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Thread: Primary Arms CR123A Battery Red Dot Sight review

  1. #1
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    Primary Arms CR123A Battery Red Dot Sight review

    Decided to try a new red dot from Primary Arms.
    https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary-...to-p/pacrs.htm
    I don’t currently have a limited rifle set up and was looking for a cheaper alternative to an Aimpoint or an Eotech on Primary Arms web site This caught my eye. It is advertised with a life time warranty and a 50,000 hour battery life from a single 123 battery. The sight also had a 2 moa dot something I wanted. I was thinking about just getting an Aimpoint Pro but that was considerably more expensive. I am glad I gave this optic a try.
    I mounted it on my Noveske Rogue Hunter.


    The strangest thing happened after I mounted it on my Noveske and took it to the range. I did not have to zero the rifle. It was dead on for 100 yards with my load. I will take that kind of luck. I like the integral throw lever mount for this optic. It feels secure. I tightened it down pretty tight like I usually do with mounts like these. I like how the adjustment caps are tethered down so you won’t lose them. I also like the push button on switch and the up and down buttons for intensity. One thing I wish it did have was a memory of the last setting it was on. The way it is now you have to start for the bottom each time you turn it on. I personally would have rather it did not have an 8 hour turn off. But that is my preference. The dot was crisp and bright.




    I plan on shooting this set up in the next few matches in our production division. Up here in Alaska we changed limited so you had to use a pump, pistols have to be loaded with 10+1 rounds and rifles can only have 30 round mags and red dots or irons. We will see how it holds up but based on my experience with other PA products I bet it will be great. I only have a few rounds through it at this point but those few have been good. At $170 bucks it seems like a good entry level red dot sight.
    Serving as a LEO since 1999.
    USPSA# A56876 A Class
    Firearms Instructor
    Armorer for AR15, 1911, Glocks and Remington 870 shotguns.

  2. #2
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    Thank you for the great review. Can you tell me, is the tube "dark"? Some of these have a dramatic green tint or dark view through the tube. The clearer/brighter the better.
    "We must surrender our attachments to government in every aspect of life. This goes for the right and the left. We need to give up our dependencies on the state, materially and spiritually. We should not look to the state to provide for us financially or psychologically.... Let us understand that it is far better to live in an imperfect world than it is to live in a despotic world ruled by people who lord over us through force and intimidation. - Dr. Ron Paul

  3. #3
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    Nope does not appear dark or to be tinted glass.
    Serving as a LEO since 1999.
    USPSA# A56876 A Class
    Firearms Instructor
    Armorer for AR15, 1911, Glocks and Remington 870 shotguns.

  4. #4
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    Does anyone have one of these PA sights and a Vortex Strikefire or Sparc to compare? They are close to the same price range , I'm curious to hear a comparison.

  5. #5
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    Glad to hear of another satisfied PA user. I've got one of their micro red dots on the way.

    Thanks,
    Keith
    Last edited by Keith E.; 02-17-14 at 14:14. Reason: sp.

  6. #6
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    Reading the review on another forum, it was mentioned by a PA rep that the factory where this particular RDS is made will also coming out with a micro dot by the end of this year.
    Custom pimp my Orange County Overhauled American Sons of Enhanced M4gery Game Changa Neva Been Done Befo piston driven Tactikul Desert Carbean with its own mags

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    With battery life that good, why bother with an auto shut off?

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    Quote Originally Posted by LS1POWERED View Post
    With battery life that good, why bother with an auto shut off?
    that is good. but when I first read it I confused it with the claims by flashlight makers that the LED will last 50K hrs and that can sometimes be read to mean battery life. common mistake and I thought that's what was meant here.

    if battery life truly is 50K, that will really be something though I don't see this replacing Aimpoint for serious use and with a recreational gun, I don't mind changing batteries more often...
    Last edited by ra2bach; 02-18-14 at 14:50.
    never push a wrench...

  9. #9
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    I took it out again yesterday. It was a bright sunny day and we have snow all around (glare conditions) so I can say that its definitely a good bright reticule. I had the reticle dialed down about 3 settings from max and it was good to go. I was engaging MGM auto poppers at 100 yards and C zone steel at 180. I had no issues at all. This won't replace an Aimpoint T1 for a serious user but for someone on a budget its a good deal. I am using it on a three gun rifle and its also my truck gun. Will keep you guys up dated with how it holds up.
    Pat
    Serving as a LEO since 1999.
    USPSA# A56876 A Class
    Firearms Instructor
    Armorer for AR15, 1911, Glocks and Remington 870 shotguns.

  10. #10
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    Looks like they copied the look of the Aimpoint Comp M4s.

    I'm anxious to see how it holds up under hard use.

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