Hi guys, would someone help me please, I am trying to look for a cheap red dot/scope combo for my Smith&wesson Ar15 SportII, something that is compatible with the A2 front sight.. I don't want to modify the rifle because it's brand new!! Something in the price range of $200 is good enough for me.. I don't need anything expensive, I'm only shooting a maximum of 200 yards

Red dot or a scope though?

Both a scope with red dot mounted on top!!

You'll need a magnifier paired with a red dot. I went with Vortex Strikefire ll and the vortex 3x magnifier. Works great together but it comes in more than 2 bills.
There are cheaper and more expensive options but as with most things you get what you pay for with optics. JM2C


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So your thinking an Acog type optic with an RMR red dot on top, you need to add about $1200-$1400 more to your budget.

Nothing but airsoft knock offs will be close to a $200 range.

You could always get a cheaper red dot now and save up for a magnifier later?

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M&P15 sport II, Retired Army

There are a ton of different ways to go, but here is just one example that would meet your general criteria and budget.

Sightmark mini RDS - $59
Sightmark(R) Mini Shot Reflex Sight : Cabela's

Bushnell 3-9x - $69
Bushnell Banner Rifle Scope 3-9x 40mm Long Eye Relief - MPN: 613947

Burris PEPR scope mount that will accommodate both - $68.
Burris AR-PEPR 1" Scope Mount - 1.5" Center Height w/ Picatinny Caps 410343

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Generally speaking, my suggestion would be to decide what type of shooting you will be doing, then decide what single sighting device best serves that purpose.

Why, just why? And when you say "compatible with the A2 front sight", do you mean you want to be able to use the iron sights as well?

Just buy a 1 x 4 scope, gives you both red dot function at 1x and magnification up to 4x. I'd suggest the Vortex Strike Eagle, good quality scope in around that price range (or a little over).

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Still carrying my S&W 642

You can find a Bushnell 1x4 scope with illuminated reticle for online for about $200. It will probably meet your needs better than mounting cheap red dot on a cheap scope.

I firmly believe in simplicity; the less you have mounted on your rifle, the less chance there is for something to break.

Bushnell - 1-4x 24mm Throw Down PCL

Natchez has that Burris Tac30 with Fastfire combo thing for a decent price in either the Refurbished or Blemished section. Can't remember which offhand, but I saw it a night or so ago. Can't remember if it was around $325 or what, but that combo normally goes for $500. The Tac 30 is 1-4, though its an illuminated thing with maybe a 3 MOA center dot, not an actual scope with crosshairs. The glass on it is pretty salty though. My cousin bought one with Cabelas points a few years back. If you are wanting an actual crosshair scope, it is not the way to go though. And I don't know how it would do as a co-witness. His is mounted up over the rear sight to where his irons are useless when its on there. The Fastfire on top worked ,but its mounted very high. I talked him into putting it on his 22 handgun to use in steel challenge.

Spending $200 on a combo like this will only put you $200 further away from an optic you really want.

Use the irons for now until you figure out just what type of shooting you'll do most.

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Freedom isn't free.

I agree on the bottom part. Find out what you want first. Don't agree on the top because thats why there are several items at several price points for many different individuals. For myself, it ended up being a Leatherwood CMR4. Nobody has this. Nobody reviews this. Its made in China. Likely overpriced at around $400. But its what I want, what I got, and I'm 100% content with it 2 years in. I don't suggest it because I don't want to be that guy suggesting his own stuff that nobody else has or knows anything about.

But I still agree to wait and check out all the possibilities before jumping into anything.

I have a Leatherwood Hi-Lux CMR, the earlier edition of what you have. It turns out to be a good scope. I really like the reticle. This is not a $200 red dot 1-4x24 combo though. Neither is it a $60 scope.

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Freedom isn't free.

I haven't tried it yet, but this one would be on my list and fits what you describe that you want:

Leatherwood/HI-LUX Micro-Max B-Dot Gen2 Digital MM-2 Red Dot Sight | Up To 23% OFF

It's in the price range, but he's looking for a red dot and scope combo. This is just a red dot.

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Freedom isn't free.

Hello I am new to the forum. Thanks for Various replies and your inputs. I just bought my M&P 15 today. Since Cali sucks, I have to wait 10 days to pick it up, I need a scope or red dot. Planning to shoot at the range, maybe 100-200 Yards. Sometimes take it to Varmint (coyote) shooting.

I have bumped into Vortex opmod strikefire II red dot 4 MOA, anyone used it??? What are your opinions ?? Experience ??

Vortex(R) OPMOD StrikeFire II Red Dot with Cantilever AR-15 Mount 4MOA Red/Green Dot FREE S&H RIF-VT-SF-OP-1. OPMOD AR15 Accessories.

I am using Vortex on my bolt action and I love the brand.

Thanks

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God Bless America!!!

A 4 MOA dot precludes the necessary accuracy for 200 yard shots on a coyote. It will cover a full 8" at that range. Not saying it won't work, but it just won't work well.

If you plan on hunting at extended ranges, get a scope. I've always preferred a lower power variable in the 1-4x range. If you find a scope in your price range with an illuminated reticle you will find it to be almost as fast as a dot sight.

For general purpose .223/5.65 use I've become very fond of 1-4 X 20 Leupold scopes..... here in Pa. most shooting is inside 150 yds.....rolling country with small fields and woods...................... on both AR's and CZ bolt guns.

My advice is to go with a good red dot. I use the AIMPOINT PRO they can easily be found for 300-399. Shooting 200 yards can easily be done with it.
I am not sure about scoping an AR platform unless you have a free float and long barrel.
With the aimpoint on board you can easily use it as home protection and such.

The FBI outfits it's swat team members with M4A1 with the aimpoint micro. The M4's are using 10.5 inch barrel and they are good to go for the same yardage. They are doing COM type shooting and do very well.

You said inexpensive so here you go.
I run one on one of my M4's for range fun. I mounted it on a quick release riser base to raise it up a bit. Works great for what I want.
Amazon carries both parts.

Truglo Red-Dot 2x42mm 2-Power Magnification 2.5 MOA Reticle Red Dot, Black - TG8030B2

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Dave

If I hadn't wanted illumination, that 1-4x20 VX-Hog Leupold was high on my list. But I mainly just thought the Pig Plex reticle was cool. Would be nice on an AR.

Agreeing with MichiganScott here as well. I like the Strikefire II (and especially the color scheme on the OPMOD version). Got one for a 10/22 a couple months back for steel shooting. But at 4MOA, like he said, its going to eclipse a large area on a target. If you intened to shoot at longer ranges, you're going to want something more in the range of 2MOA or even 1MOA. All depending on the regularity of shooting at those distances of course. That was the main reason I got that Leatherwood. The 1MOA dot, even with just the 4X magnification gives you a much smaller point of aim. At 215yds (the furthest I've ever been able to shoot at), hitting 8" steel targets was somewhat boring and utterly easy. A 4MOA non magnified red dot would have made that more challenging as well as likely less satisfying.

But in all honesty, figure out what you intend to do with it the majority of the time and go from there. If its some defense gun, that larger dot is probably what you want. If you just shoot it to plink or hit targets, then a large dot and shooting from close range will bore you quickly and you will be looking for something different soon. The latter fit my situation. Bought a red dot, sold it, got a 4X scope with a 1MOA dot. Eventually got a 2nd AR-15, but still ended up with a 2MOA red dot for it.