Optics

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Primary Arms Red Dot Sights

Primary Arms Magnifiers

All Red Dot Sights

All Magnifiers

Full Size Red Dots

Holographic Sights

Microdots

Mini Reflex Sights

Red Dots with ACSS

Batteries

Primary Arms Scopes

All Rifle Scopes

Prism Scopes

Scopes With ACSS

Pistol Scopes

Spotting Scopes

Binoculars

Primary Arms Mounts

Scope Mounts

Scope Rings

Scope Bases

Red Dot Mounts

Magnifier Mounts

Primary Arms Accessories

Anti-Reflection Devices

Flip Caps

Scope Levels

Sun Shades

Throw Levers

Small Parts & Components

Bore Sights

Night Vision Devices

Night Vision Mounts

IR Illuminators

Helmets

Night Vision Scopes

Thermal Scopes

Optics

Primary Arms started with a simple goal: to offer great optics at an unbeatable price. That mission remains at the heart of our business, so no matter which brand you’re looking for, Primary Arms wants to be your #1 optics source.

We carry a wide arrangement of optics from many of the industry’s leading manufacturers, offering a truly comprehensive selection of rifle scopes, red dot sights, prism scopes, and more. We also carry the complete catalog of Primary Arms Optics products, which deliver exceptional quality and innovation at every price point.

Our intuitive filters and sorting tools make it easy to find the exact optic to fit your needs. Here, you can easily fine-tune your search by focal plane, illumination, magnification, reticle style, tube diameter, and more! You can also sort for a specific price range, making it easy to find the right optic for your available budget.

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Frequently Asked Questions

An optic is an accessory that allows you to aim your firearm by looking through a lens, which has a reticle or aiming point etched into or projected onto it. Common firearm optics include red dots, prism sights, and scopes.

A: That all depends on the individual user. You mostly get what you pay for with optics, so users seeking more sophisticated features or bomb-proof levels of durability should expect to pay a premium. On the other hand, for plinking rifles or guns that are only intended for fun at the range, any optic that has the features you want is fine. For duty or self-defense firearms, a good rule of thumb is to budget 50-100% of the firearm's purchase price for the optic.

It all depends on your firearm and how you'd like to use it. Red dots are faster to aim with than magnified optics, as well as being generally smaller and lighter, but offer no magnification. They're ideal for short-range firearms like pistols, pistol-caliber carbines, and short-barreled rifles. Variable power scopes offer a range of magnifications for precise aiming, but the higher the magnification, the heavier it will tend to be. They are also slower to aim with, so variable optics are best used for intermediate- and long-range rifles. Prism scopes split the difference between the two. They are slightly slower to aim with than red dots, but faster than variable optics, as well as being smaller and lighter. However, they are fixed at a single magnification, and so are less versatile than variable optics.

If you have a red dot or prism, you probably don't need to buy a mount, as most come with one included. If you want to upgrade your red dot mount, though, all you need to do is find one that is compatible with the footprint of your optic. For scopes, you'll want to find a mount that matches your optic's maintube diameter. Common sizes include 1", 30mm, and 34mm. If you plan to use the scope on an AR-15 or similar rifle, you'll most likely want a cantilever mount, which will shift the optic forward relative to the receiver to allow for more eye relief.

First and second focal plane refer to the location of the reticle in a scope. A first focal plane optic has a reticle that will grow and shrink as magnification is adjusted up and down. This ensures that the measurements on the scope are always accurate to the size of the image seen. Second focal plane optics have reticles that do not change in size, meaning that the measurements are only accurate at a specific magnification, usually at the top of the range.

First focal plane scopes are often preferred for high-magnification optics, as they allow subtensions to be accurate at any magnification. Second focal plane is usually preferred in low-power variable optics, as it allows the reticle to be ideally sized across the full range of magnification.

Both red dot optic and magnifier combinations and low-powered variable optics attempt to achieve similar goals by giving users a versatile optic usable at most common ranges.

A red dot optic provides the fastest, easiest aiming solution at short ranges. Pairing one with a magnifier allows for longer range shooting, but magnifiers have limited magnification and eye relief compared to scopes. A red dot optic and magnifier combination is best for users who primarily shoot at short distances but occasionally need to take longer shots.

Low-power variable optics behave much like higher-powered scopes, offering precise aiming and more sophisticated reticles but are slower and have a limited field of view compared to red dots. Low-power variable optics are ideal for shooters who prioritized intermediate- and long-range capability but sometimes shoot at short distances, too.