M&P 15-22 is a popular rifle chambered in .22LR and is made to be like a standard AR 15. It was released in 2009 and is a favorite among those who prefer lightweight .22 semi-automatics. It has gained praise for its cost-effectiveness and accuracy. It is suitable for all sorts of hunting and shooting and begs a scope to match to perform at its best. We will show you the best M&P 15-22 scope. Adding a scope to this rifle greatly enhances accuracy to new levels.
The rifle is easy to use making it perfect for newbies in the shooting ecosystem and fulfilling the needs of seasoned shooters as well. Negligible recoil makes it a joy to shoot.
Specifications of the M&P 15-22
The Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 is a popular .22 caliber rifle, known for its versatility and design similarities to the AR-15. Here are some of its specifications.
- .22 Long Rifle caliber
- Semi-automatic blowback action
- A capacity of 10 or 25 round detachable magazine options
- A barrel length of around 16.5 inches
- Weighs around 5 lbs.
- Polymer upper and lower receiver for lightweight and durable
- Adjustable 6-position stock
- Ambidextrous safety
- Functional bolt catch similar to an AR-15
Best M&P 15-22 Scopes
The M&P 15-22 demands the right optic to unleash its full power. One such optic is a scope, and we are going to look at the top six scopes that are excellent for this rifle. Without further delay, let’s jump straight in.
1) Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Riflescope
The Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm rifle is constructed from 6061-T6 aircraft-quality aluminum and is punisher-tested for lifelong performance even under severe recoil.
The riflescope is shockproof to withstand the recoil of the M&P 15-22. It is engineered with advanced sealing methods that withstand extreme temperatures and elevation changes so that the internals of the optics remain moisture-free and crystal-clear for life.
A matte black finish and scratch-resistant lens show how heavy-duty and efficient the VX-Freedom is.
Precision 1/4 MOA finger click windage, and elevation adjustments provide absolute repeatability and reliability over a lifetime of extreme use.
Leupold’s Twilight Light Management System provides an additional 10 minutes of shooting light and minimizes glare for excellent image quality. If the sun is shining and it is a beautiful day, this best M&P 15-22 scope will enable you to see just about anything. This will still be so even when light begins to fade, making it a reliable partner from morning to evening.
Features
- 3-9x magnification range
- Duplex CDS reticle
- Matte finish
- Waterproof and fogproof
- Twilight Light Management System
- Precise 1/4 MOA adjustments
- Shockproof
- One-inch main tube
- Scratch-resistant lenses
- 6061-T6 aluminum build
- 3.7 to 4.2 inches of eye relief
- Second focal plane
- 40mm lens diameter
Pros
- Very well constructed
- Bright, clear optics
- Eye relief is generous
- Tracks well
Cons
- The reticle is non-illuminated
2) Primary Arms SLx 1-6x24mm Riflescope
The Primary Arms SLx 1-6x24mm riflescope is an accurate, simple-to-use, and accurate riflescope designed with a second focal plane reticle that keeps the reticle on your target for fast acquisition at low power and high functionality at high power.
The ACSS reticle boasts a BDC, wind holds, and moving target leads. It has multiple calculation options to accommodate most scenarios and equip you with what you need to determine the distance to hit the target.
That’s not all about the reticle. The SLx’s reticle illuminates in red and features 11 intensity settings that cater to various lighting conditions.
The scope’s magnification ranges from 1x to 6x, making it ideal for close to intermediate distances. The objective lens is 24mm.
Construction-wise, this riflescope has a single piece made from 6063 aluminum which is complemented by a hardcoat anodized matte finish. It is tough yet lightweight. As if that is not enough, the scope is waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof, making it a truly fine instrument that will withstand anything that comes its way.
The best M&P 15-22 scope has to be bright and clear, and thankfully, the SLx has fully multi-coated lenses that make the images viewed stunning and flawless in all lighting environments.
