Hey everyone. I'm brand new to the gun world. I don't know much at all but heard starting out with a .22 is the way to go to learn and the S&W M&P 15-22 was an excellent choice. I LOVE this gun! Already put 500 rounds though it over this past weekend. But I know I would like to put a nice looking scope on here next. I don't know the first thing about scopes and hoping you all can talk to me like I'm 7 years old and just give me the run down and then recommend me something nice but trying to stay under $100 or so? Not sure if I can get what I want in that price range or not. But I like the smaller tactacal looking ones.... red dot... I want it to either be a 3 or 4 x or... one that I can change the power on? Again, I don't know to much here so please help me out.

On a side note I also picked up a P22 hand gun and I LOVE IT as well!

I've only used the Winchester M22 rounds through both of my guns and have had zero issues with that ammo.

Please take it easy on me and again talk to me like I'm a child because if not I probably won't know what your talking about lol.

I just got myself a Vortex Strikefire. I read a lot of reviews on different red-dot scopes on a small budget and the ones of the Vortex Strikefire convinced me. Too bad I still haven't had a chance to take it to the range and shoot some rounds but I'm already impressed with the build quality and I like the fact that it co-witnesses my Magpul MBUS (folding type sights. You can check the photos of it mounted on the rifle. Go to the Picture thread on this forum and it will be somewhere in the last pages under AD5MD. Good luck and happy plinking

i have a utg 3-9x zoom scope with crosshairs that can be illuminated in red or green. pretty cool and useful at the same time. i swapped out the medium rings for high rings so it would be higher/easier to look through.

Amazon.com: UTG 3-9x32 Compact CQB Bug Buster AO RGB Scope with Med. Picatinny Rings, 2" Sunshade: Sports & Outdoors

__________________
od: xd9 3"&4", 15-22, 1911 .22

ad5md = Thanks and I did go and see it. It looks very nice! What did you pay if you don't mind me asking? And where did you get it from? Is that vortex strikefire magnified or no?

The Bushnell TRS-25 is a very compact 1x red dot with a 3 MOA dot and 11 brightness settings. Runs about $90. Basic but works well. Checking that out might give you a start for comparisons. I believe for magnification you would add a separate magnifier to whatever existing red dot you have, though others more in the know might have other options to suggest. You might try it without magnification first and see what you think.

I was recently looking for the same specs. I ended up going with what w0ady suggested but I really thought about this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Style...ds=acog+scopes

I am very happy with the UTG (as far as looks go, haven't had a chance to shoot it yet) but I think this other one fits more of the "look" you are talking about.

that one doesn't really have any Magnification to it does it? And which one did you go with? And do you have pics of it installed?

Ok, here is the part where Im sure I get made fun of, but could someone explain the 3-9x32 ? Does that mean like it will go from a 3x to a 9x? But what is the 32?

my mistake, this is the other one I was thinking about going with but it is a little longer. I have not mounted it yet cause I'm waiting on my riser. There are some people with ones in the pic threads just not sure the exact ones. If I see it before I take my pic I will add it here.

http://www.amazon.com/Kruger-Optical...rds=1-5x+scope

found one!
post #31 in pics of your optics thread

Ok can someone explain to me the " 1.5 - 5x32 "

here is the pic. this is the more expensive one because of the more maginification and multicolor reticle but the outside is the same

http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/p...k/CIMG1795.jpg

You are correct.

The 32 is the size of the objective lens (the front of the scope).

1.5-5 is the magnification range, any time you see 2 numbers with a dash inbetween that usually means the magnification range.

the number after the "x" is the size of the the lense on the end of the scope (not the one near your eye but the other end, can't remember the name). The larger the number the larger the glass thus the wider field of view.

ahhhh, ok ... thanks for clearing that up! ... I heard with these 15-22 you don't want anything more than a 4x? ... true? not true?

For a scope, the first two numbers 1.5-5 means it can zoom from 1.5x at lowest power to 5x at highest power. The 32 is the diameter in mm of the lens/tube for a red dot. (boy, you guys are quick!)

not true depending on what you are shooting at. when they say don't go above 4x they are usually talking about for close quarters and you would need an optic that has long eye relief ( means you don't have to have your eye close to the scope). if you are shooting at a distance then you want something that can help you out. all depends on what you want it set up for.

