Best Time to Buy Optics: Data from 795 r/gundeals Deals
We analyzed 795 optic deals from r/gundeals to find out when you should buy — and when you should wait. The results might surprise you.
Methodology
This analysis is based on 795 optic deals posted to r/gundeals, tracked over a 12-month period. We monitored a basket of specific products — including budget red dots, mid-range LPVOs, and premium holographic/reflex sights — across every month to ensure apples-to-apples comparisons.
All prices are actual posted deal prices from r/gundeals, not MSRP or manufacturer-suggested pricing. These are the real prices shoppers paid after discounts, coupons, and promotions were applied.
Average Optic Prices by Month
The Data: Holiday Prices vs Normal
We compared average optic prices during sale windows against the rest of the year. Here's what we found:
| Period | Avg Price | vs Normal ($501) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presidents Day (Feb) | $299 | -40% | BEST TIME TO BUY |
| Christmas / New Year | $411 | -18% | Great deals |
| Memorial Day | $470 | -6% | Modest savings |
| Black Friday (Nov) | $528 | +5% | NOT cheaper overall |
| July 4th | $645 | +29% | Actually more expensive |
| Labor Day | $635 | +27% | Actually more expensive |
Wait — Black Friday is BAD for Optics?
Yes and no. The overall average goes UP during Black Friday because more premium optics get listed. But specific products DO see real discounts. Here's the per-product breakdown:
Black Friday Winners
- Primary Arms SLx: $133 vs $297 normal (-55% off)
- Vortex Razor: $835 vs $1,100 normal (-24% off)
- Vortex Defender: $215 vs $278 normal (-23% off)
- Vortex Venom: $200 vs $229 normal (-13% off)
- Trijicon RMR: $476 vs $545 normal (-13% off)
Christmas/New Year: The Sleeper Sale
Christmas through New Year consistently delivers the best prices on premium optics that don't discount during other holidays:
- Trijicon RMR: $299 vs $545 normal (-45% off) — BEST time to buy RMRs
- Vortex Defender: $165 vs $278 normal (-41% off)
- EOTech EXPS: $411 vs $472 normal (-13% off)
Monthly Price Averages (All Optics)
| Month | Avg Price | vs Year Avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| February | $299 | -39% | CHEAPEST MONTH |
| April | $401 | -18% | |
| July | $421 | -14% | |
| January | $423 | -14% | |
| May | $470 | -4% | |
| June | $494 | +1% | |
| March | $499 | +2% | |
| October | $520 | +6% | |
| November | $528 | +8% | |
| December | $532 | +9% | |
| August | $543 | +11% | |
| September | $670 | +37% | MOST EXPENSIVE |
The Strategy
- Best time: Presidents Day (February) and Christmas/New Year (Dec-Jan)
- Good time: Memorial Day weekend and April clearance sales
- Black Friday: Only good for specific brands (Vortex, Primary Arms, Trijicon). Skip if you want EOTech.
- Worst time: August and September — prices are 11-37% above average
- Set alerts: Don't wait for holidays if a great deal pops up. Use our price alerts and buy when it hits your target.
Data based on 795 optic deals tracked from r/gundeals. Individual product results vary.
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