Anyone ever find a cheaper magnifier that isn’t junk. I’d like to find a variable on maybe up to 5 or 7x. I’ve heard there are some decent American made ones out there that don’t cost $600+. Just looking for some leads. Thanks.
I toyed with the idea of a removable magnifier. I would strongly suggest staying clear. It’s heavy and leaning on the impractical side.
I think the best bet is either,
dedicated 3-4x optic like ACOG
a real scope 3-12x variable w/ off set irons or micro red dot
if you have a scope lying around, throw it on your AR and go to the range. try shooting with both eyes open and switching to different targets. With enough practice you can “choose” which eye is dominate to go from 1x to 12x instantly!
but a post telling you your idea is stupid would be pointless, so here is a product suggestion for you!
https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_3X_LER_Red_Dot_Magnifier_Gen_III_p/pa3xlergeniii.htm
https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_6X_Magnifier_p/pa6x.htm
I have the 6x and PA manufactured FTS mount. While I like it, a small optic with high magnification also has poor eye relief. This is a big reason a dedicated scope will always be superior.
When picking a mount, be careful you’re getting the absolute or lower 1/3rd co-witness. The PA mounts specify this in the descriptions.
Good luck.
I like the Eotech G23-FTS that I use on my various rifles with both Eotechs and Aimpoints. I have pretty much always used it for sighting in rifles or occasional use with varmints, but last week I used it at a two-day carbine course. I found the weight of it noticeable, but not particularly intrusive, and pretty useful for work out at the 50 yard line. I do note that 4x magnification does get a 2 MOA Aimpoint dot a little blobby, and the 4 MOA dot on my T-1 very blobby and comma-shaped.
Can’t help you with the consumer-version magnifiers. I do appreciate the robust mount on the G23, haven’t been very impressed with the ones I’ve seen from Primary Arms.
So what if someone wants the versatility of shooting at close range with an RDS & quickly transitioning to long distance? I think they’re very practical… but that’s just me.
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Hmac, do you mean to say 3x? Assuming you’re speaking of the G23.
Also, OP, I’ve been seeing the newer G33 (23 is discontinued) on the lower end of $500 even below at times.
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'Scuse me, yes. 3X.
From what I read, the G33 is quite an improvement over the G23.
I figured 'twas a typo. Just wanted to clarify for others.
I’ve never messed with a 23 but I do like the 33. Even thought about getting another, especially when I see them so “cheap”. You’re right though, they can be a little weighty.
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if you spring for the high dollar mount (with a spring loaded fts) i suppose that would fit the bill!
i would definitely like a g33, my pa 6x rides behind an eotech, but i use it to sight in any dots i can @100yds
i figure if your trying to save cash and looking for an excuse to not buy the eotech mfg’d mags, i figured id give you a few!
with both eyes open on a scope you can be fairly accurate up close (the inaccuracy being your parralax between eyes and reticle)
edit: The Bindon Aiming Concept (BAC)
http://www.trijicon.com/na_en/company/unique_to_trijicon.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NpGSKKgWWks
If you can find one, I always heard good things about the Vortex VMX-3. They discontinued that model, but announced a new version called VMX-3t at SHOT show.
It’s on the more inexpensive end, so you’re not out $600 if you decide you don’t like it
I use the vortex one with a larue mount. Vortex at aimsurplus.com was 129. It came with a fixed mount if you don’t want to go the larue way. I have used it in carbine classes and 3gun out to 400 yards.
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Just picked up a primary arms 6x on eBay! Now I just need a decent FTS Mount.
here’s my problem with this - I don’t ever see a need to “quickly transition” to long distance, not in any practical sense…
If targets are long range, they’re long range, and if they’re close, they’re close and your movement should only be from cover to cover. I don’t see myself running and gunning through a Call of Duty scenario where I’m having to transition back and forth instantly unless it’s a competition and there I would say a variable scope makes more sense.
I see the magnifier as adding a level of utility to the RDS (red dot sight) but not bringing it up to the level of a good 1-4/6 variable. I use mine on a Aimpoint twist-off mount and it’s available quick enough if I want to mount it. it also makes a handy monocular if I just want to check something at distance but can accurately engaged with the RDS alone once ID is made.
I also don’t like having it hanging off the side of the gun the whole time I’m not using it, which in my experience, would be the huge majority of the time…
So lets reverse from long range to CQB. It gives you capability to engage at longer ranges when advancing on a target and then FTS your Mag and engage close range with RDS. It’s about what your using said optic for that determines which optic is best.
yeah, if it works for you I’m not going to try to change your mind…
but my take is if your advancing under fire, you better be moving to cover where you should have plenty of time to deploy or remove and stow the unit. if someone pops up at close range you can still shoot with the magnifier attached - people use ACOGs all the time at close range. admittedly, I have not found a magnifier with the forgiveness in the eye box or relief of an ACOG…
as I said, I don’t find the magnifier to be a good solution, certainly not as good as a variable scope. to me, it’s only a plus-up to a RDS alone and the flip to the side mounts don’t enhance that…
The best I have found is a low power variable 1-4 (1-6 etc) with a back up micro red dot in an off set mount. Big full magnificaiton scopes weigh too much and are not useful inside of 100 yards.
ACOGS are limited as well in being fixed low power magnification. Not bad if combined with a off set micro red dot however if weight needs to be kept low. The Red Dot with a magnifer set up is ok but is lacking in the long range area with no hold overs (except for 1 eotech) and no way to dial fast on the fly.
Pat
Realistically none of us will likely every need our guns period but if your going to prepare you might as well have a good set up that can handle more situations rather than less.
Pat
agree. that’s why my general purpose guns have 1-x variable scopes on them. 
I also have a couple with Aimpoints on them and I can hit well enough out beyond 100 yards but unfortunately, I just can’t leave well enough alone. for the guns with Aimpoints on them, having the ability to add magnification for cheap just seems too tempting to pass up. however, the practical application is not as good as the theory, IMO…
I agree with the magnifier being impractical and heavy. When I received the Aimpoint Magnifier it made the entire setup pretty heavy. The magnifier itself was 11 ounces. To some it may not be “heavy” but to me it was too heavy for it to be on a SBR.
Somewhat off topic but how does the Eotech or Aimpoint magnifier compare to a Primary Arms magnifier? I currently have a Primary Arms mag and I can’t help to think that I’m missing out on better glass and wider view.
I used the G33 behind a 512, and while this would seem like a good combo on paper having it on the rifle is a different picture. It simply isn’t worth the added weight and bulk, the rifle was not nearly as quick as it was with just the 512. Then I thought about the chances of me needing to go from CQB to shots out past 150 to 200 yards? For me the answer was ZERO,!!! Heck with all the trees around here 100yards is a long shot. I am comfortable with the Eotech alone out to 150 to 200 yards. If I needed something further hit, I would grab the MT6700 with TA31 and leave the Carbine at home. Maybe you’re needs are different and you might need to go from CQB to long range shots and the extra weight and bulk isn’t a issue for you. That is what is so awesome about the AR15 platform, you can have it just the way you like it.
NCH