I'm slowly building an AR in 5.56. I've owned a couple of ARs in the past, but trade opportunities came up and got the better of me. The last AR I owned, I put a PA micro dot and a 6x flip to side magnifier. I felt that this configuration was too clunky for what I was after. The new rifle is going to be a 16" with a mid-length gas system. For the foreseeable future it is going to be used at the range. I don't do a lot of distance shooting... I mainly keep it to 200 yards or less. However, I tend to like a lot of magnification even at shorter ranges. My build is not top-of-the-line, but it is good quality. Total into the build is around $850 without optics.
After my previous experience with a separate red dot and magnifier, I've decided that I want to go with a 1-4 or 1-6 variable powered optic with illumination. In surveying the options, it appears that I can spend a lot of money really quickly. I've been keeping an eye on the used market (and will continue to do so), but for the money I'm considering a Primary Arms 1-4x (for $110) or a PA 1-6x (for $270, currently OOS). I would add a PA "deluxe extended" mount for $50.
Does anyone have experience with one or both of these scopes? Is the 1-6x with the fancy reticle worth the additional $160? Any reason not to go with the PA mount (with the next step up being a Burris PEPR for $75 or an ADM mount for $120)? I've had good luck with PA's mounts/rings in the past, but I also really like the Burris XTR rings so I figure for $75 the PEPR is a good choice.
Final question, for those who run a 1-4 or 1-6 scope, do you also have back-up sights? I have a set of MBUS sights I could put on the rifle, but with a 1x scope they don't seem necessary (unless I'm missing something).
After my previous experience with a separate red dot and magnifier, I've decided that I want to go with a 1-4 or 1-6 variable powered optic with illumination. In surveying the options, it appears that I can spend a lot of money really quickly. I've been keeping an eye on the used market (and will continue to do so), but for the money I'm considering a Primary Arms 1-4x (for $110) or a PA 1-6x (for $270, currently OOS). I would add a PA "deluxe extended" mount for $50.
Does anyone have experience with one or both of these scopes? Is the 1-6x with the fancy reticle worth the additional $160? Any reason not to go with the PA mount (with the next step up being a Burris PEPR for $75 or an ADM mount for $120)? I've had good luck with PA's mounts/rings in the past, but I also really like the Burris XTR rings so I figure for $75 the PEPR is a good choice.
Final question, for those who run a 1-4 or 1-6 scope, do you also have back-up sights? I have a set of MBUS sights I could put on the rifle, but with a 1x scope they don't seem necessary (unless I'm missing something).