Sights

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Holy cow. Cannot afford something that expensive! Any around $100-$150 or so?

You need to do some looking around... Bushnell, Nikon, Millet, Primary Arms and others all make budget friendly optics. Names that I would be hesitant to buy are UTG, Leapers, Barska, BSA, Sightmark, NcStar (although some folks report good service from NcStar you really have to know what you're buying). If I was buying strictly on price and wanted the least worry (not going to break on day 1) I'd say Primary Arms is a good bet. Enjoy the hunt.

This should get you started but by no means is all that is out there.

https://www.primaryarms.com/Rifle-Scopes-s/911.htm

 

[JessicaB]

Is a red dot the same as a red dot riflescope or do I need to look for just a riflescope?

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Is a red dot the same as a red dot riflescope or do I need to look for just a riflescope?

Not sure what you are asking.

There are 1x red dots, and then there are magnified optics with etched glass illuminated reticles that sometimes have a dot in the center of the crosshair and all sorts of other reticle configurations. I think you need to get to a gun show, gun shop, big box retailer gun department, as well as visit a range and strike up conversation with other shooters and they'll show you what they got. You got to look through some optics.

 

[JessicaB]

The one I was looking at was the Cortex Strikefire red dot scope although I think it is discontinued or the same as a red dot. Anyway, I won't know how the dot looks until I look at 'em. I'm hoping that the sight picture will be tolerable and somewhat easy to see. I guess that's the best case scenario.

 

[IceStone]

I personally like the Chevron Reticle as I believe it offers the best of both worlds, the problem is finding a optic that has one. But as the example below shows, It is very large which makes it easy to pick up, but you also have the fine point which you can use for more precision. It also offers you some ranging benefits in the width of the outside and inside of the Chevron corresponding to the width of a mans torso as a particular range. This is from the Trijicon Tripower which is what I have on my 15-22.

 

[cxwrench]

That Trijicon is cool but I doubt there are many people that can justify spending the same on optics as they did on the rifle itself. I know some do, but considering the effective range of the 15-22 and the distance I'll be shooting the majority of the time...my TRS-25 works just fine. It's light, clear, and less than $100 w/ the mount.
I have a slight astigmatism and wear progressive bifocals. Works fine for me.

 

[SpicyTunaRoll]

i have the Leupold Delta Point on mine. its small, light weight, and a great investment i can always re-sell(with high resale value) or save and transfer into any other platform.
compared to my aimpoint mico h1 - its light years away, but the DP is simple. i pick up the weapon and the sensor turns on. i put it down, and it turns off in 5 mins.

optics are like tires. you dont want to buy a new car, a nice car, and mount the cheapest tires out there. the optic should match the rifle, and rifles' duty. i never understood those guys who have a $1000+ rifle and mount a $75 optic. its the equivalence of a New BMW 550i with toyota corolla rims/tires.

my advice: if you cant afford a good quality red-dot optic (aimpoint, eotech, Leupold) then just use irons while you save up your money. not only will you become very proficient in irons, but you'll eventually get a great optic. you will thank me later.

 

[Vinney47]

The one I was looking at was the Cortex Strikefire red dot scope although I think it is discontinued or the same as a red dot. Anyway, I won't know how the dot looks until I look at 'em. I'm hoping that the sight picture will be tolerable and somewhat easy to see. I guess that's the best case scenario.

The strikefire is discontinued, because vortex released a new version - the strikefire II. Right now prices on the original are super low as sellers blow them out and get in the new ones.

 

[headcase650]

If there is a Cabellas by you, go there. They have a large selection, draw a number, when they call it tell them you want to look through scopes, red dot and magnified. If they are not swamped they will spent plenty of time with you.They have dummy guns you can mount the sight on and look through it just as if you were using it. They should have some bushnells, vortex, redfields and a few other red dots and a pretty big selection of magnified optics and maybe some eotechs too.

 

[BlueLizard]

Regarding the astigmatism/red-dot bunch of grapes issue, I've had corneal grafts in both eyes, and have had a fair deal of corneal scaring in my time, causing all manner of flaring when looking at dots

Touch-wood, it's pretty much okay now, and I'm a happy user of Eotech XPS2-0's on a couple of my rifles. I always have the dot brightness set as low as possible (easier on an indoor range, out of bright sunlight). Up close (10m or so), in speedy competitions, the flaring isn't much of a problem as the target/sight picture is pretty big anyway. Further out, I simply flip up my rear MBUS and have an absolute co-witness aligning peep hole which nicely sharpens up the dot. For distance, I also have an Eo G33 magnifier which is crystal clear with the XPS circle/dot. Only need one magnifier as it easily QD's off one and onto the other (I keep the same top-rail setup between my 15-22 and 9mm carbine).

 

[JessicaB]

That Trijicon is cool but I doubt there are many people that can justify spending the same on optics as they did on the rifle itself. I know some do, but considering the effective range of the 15-22 and the distance I'll be shooting the majority of the time...my TRS-25 works just fine. It's light, clear, and less than $100 w/ the mount.
I have a slight astigmatism and wear progressive bifocals. Works fine for me.

I can understand what you are saying. I can't afford to spend a fortune myself. I am just hoping that I can tolerate the sight picture. If not I don't know what I'll do. And considering that I'm not going to shoot past 75-100 yards I don't think I need anything too expensive. Like I said, I'm hoping my sight picture won't be too bad and tolerable.

