SIGforum
If you could only have one AR, what type of optic would you mount on it?
March 23, 2026, 01:48 PM
mrapteam666If you could only have one AR, what type of optic would you mount on it?
I fall under the category of the average civilian AR owner, and for me, an Aimpoint Comp4 or 5 is perfect.
I was able to try a variety of sights when I was deployed with that 12 man team in Afghanistan.
Issued sights were in short supply, so every person brought their own. We had ACOG's, EOTech, Elcan, Meprolight and MRAD.
I loved the Elcan and the ACOG but they are both out of my league.
I wear glasses and I shot well with the EOTechs, but for some reason I fell in love with Aimpoint.
But for the last couple of years, Aimpoint's have steadily risen steadily in price.
I would like to try a T2 though.
March 23, 2026, 03:23 PM
ridewvI chose a Japanese manufactured, 1-6 LVPO.
No car is as much fun to drive, as any motorcycle is to ride.
March 23, 2026, 07:32 PM
ibandaI'm experimenting right now, but if I could only have one, this is today's pick. Primary Arms GLX 1x prism. It is shake awake, battery powered, but it is a prism so if the battery goes down the reticle is still there, and it works with astigmatism. I'm sold on the 1x portion.
Where it gets weird is the flip to center 4X magnifier mounted in front of the prism. Magnification doesn't work very well behind a prism (unless it's built into the optic). I know it looks bizarre and I'm not completely sold on the idea myself but I thought I would try it out. I have a long neck so I'm also trying out the tall mounts and so far so good there. If you ask me on another day I might pick 1-6 LPVO or TA-33 ACOG. The one thing they all have in common is a red horseshoe reticle, that is my favorite.
"The left can't applaud me because their hands are in other people's pockets." - Javier Milei
March 24, 2026, 05:46 AM
zdog16Why not have red dot and LPVO? LPVO with piggyback or offset red dot. This is generally my preferred setup. However for home defense I like red dot.
For ME:
DA/SA=Sig 9mm or HK P30 LEM 9
Striker fired= Glock 9mm
If it's a .45= 1911
Suppressed= HK in .45
I like anything in 10mm
March 24, 2026, 09:36 PM
JoshNCNightforce nx8 1-8 capped with fc-dmx reticle in a NF 1.93” ultra mount, Aimpoint ACRO-P2 in Arisaka offset mount. Wilcox Raid Xe. Arisaka white light in Arisaka mount. L3 1531 BNVDs. Working on clip-on thermal.
I have Aimpoint micros and Comp m2 and m3 on a few ARs, have used the Unity flip down magnifier mount for Aimpoint and Eotech magnifiers. I personally prefer a LPVO on my GP rifles.
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"AND YEA THOUGH THE HINDUS SPEAK OF KARMA, I IMPLORE YOU...GIVE HER A BREAK, LORD". - Clark W. Griswald
March 24, 2026, 09:42 PM
parabellumquote:
Originally posted by zdog16:
Why not have red dot and LPVO? LPVO with piggyback or offset red dot.
Because hanging all that shit on your rifle makes it heavy.
March 24, 2026, 09:53 PM
JoshNCquote:
Originally posted by parabellum:
quote:
Originally posted by zdog16:
Why not have red dot and LPVO? LPVO with piggyback or offset red dot.
Because hanging all that shit on your rifle makes it heavy.
Adding an Acro-p2 in an Arisaka mount does not add a significant amount of weight. It allows me to keep my nx8 1-8 on 4-5x while having the ability to transition to the red dot quickly for shorter range stuff.
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"AND YEA THOUGH THE HINDUS SPEAK OF KARMA, I IMPLORE YOU...GIVE HER A BREAK, LORD". - Clark W. Griswald
March 24, 2026, 10:24 PM
parabellumOunces turn into pounds. I've built and accessorized more than my share of ARs. I've experimented with all sorts of configurations and this has taught me that unless you plan to use it stationary on a bipod, lighter is better.
If you want to hang too much on your rifle, that's your privilege. BTDT
I even got away from QD mounts because I concluded that the (on average) additional weight over non-QD mounts was of no practical benefit. The Trijicon AccuPower scope and Warne mount you see in the pics on page 1 weigh ~23.5 ounces. There are slightly lighter mounts out there, but the Warne mount has a better strength-to-weight ratio.
March 26, 2026, 05:49 PM
zdog16The military has used the sopmod block 2 with LPVO and piggyback or offset red dot for 20yrs in GWOT. Hefty package. They did just fine with them and their weight. So I prescribe to the Pat Macnamara reasoning of hit the gym. I'm 48 years old and I'm sorry but I don't notice the difference of adding or taking away 2oz.
For ME:
DA/SA=Sig 9mm or HK P30 LEM 9
Striker fired= Glock 9mm
If it's a .45= 1911
Suppressed= HK in .45
I like anything in 10mm
March 26, 2026, 06:14 PM
parabellumComparing the average AR owner to young, vital, active duty military personnel is simply not realistic, and I'm not talking about 2 ounces. I'm talking about lighter being better, and 2 ounces here and 6 ounces there and 'maybe this would be cool to bolt on, too' adds up PDQ.
quote:
Originally posted by ridewv:
I chose a Japanese manufactured, 1-6 LVPO.
