Timothy, I had the same decision to make. I ended up going the 1x6 route and haven't looked back. It gives the best compromise between the red dot and full scope quandary. It will give you decent close quarter targeting and with the twist of a dial, medium and long range capability as well. They also make some 1x4 or 1x6 with a built on picatinny rail to as a red dot to the scope if you must have a red dot.

I’ve done it both ways and prefer a 1-4 scope over a red dot. As I get older I don’t see the red dot as clear as I use to and the scopes are more clear. Midway has the vortex ranger on sale right now and it’s basically a viper pst gen 1.

If you want to play at ranges of 75 yards or led the red dot is a lot of fun if you want accuracy at longer ranges the scope is the only way to go

I had a red dot w/ flip to side magnifier on my first AR for about 2 years. I replaced it with a Primary Arms 1-6 and I prefer the 1-6. If you are going to choose a red dot I would recommend a adding the magnifier.