Choosing a rifle scope is harder than ever due to the many options available. UTG is one of the older manufacturers of these devices, and their scopes are generally priced lower than competitor products. This UTG 30mm SWAT 3 12×44 review is meant to cover the features, pros, and cons of this product so you can make an informed decision when shopping for a scope. With this scope, the price is not an indicator of quality, construction, or features, especially when you consider the fact that the manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty on the product.

One of the best features is the zero resetting and locking target turrets. This is meant to improve the accuracy of your shots. It is also designed with Illumination Enhancing (IE) technology that makes it ideal for use in various lighting conditions. Read this UTG 30mm SWAT 3 12×44 review to learn more about the rifle scope.

UTG 30mm SWAT 3 12×44 Specs

• 36-color reticle EZ TAP.
• Fog-resistant, waterproof, and shockproof.
• Protected against recoil.
• Zero resetting and zero locking target turrets.
• True Strength (TS) platform.
• Weight: 1.4 pounds.
• Dimensions: 10.4 by 1.6 by 2.1 inches.
• Batteries: 2 Lithium Metal batteries.

UTG 30mm SWAT 3 12×44 Pros and Cons

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Pros

Zero Resetting and Locking Target Turrets

These two features greatly influence the accuracy of your aim. As a consequence, you will be able to modify the target adjustments to match your aim perfectly. The scope is designed with a side wheel adjustable turret (SWAT) that helps to achieve an impressive parallax view from 10 yards to infinity. The wheel is positioned conveniently on the side for quick and easy adjustments. You can even choose to buy wheels of different sizes to get even finer adjustments for greater accuracy.

The Illumination Enhancing (IE) Reticle

The reticle in this scope can be personalized with 36 different color spectrums. This makes it ideal to use it different lighting conditions. Colorblind people will especially enjoy this feature since they can choose a color spectrum that works well for their sight. The illumination management soft buttons are positioned at the top of the ocular tube.

Eye Relief

This scope has an eye relief of 84 to 72 mm, which is enough for you to get a good view of the surrounding area. This will also offer enough room for you to avoid getting your eye smacked by the scope when shooting game.

Emerald-coated Optics

As many UTG 30mm SWAT 3 12×44 review opinions have noted, this scope offers superior optics. One of the key reasons for this is the emerald-coated optics. It also has integrated angled sunshades, and this help to lower the glare. The design of the riflescope also features a wide field of view that allows a good amount of light through the lenses.

Mil-dot Reticle Optics

Leapers/UGT is a pioneer in the range estimating technology for hunters and shooters. This feature can greatly enhance your accuracy and performance. Unlike regular scopes, this one offers nine dots in every direction of the crosshairs, meaning you get 19 aiming points. If you include the inner tips of the duplex crosshairs, you have an extra two aiming points.

Quality

This scope is waterproof, shockproof, and resistant to fog. This means you can use it in any kind of weather. Also, it is able to withstand extreme recoil and will function perfectly for a long time. If anything happens to your scope, you will still be covered by the UTG lifetime warranty.

Pricing

Almost all UTG 30mm SWAT 3 12×44 review responses by users have to mention the great price of this product. It works just as well as many other expensive products but is a lot cheaper since it is made in China. The construction of the device is superb, and the included features are very helpful.

Cons

One of the biggest complaints with this rifle scope is the fact that the side knob adjustments are tight. The sponge wheel is also very stiff.

It has also been noted to be a little too large for your hunting needs. You might, as a consequence, need to find a new bag for it.

The crosshairs of the reticle are also very thick. Although this improves your vision in poorly lit backgrounds, it will affect your accuracy. Thin crosshairs produce minimal suspension and improve your accuracy significantly.

The design of the turret control exposure can also cause accidental adjustments.

Finally, the light transmission in this device is not as good as competitor products. That said, devices with better light transmission are significantly more expensive than this one.

Who Is the Product Best For?

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This product is meant for people who use rifles in the AR and AK platform such as AK-47 and AR15. Many other similar rifles such as the Marauder .25 will work well with this scope.

The scope is also meant for people who intend to shoot in close to mid-range distances. It is not meant for use in military conditions. Basically, it should be used by hunters who don’t want to spend a lot of money on professional rifle scopes. Although it is made in China, this scope is worth a lot more than what it actually costs. Beginners will especially enjoy the huge savings and the enhanced hunting experience with this rifle scope.

Price

A used rifle scope on Amazon will cost you around $76. The price is higher if you go for a new one. On eBay, the riflescope is sold at just under $140.

