good entry level scope for ar 15

[gotdust]

I just bought a s&w m&p ar 15 sport 11. I am looking for a entry level scope that looks cool and works good. it will only be used for target practice and just plinking around. thanks don

[JimSig]

I dressed mine with a Burris 1-4x scope with illuminated reticle.. At 1 X you can use it as a regular red dot and for 100 yard and I can pump it to 4x.. decent scope on a budget..

[gotdust]

thanks I will look into that. when u bought the scope did u need any xtras to mount it?

[Ol` Joe]

I just bought a s&w m&p ar 15 sport 11. I am looking for a entry level scope that looks cool and works good. it will only be used for target practice and just plinking around. thanks don


Nikon makes a P-223 line of scopes that fit the AR well and won't break the bank. You will need a mount/rings at the least and possibly a rail to mount any scope unless it comes with them. Figure another $60-$100 for a lower end, but serviceable set up.
http://www.opticsplanet.com/nikon-p-223-3-9x40-bdc-600-rifle-scope.html

A Vortex Diamondback would fit the bill too. http://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-diamondback-riflescopes.html
They come with a life time warranty which is a big plus IMO

[JimSig]

thanks I will look into that. when u bought the scope did u need any xtras to mount it?

no it came with a mount bracket.. Very solid and good quality.. you can watch the reviews on you tube..

[gotdust]

I was looking at the Sightmark SM13041 Tactical Red Dot Sight, Black. $80.00 and seems good for what I need.

[mitommy]

I dressed mine with a Burris 1-4x scope with illuminated reticle.. At 1 X you can use it as a regular red dot and for 100 yard and I can pump it to 4x.. decent scope on a budget..

This is a very popular choice. It works well for many applications.

[gotdust]

how much is it? I cant find it.

[JohnS624]

I was looking at the Sightmark SM13041 Tactical Red Dot Sight, Black. $80.00 and seems good for what I need.

Sightmark is JUNK!

[J. Browne]

Check out the vortex strike eagle. It is a 1-6 power scope. I love mine

[SuedePflow]

got dust - What's your budget and what's the maximum distance you want to shoot?

[kzoojason76]

If you're just looking for a Red Dot, check out this review

http://www.thebangswitch.com/budget-red-dot-sight-comparison-part-1/
http://www.thebangswitch.com/budget-red-dot-sight-comparison-part-2/
http://www.thebangswitch.com/budget-red-dot-sight-comparison-part-3/

[JimSig]

how much is it? I cant find it.

They are all over the place on eBay and Amazon.com

https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=burris+mtac+1-4x24&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=53897702755&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18079302106358918589&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_3yptkvktph_b

The vortex 1-6x striker eagle is an excellent choice as well with almost the same price.. however, for the vortex you have to buy the mount seperately, and with the burris you get the mount for free and on top you get an extra rmr fastfire red dot that you can unmount and use it on another handgun or rifle..

https://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Optics-Reticle-SE-1624-1-Highlander/dp/B017S322SY/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467738797&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=vortex+striker+eagle

[gotdust]

I only want to shoot about 100 yards. and my budget is $75.00 to $175.00 I know Its not a lot of money. but right now its what I am working with. I may only shoot once a month or every other month. thanks

[EricF517]

Check out the vortex strike eagle. It is a 1-6 power scope. I love mine

:yeahthat:

[JimSig]

I only want to shoot about 100 yards. and my budget is $75.00 to $175.00 I know Its not a lot of money. but right now its what I am working with. I may only shoot once a month or every other month. thanks

some one is selling a Bushnell 1-4x here on MGO.. Check out the accessories fr sale section.. That fits in your budget.. The only thing you have to be careful though with the Bushnell 1-4x is that the adjusting knobs for zeroing in the scope are exposed and not covered.. My theory is to cry once and pay the price upfront and dont buy cheap stuff and then upgrade later.. but the decision is up to you..

[gotdust]

thanks guys I will look into all your ideas.

[detroitbassist]

If all you want is a red dot sight, forget the Sightmark (it really is garbage). Primary Arms microdot is of a quality well above its price point, and the new ones run 50,000 hours between battery changes. Liked it so much I bought another!
Just make sure to buy a riser with it.

[gotdust]

wow sounds good I will look it up. thanks

[gotdust]

what is the riser u are talking about it?: the sight looks nice.

[gotdust]

I see the riser it looks like a nice setup.

[SuedePflow]

I only want to shoot about 100 yards. and my budget is $75.00 to $175.00 I know Its not a lot of money. but right now its what I am working with. I may only shoot once a month or every other month. thanks

http://www.migunowners.org/forum/showthread.php?359707-139-99-Vortex-Crossfire-II-3-9-x-40-Riflescope-75-gift-card-free-shipping

And use the gift card to buy a Burris PEPR or similar mount.

[dave7120]

http://www.migunowners.org/forum/showthread.php?359707-139-99-Vortex-Crossfire-II-3-9-x-40-Riflescope-75-gift-card-free-shipping

And use the gift card to buy a Burris PEPR or similar mount.

I agree great mount.

[mitommy]

http://www.migunowners.org/forum/showthread.php?359707-139-99-Vortex-Crossfire-II-3-9-x-40-Riflescope-75-gift-card-free-shipping

And use the gift card to buy a Burris PEPR or similar mount.

A 3 - 9 scope for 100yards? IMO a 1 - 4 or 1 - 6 is a better choice.

[SuedePflow]

A 3 - 9 scope for 100yards? IMO a 1 - 4 or 1 - 6 is a better choice.
Well, not when you have a $175 budget and all of the 1-4 and 1-6 scopes being suggested cost more than that...

