here is what my xm15 looks like it already has the picitanny rails, and no handle, "http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/weapons/pcwvms24-ss9.asp"
actually i dont think it looks like that one but i think it is that one, the pawn shop guy i bought it from had it marked for 1200, bucks and was onsale this last month for 1000, bucks i walked in with cash and he sold it to me for $750. i think i got a pretty good deal.

as far as the red dot i dont really know anything about them and a friend suggested a holographic sight/ scope, and again i havent had any experience with that sort of optic either, and like you pointed out BADSHOT, i had a idea that they were both out of my price range.
Do you have any specific suggestions for a quality optic that will get out to about 300 yards for around 300 bucks, be specific please. thanks again. i look forward to reading any replies.