Hello. I recently picked up an M&P Sport II as I wanted an AR to add to my collection of communist rifles. The flip up rear sight seemed to be pretty much dead on at around 50 yards using 55 gr factory loads from PMC and Winchester. I was impressed for a $640 rifle.

That being said I want to add a 1-4 optic on it. The top contender is the Bushnell AR 223 BDC given reviews and the price. I am looking for thoughts on rings or a one piece scope mount or possible alternatives in the $200 range for a 1-4 scope.

Thanks in advance!

Also as an aside, how do these things hold up in the long run? Want to ensure this thing will keep shooting for awhile if I am going to start dumping cash into it.

For a 1X optic under $200. Seriously. To me, "ghost rings" are where it's at. I've got a 6920 with a TA31F on it but my 90's Sporter with the handle sight is normally what I grab when I'm hoofing it in the woods.

I think I am going to grab the RRA carry handle. Cheaper than the Bushnell scope and no need for rings.

Be sure and check the height of your front sight and make sure it's compatible with the rear sight you select. I'm ignorant of the front sight used on S&W AR rifles.

Also, you might like reading THIS. Consider the 50-yard zero which places the POI at +/- 2" out to 235 meters. The RIBZ post by username "Molon" 1/3 way down on that page is based on an article by Lt. Colonel Chuck Santose and describes a reversible modification to the rear sight which allows for a 50 yard/200 meter zero and at the same time for the dial markings on the elevation drum to be true (theoretically).

The front sight is an F type, thanks for all the information. Checking out that website now.

I'm confused. Thought you wanted a scope for the new s&w ar? You are going with a carry handle? Never had a carry handle nor shot one. Isn't that the same as irons? How would that help with a scope?

If you are not going to be shooting known distance ranges, why even buy the carry handle sight? Just use the MBUS that came with the rifle... sight in at 50 yards, set it and forget it.

I think you need to slow down and figure out what exactly how you want to use the rifle... you just went from a magnified optic to old school with 6 posts in...

Maybe you really want a red dot!

Don't listen to them, this is what you want:
M600 SR Squad-Level Precision-Guided 5.56 Service Rifle | TrackingPoint

I am confused also, if you want a good optic on it I would look into Vortex products, cannot beat there warranty. Also there products are really good also.

I've actually got a Bushnell AR223 1-4x. I got it two years ago around Christmas from Palmetto. Retail was somewhere around $200 but they usually sold for under $150. It was on a special Xmas sale and Bushnell also had rebates. I think it ended up costing me less than $50. I took a look through it and tossed it in the AR parts box. Maybe I'll put it on a .22 some day.

The Bushnell AR optics are GTG, I've got the 3-9 and 4.5-18. Both excellent optics, bright, good cross hair. Eye piece end is on the larger side and these scopes are on the heavier side, hard to beat for the price.

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Rod
M&P 22A, 40c, 15A, 15-22

I've always had good luck with the Nikon optics that I've bought. They do offer a 223 option in various magnification ranges.

I think others are right here though. You need to determine what you plan on using the gun for first. Then decide from there what type of sight will best suit your purpose. You can spend mucho dinero on sights and not find the one that will be right for what you want to do with it.

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1st smiles,lies.Last,gunfire.

I went through the gamut of sighting options, business AR gets a quality red dot, 3-gun AR gets a 1-4x. I will get a Millett DMS-2 1-6x when the price comes down a tad as I'm in no hurry.

I second the Bushnell AR223 1-4x28. I currently have it mounted in my M&P15-22 and it works just fine. Cannot use the drop zone markings as designed because of velocity but it's just what is needed to reach out just a bit. I just got a new Sight Mark R/D and I play mix and match between the 15-22 and the S&W AR15 Sport II.

I'm glad this topic popped up. I'm interested in economical, (not entirely cheap) optics for AR-15 type rifles too.

