Newbie, looking to add a nice inexpensive 3 or 4x red dot scope to 15-22

[DeJays Saleen]

Hey everyone. I'm brand new to the gun world. I don't know much at all but heard starting out with a .22 is the way to go to learn and the S&W M&P 15-22 was an excellent choice. I LOVE this gun! Already put 500 rounds though it over this past weekend. But I know I would like to put a nice looking scope on here next. I don't know the first thing about scopes and hoping you all can talk to me like I'm 7 years old and just give me the run down and then recommend me something nice but trying to stay under $100 or so? Not sure if I can get what I want in that price range or not. But I like the smaller tactacal looking ones.... red dot... I want it to either be a 3 or 4 x or... one that I can change the power on? Again, I don't know to much here so please help me out.

On a side note I also picked up a P22 hand gun and I LOVE IT as well!

I've only used the Winchester M22 rounds through both of my guns and have had zero issues with that ammo.

Please take it easy on me and again talk to me like I'm a child because if not I probably won't know what your talking about lol.

 

[ad5md]

I just got myself a Vortex Strikefire. I read a lot of reviews on different red-dot scopes on a small budget and the ones of the Vortex Strikefire convinced me. Too bad I still haven't had a chance to take it to the range and shoot some rounds but I'm already impressed with the build quality and I like the fact that it co-witnesses my Magpul MBUS (folding type sights. You can check the photos of it mounted on the rifle. Go to the Picture thread on this forum and it will be somewhere in the last pages under AD5MD. Good luck and happy plinking

 

[w0ady]

i have a utg 3-9x zoom scope with crosshairs that can be illuminated in red or green. pretty cool and useful at the same time. i swapped out the medium rings for high rings so it would be higher/easier to look through.

Amazon.com: UTG 3-9x32 Compact CQB Bug Buster AO RGB Scope with Med. Picatinny Rings, 2" Sunshade: Sports & Outdoors

 

[DeJays Saleen]

ad5md = Thanks and I did go and see it. It looks very nice! What did you pay if you don't mind me asking? And where did you get it from? Is that vortex strikefire magnified or no?

 

[EchoBravo]

The Bushnell TRS-25 is a very compact 1x red dot with a 3 MOA dot and 11 brightness settings. Runs about $90. Basic but works well. Checking that out might give you a start for comparisons. I believe for magnification you would add a separate magnifier to whatever existing red dot you have, though others more in the know might have other options to suggest. You might try it without magnification first and see what you think.

 

[darksideemt]

I was recently looking for the same specs. I ended up going with what w0ady suggested but I really thought about this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Styl...8&qid=1340672794&sr=8-19&keywords=acog+scopes

I am very happy with the UTG (as far as looks go, haven't had a chance to shoot it yet) but I think this other one fits more of the "look" you are talking about.

 

[DeJays Saleen]

I was recently looking for the same specs. I ended up going with what w0ady suggested but I really thought about this one:

Amazon.com: L&M Tactical ACOG Style Red Dot Sight with Red and Green Illumination: Sports & Outdoors

I am very happy with the UTG (as far as looks go, haven't had a chance to shoot it yet) but I think this other one fits more of the "look" you are talking about.

that one doesn't really have any Magnification to it does it? And which one did you go with? And do you have pics of it installed?

 

[DeJays Saleen]

i have a utg 3-9x zoom scope

Ok, here is the part where Im sure I get made fun of, but could someone explain the 3-9x32 ? Does that mean like it will go from a 3x to a 9x? But what is the 32?

 

[darksideemt]

my mistake, this is the other one I was thinking about going with but it is a little longer. I have not mounted it yet cause I'm waiting on my riser. There are some people with ones in the pic threads just not sure the exact ones. If I see it before I take my pic I will add it here.

http://www.amazon.com/Kruger-Optica...F8&qid=1340673483&sr=8-21&keywords=1-5x+scope

found one!
post #31 in pics of your optics thread

 

[DeJays Saleen]

Ok can someone explain to me the " 1.5 - 5x32 "

 

[darksideemt]

here is the pic. this is the more expensive one because of the more maginification and multicolor reticle but the outside is the same

http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp220/zax15uk/CIMG1795.jpg

 

[Gopher Slayer]

Ok, here is the part where Im sure I get made fun of, but could someone explain the 3-9x32 ? Does that mean like it will go from a 3x to a 9x? But what is the 32?

You are correct.

The 32 is the size of the objective lens (the front of the scope).

 

[darksideemt]

Ok can someone explain to me the " 1.5 - 5x32 "

1.5-5 is the magnification range, any time you see 2 numbers with a dash inbetween that usually means the magnification range.

the number after the "x" is the size of the the lense on the end of the scope (not the one near your eye but the other end, can't remember the name). The larger the number the larger the glass thus the wider field of view.

 

[DeJays Saleen]

ahhhh, ok ... thanks for clearing that up! ... I heard with these 15-22 you don't want anything more than a 4x? ... true? not true?

 

[EchoBravo]

For a scope, the first two numbers 1.5-5 means it can zoom from 1.5x at lowest power to 5x at highest power. The 32 is the diameter in mm of the lens/tube for a red dot. (boy, you guys are quick!)

 

[darksideemt]

not true depending on what you are shooting at. when they say don't go above 4x they are usually talking about for close quarters and you would need an optic that has long eye relief ( means you don't have to have your eye close to the scope). if you are shooting at a distance then you want something that can help you out. all depends on what you want it set up for.

 

[bad_man_ one]

These are as good as it gets for the price, they all have exceptionally clear optics:

On my Performance Center Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22, .22 LR No magnification - 1X:
Bushnell - 1x MP [730132P]

On Olympic Arms AR-15, 10mm and Rock River LAR AR-15, 9mm - 3X:
Burris AR-332 Prism Sight

This one is probably the best bet for the price that you are looking for.
On Stag Model-8 AR-15, 5.56 - 4X:
FM Optics 4x32 Prismatic Sight, Matte Black - 587982, Scopes at Sportsman's Guide

On Windham Weaponry AR-15, 5.56 - 5X:
Burris AR-536 Prism Sight

All of them with the Burris QD Mount and Diamondhead Flip-Up Combat BUIS's.

These things are very addictive...................

Regards,
BM1

 

[Gopher Slayer]

This sounds like a good option for you.
https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_1_4X_24_Illuminated_Scope_PA14X_p/pa14x.htm

You can keep it on 1x and use it like a red dot, or go up to 4x for the longer shots. I've found that 4x is really all I need for a .22lr. It also has illumination, so on 1x it's just like a dot, only it gives you more options (best of both worlds). It comes with flip-up caps on it, and they give you the option to add a discounted mount.

Pics
Primary Arms 1-4x24 (30mm tube) - $119
mount is a quick detach Burris PEPR

1x
The black blur in this one is just my cruddy photography skills.

4x

I can snap a quick pic with the illumination on if you're interested. It's a small dot so you can still see what you're shooting at.

 

[DeJays Saleen]

I can snap a quick pic with the illumination on if you're interested. It's a small dot so you can still see what you're shooting at.

that would be nice! Thanks

 

[darksideemt]

Man I really like the one Gopher suggested! Wish I would have seen that one earlier.