AR 15 anyone up for giving some advise to a new owner

I would equip that with about 3,000 rounds to start. Once you've burned about 300 of those, another 3,000 would be in order.

The Bushnell TRS-25 is an under $100 1x red dot optic that increases the grin-factor up to about 50 yards.

And some Magpul 30 round mags.

Ear protection and you're ready to go!

Quote from MACAWS

I recently won an Anderson manufacturing AM 15 Optic Ready in a gun raffle. Just the basic rifle and a magazine.
So I need to equip it. I realize it is not a high end version of the AR 15 so I want to keep it on a respectable budget for optics and any other accessories you may recommend.

I am a big fan of Lever Action long guns I own a few Henry's. So this will be my first venture into the AR style. I can tell you this I can see I am going to love this thing especially during OTTER SEASON. I am sure I will be building a high end one when this is done.

Thanks in advance

Congrats!!!!
The AR is a great gun to shoot and it's just plain FUN!!!!!
Here are a few suggestions to sight it in for long and short range:

Magpul MBUS Rear Gen 2 Flip-Up Back Up Sight | Up To 33% OFF

Magpul MBUS Front Flip-Up Back Up Sight Gen 2 | Up To 20% OFF

Vortex® OPMOD StrikeFire II Red Dot with Cantilever AR-15 Mount 4MOA Red/Green Dot FREE S&H RIF-VT-SF-OP-1. OPMOD AR15 Accessories.

While more expensive than some, and not as expensive as others, the Vortex Strikefire is an awesome Red Dot scope with great features for the price, and it's 1/3 Co-Witness, so you can use the flip up sights along with it. I like to have the Red Dot sighted for up close & personal, then use the flip-up sights for reaching out and touching something long range.

Tac Sac

I have no advice except to go shoot it. It is probably one of my favorite guns in my safe. Have fun Mitch.

@KayTwo -- stop working and help Mitch.

Tantalize Your Tastebuds with a River Otter Recipe! - Montana Hunting and Fishing Information

Are you talking otter or muskrat?

I "accidentally" blew up a big muskrat den two years ago and we haven't had issues since.

Nutria used to get into my pond. Ugly little vermin all died of lead poisoning...

I have 3 AR's that I shoot, one with just the hard sights, one with the red dot and a scope on the other sighted in for 100 yards. The AK has a scope sighted in at 100 yards also (1 inch group)

Mine is a 3 in 1. I've got a red dot on a drop rail that co-witnesses with the iron sights, or leave it off and use the iron sights only for close-in work, and a 3x9 scope on top of the rail for distance.

Quote from MACAWS

I should see a beaver shortly...

TMI...

Quote from sideseatdriver

@KayTwo -- stop working and help Mitch.

I saw this, but a couple guys already put out some good options for cheap and easy red dot sights. It's not like we are planning for hand-to-hand combat, or extreme hot or cold temperatures, or jumping out of helos into a hot LZ...no need to spend $1000 for the hottest tech out there.

@MACAWS, what ranges are you looking at shooting from, and what is your comfort level with those ranges? If you are looking at anything greater than 50 yards, I would recommend a 1 x 4 variable scope, or maybe a 2 x 6. There are a lot of options out there for cheap glass that will do the job. I think that for what you are doing, you might be better off with that then a red dot.

Also, depending on what distances you are shooting, I would sight in at 100 yds.

Lastly, I recommend you get at least one 20 round mag, or even a 10. Reason is, if you are hunting, there's a good chance you are in the prone position, and a 30 round mag will make it harder to do that. Of course, you need 30 round mags in your arsenal as well, because what else are you going to use to fight off the zombies? But definitely for hunting small game have a smaller mag.

Here's a great option for a scope at a reasonable price. Nikons make some of the best lenses and have excellent clarity and stability. I have this for AR and larger Nikon for long range rifle.
Nikon P-223 3x32 BDC Carbine Rifle Scope 8496