This thread sent me searching this morning. Wondering if anyone here has experience with any of the offerings from Primary Arms?

This one is somewhat appealing, but I'd love to hear from anyone who actually used some of these Primary Arms scopes.

Primary Arms 5X Prism Scope

I have heard nothing but good things from Primary Arms, I did own one of the micro red dots and I worked for me but I sent it back cause I could really use it well with Astigmatism in both eyes, this caused the red dot to look really blurry indoors or outside even. It also messes with your eyes made mine get watery real bad trying to use the red dot. So I later went with a Vortex Diamondback 3x9x40 scope.
When I had the Primary Arms red dot it worked well, I also have a few fellow shooters at my range that swear by there products.

Prompted by this thread, I began looking around for optics of my own. The Primary arms scopes really sound good and fairly economical, and at least one member here has had a good experience with their products.

Reading here made me remember that I had an old Colt 3x20 scope that has been sitting in a drawer for years. So, over the weekend I found it and mounted to my AR. For a scope that I didn't have to spend any new money on and is likely around 40 years old, I have to say it performed well.


50 yards


75 yards

In the price range you requested, I think Vortex would be a good scope bet. I mounted my Leopold 1x4 using the Burris PEPR, which is offered in a quick release model, as well as standard rail mount.

That Colt 3x is perfect. Very nice.

Just to keep the conversation going a little. Even though I found back of the drawer solution and am mostly happy with it, I can't keep from looking around a little. So, anyone had any experience with the Burris AR-332 3x32 Prism Sight?


Reviews that I have found are pretty good, has a "forever warranty". So guys, what say you?

Eh...

It's a budget optic with a good name label on the side. Overpriced at $300 IMO.

If you like it and can wait, those are the type optics that get tossed into the special deal ads from time to time. See post#2. just got my M&P 15T! need optic suggestions

I've had a Burris AR 332 for a couple of years now, it works great for under 200 yds and night hunting for coyotes. I have no complaints on it. It took a little bit to get used to the ghost ring but now I like it. Very clear glass. I too got it around Christmas and received the Burris rebate. The scope replaced a Nikon prostaff. I liked the quick acquisition ring and cross hairs

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Thanks Phil and Dogman!

I just bought a Holosun red dot sight hs515c it has the solar panel and circle dot with a 2 MOA dot. I bought it off of Amazon for 225 with free same day shipping it mounts right onto to M&P 15 sport 2 it is a lower 1/3 co-witness. It doesn't have any magnification but I went and shot it today it worked good. The dot is pretty crisp I would look into the Holosun brand they have several different sights.
I went with it because guy working at range was talking about it and let me shoot a couple rounds with his riffle I liked it. I couldn't justify 400 500 dollar for a sight I could buy another firearm for that, now I'm not saying I won't down the road but with the current administration and more than likely next administration's views on guns we are 1 dumbass shooter away from possibly loosing the ability to buy firearms so currently I would rather buy a gun and ammo.

A 25 yard zero has the bullet impact where you aim at 25 yards, and like a foot higher than that at 200 yards . . . .

Yea I completely got my numbers messed up stupid memory lol

When I think of 4X optics I instantly think of Weaver fixed power scopes - the Weaver K4 to be exact. With a wide field of view and Japanese glass you get fast target acquisition and you get a scope about as rugged as they get for under $200. The scope will likely be working when you aren't. They have a stellar reputation but of course they aren't red dot and they are fixed. To me those might be good things depending on how you want to use your rifle. Whatever the case they are excellent scopes.

I got a Strikefire ll on my AR. Love it. I zeroed at 50 yds, but for the hell of it , I went out to 75 yds. At 75 or even 100yds, I was shooting groups I could've covered with a beer bottle cap.

I like the Nikon P223 series of scopes and the have a 1.5x4.5 power that works great. On both of my AR-15's I have the Nikon P223 3x9x40mm scope and they work great for what I use them for which is range shooting and varmint hunting.