Scope for S&W M&P 15

[TBL004]

Thinking about a scope for my S&W M&P 15. Looking to keep the scope cost around $150. Is the Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32 a decent scope? What mount or rings would I need? Will the stock front post sight obstruct the scope view? Will be used for target shooting starting at 50 yards out to 100 yards. Apologize for the newbie post/questions.

 

[TacticalSpeed]

Vortex makes good optics. I can't speak about the FSB issue, though

 

[Skylerbone]

I’d chose the Burris FF 2 in that price range and something in at least a 3-9x. At 2x it’s likely you will see the FSB, as you move up in magnification it will disappear.

 

[badkarmamib]

Vortex CrossFire is okay. Not great, not terrible, as far as clarity, but certainly enough for the range you specified. I would also recommend looking at a Burris Fullfield 2.
An Aero Precision Ultralight mount would be a good choice. I love mine, worth the price. There are cheaper options, like Monstrum Tactical, but I truly mean cheaper, not less expensive.
Front sight will be a haze at 2-3X, and will disappear at 4X and above. You will notice it if you look for it, while sitting in your living room. But, if you are at the range, focusing on your target like you should, you won't notice it.
Hope this helps.
Oh, and don't apologize. Everyone is a newbie at some point, and the people here are glad to help.

 

[TBL004]

Thanks Skylerbone and badkarmamib. Appreciate the info. New to AR shooting.

 

[BigBL87]

Whether you will see the front sight depends on what mount you use as well as the scope. Back when I had a non-folding front sight, I used an RRA Hi Rise mount with a Mueller Multi-shot 2-7x and didn't have any issues with clearance, fwiw. A lower mount may have worked as well, but at least that setup I can confirm does.

As far as scopes, the Crossfires aren't bad but IMO there are better options in the price range. Since you're looking at 100 yards and in, you don't need a whole lot of magnification. If you think you might be interested in a 1-4x scope, Primary Arms has a decent one in your price range. They also have a nice 4-16x in your range, I had one on my AR for awhile but it now rides on my 308.

The Burris Fullfields that Skylerbone mentioned are great, especially for the price.

Athlon has their Neos and Talos lines that fall in your price range as well. I don't own any of their rifle scopes but I do a have spotting scope and binos from them and have been very impressed.

 

[ms6852]

Depending on how you plan to use your AR if it is just general around plinking any of the scopes mentioned will be fine. $150 dollars for a scope will not give you the best optics so any other brands you buy at that price point you will have to decide what looks best to you and you alone only can determine that. Stick to known brands , like Burris, Bushnell, Athlon, Vortex and so forth.

 

[doubleh]

I have had a Crossfire 3x9 for several years. It originally did duty on a 22-250 that I used for coyote hunting mainly and I chose it because of it's eye relief which was better than the next step up in a Vortex scope at that time. It was a good choice I thought with bright, clear glass, and it survived the only time I have ever managed to knock a rifle off the bench. Of course it landed on the scope (on concrete) and put a slight dent in the objective bell but I didn't even have to re-sight it. It is now awaiting it's next home as I sold the gun it was on.

 

[TBL004]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. Would a 4-12 magnification eliminate any front sight obstruction with a high rise mount? What mount height would be best? How high can the mount be before it effects sight alignment (cheek on stock, etc.).

 

[Skylerbone]

AR mounts are pretty well standardized for height and cheek weld should not be a problem.

 

[TBL004]

The upper on my AR looks like this:



If I use a high rise mount for the scope will the scope be too high off upper?

 

[hawg]

I have a Leupold 3-9X40 on mine and the A2 front sight isn't visible at all on 3X.

 

[Skylerbone]

The upper on my AR looks like this:

View attachment 1034473

If I use a high rise mount for the scope will the scope be too high off upper?

Not at all, that’s the way my first AR was arranged when I scoped it. It only lacks a scope now as I decided to mount an Eotech on it.

 

[DMW1116]

I have a flat top rifle so I can’t speak on the sight post. I have a 3-9 Nikon Buckmaster on it with a Weaver cantilever mount. The scope isn’t available any more but I don’t find 9x to be limiting out to 200 yards. That’s as far as the range I normally use goes.

 

[TBL004]

Thanks again for the replies and advice. The pictures really helped visualize everything. Appreciate the patience and taking it easy on a new guy.

 

[DMW1116]

At the risk of going way off what you asked, have you shot it with those flip up sights in the picture? It takes some practice but you can get some amazing accuracy with just iron sights at the 50 and 100 yard mark. Several people here can do it beyond that, I’m just not one of them yet.

 

[TBL004]

At the risk of going way off what you asked, have you shot it with those flip up sights in the picture? It takes some practice but you can get some amazing accuracy with just iron sights at the 50 and 100 yard mark. Several people here can do it beyond that, I’m just not one of them yet.

I've sighted it in with the flip sights and it's almost there. The main reason I'm interested in a scope is largely due to my declining eyesight ( getting older) and also interested in some longer distance target shooting. There is nothing wrong with the stock sights any off target shots is all on me - not the sights or gun! But I'm working on that.

 

[BOTTOMLANDS]

I just bought this Vortex Sonora for a new AR, Its my first Vortex scope and I will say it is by far my clearest under $200 scope that I have. I haven`t got to use it yet as I`m still waiting on my lower to arrive.
https://palmettostatearmory.com/vor...ever-ring-mount-for-1-tube-with-2-offset.html

 

[jmr40]

Don't worry about seeing the front sight while using a scope. It doesn't obstruct any more of the target than it would without a scope and only using irons. I've never understood why people worry about it. If you're above 3X you won't see it period, and even at 1X it isn't a problem.

IMO the perfect AR scope is something with 1X on the bottom end for getting on target fast, Even 2X is pretty good. Once you get used to it that is faster than irons, or dot sights. Mine all top out at 4X which is more than enough magnification to hit human or deer sized target out to at least 200 yards. Some would argue that 6X to 8X on the top end is better. I'm OK with more magnification, but have never felt like I needed it and those cost more than a 1-4X.

A 2-7X would be a good compromise, but I'm not super thrilled with that Vortex scope. You could do worse though and it will probably be just fine.

 

[TBL004]

Being new to AR’s, rifle shooting, scopes, etc., the front sight sight/scope concerns arose from visually seeing the height of the front sight housing and it’s relationship to a mounted scope. But thanks to all the great site members on THR I learned a lot!