Top 5 Scopes for AR 15

A question we get weekly is what are the best AR-15 scopes and what do Navy SEALs use on their weapons?

Some old school Team Guys use iron sights.

But most of the guys will resort to adding some type of new sight to help them knock out the enemy.

Check out the AR 15 Scope Reviews below and you make the choice which one is right for your weapon

#5 BURRIS AR-536

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.

Check out the Burris AR-536 at Optical Planet.com

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.

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:

#3 VORTEX SPITFIRE

There are so many good things about these scopes! The dot has very little “Bleed off” Considering the prce, I was not expecting such a nice solid dot!

Very easy to use, click adjustments, on/off and brightness control are top notch. 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.

Optics Planet has them and have good service. Check out the Vortex Spitfire at OpticsPlanet.com

#2 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.

The 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.

Check prices for EOTech XPS-3 at OpticsPlanet.com

Check prices at Amazon.com

#1 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.

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

Check prices for Bushnell scopes at OpticsPlanet.com

Question: Do you have a list of cool Navy SEAL equipment that civilians can use?

Answer: Check out this article with a list of gear that ordinary people can try out and use.

Check out the SGPT review for the Trijicon RMR Red Dot

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.

Check price at Amazon.com
Check price at OpticsPlanet

Check out these questions that we have received from our readers.

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.

Question: How do you like the Burris scopes for your rig? I have one on my Bushmaster and it works great. It was not very expensive and easy to install.

Question: Which do you prefer with the bushnell AR optics vs vortex? Both are getting great reviews. Check out the video below.

Question: Which do you prefer with the ar 15 bushnell vs burris scopes? Both are good but I have a Burris on my AR-15.

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

Question: What scopes do the US military use?

Answer: It depends on the service. The soldier at the top photo is using an EO-Tech. Others use an ACOG and some still use iron sights.

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