M&P15 Optic Suggestions

[OS-Wiz]

Just purchased Subject weapon and was wondering what the forum members are using for an optic. Nothing real serious, good out to 200 yrds. is fine. Scope or red dot, no preference.
SKU811041 flat-top, has 4-way rails.

 

[WR Moore]

It would help if you specified intended usage......although with 15R rifling, perhaps you want to sell it as a rare collectors item?

Seriously, red dot type sights are very popular. As are 1-4X scopes. I expect quite a few have Aimpoints, there are others. You might want to search the forum for previous threads on the same subject.

 

[cyphertext]

Agree, not enough info... need use and budget at a minimum.

 

[OS-Wiz]

Yup, you need more info. Thanks for pointing that out gentlemen. Main uses, in order: 1. tactical training/practice, 2. hunting, 3. target shooting. Budget $500.

 

[OS-Wiz]

It would help if you specified intended usage......although with 15R rifling, perhaps you want to sell it as a rare collectors item?

So, please educate me about 15R rifling.

 

[JaPes]

It's a joke. There is no 15R rifling in a M&P 15. It's 1:8 5R.

As for optic, I run an EoTech 512 A65, Aimpoint Micro, Primary Arms Micro, or a 3X fixed power.

 

[gunny4053]

For your intended uses and budget, the Eotechs and Aimpoints are your better choices, followed by some of the Primary Arms offerings. The Primary Arms save you a bunch of money that can be used for ammo. The Eotech and Aimpoint save you a bunch of money because you will only have to buy once.

Good Luck and good shooting.

 

[Sgav8r]

I run an eotech 517 on my sport. It has a slightly higher mount which allows for lower 1/3 co-witness with the BUIS, plus it has side mounted controls which is really helpful if you add a magnifier. I'm planning on picking up an eotech G33 next month! Should be a great combo but pretty expensive.

 

[cyphertext]

Yes, as others have indicated, with your budget an Aimpoint or Eotech is doable for a non-magnified red dot.

Since you indicate hunting as your second use though, I would lean more towards a 1-4x optic, such as the Burris Fullfield Tac30, Bushnell 1-4x throw down PCL, or Leupold Hog Scope...

First link is a combo from Burris that includes scope, mount, and a Fast Fire III red dot that could be mounted on another firearm.
https://www.primaryarms.com/Burris_Fullfield_TAC30_Riflescope_Ballistic_CQ_R_p/bu200433-ff.htm

Bushnell - 1-4x 24mm Throw Down PCL

Leupold Optics VX?HOG 1-4x20mm - | Leupold Optics

I am sure there are others as well, but these will give you some ideas.

 

[OS-Wiz]

Thank you gentlemen -- seems I've some researching to do based on your recommendations.

 

[AGoyette]

I have the Bushnell- 1-4 24mm throw down PCL optic on my AR and I like it. I have only used it up to 100 yards so far. I bought it for target shooting, maybe hunting in the future and also in the future, maybe 3 gun matches.

 

[kcode]

When I first bought my OR I went with Iron sights, then a 1x4, then a 3x9 and have finally settled on a Lucid HD7 GenIII red dot. In my opinion one of the best red dots for less than $200 at Optics Planet or Amazon. My shooting is mostly punching holes in paper an occasional ground hog. Never greater than 100 yards.

 

[Rastoff]

OK, I'm going to get beat up for this, but...

Trying to save money on optics is like discount dentistry. You can do it, but often you'll spend more in the long run.

If speed of acquisition is your main goal, nothing is better than the EOTech. If super long battery life is needed, like you're going to use the gun for home defense and need to leave the optic on for more than 8 hours at a time, then Aimpoint is the only choice (PA makes a decent red dot, but I haven't seen it really tested yet). Both of these are good choices for quick acquisition and groups of +/-2MOA out to 200 yards.

If precision is more your game, then a magnified optic is the only way to go. I have one of these: Leatherwood Hi-Lux CMR Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 1-4x 24mm Illuminated CMR and have been very satisfied with it and I'm really picky. Even so, I would recommend this one more: Vortex® Viper PST 1-4x24 Riflescope FREE S&H Vortex PST-14ST-A, PST-14ST-M DISCOUNT Vortex Viper PST Riflescope The one with the MRAD reticle is the right tool. They are super tough and very precise. It is right at your limit, but worth every penny and more.