Verdict

Based on the above UTG 30mm SWAT 3 12×44 review, this device is one of the best rifle scopes at its price. It definitely will not work well for professional or long-range shooting but is perfect for shorter distances. If you are only starting off as a hunter or are not ready to spend a lot of money on a scope, you should consider buying this product. It is covered by a lifetime warranty, so you don’t need to worry about any damages.

Air rifles are projectile weapons that use air or gas to for motive force. They have been around since the 15th century, and with the latest technology advancements, these weapons have become great choices for plinking, shooting pests, small-game hunting, and competitive sports.

In this article, we’ll review eight best air rifle scopes to help you find one that suits your shooting needs.

1. Hammers 3-9x40AO Scope

Price: $55.00.

Hammers 3-9x40AO is one of the best air rifle scopes on the market. Its accuracy and magnification are super impressive. The scope offers 3-9x magnification and 32mm parallax objective lens. It uses a mil-dot reticle and a standard 1-inch one-piece main tube that allows you to adjust your target accuracy in long-range shooting.

The scope is shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof. Therefore, weather won’t be an issue when using the scope.

Specifications

• Tube diameter: 1 inch;
• Magnification: 3-9X;
• Objective Lens: 32mm;
• Overall Length: 13 inches;
• Elevation: ¼ MOA;
• Eye Relief: 3 inches.

2. Winchester by Daisy Outdoor Products 2-7X 32 AO Scope

Price: $34.98.

The Winchester 2-7 x 32 AO Scope is one of the best air rifle scopes for budget-conscious buyers. This scope features an adjustable objective (AO) that allows for sharp images and precise shots. It is shockproof to endure the unique recoil of spring-action air guns.

The scope’s fog-proof design allows for use in cold or wet weather, and the 3-inch eye relief provides comfortable sighting.

Specifications

• Tube diameter: 1 inch;
• Magnification: 2-7X;
• Reticle Type: Crosshairs;
• Objective Lens: 32mm;
• Eye Relief: 3 inches;
• Weight: 1.4 pounds.

3. NcStar 4X30 Compact Scope

Price: $19.66.

There are lots of “budget air rifle scopes” on the market, but you will be hard-pressed to find one with the features, clarity, and practical functionality of the NcStar 4X30. This scope offers 4x magnification which makes it a perfect choice for short to medium range shooting. The generous 30mm objective lens provides a huge sight picture and ensures adequate light transmission for a clear view of targets. Additionally, the scope’s 3-inch eye relief allows for fast target acquisition.

Specifications

• Tube diameter: 1 inch;
• Magnification: 4X;
• Objective Lens: 30mm;
• Eye Relief: 3 inches;
• Elevation: ¼ MOA.

4. UTG 3-9X40 1″ Hunter Scope

Price: $81.31.

The UTG Hunter Scope is arguably one of the best air rifle scopes that come with a mid-range price tag. The scope’s construction features a Built on True Strength Platform which is durable making the scope an ideal choice for the frequent hunter. Fine tuning the scope is quick and easy, and it only takes a few clicks to perfectly sight up the target.

One interesting feature of this scope that makes it stand out from the competition is that it has Tactical Range Estimating (TRE) mil-dot reticle and optics. This feature allows shooters to enhance accuracy and performance while hunting.

Just like many air rifle scopes, the UTG Hunter Scope is fogproof, waterproof and shockproof making it ideal for use in diverse weather conditions.

Specifications

• Tube Diameter: 1 inch;
• Magnification: 3-9x;
• Objective Lens: 40 mm;
• Length: 12.6 inch;
• Elevation: ¼ MOA.

5. CVLIFE Tactical 3-9×40 Rifle Scope

Price: $19.99.

The CVLIFE Tactical Scope is well-built, has a sleek design and impressive features making it a great addition to your air rifle. The scope has a fully multicoated glass to ensure you get superior images and exceptional color contrast. The lens has a scratch-resistant coating to protect it from oil, dirt, and scratches. The rear of the scope is equipped with a focusing dial that has five color brightness settings. The settings allow you to control the illumination based on the current shooting conditions.

Upon purchase, the CVLIFE scope is delivered with a lens cover, an Allen key, and two free mounts. Additionally, it features a 1-inch aluminum tube that is completely sealed and nitrogen filled to make it fogproof and waterproof.

Specifications

• Tube Diameter: 1inch;
• Magnification: 3-9x;
• Objective Lens: 40mm;
• Length: 12.20 inches;
• Weight: 0.76lb.

