I'm new here. My 15-22 MOE is ordered and should be on the way soon....

so I join this site looking for a STICKY that almost every site has about what should be done when you get your firearm....but I can't find one....(yes I did a search...)

is there anything I need to look for when I get it ?
(extractor need to be changed etc....)

also, it seems a lot of you are choosing the NcStar Mark III 3-9X42 scope....I have searched the net and I'm getting very mixed impressions....is this a "hit or miss scope"....I'm reading a lot of "crosshairs not level, had to send it back" reviews.....

do I buy one or dont I? does it need a riser? are the cross hairs at the same level as the MOE front sight?

a lot of questions I know.....thanks in advance....

I have that same scope and no complaints from me (I have heard it can be hit-or-miss, but is easily resolved if sent back for a replacement). I believe you will need a riser, even with flip-up sights.
I may be wrong, but I think I saw Tacticool22 was making them specifically for this scope.
Hope this helps!

First off, in my opinion you will need a riser. I have a 3/4" and it seems to be the perfect height for me.

I just got my NC Star Mark III 3-9 x 42 with the Red Dot backup (USS) and I had concerns as well. It does seem that it is a hit or miss scope (according to the reviews) but mine arrived with the reticle perfectly aligned. Red and green illumination works perfect. The quick release mount works perfect and the red dot works perfect.


Now that being said I haven't shot with it yet so I don't know about holding zero or anything else but it seems to be a very well built scope and on a .22 it shouldn't have any recoil related issues.

At the top of this Forum you will see 3 "STICKY" threads.
One is titled Notable Thread Index. Click on that one.
You will then see a list of notable threads. One of them is titled Instructional Video Series. Click on that one.
The videos include how to clean and lubricate... how to load the magazine... and yet another on the scope you are asking about.

Now what other Forum is that good? Never mind... there are none.


ps. Welcome.

haha.....definitely saw those already....one step ahead....guess i was just looking for something else....

and as for the scope, saw the 3 videos on that too....i like the look and the model looks nice...it was after searching reviews through google that i decided to hold off.....i guess i am looking for more opinions from 15-22 users using this scope....

I've been using this scope ("tactical" version with red dot) for about 3 months now - very pleased with it. Looks good/works good. I haven't put a riser on it, but would probably be more comfortable with one, especially if you're wearing thick hearing protection. I've had no issues with the scope, and it has held zero after repeated zooming to 9x and back to 3x. The reticles are perfectly aligned, and the red/green illumination works fine, but frankly haven't had much use for it.

Not quite as big a fan of the mini red dot. Was a pain to zero, and it sits quite a bit higher than the barrel, which creates some issues. Was thinking about moving it closer to the barrel with a 45 degree mount, but haven't tried it yet.

smitherines, thanks for the reply....you arent the first to complain about the reflex sight.

i debated the same thing you did back when i got my 15-22... i ended up just ditching the whole "tactical" made in china ****, and bought myself a good-old riflescope. the kind you would stick on a .308 or something. except there are several options now including ones made specifically for a 22 rimfire. In my opinion, the best line of products that you should research is Vortex.. they make quality products and offer the best customer service in the scope industry. feel free to snoop through my old posts for some good info.
If i could recommend you only one thing, it would be the following for $150:

http://swfa.com/Vortex-Viper-Rifle-Scopes-C1410.aspx

thanks for the link...definitely check it out. i already have a better quality rifle scope for my .22 bolt action rifle....i was really diggin' the whole tactical look of the ncstar....but i see your point...

they can be cool to look at.. i would at least try to find one at look at it in person if you really want one. most of the quality pieces built in the us and japan are not anywhere near that price range though.

Read the manual. Read the manual. Read the manual!!!
Use the ammo recommended in the manual. I used CCI Mini Mags from Wal-Mart for the first time shooting.
Clean it when you get it using whatever you have.
Make sure everything, like the bolt hold open, the bolt assist, the safety, and mag release work right,
Just the basics.
Fire one mag kind of slow, seeing where point of aim is. Then fire three mags as fast as you can go. Rapid fire often finds problems fast. LOL
Then clean again!!!
Load your mags the way the manual says. Remember that the mag has a load assist button, but it is still one at a time.
After loading many of these mags, I can look at the stagger, and tell if it will feed OK.
After this fire away. I clean mine after ~ 500 rounds now.
The only failure to feeds I have had are from the mags. Never had one with one I loaded. But when out shooting with some guys they will start loading the mags. Then I have problems.
As far as sights go, get what you want. Everybody seems to like something or other. Low cost I recommend NCStar, BSA, Millet. Also if you buy something you don't like you can sell it here (S&W) for ~ $20.00 lost.
Have fun!!! I do!!!
Guy22

good solid info here...thx!

primary arms...check em out

I have a barska i have thousand plus rounds through it, with my .223 ar it holds zero and was 80$