Features
- 6063 aluminum engineering
- 3.3 to 3.5 inches of eye relief
- Lenses are fully multi-coated
- Waterproof
- Fogproof
- Shockproof
- 1x to 6x magnification
- ACSS reticle on the second focal plane
- Red illumination with 11 settings
- 30mm tube diameter
- Matte finish
- 5 MOA adjustment click value
- Hard anodized matte finish
Pros
- Clear glass
- Crisp clicks on the settings
- Fantastic turrets
- Weather resistance
Cons
- Brightness drops noticeably at maximum magnification
3) Hawke Vantage IR 2-7x32mm Riflescope
The Hawke Vantage IR 2-7x32mm riflescope is a must-have for any shooter who wants to conquer their next hunt. Its reticle is illuminated for visibility in low-light backgrounds so that you get a better view of your target every time you’re in the field. Five brightness settings allow you to adjust depending on the level of lighting.
The glass-etched reticle will not break and is easily seen thanks to the fully multi-coated lenses, which maximize light transmission and clarity for incredibly sharp and lovely images.
The riflescope is modeled from top-quality aluminum with rounded edges to prevent damage. The one-inch mono-tube chassis provides great strength and is topped by a matte finish.
Other features include a fast-focus eyebell and high-torque zoom ring. You can fully utilize the 2x to 7x magnification range while ensuring that your magnification ring remains in place even under harsh recoil for flawless shooting.
Features
- 32mm objective lens
- 2x to 7x zoom
- Fully multi-coated optical system
- High-grade aluminum formation
- Red/green illumination with 5 brightness settings
- Fast focus eyebell
- High torque zoom ring
- Weighs 13.9 oz
- Glass-etched reticle
Pros
- Clear as crystal
- Mounts seamlessly
- Lightweight
- Holds zero
Cons
- No adjustable objective lens
4) UTG 3-9x32mm AO Riflescope
The UTG 3-9x32mm riflescope is a second focal plane riflescope with a standard Mil-dot reticle for quick and easy range estimations. The dual illumination gives you the liberty to choose between red and green based on the weather, lighting conditions, and preferences.
It uses the True Strength Platform that offers a shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof scope courtesy of the seal and nitrogen purging.
The Emerald-coated lenses maximize light collection, resulting in clearer and brighter target pictures. The turrets have a locking mechanism and adjust in 1/4 MOA per click. They are also zero-resettable for high accuracy.
Other highlights of the unit that make it the best M&P 15-22 scope are a 3x to 9x magnification for handling targets at close at medium ranges and an adjustable objective lens from 3 yards to infinity, leading to a parallax-free optic.
What’s more? The package includes a 2-inch sunshade, flip-open lens caps, and Quick Detach rings.
Features
- Range estimating Mil-dot reticle
- Emerald-coated lenses
- 1/4 MOA per click turrets
- Built on the True Strength Platform
- Adjustable objective from 3 yards to infinity
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Shockproof
- Weighs 13.9 oz
- 3 inches of eye relief
- 3x minimum magnification
- 9x maximum magnification
- Second focal plane
- 32mm lens size
Pros
- Solid and well-made
- Clear optics
- Adjustable objective
Cons
- Eye relief could be better
5) Barska 3-9x32mm Riflescope
The Barska 3-9x32mm riflescope offers striking performance. It is designed for plinking and hunting and offers clear, bright optics and the durability of scopes costing substantially more.
The optics are clear and bright thanks to the full coating applied to increase light collection and minimize glare, which helps achieve that.
The scope is made for the rough outdoors as it is 100% waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof. Even when you go through murky, rainy, snowy, or harsh recoil, this best M&P 15-22 scope will continue to function without fail.
The 30/30 reticle is located on the second focal plane, which means it maintains the same size and appearance across all magnification settings. It provides easy targeting.
A handful of other highlights include 3.5 inches of eye relief, 1/4 MOA click adjustments for precision accuracy, a variable magnification range of 3x to 9x and a 32mm objective lens diameter.
Features
- Fully coated optics
- 30/30 crosshair reticle
- Parallax free at 100 yards
- Second focal plane
- 3.5 inches of eye relief
- 32mm objective lens
- One-inch tube diameter
- Multiproof
- Capped turrets
- Matte black finish
Pros
- Heavy duty
- Clear optics
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Non-illuminated
Key Features to Look for When Buying the Best M&P 15-22 Scope
There are some elements you should tick off before making a purchase decision.
