Need recommendation for flattop AR15 optic please

[DualCarbon]

I have a S&W AR15 (model MP15a) with a flip up Troy rear sight and standard triangle front sight (like the example pic).

I'd like to get an optic for this flat top MP15a. It would be used in a suburban (basically meaning not urban or rural, but with alot of houses with small yards) hypothetical defense scenario. Hopefully not a last stand alamo-type scenario. Thinking price of $400-500? I would need to know what is needed to mount the optic to the gun also (ideally it would come with that mount, or if you could recommend one). The gun has a 1/9 turn barrel, and I use 55grain-62grain rounds - if that matters. Also, I'm not sure if the front sight "gets in the way". Is that a problem? Do I need to have a gunsmith put in flip up front sight too?
Thank you for any suggestions or links!

[Eat Beef]

You could put anything from a holosight (Eotech) to a red dot (Aimpoint) to an Acog (out of your price range) to a low power variable (1-4x) to a traditional scope (3-9x) or a fixed power of some sort. We'll need to know what you want it to do if we're to give viable advice.

What do you want? Close and fast? Long and accurate? A blend of both?

The front sight tower will be a problem with higher magnification traditional scopes. I have a Leupold 3.5-10x on a similar S&W in 5.45, and it greys out a little. I'm only using it for hogs, coyotes, and such, so it's not killing me, but I wouldn't accept it for a defense weapon.

You can swap the front sight tower out yourself, no sense in paying extra to have some gunsmith who probably has the same level of expertise as you do.

For what I'm imagining your needs are, I would think an Acog or one of the new low power variables (1-6x, etc.) would fit your needs. Either way, don't skimp on glass. Buy once, cry once.

[REO 54]

I have been looking at the Nikon M233. Entry level optics,resonable price...$299.

[SilverJeep]

I started with a Trijicon RMR red dot (actually yellow) site. I think it was $400-$500 (can't remember exactly) It was fiber optic fed during the day, tritium fed at night. No batteries!

It was great for close up (25 -50 yards). At 100 yards the dot covered the width of a man size target. I could get all my shots on the paper, but tight groups were out of the question. Not to mention accurate placement. Past 100 yards, forget it!

Finally broke down and got a Trijicon ACOG TA-31F. Wow! What a difference. I have never been so impressed with an optic. Have never regretted it. Awesome groups, right where i want them. ...plus its fiber optic and tritium fed as well.

If you get something cheap, make sure it has a good resale value so that you can trade up later to an ACOG.

[SilverCity]

Have a look at a 1-4x Leupold scope and Rock River Arms mount. I find myself preferring the magnification a scope provides for more accurate shooting, especially in a suburban SHTF scenario. You must make sure of your shots to avoid collateral damage. Also, you can dial the scope down to 1x or 2x for faster target acquistion on runners.


SC

[DualCarbon]

Thanks for the suggestions. I guess I'll need to decide more if I need magnification or not.

[BigJim#1-8]

Millett 1x4 DMS is a nice scope for the $$,around $200.

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!!!

[p2motive]

the burris eliminator is one im lookin to buy it is a range finder and scope in one quite impressive really

[elderboy02]

EoTech 512

I love mine.

[Eat Beef]

Millett 1x4 DMS is a nice scope for the $$,around $200.

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!!!

If you like the Millett check out Primary Arms. I looked at one of their's today, and I liked it a lot. It's a Millett carrying their brand name, and about half the price tag. The one downer is that the Mildot reticle is not calibrated. However, the glass was excellent for it's price, and it has a lot of features for $120.

[Aurumag]

The Aimpoint Comp M4 was designed for your rifle.

[REO 54]

Also,check out the forum AR15.com.They have alot of shake down knowledge over there.Active military and leo's share their insights on equipment they run.

[spathatos]

EOTech 552 is a solid choice without breaking the bank

[noworries]

Selection really depends on your expected purpose for the rifle.
Scopesight will outperform a dot or other defensive optic if used while hunting, while those are best for fast recognition. Illuminated reticle scope sorta gives you a best of both worlds compromise if chosen carefully.

I like the Trijicon Reflex sights, they have several aiming points with the 13moa triangle reticle. Top or apex of the triangle for precision and bottom for holdover. Sight in for battlesight zero and triangle tip gives fine performance at realistic difference or closeup.

