Help me pick a sight for my first AR...

[wrx04]

While I am not one of the "master irons first" guys, taking your first class, especially an intro class, with irons gives you an opportunity to learn from other people's mistakes. Most guys are anxious to show off their shit, and will damn near insist that you shoot it, so it should present a great opportunity for you to see what others have and maybe even run it through a drill or just shoot a few rounds through it.

So you get to learn something from the class, without a major expense on an optic you may not like, and the money is better spent on training than hardware (if you have to make that choice), and you get exposure the hardware that the guys that maybe put the cart before the horse have already bought.

I think i will do this. It will probably give me the best chance to see some options before buying. I was just unsure if not having an optic would put me at a huge disadvantage during my first carbine class.

Im not too worried about learning the fundamentals of shooting a rifle too much, as i'm fairly proficient with a handgun already, and i think those skills should transfer to the rifle well. It does seem that the modern optics would make accurate hits much easier/faster.

[markm]

I was just unsure if not having an optic would put me at a huge disadvantage during my first carbine class.

It shouldn't.... unless you have some vision issues... but typically those make the Red Dot style sight more problematic.

It's really going to depend. There are certain instructors out there with buddies who work for the optic companies. And they'll tell you that you NEED to have an optic.

That's what pisses me off... little ****ers who get free stuff and then tell their lackies they need to buy those items.

[wrx04]

It shouldn't.... unless you have some vision issues... but typically those make the Red Dot style sight more problematic.

It's really going to depend. There are certain instructors out there with buddies who work for the optic companies. And they'll tell you that you NEED to have an optic.

That's what pisses me off... little ****ers who get free stuff and then tell their lackies they need to buy those items.

Im fairly young (28) and my vision is perfect, so that shouldnt be a limiting factor. Ive been dry firing the gun around the house, and it seems like i can get a nice, clean sight picture pretty quick with the irons. Im gonna take it to the range tonight and run a few hundred rounds through it.

I emailed the instructor about having an optic, and he said it was "strongly recommended". I will see how i shoot tonight, but i think im gonna try to run the first class i take with irons. I have a lot to learn, marksmanship and speed arent needed on day 1 when im still not fully educated on the weapon system.

[markm]

I emailed the instructor about having an optic, and he said it was "strongly recommended".

Yeah... there's a lot of that out there. There's certain situations where an electronic sight is nice.

I've shot a bunch of courses over the years and never felt handicapped by not having one.

The last course I shot I got beat by a guy with an ACOG. (****in cheater! ) But if you run a good carbine, you'll be fine without.

[rob_s]

IMO if an optic is strongly recommended it may not be the best class to start out with anyway. I know that Randy Cain's Carbine 1 course, for example, is perfect for irons and Randy strongly suggests taking it that way the first time (I waited until my third time, but still).

[TehLlama]

If you can get through that first class with irons, that's impressive, but if you want to focus on skills beyond sight picture more, then the H1 is arguably the best option.

With the LaRue mount, you can just go without the optic once it's zeroed as needed, and in practical terms the H-1 is the best optic Aimpoint makes for a civilian shooter, I recommend it above even the T1.

[markm]

If you can get through that first class with irons, that's impressive, but if you want to focus on skills beyond sight picture more, then the H1 is arguably the best option.

Sight pic is likely going to be a small part if any of a carbine class. At contact distance irons are no different than running a dot. It's just that the sight post isn't illuminated.

[TacMedic556]

Just ordered my Aimpoint T1 2 MOA on a LaRue mount from LaRue Tactical.

Already own an Aimpoint M3 4 MOA. I am looking forward to this light little bugger.

I figure I will have to steal a Trijicon one day....

[Submariner]

I emailed the instructor about having an optic, and he said it was "strongly recommended". I will see how i shoot tonight, but i think im gonna try to run the first class i take with irons. I have a lot to learn, marksmanship and speed arent needed on day 1 when im still not fully educated on the weapon system.

Did you ask why the instructor "strongly recommended" an optic?

Did you ask the instructor if he had an optic you could use during the class?

I know that Pat Rogers "strongly recommends" an optic in his classes, even Basic Carbine. He offers loaners, too.

I figure I will have to steal a Trijicon one day....

You might try an Aimpoint 3x magnifier first. After I tried it, I ditched my ACOGs. YMMV.