optics review (for the 15-22)

[~tc~]

My question is, does anyone know if it's possible to add a see-through riser under this scope so the iron sights can still be retained and used?

If so, can anyone recommend a particular brand/model?

Thanks for the help!!!

The easiest way would be to install a carry handle, and then get the carry-handle mount for the scope.

All that said, you don't need irons with this scope as the reticle is etched in - if the batteries fail, all you will lose is the illumination, the scope will still "function" as your sighting system.

 

[incavulator]

The easiest way would be to install a carry handle, and then get the carry-handle mount for the scope.

All that said, you don't need irons with this scope as the reticle is etched in - if the batteries fail, all you will lose is the illumination, the scope will still "function" as your sighting system.

Thanks TC....that makes lots of sense. You make a great point of which I hadn't thought of - with the reticle being etched in, there's less of a need for having back up iron sights.

I think I would still like the look of retaining the irons, and from what I've heard, these scopes are uncomfortable unless raised, so I think I will probably pursue a carry handle and carry handle scope mount.

So, the next question is where does one find a reasonably priced carry handle and scope mount that's "good enough" for the M&P 15-22 and the NC Star Mk 3 with mini red dot?

Thanks for the help.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

UTG carry handle version 6. Tapco composite carry handle mount.

 

[tcr03]

i really dont see the point to a red dot scope. either use a magnified target scope, or iron sights. the red dot just seams redundant when you still have iron sights on there.

 

[KaiDoi]

i really dont see the point to a red dot scope. either use a magnified target scope, or iron sights. the red dot just seams redundant when you still have iron sights on there.

Due to my aging eyes, I had a difficult time zeroing in my flip-up sights. The red dot affords me a much better and enjoyable shooting experience.

 

[incavulator]

UTG carry handle version 6. Tapco composite carry handle mount.

Thanks Phil!!!! I'll check those out.

i really dont see the point to a red dot scope. either use a magnified target scope, or iron sights. the red dot just seams redundant when you still have iron sights on there.

There really isn't a point. Just looking for more ornaments to hang on my Christmas tree. It's tacti-cool.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Due to my aging eyes, I had a difficult time zeroing in my flip-up sights. The red dot affords me a much better and enjoyable shooting experience.

+1 and they don't require precise eye alignment as required with irons.... and see much easier than irons in lower light conditions. For those who haven't used a red dot I suggest grabbing a cheapo at Walmart and check it out.

"Just looking for more ornaments to hang on my Christmas tree. It's tacti-cool"

^5 brother!!!

 

[KaiDoi]

Here is my new Primary Arms set-up.
- 2moa multi-recticle red dot
- 5x magnifier w/QD

I am loving this particular set-up. Personally, it adds to the total shooting experience. I have never had so much fun with a firearm, as I am having with this one.

 

[~tc~]

So, the next question is where does one find a reasonably priced carry handle and scope mount that's "good enough" for the M&P 15-22 and the NC Star Mk 3 with mini red dot?

Thanks for the help.

Just get the NC Star with the carry handle base instead of the rail base (it's cheaper too)

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Nice looking setup, KaiDoi. Looking forward to reading a full review.

 

[rlb]

BumpUpTopPlease

 

[Isthatmyshirt]

Anyone here used the Meprolight m21?.I have a chance at getting one pretty cheap.
It might be ok on my MP15-22.

 

[~tc~]

Meprolight is up there with Trijicon - very fine sights

 

[Tomac]

Here's my "first impressions" comparison of the Meprolight M21, Trijicon RX30 & Trijicon RMR. All 3 use fiber optics & tritium for reticle illumination but have different sizes, weights, FOV's & reticle/dot sizes.

Trijicon RMR pros:
Light, small, more resistant to reticle washout than either the M21 or RX30.
Trijicon RMR cons:
Small FOV through the optic makes cheekweld much more critical than w/the M21 or RX30, largest dot (7moa) of the 3 makes precision shots more difficult, dot *really* blazes & blooms in bright daylight.

Trijicon RX30 pros:
Huge FOV through the 42mm objective makes for very fast shots & more forgiving cheekweld, slightly smaller dot (6.5moa, the RX34 has a 4.5mao dot) than the RMR allows for slightly greater precision.
Trijicon RX30 cons:
Like the RMR, the dot really blazes/blooms in bright daylight, 6.5moa dot isn't much of an improvement over the RMR's 7moa dot w/regards to precision shooting.

Meprolight M21 pros:
30mm objective is faster & more forgiving of sloppy cheekweld than the RMR but perhaps not quite as fast/forgiving as the RX30, bullseye reticle is very fast to pick up (especially in lighting situations where the reticle begins to dim) and 4.5moa center dot allows for greater precision than either the RX30 or RMR, factory QD mount is very fast/easy to use, W/E adjustments are definite w/good tactile/audible clicks (although a bit coarse at 1.7moa per click) & easily adjusted w/a quarter, feels more solid than the RX30 (subjective opinion only), forward optic collector significantly helps w/reticle contrast in challanging light conditions, has the brightest tritium of the 3 and (this is important to me, YMMV) the reticle does *not* blaze or bloom in direct sunlight, instead staying nice & bright at what I consider to be the near-perfect daytime brightness level.
Meprolight M21 cons:
Not as resistant to reticle washout as I'd prefer (sorry, it sux being a perfectionist).

I tested all 3 in the large darkened basement at my work, from 20' in looking out the open door into a corridor illuminated w/flourescent light, in a darkened bathroom looking out an 18"x36" East-facing window into noontime daylight, on a covered dock looking out at various targets in noontime daylight, in my dim home looking out a North-facing tramson into late-afternoon daylight and w/taclights in my completely dark garage.

The RMR is the most resistant to reticle washout (when I asked Trijicon about this they suggested it may be due to the emitter being so much closer to the lens than w/the larger/longer RX30) w/the M21 being slightly more resistant to reticle washout overall than the RX30 (due in larger part, IMHO, to the bullseye reticle & forward-facing fiber optic collectors) but the RX30 does seem to have better topside fiber optic collectors.

Personal take:
While I like the RMR's light weight & superior resistance to reticle washout I do *not* like the small FOV or the way the too-large dot blazes in bright daylight. The RMR is my least fav of the 3.

The RX30 is similar in many ways and performance-wise to the M21 but it doesn't strike me as being quite as well developed (ie: mount, ruggedness & W/E adjustments) and it suffers from the same "blazing daylight dot" as the RMR, it's a close 2nd to the M21.

I like just about everything about the M21 except for the susceptibility to reticle washout under certain lighting conditions (the bane of all Reflex-style optics). The bullseye reticle is a joy to use, being easier/faster to use than a simple dot (YMMV) but not as "busy" as the Eotech's circle/dot reticle and it doesn't blaze in bright daylight so you still have a crisp reticle. Definitely my first choice for my particular needs.

None of these optics are "Aimpoint killers" but all 3 are quality items w/differing strengths/weaknesses. If you want a KISS optic that doesn't need batteries then definitely check out the M21.

I'll be doing range-testing this weekend, I'll post more after that.
Tomac
ETA: Even running w/just your front sight up mitigates much of the reticle washout problem as the most serious occasions I've experienced have been while using a taclight at very close range where just the front sight is all you need for COM hits.

(From the top) Trijicon RMR, Meprolight M21, Trijicon RX30:

Meprolight M21 on one of my STG-556's:

 

[jsimmons]

I have a PA MicroDot Gen2 on my S&W M&P15, and a Gen8 on my homemade AR. I was thinking I'd get another one for my 15-22, but since it's so light (the rifle, that is), the Tasco may be a viable option.