in 1966 I qualified expert at Ft. Campbell. Now pushing 80 and after cataract surgery I can barely see the target at 100 yards let alone aim at a bullseye. Are there any experts in the group that could recommend better options than open sights?
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Caveats:
- I am NOT an expert.
- I am pushing 75 , not 80.
- I earned my Expert Marksman ribbon in 1971 at Lackland. Was it really at 100 yards? I don’t remember.
- My cataract surgery replacement lenses have helped.
I paid the minimal cost of a Bushnell TRS-25 red dot for my AR as a test. I like it. it works. I recommend you give that a try. Not much investment for the test.
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Follow on thought: talk to your optometrist or ophthalmologist about supplemental spectacles for improved long distance vision as shooting glasses. Depending on the lenses you now have, they make a difference. If you got the basic lens that Medicare paid for completely, you either got “distance” lenses and need close glasses for reading (that is what most folks get), or close lenses and need distance glasses for driving. However, “distance” is not well defined and you may need different “long distance” glasses to hang in front of your new artificial lenses.
Craig
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Not an expert either, but think try the red dot, and if that’s not enough, add a separate 3x or 4x magnifier to the red dot.
Another option I think is better is a Low Power Variable Optic (LPVO) with a lighted reticle. Check Primary Arms website. I’ve seen Vortex with mount starting around $300. Be sure to look for the discount codes.
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Here’s a good LPVO for $220 at PSA:
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Like Gary said. I have 1x8 vortex on one of my AR’s. I really like it. Not top of the line but definitely works.
I also have holosuns and vortex red dots on others but like the LPVO the best.
Im only 52 but needing bifocals already, my eyes are getting tired.
The days of shooting 500 yards with irons are long over.
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Also not an expert. If you are after being able to shoot good groups at 100yds, there are plenty of relatively cheap scopes on the market. If you are using it primarily as a home defense weapon, then irons or a quality red dot should work well.
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Another non-expert here. I’ve tried multiple variations of setups and have landed on one for all of my ARs. 1x6 LPVO with irons set at 45 degree offset.
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No one can be any kind of an expert on your vision except you.
If you can’t see the target at 100 yards, you’ll need some kind of corrective lens. (Glasses?)
As far as equipment you can put on your rifle to help that issue…
I’d say a good holographic with a magnifying monocle, or as stated above, a LVPO scope.
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Great looking setup!
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I’m not an expert either 
but I’ll give a +1 to the Vortex LPVO with illuminated reticle. Very easy to use, 2 eyes open, at 1x, and good out to a few hundred yards for my weak, aging eyes.
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Rifle optic is very personal thing.
We can recommend something that works for us.. but it’s a great chance it won’t work for you.
Because you have problem seeing target at 100 yards - simple red dot is not for you.
You will need to decide what works for your eyes and application.
- RED DOT with MAGNIFIER
- LPVO
- SCOPE
We can discuss here for a long time about options.. but I strongly recommend to start reviewing differences, pros & cons for all 3 devices.
Once you find out which optic will work for your application, then come back here and we can find particular model that will give you comfort of precise shooting.
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You’re willing to risk buying from PSA right now?
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I’ve bought from them as recently as December. What’s going on with PSA?
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Optics planet has good deals also.
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They been charging people and not shipping, then when the customers reached out, they’ve been saying the orders should have been cancelled and refunded, but they’re making refunds difficult.
I’ve seen several people recently who had to charge back their cards. A lot of them are claiming that PSA would have just held the money if they didn’t raise the issue themselves.
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I got my Barret through PSA with no problems.
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Hmmmm. Hopefully it’s some isolated incidents
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Was seriously considering buying that unicorn AR lower just for giggles, but then I saw the issues.
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