. Eye relief is more flexible (but not longer) than most other telescopic sights, but not in the same league as the truly unlimited eye relief of a red dot or EOTech.
I run an 1.5X ACOG. The reticle is a circle/dot similar to that of an Eotech, only it's cleaner and crisper. Still, it's an $800 or so scope.
If you want something in a budget line, Vortex or Primary Arms are the only places I'd look. They are good, but more importantly, the two companies will stand behind their products if you ever have problems.
If you want something in a budget line, Vortex or Primary Arms are the only places I'd look. They are good, but more importantly, the two companies will stand behind their products if you ever have problems.
rangerruck
Member
vortex is pretty good, also look for Sightmark.
Sightron has a good red dot. Made in Japan and sells for about $200 I believe. There aren't many US built red dots and they certainly aren't cheap models. I wouldn't bet on the Leupold being made in the US as many of their models no longer state such. Seems they have gone to using Asian made glass along with who knows how many other parts. Assembly still seems to be in the US though. If you are looking for cheap and US built, good luck.
Quentin
Member
It's hard to find optics made in the USA, especially low priced. And it's been that way a long time. Kinda sad especially if you're trying to build the US RIFLE.
I at least ended up with Bushnell, an American name, and their pretty decent Trophy TRS-25 that Cabela's recently had on sale for $75 but it's made in China and rebadged like so many other things with recognizable American names.
I at least ended up with Bushnell, an American name, and their pretty decent Trophy TRS-25 that Cabela's recently had on sale for $75 but it's made in China and rebadged like so many other things with recognizable American names.
MoDerN_WarRioR
Member
Im a huge fan of Vortex Strikefire Red/Green dots! around the 150 range and superior customer service! I always like to cast my vote out to Vortex 
American labor is too expensive for our own tastes. Leupold is about it.
The quest to find medium priced goods in a nation that pays premium worldwide wages means you can't get it. We won't pay ourselves what we're getting. That's why most of the affordable stuff comes from offshore where labor is 10% the cost it is here.
Either pony up what you are worth, or send more jobs overseas. It's not something we want to do yet.
The quest to find medium priced goods in a nation that pays premium worldwide wages means you can't get it. We won't pay ourselves what we're getting. That's why most of the affordable stuff comes from offshore where labor is 10% the cost it is here.
Either pony up what you are worth, or send more jobs overseas. It's not something we want to do yet.
Z-Michigan
Member
I'll fifth or eighth or whatever the recommendation of a Vortex Strikefire. It's a great RDS for $150. I do believe it's made in China though.
To my knowledge NONE of the glass used in civilian riflescopes is made in the US; it all comes from asian factories, with the best glass coming from Japan. This is true even if you buy a Nightforce, US Optics, or other super-high-end scope. It's only a matter of design and assembly. Leupold does still assemble all their scopes in the US to my knowledge (I don't think that's still true of some of their other optical products, and notably with Redfield everything except the scopes is assembled overseas).
To my knowledge NONE of the glass used in civilian riflescopes is made in the US; it all comes from asian factories, with the best glass coming from Japan. This is true even if you buy a Nightforce, US Optics, or other super-high-end scope. It's only a matter of design and assembly. Leupold does still assemble all their scopes in the US to my knowledge (I don't think that's still true of some of their other optical products, and notably with Redfield everything except the scopes is assembled overseas).
Perra Hunter
Member
I have been really happy with the BSA RD-30 red dots. They are cheap at around $25 to $30. I use them on 22 pistols and rifles, but also on a Savage 24 C (20 gage).
Pros: Cheap, light, button battery last longer that squirrel season (sept - feb), fits any gun with grooves (get the 22 version with narrower base), works fine over a 20 gage.
Cons: 4 mil dot is larger than the squirrel much past 40 yards, after shooting the shotgun barrel the dot will drift maybe an inch (enough to miss the squirrel).
They are what they are, a short range inexpensive hunting and plinking red dot. I like them.
Pros: Cheap, light, button battery last longer that squirrel season (sept - feb), fits any gun with grooves (get the 22 version with narrower base), works fine over a 20 gage.
Cons: 4 mil dot is larger than the squirrel much past 40 yards, after shooting the shotgun barrel the dot will drift maybe an inch (enough to miss the squirrel).
They are what they are, a short range inexpensive hunting and plinking red dot. I like them.
Lloyd Smale
Member
I like the vortex strikefire too but would recomend you go with the red only model as it has a much brighter dot that works much better in bright light.
possum
Member
another vote for vortex. Thier SPARC is real nice, and comes with mounting solutions for 3 heights. as well they have a great warranty and customer service.
Made in America. Not overly expensive. They work great.
http://www.cmore.com/
http://www.cmore.com/
Clarke123
Member
I read things like "the dot is supposed to be 2 MOA, but really isn't ... but that's OK". and
"the slide is made of some sort of cast zinc alloy that has a history of cracking right after the one year warranty is up ... but it shoots really accurate and I like it!" and
"yes, the sights on the new pistol are not properly alighed, but we can sell you a propritary sight tool for $135 plus shipping to fix it"
Apparent to me, based upon recent personal experience, is a (disturbing) trend by all manufacturers to outsource quality control to the customer. They import the stuff from countries that are infamous for poor QC then simply ship it out the door to an unsuspecting public. Many times the poor customer doesn't even know that the product is out-of-spec, underperforming, misaligned, malformed, or just plain dangerous!
I urge everyone to take a personal stand against acceptance of out-of-specification or shoddy merchandise ... MAKE IMMEDIATE WARRANTY CLAIMS, SEND IT BACK and KEEP SENDING IT BACK UNTIL IT IS EITHER REPAIR of YOUR MONEY IS REFUNDED.
FURTHER: File written complaints on appropriate FORUMS, to The Federal Trade Commission and the BBB.
"Shoddy Merchandise is NO BARGAIN at any price"
"the slide is made of some sort of cast zinc alloy that has a history of cracking right after the one year warranty is up ... but it shoots really accurate and I like it!" and
"yes, the sights on the new pistol are not properly alighed, but we can sell you a propritary sight tool for $135 plus shipping to fix it"
Apparent to me, based upon recent personal experience, is a (disturbing) trend by all manufacturers to outsource quality control to the customer. They import the stuff from countries that are infamous for poor QC then simply ship it out the door to an unsuspecting public. Many times the poor customer doesn't even know that the product is out-of-spec, underperforming, misaligned, malformed, or just plain dangerous!
I urge everyone to take a personal stand against acceptance of out-of-specification or shoddy merchandise ... MAKE IMMEDIATE WARRANTY CLAIMS, SEND IT BACK and KEEP SENDING IT BACK UNTIL IT IS EITHER REPAIR of YOUR MONEY IS REFUNDED.
FURTHER: File written complaints on appropriate FORUMS, to The Federal Trade Commission and the BBB.
"Shoddy Merchandise is NO BARGAIN at any price"
- Status
