Ho ho ho, Santa came early (AR15 upgrades)

[Corey]

FWIW, I'm running a Primary Arms red dot on my .22 upper.

I took the plunge and went for a PA microdot, I got this one with co witness mounts.
MD-07 Primary Arms Micro Dot With Fixed Base
[AR15 Mount Options:Leapers UTG Medium Profile 3-Slot-Abs CoWitness Picatinny Style Riser]


They have diffeent configurations for their micro dot, but the guy I spoke with said the one I gor for my 15-22 along with the UTG mount would be the correct one.
My Vortex is pretty nice, but I wanted to try something on the smaller side too.
Also the green dot that it is capable of doing along with the red dot (Vortex unit) I can not see the green dot at the indoor range I use.
The red dot is far superior in low light conditions.
I also picked up a cheap green laser that has fairly good reviews, as I saw it on another 15-22 over at the S&W site I am on.
Instapark® GLS-3 Pistol / Rifle Compact Mounted Green Laser Sight

Both are still one order, and they will arrive this week.

Stay away from the prismatic and just get either an Aimpoint Micro or EoTech XPS./QUOTE]
I could not justify spending $500 to $600 for an optic for my 22.
Now my main AR 15, yes.
I may put the Aimpoint on it later.

 

[Ray_G]

I'm pretty happy with my PA micro dot that I have on my AK. I bought it with the base that mounts in place of the rear sights but decided to go with an ultimak/scout setup. Def a decent optic for the price.

In the midst of swapping things around akin to you, I ended up with a Chippa .22 upper that I'm going to semi-clone to my RRA; the rationalization for this included purchasing an XPS-2 & Larue QD riser for the 5.56mm gun and then old 551 that I'd had on there for awhile will go on a fleabay QD riser on the .22. Further rationalization allowed me to get a MI gen2 rail to replace the YHM rail that will slide over to the .22 upper...now all I gotta do is rationalize a clone M900A on the .22 to match my surefire on the 5.56 gun. Pics to follow as all this stuff shows up from the men in brown suits with brown trucks.

Gotta love tax returns when you spent 1/2 of 2011 not in the US.

 

[Metcalf]

I've been running the Primary Arms red dot on my primary AR for just over a year now. I have had to change the battery once....

Overall, for the money, I could not be happier! I got the removable base version with the PA house brand mount with the quick detach lever. Overall it works GREAT! I run Magpul Gen 2 back up sights and have no issues with the combo. The sights folded down are not in the optic at all, and with the sights up I get a lower 1/3 co-witness.

The 3 moa dot works well for me. I have a very slight astigmatism so the dot flares slightly with my eyes. The smaller 3 moa dot keeps the overall dot size manageable....

I keep two spare batteries for the red dot in the grip compartment along with some other things....

 

[Corey]

Glad you guy's dig the PA Micro Dot.
Which number do you usually use for the brightness setting?

Mine came today from the man in brown, and I mounted it up today.
The mount they sent me is pretty nice, but it does not have a quick release lever, just one spring tensioned knob to turn to tighten the base to the rifles Picatinny rail which works out great.

The laser I ordered is pretty nice for $50.
I would say the dot is on par with my $460 Surefire X400 which also has a 170 lumen flashlight.
The green laser is HUGE though.
I did take off the Picatinny rail that was on the bottom of the laser, as I do not plan on mounting anything to the bottom of the laser.
That lightened it up a tad.
I am also not using the optional tape switch with it that replaces the tail cap, I am just using the switch on the side.
I really do not need a cord hanging off the side of the rifle.

Compare my Vortex Strikefire to the Primary Arms Micro Dot, it is honkin' big.
I really like the smaller size of the PA one.

Also got four more of the S&W 15-22 25 round magazines, as they were on sale at Midway for around $15.
I now have a total of twelve of them.

Going shooting tomorrow when the indoor range opens up.
Will also be taking my Glock 36 (45 ACP) along to shoot.

Primary Arms Micro Dot with fixed base

Leapers UTG Medium Profile 3-Slot Compact Picatinny-Style Riser Mount AR-15 Flattop

Instapark® GLS-3 Pistol / Rifle Compact Mounted Green Laser Sight with Picatinny Rail

 

[Ray_G]

Very nice!
I usually find my PA dot to be in the middle range of settings most of the time, haven't shot it enough to really find the sweet spot for indoors/outdoors.

Finally got most of the components of my RRA settled-waiting on the magnifier and the determination whether to go with a short base that mounts on the Larue Riser or their flip to the side that mounts just behind it. The .22 clone components are starting to trickle in but she's not ready for prime time yet.
Here's my 5.56 setup:

 

[timmy!!!!!!!]

Ray how do you like your LMT stock? I am building up my spikes lower pretty similar to yours except I am thinking of putting a rifle length upper on it.

