Choosing the right optic for your M&P 15-22 rifle is a critical decision that can define your shooting experience. This versatile .22 LR platform is perfect for everything from plinking and small game hunting to tactical training and competition. The ideal scope or red dot not only enhances accuracy but also maximizes the rifle’s inherent fun factor and utility, making every trip to the range more productive and enjoyable.
With a vast array of options on the market, selecting the perfect sight can feel overwhelming. This roundup is designed to simplify your search by highlighting ten of the best optics available. We’ve curated a list that covers all applications, whether you prioritize speed, precision, budget-friendliness, or advanced features, ensuring you can find the perfect match for your specific needs.
Our Top Picks for M&P 15-22 Optics
- Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire Riflescope
- SIG SAUER Romeo5 1X20mm Red Dot Sight
- Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight
- UTG 3-9X32 BugBuster Scope with QD Rings
- Vortex Optics Sparc II Red Dot Sight
- HOLOSUN HS403B Micro Red Dot Sight
- Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire 3-9×40 Riflescope
- Primary Arms SLX 1-6x24mm SFP Rifle Scope
- BURRIS FullField II 3-9×40 Rifle Scope
- Nikon P-Tactical Rimfire 2-7×32 BDC 150 Riflescope
Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire Riflescope
The Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32 is a purpose-built rimfire scope that offers exceptional value and performance. Its 2-7x magnification range is perfectly suited for the effective range of the M&P 15-22, allowing for quick target acquisition at close distances and precise shot placement out to 100 yards and beyond. The V-Plex reticle is a clean, all-purpose design that is ideal for hunting and general target shooting.
With a fast-focus eyepiece and a forgiving eye box, getting on target is quick and intuitive. The fully multi-coated lenses provide a bright and clear sight picture, which is a significant advantage in low-light conditions. Capped reset turrets protect your settings from accidental bumps while allowing for easy zeroing, making this a robust and user-friendly choice.
SIG SAUER Romeo5 Red Dot Sight
For shooters who prioritize speed, the SIG SAUER Romeo5 is a top-tier micro red dot. Its compact and rugged aluminum housing is built to withstand hard use, making it a great match for a frequently used training rifle like the M&P 15-22. The crisp 2 MOA dot provides a precise aiming point without obscuring your target, perfect for fast-paced plinking or tactical drills.
A standout feature is the MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination) technology, which conserves battery life by powering up the dot upon sensing movement and powering down when stationary. With ten daylight and two night-vision brightness settings, the Romeo5 performs reliably in any lighting environment. It comes with both a low and lower 1/3 co-witness mount, offering immediate versatility right out of the box.
Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight
The Bushnell TRS-25 is a legendary budget-friendly red dot that has earned its reputation for reliability. Its simple, no-frills design delivers solid performance for casual plinking and short-range target practice. The 3 MOA dot is easy to pick up, and with 11 brightness settings, you can adjust it for optimal visibility.
This sight is both waterproof and shockproof, ensuring it can handle the recoil of a .22 LR and the occasional bump or drop. It mounts easily to the Picatinny rail on your M&P 15-22, offering a straightforward and effective way to increase your shooting speed without a significant investment.
UTG 3-9X32 BugBuster Scope
The UTG BugBuster is a feature-packed scope that stands out for its versatility and included accessories. The 3-9x magnification gives you the flexibility for both close-quarters and medium-range shooting. A key feature is the adjustable objective (AO), which allows you to correct for parallax from as close as three yards to infinity, a major benefit for a .22 rifle often used at varying distances.
It also includes a red and green illuminated Mil-dot reticle for use in low light, and it comes with quick-detach (QD) rings. This means you can easily remove and reattach the scope without losing your zero, making it a fantastic option if you like to switch between optics or need to store the rifle in a compact case.
Vortex Optics Sparc II Red Dot Sight
The Vortex Sparc II is a robust and highly capable red dot sight. It features a daylight-bright 2 MOA dot and fully multi-coated lenses for a clear, sharp view. Being parallax-free and offering unlimited eye relief, it allows for rapid target acquisition from any shooting position.
