Seasoned Contributor for Minuteman Review and teaches over 100 shooting classes a year.
Burris AR-536
AR-536 with Balistic CQâ„¢
AR-536 with Ballistic AR
AR-536 Combo Package
PROS
CONS
Tactical and Close Quarter Engagement Has Met Its Match
Close quarter engagement demands quick reflexes if you are going to win in a tactical or competitive shooting situation. Add an optic and your gun becomes a precision tool or a hindrance to you.
When looking for a scope for your AR rifle, you want an optic that will react quickly with close range targets while at the same time be able to engage targets that are further out.
You also want a sight that will work WITH your gun not against it. The AR-536 from Burris is specifically designed to excel in close quarter engagement with an AR platform.
Photo by tlburris
Economical Optic That Performs With Impressive Accuracy
The AR-536 is a high performing optic for ARs that is durable, compact, and allows for nanosecond target acquisition that doesn’t break the bank.
This sight’s design uses a prism for precision and clarity, making it the perfect optic for those who demand a simple, straightforward optic. The glass is clear enough that you can see your bullet impacts at 100 yards. If that’s not clear, I don’t know what is.
The reticle illuminates in red or green at different intensities, depending on the operator’s preference, but can also be switched off. The battery can give you 200 hours at the highest setting, and 500 hours at medium settings. The most notable feature is that that the reticle without illumination, is easy to see in any light.
Burris makes these sights to the highest standards so they are waterproof, shockproof, and fogproof and comes with a no questions asked, forever warranty.
You don’t need to be afraid to use it.
The Full Review
The AR-536 gets its name from its 5x magnification, 36mm diameter objective lens, and of course its use on any AR platform. It firmly mounts to the Picatinny rail system and features its own Picatinny rail on the sight in 3 places.
You can attach a laser, light, and even an additional red dot sight on top for extreme close quarter shooting. Burris makes a Fast Fire II small red dot sight that would work extremely well with this scope.
Here are a few more of the great features that make this scope a must-have for tactical and competition shooters:
Features
Illuminated Reticle
The illuminated reticle on the AR-536 illuminates in both red and green, having 5 brightness settings for each color. You can also switch the illumination off and the etched reticle can be seen in blaring sun. There are two reticle options available:
The Ballistic CQ reticle was specifically designed for Close Quarter engagement for competitive, law enforcement, and military applications. The illuminated center enhances your target acquisition and accuracy, especially if your target is dark. The smaller reticle dots allow you to compensate for bullet drop out to 600 yards.
The Ballistic AR reticle is versatile for BOTH close quarter and longer distance shooting. The milliradian measurements make a handy reference point for making windage and elevation adjustments for up to 600 yards.
Windage and Elevation Adjustment Turrets
The turrets are covered with caps to protect your precise adjustment. The caps are tethered with a steel cable that runs through a loop so you won’t lose them when you take them off. The click value for the adjustment is ⅓ Minutes Of Angle (MOA) and you can adjust up to 70 MOA for both elevation and windage.
Though you do need a tool or coin to adjust, there are audible clicks as well as visible marks that you can reference.
Photo by jojo
Durable Sight You Can Use Anywhere
The quality of Burris optics continues with this optic. It is shockproof, waterproof, fogproof, and securely mounts to the Picatinny rail system on your AR. This is the optic for you if you want a compact sight that you can take anywhere and depend on.
Should something happen, Burris’ no questions asked, lifetime warranty will ensure that you will be back to shooting in no time.
Specifications
Photo by The one F1
Simple To Use, Easy To Forget You Even Have It On
Your instincts will be equally matched with this optic for seamless and precision shooting capability. There is little on this sight that gets in the way or is overkill. Everything on it is essential and maintains a low profile so you can get the job done.
The illuminated reticle shows up extremely well when shooting at darker objects so you can engage and shoot instantly.
Cost
This is an extremely affordable fixed magnification optic. The price ranges between $200 and $600 and the higher end gets you the most for your money when you purchase the combo. The additional FastFire 3 sight mounts on top of the AR-536 and makes it possible to use at extremely close range.
Who Should Buy This?
Those who demand versatility from their optics for BOTH close range and longer range uses. This sight was developed specifically for competition and tactical applications. If you are shooting in either of these fields, this optic WILL WORK exceptionally well for you.
What Is Our Opinion?
AR-536 with Balistic CQâ„¢
AR-536 with Ballistic AR
AR-536 Combo Package
A compact and solid optic, the AR-536 will not disappoint those who demand perfection and reliability. There are many options that are available in this field of fixed optics, and this one does not disappoint. It is perfect for close quarter engagement and ringing the steel at 100 yards all day long. It is perfect for daily use and won’t be affected by heavy recoil of larger calibers.
If you want an inexpensive optic that is NOT CHEAPLY made, look no further than the AR-536.
A Few Other Options
The Vortex Spitfire 3x and 1x give you a better ability to use the optic at close range. The eye relief is 3.7 inches and gives you a better field of view than the AR-536. It offers the same illumination options as the AR-536 and has a completely different reticle design. For point blank or home defense applications, the 1x is going to be a better buy for you. It really depends on what you need your scope to do for you.
The Aimpoint Pro is a completely different optic but much better suited for short distances, including point blank situations. It is a red dot scope that has extremely long battery life. You can leave the scope turned on in for immediate readiness and it will last for 3 years! It is also compatible with night vision while the AR-536 is not.
The Trijicon ACOG is a 4x magnification sight that is designed for both eyes to be open while shooting. This is essential in tactical situations where you need to be able to assess the danger around you. It combines fiber optics and a tritium phosphor lamp for peak performance in all light conditions. Of course, it does come at a higher price tag, but technology isn’t cheap.
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