If it’s your only AR and you intend for it to fill a defensive roll if push comes to shove, get an Aimpoint Pro or Duty and be done. They’re simple, rugged, proven optics that are fast and intuitive to use, and a 2MOA dot will do everything you need out to 200y aside from target PID (positive ID) if you zero the rifle appropriately. If your eyes are good enough, hits on IPSC targets out to 500 can be done all day long without issue.
If, however, you want to increase your ability to ID targets at distance and make more precise hits, I’m a fan of the first gen Steiner P4Xi 1-4x, or the PST Gen2 1-6x. You’ll have to find used but well cared for examples at that price point, but they’re out there. I know PA and several other companies have decent LPVOs these days, but I have no personal experience with them so I won’t comment there.
But again, if it’s primarily a “social work” and plinking rifle, my suggestion is an Aimpoint Pro or Duty. With a spare lithium battery, you’d have ~10 years of optic “life” if things ever went truly sour. Buy once, cry once!
If, however, you want to increase your ability to ID targets at distance and make more precise hits, I’m a fan of the first gen Steiner P4Xi 1-4x, or the PST Gen2 1-6x. You’ll have to find used but well cared for examples at that price point, but they’re out there. I know PA and several other companies have decent LPVOs these days, but I have no personal experience with them so I won’t comment there.
But again, if it’s primarily a “social work” and plinking rifle, my suggestion is an Aimpoint Pro or Duty. With a spare lithium battery, you’d have ~10 years of optic “life” if things ever went truly sour. Buy once, cry once!