Its modular mounting system is a significant advantage, providing four separate height options to achieve an absolute or lower 1/3 co-witness with your iron sights. This level of customization ensures you can get the perfect cheek weld and sight picture on your rifle, enhancing both comfort and accuracy.
HOLOSUN HS403B Micro Red Dot Sight
Holosun is renowned for incorporating advanced technology at an accessible price point, and the HS403B is a prime example. This micro red dot is incredibly efficient, offering up to 50,000 hours of battery life from a single CR2032 battery. It includes 12 brightness settings to suit any lighting condition.
The standout feature is the Shake Awake technology, which automatically puts the sight to sleep after a period of inactivity and instantly wakes it upon movement. This guarantees your optic is always ready when you need it while maximizing battery longevity. It comes with two mounts, providing immediate co-witness options for your AR platform.
Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire 3-9×40 Riflescope
For the shooter who demands premium optical quality, the Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire is an excellent choice. Leupold’s Advanced Optical System delivers exceptional resolution, clarity, and light transmission, providing a bright and sharp image from dawn until dusk. The 3-9x magnification is versatile for most .22 LR applications.
This scope is built to Leupold’s legendary standards of ruggedness and reliability, and it’s backed by a lifetime warranty. The rimfire-specific MOA reticle is calibrated for the trajectory of .22 LR ammunition, taking the guesswork out of holdovers for more precise shooting at extended ranges.
Primary Arms SLX 1-6x24mm SFP Rifle Scope
The Primary Arms SLX 1-6×24 is a sophisticated Low Power Variable Optic (LPVO) that turns your M&P 15-22 into a highly capable and versatile rifle. On 1x power, it functions like a red dot for fast, close-range shooting. Crank the magnification to 6x, and you have the precision needed for smaller targets at a distance.
The real magic is in the illuminated ACSS reticle, which is specifically designed for the ballistic drop of 5.56/.223 rounds. While not a perfect match for .22 LR, the detailed reticle provides excellent reference points for windage and moving targets, making it a superb training tool for a centerfire AR-15 platform. This scope package includes a quality deluxe mount.
BURRIS FullField II 3-9×40 Rifle Scope
The Burris FullField II is a classic hunting scope that brings premium features to a very competitive price point. Its high-grade optical glass and Hi-Lume multi-coatings result in a brilliantly bright and clear image, which is crucial during the early morning and late evening hours when small game is most active.
The build quality is exceptional, with a durable one-piece tube and positive steel-on-steel adjustment turrets that provide reliable and repeatable clicks. The Ballistic Plex reticle offers simple holdover points for longer shots, making it a trustworthy and effective scope for the serious hunter.
Nikon P-Tactical Rimfire 2-7×32 BDC 150 Riflescope
While Nikon has exited the riflescope market, their existing optics remain a popular and capable choice. The P-Tactical Rimfire model is built with Nikon’s renowned optical excellence, providing superb clarity and light gathering. The 2-7x magnification range is a perfect fit for the .22 LR cartridge.
It features the BDC 150 reticle, which is pre-calibrated with multiple aiming points for the trajectory of a .22 LR round out to 150 yards. This takes the complexity out of shooting at various distances, allowing you to hold directly on your target for faster and more accurate shots in the field.
Buying Guide: Picking the Perfect Scope for Your M&P 15-22
Choosing the right optic for your Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 is a fun part of the ownership experience. This rifle is a fantastic platform for training, plinking, and small game hunting, but its .22 LR caliber means you don’t need a scope built for a heavy-recoiling centerfire rifle. The key is matching the optic’s features to your primary use. Let’s talk about what I look for when selecting from the 10 best scopes for M&P 15-22 rifle for all applications in 2025.