6. BARSKA 3-12×40 AO Air Gun Rifle Scope

Price: $54.22.

This airgun riflescope is one of BARKA’s most popular scopes and is ideal for recreational as well as competition shooting. Unlike other standard scopes in the market, the BARSKA 3-12×40 is specifically designed to withstand the reverse recoil produced by air guns. This feature makes the BARSKA 3-12×40 one of the best air rifle scopes in the market today.

The scope features an adjustable objective which enables a shooter to adjust the settings for multi-range parallax error. This feature also allows for accuracy and precision when aiming and shooting. Another feature worth mentioning is that the scope has fully coated optics to reduce glare and visual distortion in the image.

Specifications

• Tube Diameter: 1 inch;
• Magnification: 3-12x;
• Objective Lens: 40mm;
• Length: 13.66 inch;
• Click Value: 0.25 field of view.

7. X-Aegis Tactical 3-9×56 Air Rifle Scope

Price: $27.99.The X-Aegis Tactical 3-9×56 is yet another functional air rifle scope ideal for the budget conscious shooter. Constructed entirely of aircraft-grade aluminum alloy, this durable scope from X-Aegis has several features worth mentioning.

The large objective diameter of the X-Aegis Tactical 3-9×56 makes it one of the best air rifle scopes for shooting in low light conditions. The scope’s red and green illuminated reticle has five levels of adjustment which allow the shooter to make a perfect shot both at night and in daylight.

The X-Aegis Tactical has a rigid construction which makes the scope very durable. Additionally, it is 100 percent sealed and nitrogen filled to ensure it remains shockproof, waterproof and fogproof.

Specifications

• Tube Diameter: 1inch/25.4cm;
• Magnification: 3-9x;
• Objective Lens: 56mm;
• Length: 12.59 inches;
• Weight: 20.81 ounces.

8. Hawke Sports Optics Sidewinder 6.5-20X 30MM

Price: $370.18.

The Hawke Sports Optics Sidewinder is another scope worth considering. Despite being expensive, the scope has unique features that will upgrade your shooting experience.

It has fully multi-coated optics to provide you with superior clarity. The lenses are also shockproof and waterproof. The scope has a 30mm mono-tube that offers superior strength and reliability.

The Hawke Sidewinder scope comes equipped with a sunshade, a lens cloth, lens covers to protect the outer lenses and a two-inch side wheel to enhance range finding.

Specifications

• Magnification: 6.5-20×;
• Objective Lens: 42mm;
• Length: 15.4 inches;
• Weight: 26 ounces;
• Eye relief: 89mm/3.5 inches.

Summing Up

These are among the best air rifle scopes to buy in 2019. Which scope would like us to add to our list? Leave us your thoughts or suggestions in the comments section below.

Burris Fastfire 3

Editor Rating

Adding a reflex scope to a rifle has exploded in popularity because of how it lets you put a bullet in the bullseye of your target.  This Burris Fastfire 3 review lays the features and performance out in raw detail so that you can decide for yourself if you should install a reflex scope on your rifle for your next shooting session.

Straight out of the box, the Burris Fastfire 3 measures up to top-notch quality with its auto brightness and looking through the various levels of light. Continue reading this Burris Fastfire 3 review to learn more about the scope.

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Burris Fastfire 3 Specs

• Magnification – 1.07x;
• Weight (without mounting materials) – 0.9 oz. (25 grams);
• Dimensions: (LxWxH) 1.9″ x 1.0″ x 1.0″ (48.2mm x 25.4mm x 25.4mm);
• Sight Window – 21mm x 15mm; .82″ x .59″;
• Operating Temperature Range: -10°F to +130°F;
• Power Supply – 3V.

Image: Guns America

Pros and Cons of Burris Fastfire 3

Pros

1. Quick Mount

In general, most customers praised the Burris Fastfire 3 for how fast you could install it. Many knowledgeable gun enthusiasts could install in it between 15 to 20 minutes. You have a blue threadlock 15 in/lb on clamp and 12 in/lb on the sight. Also, a lot of people like how they could sight their rifle in fast with this scope. At 25 yards, you could sight it in within five to eight shots.

2. Bling

While the bling of the RMR or the Deltapoint still outshines the Burris Fastfire 3, this reflex scope asks half the price of the other two. At the same time, you have a fair amount of bling on it to satisfy most budget-conscious gun enthusiasts.

