Or.... do i keep my red dot and just add a magnifier?

 

Entry level primary arms are decent. I have one on a 10/22. It isn’t the best glass but for ~$300 I can’t complain.

I’d stick to 1-6 in budget as even higher $$$ scopes suffer trades offs to get the extra 2X.

I can’t think of any quality FFP in the budget level. I think SFP is better for most uses so long as it is a good reticle. FFP for budget would likely not even be daylight visible at 1X so depends if you want to be purely offset or not if that is a concern.

A magnifier is a good option but eye relief is terrible. If you’ve never used one I’d recommend getting behind one.

 

I was looking around for an easy to fund scope with good glass and the ability to use the BDC (I,e., FFP), and sufficient features to enable good learnings over time.

I saw a Nightforce inn the classifieds that while being more expensive than a new one, seemed a fair trade for one of my lightly used Wilson Combat 1911, but it was for sale; not trade.

Looking around in the evening, I saw lots of cheap optics, for example Primary Arms and Sig Sauer, or Swampfox (which was the best of the 3), they were OK for range work with 1-6x24, but these and others like them had enough reviews and cons to skip, plus they are mostly SFP, which I personally don’t like. And, the glass quality wasn’t so nice, and I initially decided to go with my red dot & 3X magnifier.

Then, I found this:

Amazon.com: Vortex Optics Strike Eagle 1-8x24 First Focal Plane Riflescope - EBR-8 Reticle (MOA) & Sport Cantilever 30mm Mount - 2-Inch Offset

Amazon.com: Vortex Optics Strike Eagle 1-8x24 First Focal Plane Riflescope - EBR-8 Reticle (MOA) & Sport Cantilever 30mm Mount - 2-Inch Offset

www.amazon.com

Strike Eagle 1-8x24 First Focal Plane Riflescope

“The Strike Eagle 1-8x24 FFP gives the accurate holdovers at any magnification you’ve been looking for in an LPVO. The EBR-8 reticle provides true red dot-like performance at 1x and holdovers out to 600 yards, and an included ranging feature lets you make quick decisions in the reticle. With 9 daylight and 2 night-vision settings, you can dial up illumination to perfectly match your scenario. Put all that in a 30mm tube with capped turrets to keep your zero safe, plus a throw lever for rapid magnification changes…”

Even better, the ‘what’s in the box’ was surprisingly awesome:

• Riflescope
• Cantilever Mount
• Sunshade
• Throw Lever
• Flip Caps
• Lens Cloth, CR2032 Battery, 2mm Hex Wrench

Hope this helps and enjoy whatever you get, since today’s scopes are order of magnitude better and cheaper than just 5-6 years ago, so it’s hard not to find something you’ll like, especially on this Labor Day weekend.

 

Budget LPVO 9mm PCC out to 200yards?

Primary Arms SLx 1-6x24mm SFP Rifle Scope Gen IV - Illuminated ACSS Nova Fiber Wire Reticle - Red Dot Bright®

After rigorous field testing, this optic has been given a silver-tier rating by the National Tactical Officers Association in 2023 and is a 2024 Industry Choice Awards (ICA) scope of the year winner!This Primary Arms rifle scope is part of the SLx optics line.

www.primaryarms.com

Red dot bright due to the fiber wire illumination, useful hashes you can use for multiple aiming points, only 17oz, and all for $300.

I would not bother with FFP for a PCC or magnification less than 8x: the reticle is too small and the illumination usually sucks.

 

Burris XTR II, 1-6 or 1-8. Ive run both and loved them

 

PA Has the SLX 1-6 for under 300 bones right now. I just ordered one for myself. Didn't want to fork out 700 for a Viper PST and decent mount just to see if I liked the LPVO option. I wanted 2nd focal plane and a simple crosshair reticle, so I went with the NOVA. I am under no illusion that it will be as good as a 2000 dollar optic, but I am hoping it will be solid and very useable. Everything I have read says that it will be both.