New Owner of MOE having fun!

[SoCal]

Just picked up my 15-22 and took to the range - used flip up Iron sights only and had a blast! Put over 500 rounds thru and only had problems when I let my niece load the magazines. She may have not staggered the bullets..... All of the magazines I loaded went thru without a hitch! I do have two issues...
1. Upon returning - I ran a boresnake thru the barrel and found a glob of lead at the chamber end in the barrel. What is the best method to remove?
2. I need a scope or red dot - looking at Primary Arms M4 or the PA 3-9 scope. I will use at range and plinking only, I like the 50 - 100+ yard targets - is a scope better than Red Dot for this?

 

[fullmetal1911]

Personally I would suggest a scope for shooting out to 100 yards. Its doable with a red dot, I was doing it today with the flip up sights on my rifle, but not very accurately, put the majority of them on a 6" target shooting with a bipod. I would expect similar if not slightly worse results from a red dot. All depends on how good of a shot you are and how much of a challenge you want. 3-9X would probably be perfect for you, I know its what I am looking at right now.

 

[rojodiablo]

A red dot will likely work out to 50 yards, but for more precision shooting, even with a red dot, you will want a smaller dot. The 4MOA dot optic on my Bushmaster 308 made short work of targets to 75yards; but with 0 magnification and the 4MOA dot, the red dot actually covered the entire bullseye at 70 yards and really smothered the bullseye at 100 yards. It was on well enough to hit a man size target at 300yds, but you could barely see said target (zero magnification....)
For a 15/22 I would say put a scope on it. To save money, look at Bass Pro Shops or Cabela's: Cabela's Official Website - Quality Hunting, Fishing, Camping and Outdoor Gear at competitive prices. They both have in house brands that are really decent for under $100. If memory serves me right, BP had a 'traditions' scope kit; 3x9 with mounts for like $69 or 89. That is really too much scope for a .22, but rest assured, it will give you a clear sight on the bullseye!
My choice for a 15/22 is more like a Simmons fixed 4x scope. Anything more and you are going to really have to learn 22lr drop and wind shift. And; 22lr are just wildcats by nature in a semi auto platform. Really good to 50-60 yards and a few fliers thrown in. But by 100yards, they are all over the place for the average rifle and shooter. Less adjustment on a 22 the better, unless it is a match gun; FWIW my match 22 had peep sights and/ or a fixed 4x scope depending on the class I shot in. 4x 32 is very good to about 200yds in most rifles, 22's will really struggle to stay consistent past 100 yards. It's the ammo, not the rifle or the scope most times that is the weak link.

 

[tacticaledge]

welcome to the 15-22 addiction they are lots of fun enjoy it be safe a make that x affraid of being on the target....lol

 

[deccher]

Hey SoCal,

Welcome to the sickeness that is the M&P15-22. I haven't had my 15-22 long, and was faced w/ the same decision you are in. I ended up getting the NcStar Mark III 3x9 kit, that comes with a cheap red dot. The eye relief on the 3x9 leaves something to be desired (comparing to the Nikon 4x32 I have...which isn't a fair comparison...but same price-range), but it does the intended job pretty well. Haven't had a single issue with it. The red dot is ok. I have been thinking about getting a bigger one....maybe a Vortex Strikefire or SPARC.

Here's a pic of my setup (as I had it a few weeks ago). I added a YHM 1/2" riser under the glass to raise it off the deck a little. Helped out w/ some of the eye-relief issue.

 

[SoCal]

Thanks!

Thank you for the replies! My only experience with firearms before this was shooting Trap with a shotgun - and I loved it...!
This is totally different, and I really like it! I shot at steel targets. I think I need to shoot at paper targets to "Zero-in" the sights....or do you compensate for where it seems to shoot ? That is what i did shooting trap many years ago!

I guess I dont want to limit myself to shooting longe range or close in.... until i find out what I really like. Dang! Last week, I shot at close, medium and far away.... I liked it all! should you change out when you want to do short range or long range, or use a combo scope & red dot - (that looked really cool by the way!)....but seems like that would not be as accurate & be more prone to being knocked around accidentally. I saw that some of the scopes & Red Dots come with quick connection levers - would that be better?

 

[SoCal]

Deccher - What is that add on on the underside of the front rail? Does it fold down into a handle - if not what does it do?

 

[deccher]

hey SoCal, it's called an Angled Fore Grip (AFG), and is made by Magpul. It is just an alternative to the standard foregrip. i tend to prefer the feel of the afg over the standard.... just something about keeping my hand/arm in line w/ the barrel.

Amazon.com: Magpul AFG2 Angled Foregrip - Black

hope that helps out