There are a plethora of scopes out on the market, and each one has a particular feature stronger than the others. The problem with scopes is that long-range scopes aren’t very good in short-range shooting, and vice versa. As a result, gun owners need to buy multiple scopes. A scope red dot combo is the solution to this problem.

Here, we’ll look at our favorite scopes with red dots on top, that will fit on the most common firearms like AR-15 or AKs. At the end of this review, we’ll let you know what we think would be the wisest purchase to make for a scope red dot combo.

Best Budget Buy	Fire Wolf ACOG 4x32 Scope	Made with durable aluminum alloy Adjustable air resistance and height Multi-layer coated front lens Not the most clear sight	$168 Shop NowClick to read my review
Top Pick	Trijicon ACOG Riflescope	Reliable — used by the U.S. Marines Incredibly accurate and precise Etched crosshair reticle Very expensive	$2129 Shop NowClick to read my review
	NcStar Mark III Tactical Gen II 3-9x32 Riflescope	Budget-friendly price Multiple brightness levels and illuminations Lightweight and powerful magnification power Red dot attachment below par	$130 Shop NowClick to read my review

Why a Scope with a Red Dot?

IPSC competitors frequently use a red dot sight attached to a riflescope. There has been an uptick in this combination in recent years as more hunters see its advantages.

A red dot sight is the best optical equipment when the distance between you and your target is somewhat close. These handy tools have a magnification of just 1x, so you can use them with both eyes wide open. The field of view is much larger than riflescopes because of the 1x magnification. There is also a thin layer of material that holds the lens in place.

It is more cost-effective to have a red dot sight put on a riflescope rather than buy two separate, non-reproducible mounting systems.

For optimal performance, use the red dot sight when shooting at 50 meters or less from the target. Use the rifle scope if the target is far distant.

A red dot sight comes in handy when the target is up to 20 meters away. Riflescopes aren’t the easiest to use for accurate aiming. You’ll be well-equipped for any hunting scenario by combining the advantages of these two optical devices.

Pros and Cons of Using a Scope with Red Dot Sight

Setting Up a Scope with Red Dot on Top

Setting up your scope and red dot sight properly is necessary before you can use any of them effectively.

When mounting your scope on your rifle, determining whether it should be mounted high or low is one of the most critical factors to consider. You want to position the scope as close to the middle of your field of vision as comfortably practicable so that you can see properly through it without having to move your head excessively.

Why a Scope with Red Dot Sight is Useful

A scope with a red dot sight is beneficial for hunters. Forests are typical for driven hunts since each hunter is given a designated area to look for game. However, when hunting in dense and sparse vegetation areas, the combination of a riflescope and a red dot sight is an excellent choice.

Depending on the tree density, a riflescope can allow a hunter to make a shot from 100 to 150 meters away. Still, in locations with few trees, the hunter will need magnification to scrutinize the wildlife before firing.

A combination of scope and red dot sight gives the hunter extra time to determine which animal is best suited for the hunt. If an animal approaches from a direction with dense foliage, it will be hidden from view until it is relatively close.

A red dot sight is useful in these situations since it allows you to see an animal until it is 10 to 20 meters away. You need to be able to take the shot fast when the score is this tight, and the 1x magnification and limitless eye relief of the red dot sight, along with the illuminated dot, will help you do just that.

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The 3 Best Scopes with Red Dot on Top

Fire Wolf ACOG 4×32 Scope

Materials — The Fire Wolf Acog 4×32 Scope is made of tough aluminum alloy and has a black matte finish, so it’s tough and won’t break easily. Because of its low price and features, it is an excellent substitute for the more expensive Trijicon models. In addition, this Fire Wolf Acog weighs about 420g, making it lightweight and simple to use.

This scope is an excellent match for a variety of firearms. The objective lens is 32 mm in diameter and fully multi-layer coated. This optic has a 4×32 magnification, adjustable air resistance, and adjustable height. So even in strong winds, it will maintain good focus and you will have no trouble using it.

Performance — This scope is simple to install on any 20mm Picatinny rail and it comes with a mini red dot sight, which is a plus and a great deal. Moreover, the optical coating ensures that the image is clear and sharp. So they can deliver dependable performance in tactical and combat operations.

