New MP15 - MOE/FDE - Scope/Cleaning before firing questions

[pgamboa]

Hey all,

I finally have my LOOOONG awaited MP15 MOE in FDE! As you know, I've been drooling about this since September and finally funded it! I AM EXCITED to take her out for our 1st time. That's right, I said "our 1st time" because this will be my 1st AR outing...ever. I have owned a 15-22 for a little over 6 months now and have shot at least 4k rounds through it. My 15-22 has a TRS-25. I have shot many pistols in various calibers, but not an AR15.

Now on to my MP15 questions:

1. Is it recommended that the rifle be cleaned and lubed out of the box before firing it? My 1st guess would be YES.

2. I was gifted a Nikon 3x32 P-223 Scope along with P-223 Rings also from Nikon. I've watched Midway videos on scope mounting and don't have ANY of the tools that Larry uses to mount a scope. Should I seek professional help with mounting or is this something I can just throw on the rings (eyeball that it is level) and lock them down onto the rail? The photo shows the scope but nothing is tightened down, it's on just for the looks/photo.

3. Is it possible to have the Rear Magpul BUIS in place with the scope attached? I tried several configurations but it doesn't seem possible with this Mid-Length MOE Rifle.

4. Is there a better setup where I can easily switch from the scope, to a red-dot, then to the MBUIS? Maybe I need something different than a scope. I've seen red dot setups with flip up from the side magnifiers? Just curious on optics.

I plan on going to a range that offers 100yd lanes and maybe will just try out this scope. Not sure on what I want yet but this scope was a gift.

Thanks in advance guys!!

 

[Jack Wagon]

Beautiful gun! I just picked up a used MP 15 Sport a couple of months ago. I'm from McKinney as well. Where do you shoot? Have you checked out the new Frisco Gun Club yet?

 

[pgamboa]

Beautiful gun! I just picked up a used MP 15 Sport a couple of months ago. I'm from McKinney as well. Where do you shoot? Have you checked out the new Frisco Gun Club yet?

Thanks!! Haven't been to the Frisco Gun Club yet. After hearing about them on the news and their 7K/year VIP Membership, I was turned off a bit. I was a Platinum Member at Bullet Trap last year and spent most of my days there with my 15-22. I plan on making the 15-22 the rifle that my boys will mostly shoot. Can't beat no range fees with their Platinum Membership there. This year, I will be checking out other ranges and might look at the Elm Fork Range in Dallas as they have lanes longer than 25 yards. I thought about the sport but since I am fairly new to the AR Platform, I didn't want to learn/figure out how "change" stuff on this first purchase. I like the Mid-Length and wasn't comfortable with figuring out how to change it from Carbine length if I went with the Sport. I LOVE this rifle even before shooting it!! I plan on shooting it either tomorrow or Thursday.

 

[JaPes]

1. Is it recommended that the rifle be cleaned and lubed out of the box before firing it? My 1st guess would be YES.

Yes. It is always advisable to field strip, inspect, clean, and lube a brand new firearm prior to the initial range session. It gives you a chance to familiarize yourself with the condition of a brand new rifle, and give you a baseline for normal wear patterns over time. It lets you remove any manufacturing fouling that may remain in the rifle. It gives you a chance to discover any glaringly obvious manufacturing defects.

2. I was gifted a Nikon 3x32 P-223 Scope along with P-223 Rings also from Nikon. I've watched Midway videos on scope mounting and don't have ANY of the tools that Larry uses to mount a scope. Should I seek professional help with mounting or is this something I can just throw on the rings (eyeball that it is level) and lock them down onto the rail? The photo shows the scope but nothing is tightened down, it's on just for the looks/photo.

IMO, if you're comfortable doing the job yourself go for it. You'll never learn how to do it if you don't do it. Just remember not to over-tighten the scope ring screws. Those are screwed down to inch-pounds of force.

3. Is it possible to have the Rear Magpul BUIS in place with the scope attached? I tried several configurations but it doesn't seem possible with this Mid-Length MOE Rifle.

I don't know. That would depend on the eye relief necessary for that scope.

4. Is there a better setup where I can easily switch from the scope, to a red-dot, then to the MBUIS? Maybe I need something different than a scope. I've seen red dot setups with flip up from the side magnifiers? Just curious on optics.

From the looks of it, you'd need a QD mount for your scope. Buy the right red-dot, and you should be able to mount a rear folding back up sight just fine.

I plan on going to a range that offers 100yd lanes and maybe will just try out this scope. Not sure on what I want yet but this scope was a gift.

A free scope is always a good thing.

Congrats on your new rifle & have a safe range trip!

 

[Jack Wagon]

My 15-22 with it's Big Brother R-25 in .308.

Jack Wagon

 

[Jack Wagon]

My Sport.

Jack Wagon

 

[pgamboa]

Nice looking rifles there Jack. Can't wait to get out and shoot!

 

[JaPes]

I thought about the sport but since I am fairly new to the AR Platform, I didn't want to learn/figure out how "change" stuff on this first purchase. I like the Mid-Length...

You made a good choice by buying the rifle with all the features you want right out of the box.

 

[cyphertext]

Nice rifle.

You should give the Garland Public Shooting Range a try if you want to shoot 50 and 100 yards. It's $15 to join, and $15 per shooter per day. That gets you rifle, pistol, and shotgun shooting. If you want to shoot regulation skeet, trap, or sporting clays, head on out to Elm Fork, but Garland is good for informal pasture clays.