Millet 1-4x is decent. I owned one a while. Too heavy is my main gripe. Like the Leupold mk4 SPR 1.5-5x though and like the reticle. A duplex with circle reticle that gives several aiming points. Top of circle, center duplex +/- 5moa from center and bottom which is iirc 15moa like top. Sight in so you have max usability for all your aiming points. Use scope as you see fit.

The 1-4x Leupold vxII is great quality and light. Very popular for 3gun shooting sport.

Going to kick doors in and serve warrants? Maybe you need fastest response/reaction optic. Your gun an M4 clone? Not much range from a short barrel, so not like you will benefit from much more than a 6x or 9x magnification. Leupold and Nikon are making scopes with mil-dot and turrets for AR shooters, Probably around $300 w/o rings. Can swap that scope to another rifle if your mount systems are the same. Might want 2 optics....

[Lurch]

There's a couple of stuck threads here that will give you the run down on just about every optic available:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/f_3/18_Op...nd_Sights.html

If you're interested in the Leupold, there's one for sale here for a good price. (Not my sale.....just saw it on a board I frequent):
http://www.mdshooters.com/vbclassifi...?do=ad&id=6426

[LukeNM]

I have the EoTech Holographic Sight 512. It works great for fast target acquisition and the best part is it co-wittiness the A2 iron sights... Just place the reticle on your target, with both eyes open, and shoot (unlimited eye relief). The way it is designed the front sight is not seen when looking through the sight. I had to purchase an additional mount for the A2 configuration but it will interface to a 1" Picatinny (MIL-STD-1913) or Weaver rail.

Check it out: http://www.eotech-inc.com/products/sights/512

[hoarder]

How high the optic stands above the bore needs to be taken into consideration. On AR's the distance will be pretty extreme no matter what. I think the lowest scope mount you'll find will be 2 1/2" line of bore to line of sight. Unless your face is narrow and eyeballs far outboard, you'll need at least 2 3/4". I learned the hard way.
The good news is you can easily mount a scope with a 50mm objective.

[NewGoldMoney]

when you narrow it down, keep an eye on the sample list for deals

[SWRichmond]

From your description of the area and congestion where you expect to be using it, I suggest looking at the eotech 65moa circle / 1moa dot models. I looked at an ACOG and found the reticle to be very small in the field of view, so small it didn't grab my attention. You should look at them all and choose the one that your mind likes. I would avoid magnification for very short range shooting.

[ONG]

The Aimpoint Comp M4 was designed for your rifle.

This is where we ended up. It will handle far more abuse than a EoTech will.

[Kkernell]

the burris eliminator is one im lookin to buy it is a range finder and scope in one quite impressive really

Thank you. I am going to give this one a close look. Very interesting scope.

[noworries]

A mil-dot reticle enables range estimation.
I've got a Nikon 800yd rangefinder that is very compact and quick to use.

If you are so far away from your target that range estimation is a concern, you are far enough to range the target.
Burris scopes are okay. Not the largest market for resale and often pretty pricey. Decent enough, but not what you see recommended for sniping or 3gun shooting.

With iron sights, you set a Battle Sight Zero, so you can shoot w/o compensating for elevation and be something like 2" +/- within range of 50yds to 250yds. Fast reaction, boom! Same can be done with a scope. Mil-Dot or index-marked reticle gives you many possibilities. A duplex reticle gives you 3 fast down&dirty aiming points. Top, Center, Bottom inside the duplex/smaller stadia reticle area. Wide-Duplex gives you more MOA between the heavy stadia... Sight your scope in according to your expectations/needs.

Leupold M3 Mark4 scopes have turret elevation dial marked for ballistics of specific ctg. Leupold will make you a custom dial. Sight-in at 100yds and dial from 1-10 to be "on" at that distance if your ammunition correlates to the dial.

Talking .223 here. An M4 shorty barrel is not going to do much past 300yds in terms of accuracy, unless setup for 77gr match ammunition and barrel needs fast twist to optimize for that. A 20" rifle can be setup to shoot .5moa at 600yds. The .223 loaded with 90gr bullets (1:6.5 twist barrel) will deliver accurate fire to 1000yds. Dominion Rifle Club of Canada article in Dec 08 shows 2" vertical spread for 20rd groups at 1000yds with a scoped bolt .223...

Have seen the huge Nightforce NXS scopes in AR-15s but they weigh a ton and seems way overkill. The gun seems most valuable to me if kept lightweight, handy and fast reacting. Leupold 4.5-14 is a very short oal scope and offers many pluses for all-around use if you want magnification. Leupold SPR 1.5-5x mk4 w/lit reticle is a great all-around AR scope.