 

[Ray_G]

Timmy-
Your build thread on Dweb seems like you're heading in a good direction (I'm 1920SF over there...currently enraging Newsome and such). The stock is actually
Choate copy of the LMT SOPMOD. I've been very happy with it. (http://www.riflestock.com/catalog_p...oductCode=1&ProductSubCodeID=265&NewProduct=0)

When I got it I didn't want to drop the coin on an LMT...saw one at the gunshow last weekend that was $150 and am considering getting one to put on the 5.56 build, and move the choate over to the .22 clone. I'm also considering the new Magpul STR (http://store.magpul.com/product/MAG470/171) to perhaps cut some weight off it. Not that I know why I'm doing so...it's heavy as sin with the M900 on the front end.

You doing full length upper or the 18"?
r-
Ray

 

[timmy!!!!!!!]

If I can find an 18inch upper w/ rifle length gas system then that route but if not I will get a 20in. upper.

 

[Corey]

I am a gonna go shooting this Saturday with a Boeing police officer so he can try out my 15-22, as he is thinking of getting something you can shoot all day for low cost.
Then the following Saturday a woman from work is going to go shooting with me.
She has never shot a gun before, so I am going to have to go over some safety stuff with her first.

 

[stolenheron]

Corey, how did you like the vortex? what batteries did it take?

My buddy has the bushnell compact red dot which is VERY similar in size and price to the Primary arms. He has had it on his AR and AKs and loves it.
The vortex that you have was recommended to me by a former special forces buddy and fellow rover owner with regards to being good bang for your buck.

I have a front sight post on my flat top setup. I need to choose my optics/mounts accordingly to the cowitness. I'd like to have it absolute cowitness.

 

[Corey]

I thought the Vortex was to big for the 22, even though it is the same size as a real AR15.
I forget the battery, but it looks like a CR123, but it is something different.

I was going to get the smaller Vortex Sparc, but the PA Micro was half the price, and it is a clone of the Aimpoint Micro T1, and it gets high praises.
I will see how I like the PA this weekend, and if I like it, I may get one for my main AR15.

I was all gungho on getting a nice ACOG for it, but heck, I am not going into battle with it , so I can not justify the high price of it for either rifle, when all I am doing with both is plinking.

 

[stolenheron]

I just looked it up, it is a C5 or soemthing like that. very similar in size to the 123 and will fit in my ACS stock.

I've read great reviews on the Vortex strike-fire. from what i've read they hold zero well, can take a beating, and are fairly accurate at various distances. Now the only issues i've heard are that the dot can get washed out in bright conditions and as you've mentioned, the size. I don't mind the size issue, I am curious to take a look at one with the 2x screw on magnifier installed. It seems like the sight would fit my purposes more than the little micro dots like PA or Sparc.

on another note, I just ditched a Konus reflex red dot sight on a trade last week for a little .410/22 combo gun. The guy i sold it to absolutely loves it, took very little adjustment, etc etc. It seemed to be well made, the company was awesome to work with when I had warranty issues, but the damn thing just wasnt what I wanted for my AR at all.

I'm new to the whole "red dot" scope field. All of my optics in the past have been hunting style optics of various makes, models, and powers on typical hunting guns, not red dots with no magnification on CQB weapons.

so the more reviews I read from the web, from this site, and test runs I can make in person on other people's guns the better off I will be when I make the decision to go from irons to optics.

 

[Ray_G]

so the more reviews I read from the web, from this site, and test runs I can make in person on other people's guns the better off I will be when I make the decision to go from irons to optics.

Def the way to go; I've been 'fortunate' I guess to have used a variety of things at work-reflex, aimpoint, ACOG(s) and EoTech. For the home/personal application that's why I went with the EoTech...for normal 'work' (i.e. Afghanistan, Iraq, or some other sandbox to be named later) I do love the ACOG RCO...robust, reliable, decent magnification. I just can't stomach spending that much $$$ on a personal gun that does most of its engagements at 25m and in.

Loving the PA Micro though, prob going to order another one for my new MP5 .22.
r-
Ray

 

[Corey]

I was just over on the S&W 15-22 site, and I saw a good video of the Primary Arms Micro Dot like I have.
His is a gen 3, mine is a gen 7 if the part number jives.
https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_Micro_Dot_With_Fixed_Base_p/md-07.htm


Cannot wait to test mine out tomorrow.
Also the indoor range I am going to now opens up at 9 am instead of 10 am.
I am digging that, as I am an early bird/morning person.

Showed a picture of my 22 to that woman at work along with some safety tips yesterday, she is all excited about shooting it.
May have to rent a small pistol for her too, as I am not sure if she should shoot my Glock 36 or not since she has never shot anything before.

Speaking of pistols, I sure wish S&W still made the M&P 15-22P which is the pistol version of my rifle.
Magazines are interchangeable, and it too would be cheaper to shoot than my two Glocks.
I may look into a Glock 22 LR if they make one, unless I can score one of these 15-22 pistols.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57996_757781_757781_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

 

[stolenheron]

an SBR AR15-22 would be a blast!