These are as good as it gets for the price, they all have exceptionally clear optics:

On my Performance Center Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22, .22 LR No magnification - 1X:
Bushnell - 1x MP [730132P]

On Olympic Arms AR-15, 10mm and Rock River LAR AR-15, 9mm - 3X:
Burris AR-332 Prism Sight

This one is probably the best bet for the price that you are looking for.
On Stag Model-8 AR-15, 5.56 - 4X:
FM Optics 4x32 Prismatic Sight, Matte Black - 587982, Scopes at Sportsman's Guide

On Windham Weaponry AR-15, 5.56 - 5X:
Burris AR-536 Prism Sight

All of them with the Burris QD Mount and Diamondhead Flip-Up Combat BUIS's.

These things are very addictive...................

Regards,
BM1

This sounds like a good option for you.
https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_...4X_p/pa14x.htm

You can keep it on 1x and use it like a red dot, or go up to 4x for the longer shots. I've found that 4x is really all I need for a .22lr. It also has illumination, so on 1x it's just like a dot, only it gives you more options (best of both worlds). It comes with flip-up caps on it, and they give you the option to add a discounted mount.

Pics
Primary Arms 1-4x24 (30mm tube) - $119
mount is a quick detach Burris PEPR

1x
The black blur in this one is just my cruddy photography skills.


4x






I can snap a quick pic with the illumination on if you're interested. It's a small dot so you can still see what you're shooting at.

that would be nice! Thanks

Man I really like the one Gopher suggested! Wish I would have seen that one earlier.

What do you all think about this one?

Amazon.com: NcStar 3-9X42 Compact-Red and Green Illuminated Mil-Dot/Green Lens/Quick Release (STM3942G): Sports & Outdoors

or this...

http://www.amazon.com/NcStar-Tactica...+Sniper+3-9X42

That was what I was originally going to buy and several people on here and reading the reviews said the eye relief really stunk. Just passing on what I was told.

This pic doesn't do the illumination any justice. It can be seen all day long due to the 11 brightness settings. Through the scope pics are tough when the mesquitoes are hungry.

what is " eye relief " ? Is there a thread somewhere about that scope? I really love the looks of it, and that its a bigger mm at the end?

I use a TruGlo tact scope with red/green milidot reticle. I have been very happy with it. I shoot between 50 & 75 yards and it works great.
http://www.amazon.com/Truglo-Tactica...tactical+scope

Eye relief is the required distance between the end of the scope and your eye, to see clearly. If it's too short, it is a problem with high-powered guns that kick back (into your eye), but can also be uncomfortable. It depends a lot on your shooting position, stock length, and kind of mount you have. My scope has to be far enough forward to clear my folded MBUS sights, so I wanted decent eye relief (in my case, about 3.5").

Based on the photos of users' guns here, there is a lot of variation in the "best" location. :-)

man... i just read another forum that ripped the nc star scopes a new one? Saying they are junk and they should only be used for airsoft? True?

Forgot to mention that I found mine on eBay NIB for $68 plus shipping. Seemed like a great price for a scope with a MSRP of $119.

They are low end but I know some people with different ones and have not had problem. I just sold a NcStar red dot w/ laser. It worked fine on my .223 but wasn't magnified so that is why I went with the bug buster.

... what about this? Amazon.com: UAG Tactical "QD" Quick Release 2.5-10x40 Dual Red and Green P4 Mil Dot Rangefinder Reticle Hunting AR15 AR-15 M4 M-4 Rifle Scope W/ .223 Bullet Drop Compensator And Red Dot Laser Sight - Includes QD Weaver-Picatinny Base, Lithium Battery

I don't have any experience with that optic, but typically when something comes that loaded for that cheap, you get polished poop.

Then again, there's always exceptions.

