Help me decide...

[Rugbier]

LOL

Yes you can,

see the colt with the Eotech ( clone ) on this one ( I just put it there for crap as it is laying in the house )

http://www.discoweb.org/forums/showpost.php?p=828608&postcount=13

 

[Eric N.]

If you are looking for a cheap but, good red dot I'd say that a Lucid HD7 is a pretty good choice. ( http://www.shootingillustrated.com/4254/lucid-hd7-red-dot-optic/ )

I got mine for $199 and it was better then I expected it to be. I have it mounted on my LR-308 AP4. I can't say anything about long term use since it's a pretty new company but, it's worked really well for the couple months that I have had it so far. I have an old aim point Comp M-XD on a different toy that has servered me well for years and years but, at a third of the price the HD7 is hard to beat.

They are also coming out with a 2x-5x variable magnifier which I'm on the pre-order list for. ( http://www.mylucidgear.com/magnifiers.php )

My plan is to mount that behind the HD7 with a LaRue QD pivot mount so that my magpul pop up buis can still be used if needed without having to remove anything from the rifle. That way I'm pretty much setup for anything close to medium range and red dot failure if it happens. That's the plan anyways. My one concern is that the buis won't fit under the magnifier. It should but, I guess I'll find out for sure soon enough.

 

[lgoldd1]

I put a Leupold VX-1 3x9x40 ($199) on top of the carry handle of my M4.
Its a snap to go from open sights to scope.
Its probably not the coolest looking setup, but it works for me.
This season I shot a buck with scope at 295 yds and 20 min later shot a Gobbler with the irons at 15yds.

 

[DeadHead86]

Have you considered an M1A/M14?

I agree. I actually own all three. I have a 7.62X39 AK (Romainian), personally built 5.56X45 M4, and a 7.62X51 SOCOM 16(M1A). By far my favorite of the three is the M1A. But considering you don't like the price tag, I'd go with the AR platform. Very easy to find parts, easy to work on or repair, and can easily be converted to another set up in minutes. Now about the only thing an AK is good for is their reliability, but I doubt you'll be living out in the jungle or desert for months at a time with no means to clean your weapon.

 

[knewsom]

I put a Leupold VX-1 3x9x40 ($199) on top of the carry handle of my M4.
Its a snap to go from open sights to scope.
Its probably not the coolest looking setup, but it works for me.
This season I shot a buck with scope at 295 yds and 20 min later shot a Gobbler with the irons at 15yds.

See, now that's what I'm talking about... If it indeed works well, this sounds like the setup for me.