Noob needs a recommendation

[Bushwack44]

I couldn't find an an appropriate thread in the forum to say introduce myself and say hi so...I guess this will have to do.

Hi.

OK....I'm well versed in pistols but this is my first AR purchase (M&P-15 Sport II 556). Congratulate me as these are hard to find in California (sympathy first for living in this anti-2A state, then kudos for finding this AR . Anyway..I'm about to order a Nikon P223 but I'm not sure which mounts to buy.

FWIW, while I am a newbie when it comes to the AR platform and optics in general, I recently bought a Ruger 10/22 with a Leupold scope and quick release mounts (I like this set-up). I am hoping someone can directly to similar mounts for the P223 that doesn't require tooling to set/release the scope. Also, what height should the mounts be w/ the iron sites still in place?

Thanks.

 

[Fishinfool]

Welcome to the forum.

If you are going to run back-up folding sights, a forward angled mount like the P.E.R.P. is usually needed for clearance. I have seen conversion kits that replace the mounts locking nuts with levers, converting it to a quick detachable mount. On a rifle without a pop up rear sight, regular, tall / extra tall QR rings like Leupold or Warne can be used just fine. One inch tall rings work well for me. Some guys buy 1/2 inch tall rings, and use 1/2 inch riser blocks under them. That way, the rings can be used, if desired, on other non AR platform rifles that don't require such a tall ring.

Larry

 

[cyphertext]

Since you are new to your AR, are you sure you want a scope? How do you intend to use the rifle? Will you be shooting from a bench, trying to make one ragged hole, or will you be shooting at steel for time, where a hit is a hit? Or maybe just making soda cans and tennis balls bounce across the ground?

Before you spend money on an optic, shoot it and figure out how you will use it.

 

[crracer_712]

I don't run a rear sight on any of my scoped AR's, and I still use a PERP type mounth. Burris has this mount in QD fashion, which is probably what I would suggest since you want the QD ability. If you want a set and forget mount, I've found the COOP mounts in both 1" and 30mm on Amazon to be of a great value! I wouldn't recommend the Nikon P223 mounts unless you want to set ip and forget it because they slide over the rail from one end or another making it nearly impossible to remove them unless you remove the scope from the mounts first. I do have a couple rifles with the P223 mounts, but they are mounted on top of a pair of 1/2" truglo risers, and this requires a cheek riser to accommodate the extra height.

There are other QD single piece mounts for the AR other than Burris that are lighter, but generally quite a bit more expensive.

 

[Bushwack44]

I will become "one" with the AR before putting on a scope. But I have the funds already set aside. I'm the type of guy that puts together a budget before making a purchase. Therefore I have the funds available and prefer to buy now.

FWIW, I have/had $1,000 set aside for the AR, scope & mounts. I have $274 remaining for a scope, mounts, taxes and/or shipping (shoould be do-able). If I don't spend the money now and instead use it for booze and women, well....that's only a memory for one night (if I don't drink too much booze)

Since you are new to your AR, are you sure you want a scope? How do you intend to use the rifle? Will you be shooting from a bench, trying to make one ragged hole, or will you be shooting at steel for time, where a hit is a hit? Or maybe just making soda cans and tennis balls bounce across the ground?

Before you spend money on an optic, shoot it and figure out how you will use it.

 

[blues7]

FWIW, I have/had $1,000 set aside for the AR, scope & mounts. I have $274 remaining for a scope, mounts, taxes and/or shipping (shoould be do-able). If I don't spend the money now and instead use it for booze and women, well....that's only a memory for one night (if I don't drink too much booze)

Make it memorable for the women and let them buy you the scope and accessories. Problem solved.

 

[cyphertext]

I will become "one" with the AR before putting on a scope. But I have the funds already set aside. I'm the type of guy that puts together a budget before making a purchase. Therefore I have the funds available and prefer to buy now.

FWIW, I have/had $1,000 set aside for the AR, scope & mounts. I have $274 remaining for a scope, mounts, taxes and/or shipping (shoould be do-able). If I don't spend the money now and instead use it for booze and women, well....that's only a memory for one night (if I don't drink too much booze)

You missed the point... Unless you know how you are going to use the rifle, you may not get the right optic for your use. $274 is not a lot for a quality optic, and especially not for a quality quick detach mount that will keep zero.

