Sights & Optics
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Your optic decides how fast and how far you can hit. Red dots are quick and simple for close and mid range; prism scopes add fixed magnification and an etched reticle that works without a battery; LPVOs (low-power variable optics, usually 1-6x or 1-8x) cover both close range and distance; and rifle scopes reach further for precision and hunting. Iron sights make a good backup.
Most AR-15 optics need a mount to sit at the right height. Filter by type and magnification and compare prices below; our red dot guide has picks to start with.
Sights & Optics: common questions
Red dot, prism or LPVO?
A red dot is the fastest up close and the lightest. A prism gives fixed magnification and a reticle that still works if the battery dies, which helps shooters with astigmatism. An LPVO does both, at more weight and cost.
What does co-witness mean?
Co-witness means your iron sights line up with the dot. Absolute co-witness puts them in the center of the window; lower 1/3 co-witness sits them in the bottom third for a clearer view.
First or second focal plane?
In a first focal plane (FFP) scope the reticle grows with magnification, so holdovers work at every power. In a second focal plane (SFP) scope it stays the same size, which is easier to see at low power.
What dot size should I choose?
A 2 MOA dot is precise at distance, 3 to 4 MOA dots are quicker to pick up, and circle-dot reticles are fastest up close.