First, consider magnification. For fast-paced plinking or shooting at reactive steel targets inside 50 yards, a simple red dot sight with 1x magnification is often the best tool for the job. It’s fast, easy to use with both eyes open, and perfect for honing your close-range shooting skills. If you plan on precision shooting at 50 to 100 yards, or if you’re hunting squirrels, a low-power variable optic (LPVO) in the 1-4x or 1-6x range is a great choice. It gives you the flexibility of a 1x red dot for close shots and the magnification to see small targets clearly at distance. For pure target shooting where every tiny detail matters, a fixed-power scope with higher magnification, like a 10x, could be the way to go.
Next, think about the reticle. For red dots, a simple 2 or 3 MOA dot is clean and effective. For magnified scopes, I prefer an illuminated reticle, especially for hunting in low-light conditions under a canopy. A simple duplex reticle is fine for most applications, but if you’re getting into more precise shooting, a Mil-Dot or BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator) reticle can help you hold for elevation without twisting turrets. Just make sure the BDC is calibrated for the trajectory of standard or high-velocity .22 LR rounds.
Finally, don’t forget about mounting. The M&P 15-22 has a standard Picatinny rail, so you’ll need a quality set of rings or a cantilever mount. For red dots, a lower 1/3 co-witness mount is a popular option that lets you use your iron sights through the optic if needed. For LPVOs, a cantilever mount positions the scope at the correct eye relief without needing to stretch your neck. A good mount is just as important as the scope itself; a wobbly optic is a useless one. Keep these factors in mind, and you’ll find an optic that makes your 15-22 even more enjoyable to shoot.
FAQ
What magnification scope is best for an M&P 15-22?
There’s no single “best” magnification, as it depends entirely on what you want to do. For general plinking and fast shooting at short ranges, I think a 1x red dot is perfect. For a mix of close-range speed and the ability to reach out to 100 yards for small targets, a 1-4x or 1-6x low-power variable optic (LPVO) is incredibly versatile. If your sole focus is on precision paper-punching at 50-100 yards, then a fixed 4x, 6x, or even a 3-9x scope would work well. It’s all about matching the tool to the task.
Can I use a scope designed for an AR-15 on my M&P 15-22?
Yes, you absolutely can. Any scope that mounts to a Picatinny rail will fit your M&P 15-22. The huge advantage here is that the 15-22 has almost no recoil, so you don’t need a scope built to handle the punishing shock of a .223 or .308 rifle. This opens up a world of more affordable options. A scope that might be considered budget-tier for a centerfire rifle can be a durable, lifetime optic on your .22. Just be mindful that a very heavy, high-magnification scope might feel a bit unbalanced on the lightweight 15-22.
Do I need a special mount for a scope on my M&P 15-22?
You need a mount that fits a Picatinny rail, which is the standard on top of your rifle’s receiver. For a traditional rifle scope, a set of medium-height rings will usually work fine. For a red dot sight, you can mount it directly to the rail, but many people prefer a riser or a lower 1/3 co-witness mount to get a more natural head position. For a long LPVO, a cantilever mount is the standard choice as it pushes the scope forward to the correct eye relief without you having to cram your head against the charging handle.
Is a red dot or a magnified scope better for a .22 LR rifle?
This is a classic debate, and the answer comes down to your intended use. I use a red dot when I want to shoot quickly and instinctively, like on a fun plinking day or for practicing transitions between multiple targets. It’s simple, fast, and great for training. I switch to a magnified scope when I need precision—when I’m trying to hit a tiny spinner at 75 yards or carefully aiming for a squirrel’s head. For the ultimate in versatility, a 1-6x LPVO tries to be the best of both worlds, and it does a pretty good job of it.
How much should I spend on a scope for my M&P 15-22?
One of the best things about accessorizing a .22 is that you don’t have to break the bank. While you can spend a thousand dollars on an optic, it’s far from necessary. You can find excellent red dots in the $100 to $250 range and very good magnified scopes between $150 and $400 that are perfectly suited for the 10 best scopes for M&P 15-22 rifle for all applications in 2025. The .22 LR cartridge is inherently accurate, but it doesn’t require a top-tier, shock-proof, ultra-premium scope to realize its potential. Spend what you’re comfortable with, but know that there are tons of great options that won’t cost more than the rifle itself.