You can also enjoy the view with this amazing optic in color. This scope is also excellent for hunting, so if you enjoy hunting and game, you will benefit greatly from it. Another advantage of this scope is that it has a universal fit, so you can use it with any gun in your arsenal. 

What we say — The Fire Wolf Acog 4×32 Scope is one of the best buy scopes available on the online market today. In addition, it is a good scope because it has proven to be of high quality and durability. Furthermore, it is also very easy to carry and worth its price wherever you take it. You will definitely appreciate it.

Trijicon ACOG Riflescope

Materials — The Trijicon ACOG optic is a professional and high-tech piece of equipment. It’s made with forged aluminum and comes in a matte black/dark gray color. The objective lens is 32 mm in diameter that comes with an amber illumination. It can also come with a red or green reticle.

Additionally, the reticle is an etched crosshair .223 ballistic design, intended for rapid combat in close ranges. The red dot on top of the scope is combined with a fixed four-power optic to make the Trijicon Acog scope ideal for close to medium-range shooting. The most durable aspect of the Trijicon Acog AR-15 scope and red dot combo is the bullet drop compensator, which can take a 5.56 round.

Performance — Oddly enough, a lot of the features of the Trijicon Acog AR scope with a red dot on top are fairly standard. For a scope that should be dual-purpose, one would think that a fixed magnification and small objective lens would be disappointing features. However, this is actually one of the best scopes with a red dot on top that you can purchase.

The Trijicon ACOG scopes were used by the United States Marine Corps, and it had to go under Congressional investigation due to the significantly increased amount of headshots successfully taken. How can you complain about that?

What we say — If we didn’t entice you with the U.S. Marines bit, then the surprisingly comforting standard features will win you over instead of dissuading you. The Trijicon Acog scope red dot combo is one of the few scopes with a red dot on top that seriously speaks for itself.

The minimal adjustments needed are actually a positive feature that makes this red dot optic easy to use. However, here’s the con: it costs around $2000. But if you have professional use for this optic, there’s no reason not to go for it.

NcStar Mark III Tactical Gen II 3-9×32 Riflescope

Materials — The NcStar MK 3 AR scope is an all-black, matte optic designed for short and medium-range distances. This scope also weighs about one pound, so it’s great for a variety of firearms. The objective lens is 42 mm, and it is fully multi-coated.

This optic comes with a 3x-9x magnification and fingertip adjustable turrets. There are multiple brightness settings with an illuminated reticle that can switch between red and green, as well as an attached sunshade for glare. The red dot addition is optional, and it attaches with a specifically made ring with a built-in Weaver platform. The entire optic has a quick-release lever.

Performance — There are a handful of features on the NcStar MK 3 red dot scope that make it more appealing than some others, although it may not be the most top-of-the-line purchase. For one, we appreciate the increased magnification power over any fixed 4x power. The brightness level is also impressive, mostly due to the larger objective lens. The NcStar MK 3 is certainly cheaper, so we would again suggest replacing the red dot feature if you intended long use from this scope.

What we say — Okay, so you can’t afford a $2000, best-of-the-best red dot scope for your combat firearm. If you’re looking for a very budget-friendly piece, you’ll find that in the NcStar MK 3. It costs more or less than $100, and you need to be ready for some give and take.

The additional features, like the magnification powers, brightness levels, and sight are really quite good. The red dot attachment isn’t thrilling anyone, and you’ll expect cheaper parts from a cheaper scope. As a budget piece, this optic is a good choice.

Our Top Pick

If we were rolling in dough, we’d say our first pick would be the Trijicon ACDO Rifllescope. There’s no beating this amazing optic that does all the work for you. However, the price tag is pretty unrealistic for the everyday gun owner, so we will also suggest purchasing the Fire Wolf ACOG 4×32 Scope. This scope comes at a low cost, provides reasonable magnification, and is overall an excellent quality optic.

You might also like to read:

• Viridian Laser Sight — AR and Pistol: Review
• The 5 Best Parallax Free Red Dot Sights
• Best Red Dot Sights for Shotguns
• 4 Best AR-15 Red Dot Sights
• The 5 Best Budget Red Dot Sights