Accuracy is critical when SHTF, ammunition doesn’t come out of thin air and needs to be used responsibly, just like food. When looking for an optic for your AR 15 rifle, you are going to need something reliable that can help you in the worst of situations.
A red dot sight over $200 is going to be ideal for SHTF situations, though there are many types of optics you can choose from. Red dot sights are versatile for combat situations a prepper is prepared for, and they have long battery lives and are simple enough that anyone can understand them.
In this article, we will be going over our top optics for survival purposes. If you are currently shopping for a new optic for your AR-15, we encourage you to read on!
What Is the Best Type of Optic?
Certain types of optics are going to work better in certain situations. Specifically, for SHTF situations, having something with long battery life and decent durability while delivering the quick accuracy you need is going to be vital. This is why we generally recommend red dot sights; they are simple yet will work in the vast majority of unfortunate combat situations you might find yourself in.
This doesn’t make red dot sights the only option, rather the safest option for an all-purpose use case. For one, their battery life is long compared to some other options by a lot. Additionally, they are relatively light, which is important for both handling and carrying purposes. Each ounce adds up when you need to move or find yourself in a situation where each decision counts.
Basically, we are looking for these key things in an optic:
- Durability
- Low weight
- Long battery life
- Accuracy
- Ease of use
These factors will be accounted for on this list, giving you some of the best selections on the market at different price points. As with most things in life, higher-end products are going to be of better quality than budget options, but that doesn’t mean the budget choices aren’t worth getting.
Some optics cost $35 all the way to optics that cost over $1000, but today we want to focus on two optics at two different prices that a lot of people can afford (relatively) while meeting a quality standard.
We strongly recommend not going for the cheapest options for survival purposes, optics below $150 are fine for casual shooting at the range, but for serious situations, you are going to want more than that.
If you have any additional questions, don’t be afraid to ask seasoned preppers about what they use. After all, real-life knowledge goes a long way.
Trijicon MRO
Pound for pound, the Trijicon MRO is going to be one of the best red dot sights for survival situations. It gets key areas right that preppers need. Check the price today on Amazon by clicking here.
50,000-Hour Battery Life
Battery life can sometimes be criminally underlooked when talking about optics, but as stated above, it’s going to be one of the most important deciding factors in this topic. Your firearm should be ready to go in an SHTF situation because you cannot predict when you’ll need to use it. You don’t want to be in a situation where your optics of all things fails you when you need it the most.
7075 (T6) Aluminum Housing
Materials and build quality are important aspects of a reliable optic. Firearms aren’t always in ideal situations, and they can get battered around. Quality guns can take some abuse, but what about your optics? Damaged sights mean lowered accuracy, which in turn can be dangerous in moments where you need to land your shots on the first or second try.
Waterproof Up to 100 ft (30.48 m)
Military-grade equipment is oftentimes waterproof to a degree, and it’s no different here. It’s one of the most important durability measures because out of all things that can damage an optic, water shouldn’t be one of them.
25mm Objective Lens
A wide viewing area is quite helpful when it comes to choosing a sight. On average, shooters prefer being able to see more through the lens because it allows them to aim and keep their targets in-sight more easily. It also provides a sense of an increased field of view despite no magnification being done here.
Light and Compact
This is an optic that won’t weigh you down or take up a lot of space. Of course, this is great for carrying, but it also means that you can attach a magnifier behind it if you choose. This makes it quite versatile and allows the user to choose how they want to use it without being complex for people who just want to use it as is.
Overall, this is the optic we can confidently recommend for most people. It isn’t cheap, and we have additional optics on this list because of it, but it still offers a lot of value. You are getting a long-lasting, durable package that offers a very generous lens size. We think this is the optic for preppers to get if the price doesn’t hurt too much.
HOLOSUN HS403C
This optic is one of the best budget sights you can find, and we recommend this one for those looking to save money or just can’t spring for more expensive optics.
The HOLOSUN HS403C gives you the essentials while being reliable. It may not be as durable as the Trijicon MRO, but it also isn’t fragile aside from one part that they had to skimp out on to achieve this price—but more on that below.
Check the price today on Amazon by clicking here.
50,000-Hour Battery Life
Part of what makes this optic such a nice deal is that it has great battery life. According to the manufacturer, the battery itself is good for 50,000 hours, but the kicker here is that it can also run on solar energy. So, in theory, this optic can function even when the battery has died.
Durability Concerns
The material and build quality of the optic itself is fine, it uses 6061 (T6) aluminum, which should survive ordinary conditions, but the biggest drawback with this optic is the included mount, which is prone to breaking in some cases. This is an area where you can clearly see cuts were made, but it’s common for budget optics to make sacrifices in this area.
You might have to be more careful with this one in terms of handling, but we can still recommend this for preppers on a budget; it will still offer the necessary essentials.
20mm Objective Lens
It’s not the largest lens you’ll find, but it is definitely serviceable. It’s important to remember that bigger doesn’t always mean better, there are cheaper optics with a bigger lens, but the glass’s quality leaves a lot to be desired. In this case, the lens is of decent quality providing minimal reflections and a clear view.
IP67 Water Resistance
Having an official IP rating provides peace of mind because you exactly know what it can and can’t handle. In this case, it is waterproof up to 1 m (39 in). Pretty decent, we’d say. You may not be able to throw it in the bottom of a lake, but it will easily handle the vast majority of wet situations.
Conclusion
Both the Trijicon MRO and Holosun HS403C are excellent optics in their own right. The former gives you some of the best that red dot sights have to offer at hundreds of dollars less than more expensive options, and the latter is a budget king fit for survival purposes. We think you’ll be pleased with either of these, depending on what you choose.
