If you play your cards right, Uncle Sam can roll around every year like a Springtime Santa Claus, dropping bankroll into your bank account.
We recently checked out five different optics you might want to put on your tax return wish list (if you’ve been good this year).
These are great choices to spend that cheddar on and there’s a little something for everyone, so let’s check them out.
If you want to skip the words and see these bad boys in person, check out the video review below.
As always make sure to check out Pew Pew Tactical on YouTube for more gun and gear content.
Best Optics for Tax Season
1. Leupold DeltaPoint Micro
For the pistol shooter who wants to upgrade a Glock or Smith & Wesson M&P, the Leupold DeltaPoint Micro makes a lot of sense. This is a great way to get a red dot on a gun without milling.
The Micro drifts into the dovetail on your slide and sets up in the place of your rear sight. With practice, it runs like a normal sight, but it’s lit.
The Micro is also easy to conceal and doesn’t get in the way of holsters.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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We got even more deets on this one in our full review or just watch the video below to see it in action.
2. Holosun AEMS
Moving up to long gun applications, AEMS stands for Advanced Enclosed Micro Sight. This is a red dot with an enclosed emitter that features a 2 MOA dot with a surrounding 65 MOA ring.
The viewable area is enormous so picking up sight picture and transitioning to other targets happens really fast.
The AEMS is made of 7075 aluminum and runs for roughly 50,000 hours on a CR2032 battery thanks to the solar Failsafe and shake awake tech.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
For more on the Holosun AEMS, check out Travis’ full review here.
3. Aimpoint T-2
It’s hard to beat a brand whose name is synonymous with durability. Aimpoint made some incremental improvements from the stalwart T-1 with the newer T-2 model.
You still get a super tough optic that runs for 50,000 hours and a 2 MOA dot that feels like it is a small piece of the sun. There are 12 total brightness settings for this, four of which are night-vision compatible.
The T-2 comes is packaged with different mounting options and these will affect the final price.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
What do you think of the Aimpoint T-2? Sound off with a rating below.
4. Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25×56
The budget-friendly line of Vortex optics called Strike Eagle also includes a 5-25-56 first focal plane option which will allow shooters to reach out to greater distances.
Vortex included the RevStop zeroing system in this scope and you can still get 47 MOA of elevation as a result.
With clear glass, an illuminated reticle, and exposed turrets, the Strike Eagle provides a great value without scrimping on features.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
5. Brownells Match Precision Optic (MPO) 3-18×50
It’s great to see Brownells producing their own optics and the 3-18×30 MPO is a competitive offering.
This FFP scope is set up in MRAD and features edge-blackened, Japanese glass which provides great clarity and light transmission.
The MPO has a great reticle that doesn’t obscure smaller targets but has plenty of stadia for elevation or windage holds.
And the upper half is totally clear so you can peep your hits (or misses).
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Conclusion
Brownells cooked up a little something for everyone with this list. There’s glass for pistols, long guns, and long-distance too!
If Uncle Sam was good to you this year, go ahead and pick one of these out for yourself — they’re all stellar options. Heck, if you did well enough, pick out two!
To see the full review, make sure to watch the video below.
What’s your next optic purchase going to look like? Let us know in the comments below. For more information on all your glass needs, check out our Ultimate Resource Guide.
10 Leave a Reply
I own at least 3 name brand Red dots, and have trained with them for years. Absolutely a game changer! However, I purchased the Leupold recently and it is by far my favorite. I love the low profile, and even more the ability to mount in the rear dovetail as opposed to having to have a MOA type milling, which MANY handguns do not have! I cannot wait for them to release a version for the Sig frame, which must certainly be coming soon?
Thanks Bill!
I have to admit, it took some getting used to and it isn't for everyone, but it's a pretty cool sight.
The Holosun AEMS is the way to go if you want a rifle red dot. I have one of these, its one of the best decisions I ever made for a red dot. I traditionally use tubed red dots like the aimpoints and the sig's for my AR's, but I stepped out of my comfort zone a little and decided to give this a try and I'm glad I did.
Took a little getting accustomed to for the looks. I mean basically a chunk of square aluminum sitting on top of the rifle somewhat radically interrupts the lines of the rifle looks compared to the somewhat sleeker and lower look of my tubed red dots was a little strange feeling at first. But got accustomed and love it.
John,
Thanks for the read and your thoughts. I have to agree on the looks, but you can really run the thing with that giant viewable area. Also, thanks for your service ;).
Leupold DeltaPoint Micro
I tried one of these. Your money is better spent elsewhere. This is basically a ghost ring sight with a gimmick - its more an expensive range toy. You are better off with an set of XS Big dot sights especially if have 'older' eyes.
Sean, The IRS is not a 'Springtime Santa Claus' and the "cheddar" you mention is actually you having overpaid the government out of your paycheck. The best option is to have to pay the IRS a little bit on April 15. That way you get to keep more of your hard-earned cash each paycheck which you can then use for other things you might need, like food, gas, ammo, optics, when you need it, and not when Uncle Sam decides to reimburse you the money you lent them interest free. Nice article otherwise.
Thanks Steve!
This! Great article. But I would rather pay in just a little at the end of the year too. I just stash cash away in the gun safe until I have enough for a major purchase. ;P
Thanks Chuck, that's not a bad method you've got going there.
The risk with intending to owe a little in April, is that if you miscalculate or happen to have any income that didn’t automatically withhold taxes, you can find yourself owing a lot more than you had planned. I’d say it’s better to angle for getting a refund, just try to keep it pretty small.