M&P 15 Sport minimum zero

[gjcab09]

What's the minimum zero distance for the M&P 15 Sport with the original sights?

[gjcab09]

Well, I'm going to find out in about 1/2 an hour. I was trying to find out if I'd need to make any "Santose" type adjustments before going to the range, just to get it out of the way ahead of time...thanks anyway...

[Hunter]

Sorry I don't have one to tell you, but please let us know for future reference.

[gjcab09]

I'll try...starting with the rear dual apperature sight bottomed at 6/3. My shots were impacting around 50 yds (approx), when sighted on a target 100 yards away. One complete spin up, raised my POI over the 7.5 inch round targets at 100 yards. Next, cutting the difference had my rounds impacting the target, only slightly high, but now in the blue, 2 more clicks brought the elevation where I wanted it....So, assuming the distances at the range are correct, one should be able to sight in the M&P 15 Sport to a 50yd zero, which , from what I've read, will give you another zero at around 200 yards with certain ammunition. I plan to try this sometime, but today I was too infatuated with the 100 yard

How does the gun run? You ask??? It runs just fine...only put about 120rnds through it, worked flawlesslly. A true gem to shoot, I haven't had this much fun with a firearm in ages!

[Injunbro]

Awww man! Every time I just get so I think about going back to my good old faithful single shots & lever guns someone brings up how great the M&P 15 is again and I have to start fighting the cravings all over! I may as well just go buy one & hope Mrs Injunbro doesn't make me go witout supper for too long... or worse yet, adopt it herself so I have to buy another one for me!
Sounds like a great rifle, thanks for the range report.

[gearchecker]

Sorry,
I came into this late.
Minimum sighting distance for this type of rifle is 25 yds. Sight it in at 25 yds and you get an identical impact point at 100 yds. Sight's are basically that of the original AR-15/M16.

50 yd sight-in relates to 200 yds.
The US Army has taught basic sighting in at 25 yds. After the soldiers learn to shoot handle and trust their M16's they moved sighting out to 50 yds.

You should first set your front sight at center. Adjust it down to bottom then dial it upwards and count each click till it falls out. Divide the clicks in half, then set the sights from the bottom up to the middle click count. Do the same with the rear sight for both elevation and windage.
When sighting in your rifle at the range, adjust the rear sight for elevation first. Then adjust for windage. Do not try to adjust both at the same time. Under normal conditions the front sight won't need adjustment much at all.
You should use only premium ammo types for sighting in your weapon in the same bullet weight you intend to use for your normal shooting or hunting. It will greatly reduce the possbility that the ammo is the cause for poor rifle accuracy and difficulty sighting in the rifle.
All adjustments are measured from the center of a 3 round group. If your groups open up, or you get flyers on a regular basis, you're doing something wrong and you need to figure that out before continuing to sight in the rifle. A flyer every once in a while is usually caused by inconsistancies in the ammo. Premium ammo reduces flyers quite a bit. Most shooters should be able to adjust their rifle to spot on accuracy within 12 rounds (4 sets of 3 rounds). It is usually obtainable within 9 rounds (3 sets of 3 rounds).

Another method is to benchrest the rifle. Make sure it's firmly secured. Shoot your three round group. Without moving the rifle at all, then dial in the rear sights for windage and elevation so that the crosshairs/sights are moved to the the center of the grouping. Re-adjust the rifle on the benchrest mount now so the crosshairs/sights are re-aligned the center of the target. You should be able to sight in a reasonably accurate rifle within 9 rounds, or 3-3 shot sets. Two methods give the exact same result in the end by using 2 different methods.
I purchased a front sight for my ARfrom Brownells with crosshairs in a protected post. Sighting in was most pleasurable. I sighted in my scope first, then adjusted the iron sights to the same POI as my scope. Now both sets of sights (Scope and Iron) are set to the same position in half the shooting session.
Sighting in your rifle should be slow, deliberate and pleasurable. You'll also learn a great deal about your capabilities in relation to the specific weapon you're shooting.

Gearchecker

[gjcab09]

Awww man! Every time I just get so I think about going back to my good old faithful single shots & lever guns someone brings up how great the M&P 15 is again and I have to start fighting the cravings all over! I may as well just go buy one & hope Mrs Injunbro doesn't make me go witout supper for too long... or worse yet, adopt it herself so I have to buy another one for me!
Sounds like a great rifle, thanks for the range report.

Do EET! DO EET! DOOO EEEEEET! It's plenty fun! really!


....BTW...there's nothing wrong with single shots or leverguns, some of my favorites as well. I picked up my M&P 15 Sport because I found myself without a semi-auto rifle, the ammunition is (relatively) inexpensive, and I like the AR platform. Surely the Mrs. understands the need for multiple actions?

[gjcab09]

Thanks for a terrific explanation of the sighting in process gearchecker! That's pretty much the way I do it when I've got an empty range. With everyone gearing up for hunting season though, the ability to just hustle down and check the target after 3 rounds is non-existent right now. So I just fired off an entire magazine to pass the time, trying to hold at reasonably the same point, checked the target when the range was clear, adjusted for wind-age (I'd taken care of elevation a couple of days ago, but it was a little too breezy for me to mess with windage and be confident in it), fired off another full mag, and when I was able to check again, found that I was on at 50 yds. Next I picked out some smaller targets at the 200 yd mark...paint cans and the like...and, as you pointed out, found that I was on at that distance as well. Plenty close enough for this old fart and his new plinker/zombie apocalypse weapon.

[Weasel84x]

Hey guys. In my book that came with my gun, it stated it came with a tool to adjust the front sights for elevation. I didnt get a tool from what i seen. So im wondering if there is another method of adjusting it up and down. I am hitting about 3 inches below the target at about 25 yards give or take. Should i contact S&W to get another one?

[Danny2Tek]

I just bought mine four days ago and it didn't bring the tool either