If you are looking for the best gun optics or backup gun sights for the money or for your specific needs, we have some fine candidates. Read further and be happy or just click on the shiny things that look inviting.

Rifle scopes

The rifle scope is da shit when you need to shoot further away. There are tons of rifle scope brands and rifle scope manufacturers out there ranging from dirt cheap to very expensive. The best rifle scope for your needs doesn’t necessarily have to be the most expensive one out there but generally, you do get better quality as the price goes higher.

Different guns often require different scopes. The best AR 15 rifle scope is e.g. different from the best long range rifle scope because these guns are used very differently, often at completely different ranges. Also the usage area can have an effect on your scope choice. The tactical scope can often be used for hunting and your hunting scope for tactical use but they aren’t always the optimal choises. That’s why it is important to map out your typical usage cases and choose the scope based on those. If you, e.g., shoot at low-light conditions, you will at least need an illuminated reticle rifle scope made for those conditions and, if it is really dark, a thermal or night-vision rifle scope. You might also benefit from a weapon light.

Getting that fine sniper rifle scope or AR-15 scope isn’t enough. You also need to invest in a rifle scope mount. There are different types of rifle scope mounts ranging from the Weaver, Picatinny, etc. mounts attached to the rifle to the rifle scope rings and rails attached to the scope. If it all sounds complicated, we’re happy to help. You should also definitely check out rifle scope reviews to get more info on what’s out there.

Red dot sights and holographic sights

The red dot sight and the holographic sight are both great for fast situations where you don’t need to shoot at long-range targets. There are tons of options on the market, from very small to bulkier red dots. The low profile red dot sight is lightweight but not normally as durable as the larger options. It is nevertheless often a great red dot sight for pistol users particularly but also for others who want to keep the bulk to a minimum. However, if you need to use your gun in very rough conditions, you might want something that’s more robust

The red dot sight for shotgun users and the AR 15 red dot sight can usually be the same if you use shotgun slugs. Just make sure that the red dot and mount you choose can take the shotgun recoil. There are also specific red dot sights for those who use regular shotgun cartridges.

The holographic sight is the more technologically advanced option. The holographic sight vs red dot, which to choose? Both are very good options but they use a different technology that differentiates them from each other to some extent. Red dots can be made smaller, they have a longer battery life, and they are also simpler, which brings down the price. Holographic sights normally have a better field of view and the target acquisition is a bit faster. However, it isn’t always this straightforward, so we recommend checking out more in-depth reviews and comparisons.

Iron sights

Simo Häyhä used a bolt-action rifle with iron sights, so you can, too. Low-profile iron sights can be handy in situations where you want to keep your head down. There are several types of iron sights from open sights to different types of aperture sights and flip up iron sights. The latter are commonly used as backup AR-15 iron sights or AK iron sights. Some are mounted in tandem and others are offset iron sights.

Iron sights normally consist of the front sight and the rear sight. However, the shotgun iron sight only has a fixed front sight that cannot be adjusted.

How about iron sights vs red dot sights? Both have pros and cons. Red dots are more popular and practical these days but iron sights can really take a beating and they don’t ever run out of batteries.

Any questions? We’re happy to help!

We can help you find the best gun optics for your needs. If you need to know what’s our best low-light rifle scope, best rifle scope for the money, best long-range rifle scope, best AR scope mount, best red dot sight for shotgun users, best red dot sight for the money, or best backup iron sights, we can give you our views on that. It is also good to check out reviews found on YouTube and ask other shooters.

We can also help with questions like how to sight in a red dot, how to sight a rifle scope, how to mount a scope on a rifle, how to adjust iron sights, how to choose a rifle scope, or how to zero iron sights. Or provide the answer to the age-old question: What’s best in life?