 

[Racefan3n88]

Put a bushnell trs-25 on it, you won't be disappointed. They are under $100 and are ideal for the 15-22, small and light. IMO it makes no sense to put a high dollar optic on a 22 rifle. If you need a scope the bug buster scope works well also. It fits the tactical look of the rifle and gets good reviews. Save your money for more ammo

 

[JessicaB]

Put a bushnell trs-25 on it, you won't be disappointed. They are under $100 and are ideal for the 15-22, small and light. IMO it makes no sense to put a high dollar optic on a 22 rifle. If you need a scope the bug buster scope works well also. It fits the tactical look of the rifle and gets good reviews. Save your money for more ammo

Completely understood. The only concern is my stupid eyes and how my astigmatism will affect the sight.

 

[cyphertext]

i have the Leupold Delta Point on mine. its small, light weight, and a great investment i can always re-sell(with high resale value) or save and transfer into any other platform.
compared to my aimpoint mico h1 - its light years away, but the DP is simple. i pick up the weapon and the sensor turns on. i put it down, and it turns off in 5 mins.

optics are like tires. you dont want to buy a new car, a nice car, and mount the cheapest tires out there. the optic should match the rifle, and rifles' duty. i never understood those guys who have a $1000+ rifle and mount a $75 optic. its the equivalence of a New BMW 550i with toyota corolla rims/tires.

my advice: if you cant afford a good quality red-dot optic (aimpoint, eotech, Leupold) then just use irons while you save up your money. not only will you become very proficient in irons, but you'll eventually get a great optic. you will thank me later.

The car analogy works the other way too... you wouldn't buy a Toyota Corolla and put wheels and tires on it that cost more than the car, yet do nothing to enhance the performance.

I appreciate quality optics, but an Aimpoint, Trijicon, or any other high end red dot is overkill on a M&P 15-22. Yes, I get the trainer idea blah blah blah, but if you were going that route, go with a dedicated upper that goes on your AR 15 lower, so that now you have same weight, same trigger, easier to add the same accessories, etc.

If you have the coin and just want to put these type of things on your plastic plinker, then go for it... but as you said, "the optic should match the rifle, and rifles' duty".

 

[SpicyTunaRoll]

If you have the coin and just want to put these type of things on your plastic plinker, then go for it.

while some might view this rifle as just a "plastic plinker" - i personally view it as just another rifle in the collection.
YES i know it only shoots a small .22lr, slowly.
BUT this rifle can be quickly handed to family member who is unable(or unwilling) to sustain a normal .223/556 rifles weight & recoil = and that family member is now more combat effective with this plastic-plinker, than if they had a 'normal' ar in their hands. this is why i treat this rifle as i would any other. it gets the same care, attention, and accessories as any other weapon. i would rather wait and save, than buy cheap accessories that will stifle my precision.

(end rant. just food for thought)

 

[RedNeck Jim]

The only concern is my stupid eyes and how my astigmatism will affect the sight.

I have the same issue which forces me to shoot left handed. The same condition makes it hard for me to use magnified scopes. I just sometimes struggle to get a good sight picture.

However, with a red dot, I have no issues... besides still needing to shoot left handed. I have no problem quickly acquiring the target. I have removed my backup folding sights as I just never use them. My old eyes don't sight thru them well & they just take up rail space. For me and my eyes, a red dot is the best option & when I need magnification, I add on my flip to side 3x Primary Arms magnifier.

I suggest starting with a TRS-25. It is a great optic at a great price. Then if you later find a little more jingle in your pocket, then you can add something like the Aimpoint Pro that I use... and love.

I have a TRS-25 sitting around & if you wish, I can send it to you to try out, assuming you don't have access to one locally. Send me a PM if you want to do so.

 

[JessicaB]

I have the same issue which forces me to shoot left handed. The same condition makes it hard for me to use magnified scopes. I just sometimes struggle to get a good sight picture.

However, with a red dot, I have no issues... besides still needing to shoot left handed. I have no problem quickly acquiring the target. I have removed my backup folding sights as I just never use them. My old eyes don't sight thru them well & they just take up rail space. For me and my eyes, a red dot is the best option & when I need magnification, I add on my flip to side 3x Primary Arms magnifier.

I suggest starting with a TRS-25. It is a great optic at a great price. Then if you later find a little more jingle in your pocket, then you can add something like the Aimpoint Pro that I use... and love.

I have a TRS-25 sitting around & if you wish, I can send it to you to try out, assuming you don't have access to one locally. Send me a PM if you want to do so.

I am planning to look at optics this Saturday. Probably won't buy any but at least get to look at them and handle them a bit. My two possibilities right now are the TRS-25 and the Primary Arms MicroDot but I'm not sure. I am also thinking about buying a set of Magpul flip up sights to co-witness but not sure about that as well. BTW, I shoot left handed as well so not sure how that is going to affect the optic.

 

[cyphertext]

while some might view this rifle as just a "plastic plinker" - i personally view it as just another rifle in the collection.
YES i know it only shoots a small .22lr, slowly.
BUT this rifle can be quickly handed to family member who is unable(or unwilling) to sustain a normal .223/556 rifles weight & recoil = and that family member is now more combat effective with this plastic-plinker, than if they had a 'normal' ar in their hands. this is why i treat this rifle as i would any other. it gets the same care, attention, and accessories as any other weapon. i would rather wait and save, than buy cheap accessories that will stifle my precision.

(end rant. just food for thought)

So, you have a family member who uses this rifle for home defense... How does the Aimpoint, or Trijicon, or anything other high dollar optic increase their "combat effectiveness" over a TRS-25 or a Primary Arms red dot at across the room distances?

 

[RedNeck Jim]

BTW, I shoot left handed as well so not sure how that is going to affect the optic.

The optic could care less which side of the gun you place your face.

 

[JessicaB]

The optic could care less which side of the gun you place your face.

Shoulda figured that out myself! What is the difference between a TRS-25 and PA MicroDot anyway? Can't seem to understand I guess.