Biggest drawback is that they do not allow FMJ on the range, but neither does Elm Fork. Garland is cheaper and closer to you though.

 

[gunny4053]

Very nice. JaPes pretty much covered it, but let me interject a couple things. First, nice scope, I really like the looks of the P223. Generally with a 3X scope, you won't be able to co-witness as the focal point for the scope is about 2 feet in front of your front sight. The front sight, for all intents and purposes, is invisible, and as such fitting a MBUS behind it serves no purpose.
With a red dot, co-witness between front and MBUS is easy. A good option for a red dot would be one from Primary Arms. They had one with a QD mount and kill flash for about $109. If you add a tip off magnifier, the rear sight lays down and once again, co-witness is not possible.

Here's my Sport version of the MOE in Magpul FDE furniture, with a UTG red/green dot and 3X magnifier. If I could just get S&W to get up off a flash suppressor as used on your rifle, I'd have the perfect clone.



Good Luck and good shooting.

 

[cyphertext]

Generally with a 3X scope, you won't be able to co-witness as the focal point for the scope is about 2 feet in front of your front sight. The front sight, for all intents and purposes, is invisible, and as such fitting a MBUS behind it serves no purpose.

With the current rings pgamboa is using, I would agree. However, if he were to switch out the Nikon rings to a quick disconnect mount, then iron sights could also be used.

 

[pgamboa]

With the current rings pgamboa is using, I would agree. However, if he were to switch out the Nikon rings to a quick disconnect mount, then iron sights could also be used.

I appreciate all the info guys. Since the Nikon scope and rings were a gift, I don't want to put those in a drawer yet . I would like to explore a QD mount for this scope. I currently have one for my TRS-25 that is on my 15-22. So....depending now how i feel and distances I would like to practice at, I would like to throw the scope on there for 100yd distances, then swap it out for the TRS-25, then, for 25 and less, go to MBUIS. I like the fact that the BUIS is a flip up. Fold down when not in use, but it seems that there is not enough room/rail space to do that.

I will be cleaning the rifle today in hopes to take it out and shoot it with the scope as it is. I didn't over tighten as stated in the manual and here. I "eyeballed" it and will see how it goes. Furthest I've ever shot is 25yds at some paper, so if I can brave the cold today, I will give it a whirl.

As for the local ranges, I know FMJ is Full Metal Jacket. Bullet Trap doesn't allow steel case ammo. Is this what is being referred as FMJ and not allowed at Garland or Elm Fork? Can someone clarify why FMJ would not be allowed or if it is the same reference as Steel Case Ammo (Tula/Monarch) stuff. I mainly have Federal 223 Brass, some BrassMax and a box of AE.

Thanks again for all the input!

 

[cyphertext]

As for the local ranges, I know FMJ is Full Metal Jacket. Bullet Trap doesn't allow steel case ammo. Is this what is being referred as FMJ and not allowed at Garland or Elm Fork? Can someone clarify why FMJ would not be allowed or if it is the same reference as Steel Case Ammo (Tula/Monarch) stuff. I mainly have Federal 223 Brass, some BrassMax and a box of AE.

Thanks again for all the input!

FMJ refers to the projectile itself, not the case. The FMJ bullet will have a complete jacket of copper, or a bi-metal jacket on some. It will have a complete point at the end of the bullet, not a hollow point. Garland and Elm Fork require either hollow points or soft points to be used.

Forget about Elm Fork... I just read their policies for the rifle range. I've never shot rifles there, and now I know why! Check out the rules for 100 yard range before you drive out there.
Elm Fork Shotgun Sports

 

[cyphertext]

Steel cased ammo refers to the case itself, not the projectile that goes down range. Garland range will allow steel cased ammo, as long as it is not FMJ. Steel cases are typically on Wolf, Tula, Silver Bear, etc., but Hornady also offers a steel case round. Steel cased ammo is cheaper than brass cased equivalent ammo.

 

[pgamboa]

So it sounds like these won't work at either Elm Fork or Garland.

I've got about 500rds of this stuff.

I guess it's back to Bullet Trap 25yds then if that is the case.


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[cyphertext]

So it sounds like these won't work at either Elm Fork or Garland.

I've got about 500rds of this stuff.

I guess it's back to Bullet Trap 25yds then if that is the case.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nope, that is a no go. Is your American Eagle FMJ? I have a few boxes of that in 50 gr HP. Not my preferred ammo, but figured it would work for range fodder.

 

[JLM]

"3. Is it possible to have the Rear Magpul BUIS in place with the scope attached? I tried several configurations but it doesn't seem possible with this Mid-Length MOE Rifle."

I have (had) a Troy rear sight on mine and had to take it off when I put on the same scope and mounts as yours.

 

[pgamboa]

That's what I am figuring. I think with what I want, best bet for me is a QD Mount for the scope and red dot.


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[SlowerTrafficKeepRight]

Great looking setups!!

Frisco Gun Range is way out of the reasonable price range...Who are they kidding.

Garland is good for the price and decent people.

Thanks.

 

[vipermd]

Pgamboa: All has been said except the scope mounting. With the rails, mounts, they should be fairly square to the bore. To get the horizontal/vertical you can use a piece of string, tack it to the wall, add a weight ( something that is heavy enough to pull string taunt ), ( plumb line ) and align the vertical cross hair then tighten down the rings. Congrats, Be Safe,