The 3-9x scopes are great, but not really in the vein of this type of rifle. The 1-4x is better suited for quick acquisition at 1x, but precision shooting at 4x.

I would counsel you to steer clear of cheap optics. The pain of poor quality lasts long after the elation of low price wears off.

 

[JaPes]

Best budget dot = Primary Arms

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

For that intended use I would go with 1-4x

For your budget.... I have been looking at this. A friend has one and I have used it and like it. Leupold Mark AR MOD 1 Rifle Scope 1.5-4x 20mm 1/10 Mil Adjustments

You can get it for close to $400 with discount and with a $100 one-piece mount you'll be right at $500.

 

[OS-Wiz]

Thanks again -- more recommendations to pour thru. Choice is good. And to answer Rastoff, I can afford the best. But the best for 200 yrds or less I'm hoping will be a little less. Right now, research nowhere near done, I'm looking at the EOTech 512.

Also, for 200 yrds or less, what size dot is best?

 

[Rastoff]

I'm looking at the EOTech 512.

Also, for 200 yrds or less, what size dot is best?

The EOTech 512 is a good little optic. The use of AA batteries makes it much easier to replace when the time comes. The lack of dedicated night vision setting makes it cost less and most of use don't need that feature anyway. Some don't like the switches on the back, but if you don't have a magnifier, it's a non-issue.

All the EOTech optics have a 1MOA dot with a 65MOA circle. This excludes the versions made for specific purpose guns like grenade launchers.

The smaller the dot, the more precise it will be. However, a 2MOA dot is plenty small enough. At a recent class, a shooter with an Aimpoint Comp M3 with 2MOA dot, out shot all of us. So, it's not always about magnification.

By setting the illumination setting as low as possible, but still visible, the dot will be as small as it can be. This helps with aiming and precision. A 2MOA dot will cover 2" of the target at 200 yards. That's plenty small enough to do most shooting.

Also, go to a local store and look at the optics first. This is what the EOTech reticle looks like to most people:

In that image, the brightness is set way too high. Bring it down about 5 clicks and it will look like this:

The ring will look a little fuzzy. That is normal. This is because it is drawn by a laser similar to how your TV draws the picture.

The Aimpoint dot will be larger, but will not look fuzzy. This is due to its being a single dot being projected by an LED.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Dude... That ain't the way the reticle looks to anyone but someone been up for days on crank.

 

[OS-Wiz]

The EOTech 512 is a good little optic. The use of AA batteries makes it much easier to replace when the time comes. The lack of dedicated night vision setting makes it cost less and most of use don't need that feature anyway. Some don't like the switches on the back, but if you don't have a magnifier, it's a non-issue.

All the EOTech optics have a 1MOA dot with a 65MOA circle. This excludes the versions made for specific purpose guns like grenade launchers.

The smaller the dot, the more precise it will be. However, a 2MOA dot is plenty small enough. At a recent class, a shooter with an Aimpoint Comp M3 with 2MOA dot, out shot all of us. So, it's not always about magnification.

By setting the illumination setting as low as possible, but still visible, the dot will be as small as it can be. This helps with aiming and precision. A 2MOA dot will cover 2" of the target at 200 yards. That's plenty small enough to do most shooting.

Also, go to a local store and look at the optics first. This is what the EOTech reticle looks like to most people:

In that image, the brightness is set way too high. Bring it down about 5 clicks and it will look like this:

The ring will look a little fuzzy. That is normal. This is because it is drawn by a laser similar to how your TV draws the picture.

The Aimpoint dot will be larger, but will not look fuzzy. This is due to its being a single dot being projected by an LED.

Thanks again -- good info. And yes, I've looked thru both AimPoint and EOTech optics. Also, I've enough room on the top rail to also use the EOTech 3x magnifier if it became necessary later on. Pretty well sold on the EOTech 512, but still have a few more to research. Regards, Da Wiz

 

[schgsd]

Dude... That ain't the way the reticle looks to anyone but someone been up for days on crank.

Hah that's what I see in the mirror before morning coffee.