Help me out: red dot (forward) for "tactical" m1 carbine

[Batty67]

Hello, new to THR and this is my first post.

Okay, just picked up a slightly used Auto Ordnance M1 carbine in a Choate non-folding (and I like it like that) stock. Shoots fine (FUN!) with iron sights but 10 years after LASIK my right eye is weaker than my crystal clear left eye. So I need to add (yet keep iron sights) a red dot, which I hear can work wonderfully with this fun little firearm.

I know I need the ultimak rail replacement (~$100) so that means, more or less, a forward "scout" scope. I'd like a red dot, possibly with SLIGHT magnfication (2x or less; NOT a deal-breaker), and one that I can preferably use with both eyes open and acquires easily under different light conditions (don't need light amplification/NV). I don't have $500, figure $200 give or take (not including ultimak), and one that comes WITH an integral mount that will work as-is with the ultimak (so easy to mount and zero and basically, low/no maintenance).

I've seen several options after scouring the internet/forums, tend to prefer the "non-tube" variety with multiple reticules and brightness settings. Basically, I plan on shooting out to 200 yards tops, probably more like 50-150 most of the time.

Please make my life easier and provide options, pros/cons, links, etc.

THANKS!

 

[Batty67]

Okay, just ordered the ultimak rail, $100.50 shipped. So, I'm committed and need some informed opinions on which red dot option to go with. Thanks again.

 

[Sky]

I just ordered a Vortex Sparc (Optics Planet for $199) also if you go to youtube and look at the tsr-25 red dot or red dots in general you might find something you like for form and function being demo-ed.

I have an AR with the Vortex Strikefire ($149) in scout config ( mounted forward of the carry handle) that works and is a handy scope for my purposes; hunting.

Astigmatism and dot size is the only downside to red dots. I do not want a dot larger than 2 or 3 moa; the farther the target is the more the dot covers. There are Red Dots now that can be had for less than $100 that seem to work on rifles, pistols and shotguns! They are not Aimpoints or Eos but for some applications seem to hold zero and work just fine.

 

[lebowski]

I would use irons while saving up for an aimpoint micro.

 

[Batty67]

Thanks, I hear nothing but awesomeness about aimpoint and Eos but this is a SHTF/plinker carbine, perhaps HD too. In short, it is not a high-end AR and it has a max effective range of 150 yards or so = as it was desgined. It is a PDW that has 5-6 times the range of a handgun and a bit more punch and capacity (especially with 30-rd mags). It is not an assault rilfe.

I'm going red dot so I can shoot with both eyes open and to off-set my weaker right/dominant eye. "Back in the day" I was a damn fine iron sights shooter, but I'm bowing to age and necessity. So, I'm not going top-doller on THIS one...

 

[lebowski]

Thanks, I hear nothing but awesomeness about aimpoint and Eos but this is a SHTF/plinker carbine, perhaps HD too. In short, it is not a high-end AR and it has a max effective range of 150 yards or so = as it was desgined. It is a PDW that has 5-6 times the range of a handgun and a bit more punch and capacity (especially with 30-rd mags). It is not an assault rilfe.

I'm going red dot so I can shoot with both eyes open and to off-set my weaker right/dominant eye. "Back in the day" I was a damn fine iron sights shooter, but I'm bowing to age and necessity. So, I'm not going top-doller on THIS one...

If it was just a plinker I'd say maybe go cheaper but as a SHTF and possible HD gun I reiterate I think your best off saving for the aimpoint. <150yds does not change anything as that's exactly what red dots are designed for, w/ an aimpoint you are paying for extremely good reliability and durability plus battery life measured in years, not long range precision (it's an 0 magnification optic after all).

If you don't want to spring for the micro, take a look at the patrol rifle optic (aimpoint PRO). It's a good value and comes with mount.

 

[1KPerDay]

I have a cheap $30 one on mine. Has worked fine so far. I can hit clay pigeons at 50 yards. However, I agree with the posters above that if you intend to use it for 'serious' work, get a quality, well-reputed optic.

Multiple cheap options here fyi. You may try a cheap one first and decide you don't like an optic at all. For me, the optic makes me lift my head off the stock. I put it on because my son thought it was cool. When he wises up I'll take it off.

http://www.cdnninvestments.com/taspta.html

http://www.cdnninvestments.com/targetsports1.html

 

[Batty67]

Thanks. Just ordered the Vortex Sparc (Optics Planet) + some flip-up caps (Midway USA) Perhaps because I'm a scientist, I did a LOAD of Internet/forums/reviews/videos research on "mid-grade" red dot sights. I mean, many hours worth.

The reviews and options for the SPARC were almost uniformly "nice sight, great value" not as good as Eos, Aimpoint, or Trijicon, etc., but much better than the sub $100 stuff. This is a $500 (well, $600 with the ultimak tactical rail, which just arrived today) carbine, so putting $300+ of sight and rails on it was a stretch to begin with. But, it is fun to shoot, hits pretty hard, and is pretty darn accurate (so far) and the red dot will let me shoot both eyes open, which is critical given my relatively weak right eye.

Trust me, when I get the $, and an AR, I'll go with high-quality optics. But that might take another year or so (I've purchased a Sig P229, CZ RAMI BD, and the Auto-Ordnance M1 carbine + ammo and accessories in the past 6 months), so I'm tapped out (or so my wife says).

 

[Sky]

Batty67 congratulation on getting the Sparc. Vortex as a company is one of the best. If you ever have a problem call them but if your luck is like mine the sight should give you years of service.