 

[Bushwack44]

Strictly range use. Maybe paper, maybe steel and most likely 100-200 yards but down the road will be using a different range that goes as far as 400 yards.

I consider this AR as entry level and hope within 3-5 years, move up the ladder to another AR. But for now, its about knowing/learning the platform and seeing what I can do.

You missed the point... Unless you know how you are going to use the rifle, you may not get the right optic for your use. $274 is not a lot for a quality optic, and especially not for a quality quick detach mount that will keep zero.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Since you say you don't know about optics, it makes perfect sense that you've already selected a scope.

To answer your question.... For a QD mount, it's going to be tough to beat the value of the Burris PEPR QD. Amazon is selling for $88.

 

[Bushwack44]

Are you referring to this: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Burris-410344-AR-PEPR-1-Inch-Picatinny/dp/B004S76WTE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1459380265&sr=8-2&keywords=Burris+PEPR+QD"]Amazon.com : Burris 410344 AR-PEPR 1-Inch Mount Quick Detach with Picatinny Tops (Black) : Rifle Scopes : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/418qVTF8QNL.@@AMEPARAM@@418qVTF8QNL[/ame]

..and is this one piece or two pieces?

Since you say you don't know about optics, it makes perfect sense that you've already selected a scope.

To answer your question.... For a QD mount, it's going to be tough to beat the value of the Burris PEPR QD. Amazon is selling for $88.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Yes. One piece.

 

[crracer_712]

You might check PSA before anywhere else, they aften have a nice price on the Burris mount. They typically rotate the sale between the 1" (which you would need for the Nikon scope) and the 30mm, when on sale, it's usually 59 bucks.

Are you planning to buy the P223 in a 3-9? It's a nice scope for the money. Although a bit heavier, the Bushnell AR223 is also a nice scope for the money.

 

[McE]

You bought a cheap AR thinking you'll outgrow its capabilities.
Might as well do the same for the rest of your gear.
Get a cheap scope (<$200), get a cheap ebay mount (<$50), shoot some cheap ammo, then when your skills exceed the ability of the gun to put bullets where you point it, you can improve the gear.

 

[Fishinfool]

Ah, I see they offer the PERP in a QD style now. Good price for that mount. The p-223 is a good scope for the money, and should work fine for what you are going to use it for. You don't need a $500 Leupold, or a $2000.00 Nightforce for informal range use.

Larry

 

[rwsmith]

By the way....

Have a Hound Dawg Howdy from SC.

 

[Bushwack44]

Thanks all for the suggestions.

I purchased the P-223 along with the PERP in QD. While I generally agree one gets for what one pays for, people also don't need to drive a Mercedes to get to the local grocery store when a Ford will do just fine.

Ah, I see they offer the PERP in a QD style now. Good price for that mount. The p-223 is a good scope for the money, and should work fine for what you are going to use it for. You don't need a $500 Leupold, or a $2000.00 Nightforce for informal range use.

Larry

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

By the way... I didn't read which "the P-223". If it's the 3x a one piece mount may not work with that scope because there isn't much tube to work with.

 

[Bushwack44]

It's this guy (it seems quite a few folks have this scope on various ARs including M&P).

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-P-223-3x32-Matte-Carbine/dp/B006Z07JTE/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1459434751&sr=1-1&keywords=Nikon+P-223+3x32+Matte+BDC+Carbine"]Amazon.com : Nikon P-223 3x32 Matte BDC Carbine : Rifle Scopes : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41tOJ-1zB9L.@@AMEPARAM@@41tOJ-1zB9L[/ame]

BTW, I errored on the mounts. I forgot I had a credit at OpticsPlanet. I went w/ a P series Nikon (not QD) mount. I also have a couple UTG QD rings gathering dust in the garage (that I also forgot about). I'm tempted to try them on the AR (have them on a 10/22) but not sure they're up to snuff for the caliber.

By the way... I didn't read which "the P-223". If it's the 3x a one piece mount may not work with that scope because there isn't much tube to work with.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

That's the 3x. You made a good choice with the two piece Nikon mounts/

 

[McE]

I thought Nikon gave you mounts when you buy that scope. Maybe promo is over.