Yes, both the front and rear sights are removable.
You can also co-witness a red dot - that is, have both the red dot and backup iron sights at the same time.
This is NOT an AR. The M&P 15-22 looks, feels and acts like an AR, however, the 15-22 does not have the same specifications as an AR-15. SOME parts are interchangeable with those marketed for an AR15 (such as optics, triggers, stocks, and handguards), others are not (such as magazines, bolts, upper receivers, lower receivers, ambidexterous magazine release levers).
The Smith and Wesson M&P 15, however, IS S&W's version of an AR-15, and parts are interchangeable with those marketed for an AR-15.
Happy shooting!
I would have a look through the pictures gallery....see some of the wonderful things that can be done to a 15-22.![]()
Your saying it's not a AR15 but how come this article says it is?
Is it because your using 22L ammo?
Best AR-15 : Choose Your Best AR-Style Rifle By Purpose
No, I'm saying it because a correctly spec'd ar15 upper receiver WILL NOT fit on the 15-22 lower.
The 15-22 upper WILL NOT fit in a correctly spec'd ar15 lower.
Just because the article you referenced says the 15-22 is an ar15 does not make it so. It is CLOSE, but not close enough.
Perhaps that is being pedantic... But all of the other ar15s listed in that article can swap all parts....
The article also says 22lr ammo is cheap and plentiful and that the ar15 shoots a nato 5.56x44mm round.
Here's the picture thread: http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...-picture-thread.html?highlight=Picture+thread
I wouldn't classify ANY 22lr as a Stuff Hits the Fan / Home Defense (SHTF / HD) firearm. Sure, it beats nothing, and a 22lr WILL kill, but it's not the best choice. Your Shield is probably much better because you are familiar with it, even if it isn't as accurate.
As to your questions....
You can mount the red dot directly to the picatinny rails. Most people DO NOT do this because it can be uncomfortable to shoot (you have to contort your head to see down the sights.). Because of this, most WILL add a riser. The height of the riser is up to you and your comfort, but a low or medium riser is sufficient in most cases.
As far as 'handle off the barrel' - sorry, without pics, it's going to be hard to say. There are all sorts of attachments that one can add from vertical fore grips to angled fore grips to bipods to lights to ...
Sounds like you are new to rifles. Certainly to the AR platform. My first recommendation would be to go to a REPUTABLE gun store and 'feel' the merchandise. Feel free to ask questions, but do not believe EVERYTHING that the gun store says.
Ok to put a red dot sight on would I need a riser? Is that what it is? I was going to ask about leaving the iron sights on if it would hamper looking through the red dot but I saw the pic with the girl shooting and she has no problem.
The reason I'm looking for this kind of gun is that event that happened in Paris has got me a little worried. All I have is my Shield but I wanted something with more rounds and a further distance if need be, but I don't have a very big budget, but something is better than nothing. That handle that's off the barrel, what is that? I assume it's to help with keeping the gun steady. Now I don't want to make the gun get too heavy as someone did mention with all his addons his gun is.
Is there anything else I need to know? Thanks for all your info.
Seems like the OP is relatively new to guns... especially long rifles. IMO, the 15-22 might be a good first step. It is not intimidating, rather cheap & shoots relatively cheap ammo. Once you learn the manual of arms on a 15-22, you are mostly set to go to big brother... a real AR.
I have personal experience witnessing macho folks with large caliber guns that can't even hit the target. So I worry much less about caliber & much more on accuracy & familiarity with the chosen gun. Of course bigger is better rings true however accuracy trumps that. So I preach finding a gun/caliber you ENJOY shooting & then shooting the snot out of it. If it is a 22, so be it. I have no problem facing down an intruder with a 22. Would not be my first choice but I am so comfortable with it that I feel confident I can put 2 rounds in a spot they won't be getting up from.
Seems like the OP is relatively new to guns... especially long rifles. IMO, the 15-22 might be a good first step. It is not intimidating, rather cheap & shoots relatively cheap ammo. Once you learn the manual of arms on a 15-22, you are mostly set to go to big brother... a real AR.
I have personal experience witnessing macho folks with large caliber guns that can't even hit the target. So I worry much less about caliber & much more on accuracy & familiarity with the chosen gun. Of course bigger is better rings true however accuracy trumps that. So I preach finding a gun/caliber you ENJOY shooting & then shooting the snot out of it. If it is a 22, so be it. I have no problem facing down an intruder with a 22. Would not be my first choice but I am so comfortable with it that I feel confident I can put 2 rounds in a spot they won't be getting up from.
X2 the above.
Simly the 15-22 is still a weapon that can kill easily and quickly. It is a great firearm and fun to shoot and cheap to shot. Honestly it is the one weapon I own that I would reach for in situation that comes up.
Hunting: check
Plinking: check
Taget shooting up 100 yards: check
Metal plate comp shooting: check
Self defense: check
AR trainer: check
Teching kids: check
First time long rifle owners: check
Pimp out factor: check
Affordable: check
Cheap to shoot: check (get costly because you will love shooting it)
Shoots just about any ammo put in it: check
Honestly 22's kill just as much and even more then most large caliber firearms, the research has been done. With rounds such as the CCI Stinger and Velocitor, Aguila Interceptor and Super Maximum and Winchester Power Point and/or Power Point 42 max it is even more so deadly and at longer distance. So no the 15-22 is not a true AR15, but it is an AR style weapon like many others as the patent is own by Colt bought from Armalite (AR= Armature Rifle). So technically speaking the only true AR15 are the Ones built by Colt others are simply AR Style weapons in different calibers as is the 15-22.
Just my opinion.
I agree but , a quote from the OP " Yeah the only rifles I ever shot was a 22 rifle a Marlin 30-30 and a 30-06 ".
The price on the 30-06 at WM was so good I had make myself walk away twice.
The other day my neighbor was sighting in his 30-06 and it was so loud it about made me jump outa my skin. Really made me appreciate how quiet my suppressed .30 caliber 300 Blackout is... and how little a .30 caliber AR kicks. However Blackout ammo ain't cheap.
I once tried to start a kind of lighthearted conversation here about taking out a bad guy with the 15-22 & got my head summarily handed to me. Seems the consciences was that I would more likely wound the hostage & then get her killed by the bad guy than take him out.
I have to say I was just doing it for fun but did agree.
IMO , I think you are barking up the wrong tree , thinking this is a self defense fire arm.
For distance , I just saw a 30-06 with scope for $300 at Wally World.
I live in urban area so for me it was another hand gun more Mags & ammo. I went with 9mm the ammo widely available & the most affordable.
Now the M&P 15-22 is fun & that is what it is mostly for is fun.
About the red dot I got a cheep one & put it on with out the irons until I could get what I wanted, if you look around on line you can find some good deals.
Good luck![]()
I did do more searching and I think I found another AR15 [5.56/223] but it's not S & W.