What's wrong with a 3-9 at 100 yards? You can simply turn it all the way down to 3x or 4x if you don't like a lot of magnification. Or crank it up to 9x and see your hits on paper at 100 yards. You don't think it's silly to suggest a 4x scope is perfect but that a lesser expensive scope that can be set at 4x is not a good choice only because it's capable of greater magnification?

[cmr19xx]

In that price range, I'd look at a primary arms red dot and then put a primary arms 3x or 6x magnifier with it. Then you can use it with or without the magnifier. Roughly $160 before shipping.

[JimSig]

Well, not when you have a $175 budget and all of the 1-4 and 1-6 scopes being suggested cost more than that...

What's wrong with a 3-9 at 100 yards? You can simply turn it all the way down to 3x or 4x if you don't like a lot of magnification. Or crank it up to 9x and see your hits on paper at 100 yards. You don't think it's silly to suggest a 4x scope is perfect but that a lesser expensive scope that can be set at 4x is not a good choice only because it's capable of greater magnification?

The 3-9x is perfect for the 100 yards stationary shots ONLY.. but what about the range from 10 yards to 50 yards persay, specially if shooting and moving is required like a 3 gun match.. Even with the minimum 3X setup the operator looses field of view and he has to squint to look thru the glass, not to mention the magnification factor leading to loosing the target in field of view perspective.. That's where the 1X scopes shine as they can be used in a similar functionality as a red dot. picking up targets with a large field of view, and when long shots are needed a 4 x or 6 x could be pumped up on demand. Just saying.. The 1-4x or 1-6x is the mostly used and preferred scope magnification in 3 gun matches..

[SuedePflow]

The 3-9x is perfect for the 100 yards stationary shots ONLY.. but what about the range from 10 yards to 50 yards persay, specially if shooting and moving is required like a 3 gun match.. Even with the minimum 3X setup the operator looses field of view and he has to squint to look thru the glass, not to mention the magnification factor leading to loosing the target in field of view perspective.. That's where the 1X scopes shine as they can be used in a similar functionality as a red dot. picking up targets with a large field of view, and when long shots are needed a 4 x or 6 x could be pumped up on demand. Just saying.. The 1-4x or 1-6x is the mostly used and preferred scope magnification in 3 gun matches..
I agree with everything you just stated.


But the OP needs a reasonably inexpensive scope for "target practice and just plinking around" up to 100 yards. Sounds pretty stationary to me and no mention of competing in 3-gun... My 3-9 scopes are awesome for plinking at 100 yards.

I've also shot matches with a 3-9, albeit turned down to 5x or 6x. Shots from 35 yards to 120 yards. It might not be ideal, but it certainly works fine. Especially when I mostly just plink with the rifle.

[2muchgun]

I just bought a s&w m&p ar 15 sport 11. I am looking for a entry level scope that looks cool and works good. it will only be used for target practice and just plinking around. thanks don

You won't do better than this in your price range IMO:

http://www.primaryarms.com/primary-arms-14x-24-illuminated-scope-pa14x-eta-early-may-2016/p/pa14x/

It is the same scope that Millett sells for twice the price:

https://www.amazon.com/Millett-Tactical-Designated-Illuminated-Riflescope/dp/B00I3CDSS8/ref=dp_ob_title_sports

I like the reticle in the Primary Arms better. The Millett is lifetime warranty though, so costs more. I think the PA is one year only. PA is well known for being fast to ship, and taking good care of their customers.

I had 2 of them. One on a 450 Bushmaster and it handled the recoil fine. Hunted with it last year (I have since switched to a pair of Leupold VXR CDSs on those 2 rifles). My only complaint with the PA/Millett is that with the large ocular bell, the fast focus sometimes gets spun around a bit. Especially when you have flip-up caps on it. Not a problem at the range, but sometimes in the field.

You can go on Ebay and buy an unbranded Burris PEPR mount for $20. Same exact mount. Both are made in China. Just unbranded. I use Warne, Leupold, and Larue mounts currently on my ARs. And an Armalite factory mount. But absolutely nothing wrong with the PEPR mount. I have one here that I am about to paint and mount a scope in and give to my daughter's boyfriend.

So for about $150 you will have a pretty decent setup IME....

[2muchgun]

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p32/2muchgun/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-11/01A10642-092E-4796-935B-594407D170D6_zpscyj8hfzb.jpg

This is the 450 BM before I changed out scope/mount. Pictured scope mounts would serve you well for price/purpose.....

[2muchgun]

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p32/2muchgun/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-11/8AE23C8B-DD1B-414B-8024-6E30B6C9A75E_zpsag2wmv9w.jpg

The mount is a SWFA SSALT. Also the same as the Burris PEPR and the unbranded one I have........

[Slick762]

I'm new to using scopes (not counting the Acog and M68) and went with the Bushnell AR/223 (3-9x40) as my first scope with my new Sport 2. Honestly, it feels like too much scope for the gun, but I have no complaints. It has built in drop reticles (not sure I'm using the correct terminology) that make it easy to zero at 100 yards and get reliable shots further out. I wouldn't expect sub MOA groups beyond 100 yards, but I was able to hit reliably steel at 300. I plan on getting a better quality AR down the road and will swap the scope onto it and put a good reddot on my Sport.

The only thing about the scope that I didn't care for are the windage and elevation knobs are not covered. But you can use a hex tool too reset the dials to 'zero' on the dials once it's been zeroed. That way, if a knob gets played with, you can turn it back to zero and keep your zero. (again, probably mangling the terminology, but I hope the point got across)

[oldmann1967]

I tell you what, a carry handle and front sight post make a fine set of sights on these rifles. I was the only one using irons in a carbine class once. Guess who didn't have any failures, and could still hit plates at 200yds.

[BarnDweller]

Check out the vortex strike eagle. It is a 1-6 power scope. I love mine

I like my vortex Strike Eagle also.