Top 5 Scopes for AR 15 Rifle

Check out our list of the Top 5 Scopes for an AR-15 rifle. Number one will probably surprise you.

Some old school Team Guys still use iron sights. Nothing wrong with that.

But most of the guys will resort to adding some type of new sight to help them zero in on the enemy.

Check out the AR 15 Scope Reviews below and you make the choice which one is right for your weapon. This list of comprised of the top selling and highest rated AR’s and interviewing several tactical weapons specialist around the industry.

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#5 BURRIS TACTICAL

I personally use this scope for my AR-15 and it works pretty good. It took about 10 shots to sight it in and I am keeping a consistent grouping of 1″ or so at 100 yards (using common Winchester UMC 55 gr). It is nice to be able to choose between green, red or black reticles. Only the green and red are illuminated.

There are tactical rails on 3 sides in case you wanted to mount something like a Burris fast fire or some other red dot optic for really close stuff. The 5x is nice for 50-200 yards, but as I said before, the 5x does not work for quick target acquisition, especially moving targets under 50 yards.

What works well is that I love that it has dual colors and variable brightness. I love the quick detach mount I purchased as an accessory. I like that it has side mounts built in – I can use my FastFire red dot very easily with this.

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It also seems very rugged – I am not worried about it breaking. It provides a clear, fast picture without too much magnification for nearer targets. I have had it for about a year and I have not needed to change the battery. I rate it a 5 for what it is. I do own optics I consider much better but they also cost much more!

Check out the SGPT review of Burris Fast Fire scope here:

#4 VORTEX SPITFIRE

The Vortex Spitfire Red Dot Scope is a popular and highly regarded optic designed for fast target acquisition and precision shooting. This sight features a red or green illuminated reticle with multiple brightness settings, making it adaptable to various lighting conditions. The etched reticle remains visible even without illumination, ensuring reliability in case of battery failure. I like that the dot has very little “bleed off” considering the relatively low price, I was not expecting such a nice solid dot!

One of the standout features of the Vortex Spitfire is its rugged construction. Built to withstand harsh conditions, it is shockproof, waterproof, and fog-proof, ensuring optimal performance even in adverse weather. I like that this scope is very easy to use, click adjustments, on/off and brightness control are top notch.

The multi-coated lenses offer crisp and clear views, and the prism-based design provides a compact and lightweight platform. Built very well. Holds a zero- no problems at all. If you’re considering this scope, stop! Just get it and be happy ! NOTE; If you get this scope, MAKE SURE you get the high rings too ! It comes with low rings and they are way too low. I like that this scope can be used for close-quarters engagements or mid-range shooting, the Vortex Spitfire Red Dot Scope is a versatile and dependable choice for shooters looking for speed and accuracy.

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#3 EOTECH XPS3 SERIES

I’m definitely more of an Aimpoint kind of guy but something told me to go ahead and try out the Eotech XPS3 Series … and you know what? Can’t say anything bad about it.

The mounting option, the buttons, the holographic sight with the EXPS3-0 has got to be the best rendition EOTech has come up with. It’s lightweight and quick to acquisition; the side mounted buttons make it great when it’s paired with the EOTech G33 magnifier, and it requires only 1 CR123A battery. Gotta love the 1 MOA dot and the 65 MOA ring just makes closer targets that much easier to engage.

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BATTERIES

The EoTech XPS3 has a battery life of 1000 hours. You can purchase extra SureFire SF12-BB boxed batteries for $20 plus for a box of 12.

Having an extra battery out in the field is worth gold if your battery is drained.

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#2 BUSHNELL TROPHY

The Bushnell Trophy Optic has been a game-changer in my shooting experience. Its compact and rugged design, along with the crisp red dot, provides quick target acquisition and accuracy in various shooting scenarios. Whether it’s close-quarters engagements or precision shots at a distance, this optic has consistently delivered reliable performance.

The durability of the Trophy optic has impressed me, as it has endured harsh conditions without losing zero or functionality. Its versatility in terms of mounting options and compatibility with different firearms makes it a valuable addition to any shooter’s gear.

Overall, the Bushnell Trophy optic has significantly enhanced my shooting accuracy and speed, making it a must-have for anyone looking to improve their shooting game.

Check out the SGPT review for the Trijicon RMR Red Dot

Cons; easy to lose cap. You can add a string to the cap yourself as a do it yourself mod.

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#1 AIMPOINT

The AimPoint PRO offers a lot and that’s why I purchased it for my AR. The PRO comes attached to a decent mount, has flip-up lens covers, offers several regular and nightvision brightness options, and has a claimed battery life of 3 years. In the box I received the optic, with flip-up caps and mount already attached, a battery, a battery replacement reminder sticker, an allen key for the mount, and a set of instruction booklets.

The mount on the Aimpoint PRO Patrol Rifle Optic utilizes a torque-limiting knob. Simply attach it to a picatinny rail and twist the knob until it clicks 3 times. At this point you have reached the optimum tightness, leaving your optic secured firmly to the rail without causing rail damage. I’ve removed my PRO several times for cleaning. There are small areas where the finish of the rail is slightly scuffed, but I’d say that’s about on par for any mount.

I have had zero problems with the mount shifting during use. Also the mount includes a spacer that can be removed. For me, the height seemed perfect with the spacer in place. There are two things I dislike about this mount, the size of the knob and the direction of twist to tighten it down. The size complaint is pretty self explanatory.

You can see by the product image that it’s a large knob and it sticks out past the optic tube. The direction complaint is probably a personal problem, but when forcing the optic forward in it’s groove on the rail, and tightening it down with the knob, it tends to move backward so that the optic isn’t seated all the way forward in it’s groove. It’s manageable, but can be tedious.

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RUNNER UPS:

Check out our list of the scopes that almost made the list.

#6 SIG-SAUER

Why would you need a tactical scope for a AR-15 rifle?

A special scope for an AR-15 gun comes in handy for different reasons, especially when you’re aiming at far-off targets. It helps make your aim better and more exact, which makes it easier to hit things that are really distant. This kind of scope can zoom in, letting you see faraway targets more clearly. That’s super helpful when you’re hunting or doing target practice and need to hit something far away.

Also, this scope can do extra things like figuring out how far away a target is, adjusting for how bullets drop, and changing its settings for different shooting conditions. These extras can really help you shoot more accurately and do better when you’re aiming. For police or soldiers, these scopes are especially helpful because they help them aim really precisely at their targets. Overall, using this special scope makes the AR-15 rifle work better, making it easier to aim accurately in lots of different shooting situations.

Question: What is the AR 15 scope that Navy SEALs use?

Answer: They use a variety of scopes from EO-Tech to Bushnell to exotic stuff you will never see on the open market.

Where can I learn more about supporting my AR-15 rifle rights? Check out the NRA here:

Top 5 Scopes for AR 15 Rifle