Magnification Range
The ideal magnification for a scope for M&P 15-22, considering its .22 LR caliber and typical usage, is generally in the range of 1-6x. This range provides versatility for both close-quarters shooting and medium-range targets, which is suitable given the effective range of the .22 LR cartridge, which is usually up to 100-150 yards for optimal performance.
A 1-4x or 1-6x scope offers a good balance, allowing for quick target acquisition at low magnification and sufficient clarity for more precise shots at higher magnification. This makes it perfect for plinking, small game hunting, and target shooting with the M&P 15-22.
Lens Size and Coating
The objective lens size determines the amount of light entering the scope and relates to the clarity of the sight image. A larger lens means more light entry, so a scope with a bigger objective lens is the way to go.
However, this is not it for the M&P 15-22. This is because a larger lens translates into a bulky scope and more money.
While certainly not set in stone, a 32mm lens will be fine for rimfire shooters. However, you may need a larger lens if your activity entails low-light shooting.
You should also consider the lens coating when choosing the best M&P 15-22 scope. Lens coating aims to eliminate glare and allow maximum light transmission. Fully multi-coated lenses are the best, as all the lenses on the scope are coated in multiple layers.
Weight
When you are kicking off your adventure as a shooter or hunter, you need a lightweight scope that will not be a pain in the neck. Such a scope makes handling the scope and the rifle easy, allowing for hassle-free execution on the field.
Build Quality
The next thing to think about before settling for a scope is the build quality. Although the M&P 15-22 has very little noticeable recoil, it still deserves a robust and well-made scope. A well-made scope will withstand normal wear and tear and be handier when you’re off to hunt.
The best M&P 15-22 scope should be built to last. It should be modelled from high-quality materials like aircraft-grade aluminum. Aluminum is a good option as it is durable yet acceptably lightweight.
Hunting involves encountering different weather conditions and terrains, so an ideal scope should be fully waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof.
Price
Price is a crucial factor when choosing the best scope for the M&P 15-22 because it often correlates with the scope’s quality, features, and durability.
While it’s important to stay within budget, opting for a very cheap scope can result in poor optical clarity, unreliable performance, and shorter lifespan, which can diminish the shooting experience.
Conversely, extremely high-end scopes might offer more features than necessary for a .22 LR rifle, leading to overspending without significant benefits. Therefore, finding a scope that balances cost with essential features such as clear optics, durable construction, and appropriate magnification ensures good value and enhances the overall shooting experience without unnecessary expenditure.
Reticle
The right reticle depends on the rifle’s intended use. A duplex or crosshair reticle can be beneficial for general shooting at different distances, while more advanced options like BDC or MOA-specific models are advantageous when engaging targets at specific range brackets.
What Is the Effective Range of the M&P 15-22?
The effective range of the M&P 15-22, chambered in .22 LR, is typically around 100 to 150 yards. This range takes into account the ballistic characteristics of the .22 LR cartridge, which has a relatively low velocity and energy compared to larger calibers.
Within this range, the M&P 15-22 can deliver accurate and consistent performance, making it suitable for target shooting, plinking, and small game hunting. Beyond this distance, the bullet drop and energy loss significantly diminish precision and effectiveness, limiting the rifle’s practical use for most applications.
Is The M&P 15-22 Ideal for Self-Defense?
The M&P 15-22 is not typically considered ideal for self-defense due to its .22 LR caliber, which has lower stopping power and penetration compared to larger calibers commonly used for defensive purposes. While it can be used in self-defense, its primary design is for recreational shooting, training, and small game hunting.
Is The M&P 15-22 Accurate?
Yes, the M&P 15-22 is known for its accuracy, particularly within the effective range of the .22 LR cartridge, which is up to 100-150 yards. Its design, which mimics the AR-15 platform, includes features like a free-floating barrel and quality iron sights or optics mounting options, contributing to its precision. The rifle’s lightweight and low recoil also make it easier for shooters to maintain accuracy over multiple shots.
Conclusion
The M&P 15-22 is a formidable rifle that performs exceptionally when paired with the right optic. Choosing an appropriate scope should no longer be daunting, as the information above explains everything you need to know to make a wise decision. All the scopes are excellent options to make your feet wet.
Read Also: 6 Best M4 Scopes