New to AR's

[turboGLI17]

Hello as the title says I'm new to the AR world, I do own other firearms mostly pistol and shotgun. I've done a lot of research and know a decent amount on AR15 rifles. I ended up buying a new S&W M&P15 sport I was a little upset finding out they went from a 1:8 twist to a 1:9 but whatever. All the research I did I found that for the price it really is a great rifle and great for a first time buyer. I ended up buying a bunch of upgrades for it a couple days after I brought it home. (New hand guard,pistol grip,stock,froward grip) now I'm deciding on optics and this is where I was hoping to get some help I have done some research on it. I am pretty sold on the bushnell TRS-25, I have seen people online who say if you want to properly co-witness you need to get a riser mount. My question is I've seen people use a 1 inch height and a 0.83 inch, I'm wondering what's your guys thought on witch is better or even if its really a big difference. Also I'm open to any suggestions on other optics or tips and info on AR rifles sorry for such a long post.

 

[gotigers]

What is the purpose of this rifle: hunting, plinking, target, 3 gun, home defense?

Check out Primary Arms for optics and red dots. Lots of options, great prices and the best customer service.

The TRS-25 is ok for an entry level dot. If you go that route then getting an expensive riser doesn't make sense. I can't believe i am about to say this, but UTM has a riser that will work. ARs is like a disease. Once you shoot a while, you will want the newest tacticool tier 1 stuff, so don't spend too much to start.

I would look at the Primary arms mini reddot with riser for $90. It is very popular.

edit: dont worry to much about the 1:9 twist. Unless you are shooting the 70 plus grain bullets, you wont notice it. Some 1:9 twists shoot heavy stuff just fine. For most shooting you will be shooting 55 grain like most others because of cost. There are plenty of good 60-69 grain bullets out there for you to use hunting or home defense.

Dont spend to much on the rifle to quickly. I suggest shooting the heck out of it. You will figure out what you want. I bet you change the stuff you already bought in 6 months.

welcome to the sickness

 

[turboGLI17]

Well the purpose would be for target shooting, and home defense. I appreciate the help and input, I hear ya when ya say it's a disease thing I'm always looking up new things to get for it.

 

[Quentin]

... I am pretty sold on the bushnell TRS-25, I have seen people online who say if you want to properly co-witness you need to get a riser mount. My question is I've seen people use a 1 inch height and a 0.83 inch, I'm wondering what's your guys thought on witch is better or even if its really a big difference. Also I'm open to any suggestions on other optics or tips and info on AR rifles sorry for such a long post.

The tall UTG riser (1") will give you a lower 1/3 cowitness while a 3/4" riser gives you absolute cowitness. I prefer lower 1/3 and it is a big difference. Google the two and you'll find illustrations of your sight picture with either. Lower 1/3 let's you look over the irons for a less busy red dot floating over the front sight.

Personally, I can't say anything bad about the TRS-25. I bought one as a test, then bought another a year later. They do all I need and hold zero.

 

[briansmithwins]

I agree that Primary Arms makes pretty good red dots. As for CS, I stripped out a screw on one of thier mounts. They sent me a replacement quickly and w/o charging me.

As to which height, on a AR with a fixed front sight base, I like lower 1/3rd cowitness as the red dot is clear of the front sight. If you do need the irons, shifting your face down a 1/4" is still really fast.

BSW

 

[basicblur]

I have a TRS-25 on a 15-22 and have been pleased so far.
They make a HiRise version which comes with a riser (although not the best looking one in the world), and muted Bushnell logo (gray instead of gold).
You can read my review of it at Amazon (look for basicblur).

I have a few risers from optics-store in multiple heights - I like the OEM looking mounting screw on his, although the picture of the screw on the high riser mount is incorrect - the last two I bought had round OEM style screws as pictured on his low and mid risers.
Low Profile Riser with 3 Slots
Mid Profile Riser with 3 Slots
High Profile Riser with 3 Slots
Be careful with height measurements - I think optics-store measures entire height, while UTG measures saddle height (think you have to go one size taller with the optics-store units to match UTG's saddle height).
I think the tall riser from optics-store matches up with the OEM Bushnell HiRise unit, which will give lower 1/3 co-witness. If you want absolute co-witness, drop to the mid size riser.

If you have a fixed front sight, you may prefer lower 1/3 co-witness. If you have a folding front sight, you may prefer absolute co-witness. Lower 1/3 would mean you don't have the fixed front sight and the red dot on top / near each other, but in order to use the iron sights, you're going to have to change your cheek weld slightly (scrunch down a bit).
With absolute co-witness and a folding front sight, you don't have to worry about sight clutter (assuming you normally run with the front sight down) - if your red dot goes down, when you go to the front sight you will be using the same cheek weld as you were with the red dot.

Here's another option?
I have one of Bushnell's Throw Down PCL's on backorder from SWFA Outdoors.
They are in every Walmart I've visited recently, so you can check them out there.
I've got a feeling Walmart had first dibs on X number of scopes, and until their order is satisfied, other sellers are going to have to wait on their first deliveries.

I was thinking about a Leupold VX-R Patrol, but after buying my first variable power scope a few months back, found the BDC reticle values change depending on power selected - to me, that really sucks - had to go to school on first focal plane vs. second focal plane reticles, etc.

I decided to give the Bushnell a try, since it is a first focal plane reticle (BDC values remain constant no matter power selected) and the Leupold was second focal plane reticle.

The reticle on the Bushnell looks interesting / useful? It has an illuminated horseshoe / red dot - you can't see the BDC marks until you up the power level.
Looks like you can use it as a red dot on 1x power (both eyes open), and when you zoom you can use the BDC marks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDYTHqBjAz0

MSRP is $419, Walmart is $299, SWFA Outdoors is $237 plus shipping (although I'm signed up for an e-mail alert with somebody for $222 plus shipping).

BTW-the rig I'm running my TRS-25 HiRise on is a poor man's 3-Gun practice rig.
I have a 15-22 with a Nikon P22 scope, and behind it I have the TRS-25 mounted on a Weaver Offset Rail Adapter.

 

[briansmithwins]

OTOH, at $400 anyone should at least be considering a Aimpoint PRO. Under $400 with mount, battery lasts years (years when turned on and left on), and rugged.

BSW