If you want bullet drop compensation you want one for .22 not .223. Look instead of the BSA Sweet 22 (I have one). The older 3-9x40 model with parallax adjustable objective goes for around $50 or so and works good on any .22 rifle. Nikon also makes a dedicated .22 scope.
As for tactical scopes this one is not too bad and has a very nice cantilever mount.

Aim Sports 1.5 - 4x30 Mm Tactical Scope With Mount, Matte Black - 938892, Scopes at Sportsman's Guide

This one is even better and I use one on my regular AR also.

Amazon.com: Firefield 1 - 6x24 mm Illuminated Reticle Scope Matte Black: Sports & Outdoors

Firefield is Sightmark's other "cheaper" brand. I bought this scope when SG had it for $135. I combined it with one of these mounts.

http://www.aimsportsinc.com/catalog/...t_detail&p=579

It is a first focal plane reticle scope, whch is rare on a scope below $250. The reticle magnifies with power setting. It means your mil dot MOA marks work correctly regardless of the power setting. On a second plane reticle (normal scopes) the reticle stays the same size regardless of the power setting. It means the mil dot markings only work correctly at one power setting, usually the highest.
The mount is available in both 30mm and 1" scope versions.

shopping through amazon mostly for entry level/airsoft parts for my 15-22, utg seemed to be 1 of the more reliable brands. this doesnt mean they have the same quality control as the $500 scope brands but they do well the majority of the time. as my parts are only going on my 15-22 for range use and nothing more taxing, i felt comfortable that they would do the job well for the price i paid.

__________________
od: xd9 3"&4", 15-22, 1911 .22

What does it mean when I hear people say it holds zero?

I like my Burris 3x AR 332 sight, though it has a short eye relief.
Top of the line: is the Valdada 1.5-8X power scope.

On my M&P 15 upper, in 5.45X39, I have a Burris Tactical XTR-14 in 1-4X, 30 MM tube, with a Burris Fast Fire 1.75X Red Dot mounted on top of the Burris picatinny scope ring. Turrents are a bit mushy, but I still love it.

I'am hearing some bad stories about the EoTech. They're plenty of fakes out there. I have an EoTech 552, 1x power. It has 17 brightness settings. Two years ago... the wind blew the EoTech mounted AR off the shooting bench while it was in my lightly padded gun case -- 2.5 foot drop. After that, it would only go to 7 brightness settings. EoTech repaired it with no charge, except for my one way shipping. Last weekend I was switching the EoTech to another gun. The scope slipped out of my hands, and did a approx. 1.5 foot drop to my living room carpet. It is now back to the 7 brightness settings instead of the usual 17; though the EoTech is "fast as a rattlesnake and twice as deadly."

It means that the scope is high quality enough to hold its sight settings under the effects of recoil thru its lifetime. Nikons hold zero the best, under the effects of extreme recoil. Nikon sells a good tactical AR scope for not a bad price.

I see many, many replies that mention "Scopes".
You did say you were looking for a "Red Dot", didn't you?
Go back and look at these, they are "Red/Green Dots".
Newbie, looking to add a nice inexpensive 3 or 4x red dot scope to 15-22
I have not had to adjust "Zero" since I dialed them in the first time.
Regards,
BM1

You wanted to see pics of the Bug Buster so here it is. This is on my Sport but would look similar on the 15-22.

All NC Star gear is cheaply made. As much as some people try argue against it the more expensive gear is expensive for a reason.

NC Star gear will have a hard time dealing with frequent use or the harsh recoil of center fire rounds. Nothing NC Star should be used in a life and death situation.

That being said an M&P 15/22 is not a combat gun. The recoil from a .22 isn't that harsh either. I use an NC Star light, and while it can't compete with a Surefire it is a nice cheap light.

Most NC Star stuff will survive in Airsoft so should work well or ok for .22.

i did the same thing with a 1" riser than just bought some high 1"rings to replace the ones that came with the scope and get rid of the riser.

__________________
od: xd9 3"&4", 15-22, 1911 .22

Me likes. Been wanting an affordable plinking scope for my 15-22.

ya that definitely looks like a nice little reticle.

__________________
od: xd9 3"&4", 15-22, 1911 .22