Ok so I know exactly squat about scopes, red dots, tactical lasers or really any sighting stuff. I have been playing with the idea of taking the money I had begun setting aside for the next gun and put it towards something sight related for the existing lot since they are all stock. I currently have an Enfield No.4 Mk1, a Colt M4 and just got my GSG 5 SD(.22lr mp5 clone). Now I was hoping against hope that I would be able to get some sort of sighting set up that could transfer between the M4 and the GSG. Showing my newbness with these things I was figuring if I had a red dot or scope that would fit on both guns mounting rails then it would be a simple case of knowing how many turns of what knob which way when moving between guns. Is this idiotic or at all realistic? Also I am curious about tactical laser sights that usually go under the barrel on the hand guards. Are these any better than the red/green dot scope/sights or is it more novelty than function? I have no clue about the Enfield. It looks like the mounting rails for the M4 and the GSG are easy enough to get on, but would I have to get an actual gunsmith to mount a scope properly on the Enfield? I don't hunt so it is more a novelty than necessity but it is my survival gun in the nightstand. Should I man up and just go iron sights for the Enfield and kit up the other two?

For scopes/red dot sights, is there a big price to performance difference? Just looking it appears that you can get pretty cheap around $50-$60 for some stuff. Is that typically just low end crap or are you just not "paying for advertising"? Right now my budget is at about a max of $100.

Try looking for the http://www.aimpoint.com/products/aimpoint_product_lines/aimpoint_micro_h-1

used if your looking for a RDS that will hold a zero. Aimpoint also subcontracted there civilian models to some one else there cheaper or so i hear.

I say iron sights. There's lots of fancy optics available nowadays but they're very expensive, but at the same time lack of fancy optics didn't seem to stop people from having extraordinary skill and ability with firearms historically before said optics existed. Iron sights are all you need...save the money for more ammo!

HJ,

Your Enfield would need to be drilled and tapped to mount a scope. There may be aftermarket types out there to fit, but then they probably won't fit the rest of your armory.

You won't be able to automatically turn the knobs to get back on zero after replacing. You also need to consider what type mounts you're going to use.

I'd recommend you don't spend an exorbitant amount on a scope at this point. Perhaps something in 4x. Especially for the .22 use.

You say it's your survival gun at the night stand. Sounds like iron sights are OK and possibly preferable.

Thrown a lot at you. Others will be with you shortly :-)

Now if you want to go with iron sights, the rear peep aperature is where you want to be. Especially if you're apt to be shooting at a moving target.

on a hunting rifle you want a scope. on a multi-purpose rifle you might want iron sights, just for the shooting practice and the low maint.

on a pistol? I like a light.

Keep your vintage rifles stock. Don;t Bubba a piece of history. JMHO, but it's one shared by many firearms enthusiasts.

As for your modern weapons, go for modern scopes!

A red dot would be perfectly suitable for both your M4 and GSG5. You get what you pay for, so save up the money for an Aimpoint or a Trijicon. They are both in service with our armed forces, they hold zero and continue to function under punishment. Kalinka Optics is a cheaper option, but "caveat emptor" as the Russians are not particularly know for tight QC when it comes to electronics. Chinese red dots are to be avoided. They just are not up to snuff. They don't hold zero, poorly illuminate the dot, have a shity battery life, and they break often. Every one I know who bought chinese, quickly turned to Aimpoint or Trijicon. Kalinka has a similar rep to Taurus. They are cheap, people buy them, some are happy.

As for long range scopes. If you have a nice long range rifle, then by all means, spend the cheddar on a fine piece of glass. But don't drill and tap a WWII antique to do it. That's just Bubba.

A long range scope would not be a terrible thing to put on your M4. It's a carbine, but a very accurate one. So taking the 400-500 yard shots wouldn't be totally beyond belief. Putting one on the GSG though would just be silly. That's why I recommended the red dot if you're switching between the two. Also keep in mind that you will have to re-zero each time you switch the scope over.

Also, back up iron sights are something you will want on both the M4 and the GSG. It's always good to have a backup!

Shoot safe bro!

It really boils down to what you envision your engagement range and circumstances will be. The tool needs to fit the need.

What is the engagement envelope you envision (how close-how far). What sort of circumstances? Home defense, zombie invasion, long range hunting, 3-gun competitions, etc.

Whatever happened to point and shoot?

What kind of terrain is "home"?

Ever heard of target aquisition?

Be an expert with irons, use technology for convenience.

Agreed. While $500-1200. optics/red dots are nice, nothing beats a good sling, a good light, and a good set of iron sights on your weapon. Everything after that is pure gravy.

After you've done THAT...then consider..."What can I afford?"

If you have $500-600., consider an EoTech, Aimpoint CompM2, or maybe a T1. They're roughly all in that price range...some cheaper or slightly more expensive.

If you have more money...you might consider an ACOG or a Spectre DR. If you have significantly less, perhaps a Bushnell Trophy (ACOG-looking ripoff) or a Lucid.

Good luck with whatever you do...but don't get in the habit of trying to "share sights" between weapon systems. It never works out well.

Be an expert with irons, use technology for convenience.

+1

I would even suggest upgrading your iron sights before buying some fancy optics. At least on a battle rifle. Bolt guns are another story.

Not much to add to some excellent advice already thrown in by Phrost and tgace. It really comes down to what you intend to use the weapon for. If you are a hobbiest, play within your budget. If you are serious and have home defense in mind, after you are proficient with your weapon/tool of choice, you can upgrade sights with optics as long as you intend to put in the additioanl practice to become acquainted with the new look/feel/effect of the piece. Close quarters with a close/mid range weapon I have developed a fondness for holographics.

Thanks everyone for your responses. Since I am not a hunter and I only shoot at the range I think I will go man style and master my iron sights and hold off on the optical stuff until I am more serious about tactical needs and willing to invest a bit more$$. I'll keep note of the brands to stay away from and ones to look for.

It depends on your budget. If you can afford a good optic on your budget then by all means you should, and if you're buying an aftermarket optic you should find a TELESCOPING sight that works for you. It provides a very distinct advantage having a telescoping sight over a simple red dot at just about all ranges.

Hey HJ - I'm going to give you some bad advice, so take it with a grain of salt.

First, I just want everyone to know that I run an EOTECH on my M4. With that said, I recently bought a S&W AR15-22. Now, I wanted to keep with a red dot sight, so I got a Tasco Red Dot at Wal-Mart. It was only $30 bucks, and I must say, that I kinda like it. It holds a zero, and seems to be fairly tough. I have had it out running and gunning, and it does what I want.

Now, I'm not saying that a Tasco Red Dot is THE way to go, it's just A way to go. Would I bet my life on it? No. Would I bet my life on the EOTECH. No. Would I bet my life on iron sights? Maybe.

Hope that helps.

I'm going to play contrarian here: I strongly prefer optics. We rarely shoot with iron sights, and for good reason: it's pretty much a waste of time if you have optics available. Shitty fundamentals are shitty fundamentals, regardless of what you're aiming with.