NEW AR15 MR15

[JohnnyThrust]

Hello everyone,
I'm new to owning a ar-15 and have some questions. I plan on using my rifle for home defense and target shooting. Does it make more sense to purchase a scope, red dot or just get some iron sights??

 

[Gatorade]

I use mine for much the same purpose. I have an unmagnified red-dot for close range work and a magnifier that I add for longer range targets and hunting. I started with a cheap BSA red dot, but I've since upgraded to an EOTech, which I highly recommend if you can afford it.

EDIT: Back up iron sights are ALWAYS a good idea. Red dots are better for quick aquisition, but batteries die and electronics fail

 

[BillyJack2012]

Red dot and folding backup up iron sights.

I shoot my red dot close range out to 100 yards. This is more for practical shooting and not tight groups at distance. My 7 year old plinked a 8" plat at 100 yards the first time he shot my AR with nothing more than a Primary Arms 30mm Red Dot, no magnification.

 

[JaPes]

This is my opinion only. If I were to use an AR-15 for interior home defense, I'd want every unfair advantage at my disposal. I want to have the option of different sights. I want to be able to overcome low light/no light & blind the intruder. I want to protect my own hearing.

1. Red dot optic or holographic optic.

2. If I have a fixed A2 front sight post, I'll equip a folding rear back up iron sight. If I have an AR equipped with a full length railed handguard, then I'll equip 45° off set iron sights. If the optic fails, I can go to back ups.

3. A rifle mounted LED light. Continuous, momentary, pressure pad, whatever works.

4. If I have a railed fore end, I'll equip a laser.

5. If I lived in a free state, a suppressor. Because I don't, I have a pair of electronic muffs in the bed stand.​

While I would like to use an AR-15 for interior home defense, within the close confines of my typical suburban home, a semi-auto pistol equipped with night sights, light, & laser is my best option.

I can clear the corners and interior space of my home using a pistol faster and easier than with a long gun. I also have the option to operate a pistol one handed, leaving the other free to move family members, children, operate a telephone to call 9-1-1, etc.

 

[Carrot]

The biggest problem with the AR for home defense is how far a wayward shot could travel.

Id rather have a shotgun and a pistol, equipped with many of those aiming aides.

But, if you're going to have a firearm and could potentially use it for home defense, I'd set it up to give you the best chances. And, perhaps, keep some ricochet resistant ammo in it ready to go.

 

[JaPes]

The biggest problem with the AR for home defense is how far a wayward shot could travel.

That's a problem with any caliber projectile. A .223 round designed to fragment will still penetrate drywall. Popular pistol calibers? Fuggedaboudit.

This is a decent read:

http://how-i-did-it.org/drywall/index.html

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot14.htm

 

[Maddmax]

That's a problem with any caliber projectile. A .223 round designed to fragment will still penetrate drywall. Popular pistol calibers? Fuggedaboudit.

This is a decent read:

230 gr. 45 ACP FNFMJ. That Flat Nose bullet hits like a baseball bat. It will penatrate a washing machine and the bullet will stay in the inside tub.

 

[JaPes]

230 gr. 45 ACP FNFMJ. That Flat Nose bullet hits like a baseball bat. It will penatrate a washing machine and the bullet will stay in the inside tub.

Great. Now I'll have to be on the lookout for a modern full size pistol chambered for .45 ACP, with an accessory rail. I have a West German Sig P220 that doesn't have a rail. I have a Hi-Point JHP45 that is only for range fun & hand load testing.

(Thank you for the good excuse to rationalize "needing" another pistol.)

 

[Carrot]

So, it looks like the smaller varmint rounds might be one of the safer choices for home defense for .223. That's very interesting and fortunate.

 

[WU_Who]

Great. Now I'll have to be on the lookout for a modern full size pistol chambered for .45 ACP, with an accessory rail. I have a West German Sig P220 that doesn't have a rail. I have a Hi-Point JHP45 that is only for range fun & hand load testing.

(Thank you for the good excuse to rationalize "needing" another pistol.)

May I suggest the Springfield Armory XD/XDM with an AGP mag extension giving you 16+1 of ol' .45 ACP. Your choice for disco lights under the barrel.

 

[JohnnyThrust]

Thanks everyone for the input. I do have a revolver for close encounters, I think Ill get some iron sights and a red dot for now. I wanna get comfortable and accurate with the rifle, and then invest in a scope for distance. Whats a good iron sight or red dot? Troy, Magpul, Eotech?? I want something good but don't want to break the bank. I will be willing to invest more money later, but whats good equipment to start with?

 

[JaPes]

Whats a good iron sight or red dot? Troy, Magpul, Eotech?? I want something good but don't want to break the bank. I will be willing to invest more money later, but whats good equipment to start with?

Without breaking the bank, a set of polymer Magpul folding back up sights will do the job. If your AR-15 has a railed handguard, you may want to consider 45° off set iron sights.

No time taken to flip up sights. Just roll your rifle to see the iron sights. You can then have your irons zeroed to a different distance than your optic.

For an affordable red dot optic, from experience I can highly recommend Primary Arms. A 3 MOA LED dot will be more than sufficient for close engagement.

https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary-Arms-s/586.htm

I'm not one of those "buy once, cry once" advocates. I live on a budget. I always am looking to save a buck. I offer you something to consider, that I learned from experience. If you're willing to spend more money later, it may be a better idea to delay gratification until you have enough to spend on what you really want.

I ran though Magpul polymer sights. I had my Primary Arms M3 Clone & magnifier. I have my Bushnell "T-Dot" LED optic. If I add up the money I spent on those things, I'd have been better off being patient and saving up for what I really wanted.

What's on my rifle now? A set of Troy folding back up sights and an EoTech 512 A65.

 

[naturally aspirated]

My vote is for a red dot and flip up sights. If you're worried about battery life save and get an Aimpoint. Battery life for them is measured in years, not hours...

 

[red dragon]

A great rds to start out with is the Bushnell trs-25. Its usually around $80-100. Its a 3 moa dot which is a good for cqb but still small enough for 100yd shots.Its not a aimpoint but its well made and has 11 brightness settings.I beat the cr#p out of one for over a year with no problems and original batteries.I needed something to hold me over why I saved up for my trijicon tr24 and this sight far exceeded my expectations. I still run one on my 15-22.The two i purchased both came with riser blocks and bikini covers. As for iron sights i'd go with magpul or troy.

 

[JohnnyThrust]

Thank you guys for the great input!!! I think I'm gonna order the iron sight today, and stop by the gun shop and check out some red dots in person. Any suggestions for a front grip?