Yes, the Trijicon Credo, which is the slightly updated version of my AccuPower 1-4x, and only slightly heavier.
Manufactured by LOW- Light Optical Works in Japan. These are exceptionally fine scopes for the money. Well-built and impressively clear glass. One thing they did with the Credo was to increase illumination efficiency, to get substantially longer battery life.
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March 26, 2026, 07:39 PM
jljonesMy favorite “do all” is the ACOG TA02 with a top mount RMR. The combination generally weighs less than most LVPOs, it’s near bulletproof and comes with its own mount.
https://youtu.be/9reJDdeAjds?si=p46rz_OUj5v4TU10
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March 26, 2026, 07:44 PM
sigfreundAgain, if we’re being serious and we aren’t a member of a high tier military unit or even an LE SWAT team that trains regularly and frequently, the one thing that yells at me when I see some setups is “Hick’s law!”
That “law” tells us that the more options we have, the longer it takes to make a decision, and of course means that it’s possible to make a wrong decision when it’s something like choosing a sight for a serious situation. Yes, if we hear a noise that needs investigating, then we will have time to think about what’s happening and get into a comfortable rollover or heads-high position to use the red dot across the garage. When the situation is more unexpected or fluid, though, that may not be as instinctive.
Many smart people have counseled that it’s better to be very good with an okay defensive tool than being okay with the best defensive tool. “Beware the man with one gun,” is based on that sound principle.
But this isn’t a serious question for 99% of people who would be seeking answers to such a question on the ’net, so all that matters is that we’re happy with it in support of the good life.
(I’ve been reading a lot about
eudaimonia and realizing how much I do to interfere with that goal. The realization that I’ve recognized the problem but will probably never do anything to eliminate it is one more example of that interference.)
► 6.0/94.0
“I can’t give you brains, but I can give you a diploma.”
— The Wizard of Oz March 27, 2026, 07:40 PM
SgtGoldYou didn't have an opton for CCO, but that's what I have on my AR's that aren't set up for formal target work. I have a Comp M4 on my dedicated defensive carbine, and Comp M2's on my other carbines. My CMP service rifle has a 1-4 LVPO. The main reason why I don't use a LVPO is where I live I don't have the ability to take a shot over 100 yards. The CCO suits my conditions and purpose, and it's weighs almost nothing.
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March 30, 2026, 02:35 PM
bean357Wondering if anyone can say yay or nay on this scope: Sig Sauer Tango-MSR Rifle Scope 1-6x24mm Illuminated Red MSR BDC6
I know it's not an expensive one and it is on sale for $199.99 right now.
Just got a DPMS needing a scope. A second AR is always ok, correct? My Anderson AM-15 has a Rix Leap 6 on it. I know, I've already been asked "who the hell puts a $3000 scope on a $400 rifle?!" Yeah, ME, and I freaking love it!!

March 30, 2026, 06:32 PM
bean357I have no experience with LPVO scopes. My husband's AR also has a thermal on it. I'd rather ask someone on here that
knows instead of reading random reviews.
March 30, 2026, 09:38 PM
P220 Smudgequote:
Originally posted by bean357:
Wondering if anyone can say yay or nay on this scope: Sig Sauer Tango-MSR Rifle Scope 1-6x24mm Illuminated Red MSR BDC6
I know it's not an expensive one and it is on sale for $199.99 right now.
I have that exact scope. For $200, you could do worse. Comes with the mount and the optical clarity is ok. The illumination isn’t that great, though, and neither is the battery life.
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March 30, 2026, 10:36 PM
AllenInARI think I would just stick with an ACOG.
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March 31, 2026, 08:23 AM
jospThe LVPO is probably the best choice. That being said, both my AR's have Trijicons on them. One is an RMR and the other is an old ACOG. Both run fiber optic so no batteries needed though in pitch black you don't have a visible sight. Of course I don't think the LVPO works in total darkness either.
Either way, I'm comfortable with them for my specific needs, and you should set up your rifle the way you think it will be used. And if you decide to change it, well, that's the beauty of these Mattel Toys!!
March 31, 2026, 08:37 AM
RogueJSKquote:
Originally posted by josp:
Of course I don't think the LVPO works in total darkness either.
Many/most LPVOs these days have illuminated reticles.
March 31, 2026, 09:20 AM
SgtGoldAnything that need batteries is a potential liability. The only stand alone optics that can work day or night are the ones with the dual illumination reticle. An ACOG will work as long as there' starlight.
quote:
Originally posted by RogueJSK:
quote:
Originally posted by josp:
Of course I don't think the LVPO works in total darkness either.
Many/most LPVOs these days have illuminated reticles.
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'I'm pretty fly for a white guy'.