IA Born Report post Posted July 14, 2015 I recently picked up a DPMS A4 and am looking for a decent scope for the top (flat top). I want to put a tactical-style optic on it rather than a long-range scope. I had my mind set on a Vortex Strikefire II, but I noticed the Nikon P-223 3x32. That has me thinking about a minor magnification (3x or 4x) vs 1x magnification in the Strikefire. I have a budget of about $200. I can get the Strikefire and then get the 3x magnifier down the road, but that Nikon caught my eye and derailed my train of thought. My other AR is an A1 that is an exact replica of what my dad carried in Vietnam (inherited it after he died), so I'm new to the newer style ARs (new to me, anyway). I can shoot tight groups with that Colt A1 at 100 yards with its factory sights, but red dot/tactical optics on ARs are a fairly new concept to me. Any thoughts on a decent tactical style scope for an AR that's in that $200 range? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MathewQuigly Report post Posted July 14, 2015 I put the Nikon on me AR and am very happy. The P223 is short so I had to use Nikons mounts as well I'll bring it up if you want to see it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IA Born Report post Posted July 14, 2015 Thanks, Dwayne! I meant to ask about what mounts if I go that route. The Strikefire includes them, but it looks like the Nikon mounts are separate. Just got your text, too. You may have made my mind up for me just like that! HA! Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PRDATR Report post Posted July 14, 2015 I looked at the Nikon scopes and the comparable Leupolds and liked the Nikon better better because on the variable power scopes there was a loss of eye relief on the Leupold as the power went from 1 to 4. In the end I went a different route and put an ACOG on it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
6ANut Report post Posted July 14, 2015 Love my StrikeFire II, went out last weekend and was hammering the target at 200 yards. Obviously the 1x mag makes it not as accurate but for what I wanted with this gun, Easy target(Boys trying to date my daughter) acquisition at anything under 200 yards, its perfect. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
el diablo Report post Posted July 14, 2015 I love my strike Fire II as well and was gonna do the magnifier as well. Then you can flip it over if u don't want it for closer shooting 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rossislider Report post Posted July 14, 2015 I just picked up an mounted the new Vortex Strike Eagle and mounted it on my AR this past weekend. Haven't had the chance to test it yet, but like what I have seen of it thus far. Might be a little more than you were looking to spend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viper Report post Posted July 14, 2015 A consideration is, do you plan to shoot with both eyes open...for quicker target acquisition? Any magnification will make that difficult. A decent 1x red dot is plenty accurate at 100+ yards. Another consideration with a magnified scope is eye relief, which makes a difference if the scope is mounted further down the rail. There may be an issue with co-witnessing iron sights to a magnified scope....not sure about this...just assuming. I put an Aimpoint Patrol 1x red dot on mine. Really nice and accurate with very long battery life...but it's a little over $400 online. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IA Born Report post Posted July 14, 2015 A consideration is, do you plan to shoot with both eyes open...for quicker target acquisition? Any magnification will make that difficult. A decent 1x red dot is plenty accurate at 100+ yards. Another consideration with a magnified scope is eye relief, which makes a difference if the scope is mounted further down the rail. There may be an issue with co-witnessing iron sights to a magnified scope....not sure about this...just assuming. I put an Aimpoint Patrol 1x red dot on mine. Really nice and accurate with very long battery life...but it's a little over $400 online. A very good point I was just talking to another buddy with. I typically don't shoot with both eyes open, but then I've never shot in close up situations that could warrant it. I just read my op again and realized I wasn't as clear as I should have been. I was all set to have the Strikefire because of learning 3-gun style and improving my fast acquisition skills, but I also want to give my daughter (and me) an option to hunt javelina with it. That's where the idea of a bit of magnification comes in. Reading your post and 6ANut's post has me back to thinking Strikefire II. If I can do everything I intend to do, including not more than 200 yd shooting, with a Strikefire, I may swing back that route. Thanks for the perspectives so far! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
6ANut Report post Posted July 14, 2015 I plan on being up north this weekend, Munds park to be exact and will gladly let you shoot some rounds with my ar and try my scope out if you would like. Bigbrowns shot it on Sunday and was hitting targets at 200 yards no problem. I have found at farther distance I lower the brightness of the red/green dot power to a much smaller dot than I would at 50 yards. Also I have magpul front and rear sites and they co witness just fine with it. Take it a step further I put on a streamlight TRL laser lite combo and the laser, strike fire and iron sites all line up perfect. Brian Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IA Born Report post Posted July 15, 2015 I plan on being up north this weekend, Munds park to be exact and will gladly let you shoot some rounds with my ar and try my scope out if you would like. Bigbrowns shot it on Sunday and was hitting targets at 200 yards no problem. I have found at farther distance I lower the brightness of the red/green dot power to a much smaller dot than I would at 50 yards. Also I have magpul front and rear sites and they co witness just fine with it. Take it a step further I put on a streamlight TRL laser lite combo and the laser, strike fire and iron sites all line up perfect. Brian Now you're having me sold on the Strikefire! Just when I thought I knew what I was up to. I don't have sites on mine (yet), but I do like how the Strikefire cowitnesses with that option. Your offer is extremely generous and appreciated. There is a chance we'll be down in the valley this weekend shopping for school supplies/clothes and soccer stuff. If plans change or we firm up plans soon, I'll shoot you a message. At a minimum, I may just take a look. Thanks! Also Brian! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted July 15, 2015 I recently went through this after trading my old m4 and bring a newer one. My old one had a Bushnell trs25 red dot that, although cheap and simple worked perfectly for what I had this rifle for (cqb, shtf, zombies). I did a slight upgrade on this one with a primary arms, aimpoint micro clone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MathewQuigly Report post Posted July 15, 2015 If I'd had the funds for it I would've put an Acog or Aimpoint on, I actually think there the best. I went with the Nikon cause I can see through it easily it has a small amount of magnification, I shoot both ways both eyes open or one closed I think the best thing to do is go and look through them then decide Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IA Born Report post Posted July 15, 2015 If I'd had the funds for it I would've put an Acog or Aimpoint on, I actually think there the best. I went with the Nikon cause I can see through it easily it has a small amount of magnification, I shoot both ways both eyes open or one closed I think the best thing to do is go and look through them then decide I definitely wish I could justify an Acog! The more I think about it, the more I think I'd like to look through yours if its not too much trouble sometime. I may be in the Valley this weeknd and will try to stop by Sportsman's or Cabela's if time allows. Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
