The China Scope

[Terry G]

I bought a cheapy Chinese made Leapers 4X20 'scope for my SP-1 Colt AR-15 just to see how it worked. I got stung on a SKS 'scope, but Cabelas was very good on making it right. Anyway, I wanted to see if any of these bargain basement scopes worth anything. My Son was over, so we took his Armalite and my Colt out for a little shoot 'em up. With my Son spotting I missed the 3 X 4 foot target by about a foot. After about 30 clicks of left windage and 20 clicks of elevation, I was on paper. I dialed the 'scope in to 1/2" to 3/4" groups. The 'scope crosshairs were coarse, but it was still rock solid after 60 shots. My Son liked it a lot. For fifty bucks I'm going to hold onto it. You can still use the iron sights, of course, and it doesn't weigh enough to matter. You can pop it off in an instant if you want to. I was using generic .223 ammunition, so I was pretty impressed.

[RIKA]

Some of the Chinese scopes are pretty good. I have a NecStar 3x9 mounted on an extra receiver cover that I use on the SKS. It has held up well and the adjustments are repeatably accurate. So it seems that not all chink scopes are bad.

RIKA

[Chippathingy]

It took several dif makes of alleged US scopes for me to swear off of Chinese trash.

I dont buy anything but Leupold, Bushnell, Nikon, Redfield, Weaver, Swarovski, Trijicon, Aimpoint (their high end), Eotech, Elcan, etc.

I will never buy another Tasco, Simmons, Burris, BSA, etc.

You get what you pay for. A good rule is spend at least as much as you did on the weapon, on the glass.

[Terry G]

I pretty much agree with you, although I have had good luck with Tasco. The Chinese 'scope was just an experiment. But so far so good. I'll report back after a couple hundred more rounds.

[Aslan]

I destroyed both chinese scopes I tried on my FAL - no substitute for a good scope.

:devil:

[Chippathingy]

I went through 2 Tascos. They both had fisher-price adjustment knobs.

Good luck.

[andy]

Strictly Leupold glass for me. Who ELSE offers a "forever" free replacement or repair warrenty of a scope, regardless of who owns it?

[Garand]

I wouldn't touch an Elcan, I used it on a C7 for almost 10 years and its garbage.

[KJUN]

Although a lot of people don't like them, I am a STRONG supporter of Bushnell scopes. I hunt HARD with my guns. I take care of them, but thinks happen when you usually have a 30+ minute boat ride in a muddy boat full of stands, etc. every time you go hunting (which is often). Lots happen. Walking the rocky hills (and twisting ankles) to chase goats in West Texas can be rought, too. Hell, I've even had straps break.

Anyway, many of my scopes (Bushnells) have scratches and even dings on them. (I'm embarrassed over that, by the way!), but they all still work fine and pretty much stay true. They might not have the best brightness or mass or...., but they can take rough hunting situations and still do their job. THAT is why I put Bushnell on my rifles.

KJ

[RIKA]

Kjun, are your Bushnells the older American made models or the newer Chinese models? IMO there is a huge difference in quality.

RIKA

[KJUN]

Rika,

I've got both. The older ones are tougher IMO, but don't pick up as much light. They are usually hard to change magnification on, though. I don't know why, but I work a little lubriucation into those threads a little about twice a year and that helps some.

The newer ones seem to have went the way IMO of most other scopes (less hardy, but better light gathering and more magnification and etc.). They are OK, too, but do not SEEM as good as the older ones. I haven't had any problems with my 2 newer ones, though.

I JUST put a new 4-12X on my new .338 Win Mag. It looks like a typical "modern" scope. I plan to baby that gun BIG time out in the woods, so I hope I don't have to find out how sturdy this scope is! I'll let everyone know if I find out otherwise....lol.

Gooid point - thanks!
KJ