3. The Iron Sight

This Burris Fastfire 3 review covers all the pertinent details of the reflex scope. As an older individual, you may want the red dot on your scope all the time to combat the problem of aging. As a young shooter, however, you can save on the battery and shut off the red dot to use the rear iron sight as you want.

Everything fits on the firearm in a tight and secured fashion through the mechanism. For a gun with a heavy recoil and moving slide like the Wesson M&P 9mm Full-size Pistol, you need a tight-fitting and secured reflex scope.

4. The On/Off Brightness Square

You can turn the sequence on and choose from four different functions:

• Auto Bright;
• Low Bright;
• Medium Bright;
• High Bright.

You can turn off the auto feature if you prefer. If the sight runs out of battery or shuts itself off for some reason, the next time you tap the on button, the Burris Fastfire 3 will activate to the last mode you selected, saving you precious time. In general, the auto setting does an adequate job with the light sensor and adjusting the intensity as needed.

Cons

Like with any product, you have to weigh the pros and cons to decide if you can spin it to suit your purposes. This Burris Fastfire 3 review highlights both the pros and cons of owning the Fastfire 3.

1. The Dot Size

When you first start looking through the scope to fire off a couple rounds, the first realization you come to is how the dot size looks so small. The first couple shooting sessions will be all about getting used to firing it. After you have gotten used to the sight, however, locating the dot will not pose a problem.

2. No Protective Cover

The Burris Fastfire 3 does include a big sun shade, but unfortunately, they failed to include a protective cover for when you clean your weapon. Why is that a problem? During the cleaning process, you can accidentally splash cleaning solution on the sight, which means you have to clean it all over again.After you have zeroed in the rifle scope, you really don’t want the inconvenience of going through the process of dismounting the scope just to clean your rifle.

3. Faulty Units

This Burris Fastfire 3 review looks at when this reflex scope worked and when it failed. For a lot of customers, the quality never became a problem. Where it did occasionally fall flat on its face was when the unit had a fault from the factory.

For example, the unit had a faulty switch or one of the screws did not tighten into the rifle when putting it together. Duds happen in almost any product line, but this was one of the most common complaints, and you can remedy it with the Burris lifetime warranty.

Who Is This Product Best for?

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Anyone who loves hunting or target shooting will see the value in a reflex scope like the Burris Fastfire 3. For older eyes that don’t focus as well on an iron sight, you can keep both eyes open and still fire with pinpoint accuracy.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Target shooters may also find it makes hitting the target much easier. However, sometimes the red dot will interfere with hitting the bullseye.

For the hunter, where you’re not shooting for points, the Burris Fastfire 3 becomes especially useful because you can shoot with relative ease.

Price

The Burris 300235 Fastfire III No Mount 3 MOA Sight is priced at $199. You can also purchase the Burris 300234 Fastfire III with Picatinny Mount 3 MOA for $204.99 and the Burris 300236 Fastfire III with Picatinny Mount 8 MOA for $197.00 on Amazon.com.

Verdict

To sum up this Burris Fastfire 3 review, this reflex scope looks fantastic, and it does a phenomenal job of helping you hit the target. As one of the more budget-conscious scopes on the market, you will find a lot of value in owning this reflex scope if you have a tight spending plan.

Another deciding factor on whether you should buy this product is the lifetime warranty on this product. When you buy from Burris, they back their products. One customer even noted how when his product broke and it was his fault, the company still paid to repair it. Not every brand has the courage to stand behind its products like that.

To become a true long range shooter takes a lot of time and dedication, money and discipline. For the rest of us, technology has stepped up and provided tools, like the Burris Eliminator III 4 16×50, to make long range shooting available to most people. The Burris Eliminator III 4 16×50 is a sleek scope with some of the most advanced scope technology available. With its 50mm objective lens and 4 to 16 magnification, the built in laser range finder will range out to 750 yards on a non-reflective target and 1,200 yards on a reflective target.

Founded by Don Burris in 1971, the Burris Company was the first with many scope innovations, such as the first 4-12x and 6-18x scopes. It developed the first constantly centered non-magnifying reticle for variable power scopes plus designed the Redfield Accu-Range and Wideview Scopes. Now part of Beretta Holdings the Burris Company continues to produce reflex and red-dot sights, and tactical and hunting scopes.

Burris Eliminator III 4 16×50 Review

Image Source: BurrisOptics.com

Pros

1. The Burris Eliminator III 4 16×50 provides the average shooter the opportunity for long range accuracy. Engage the range finder on the target and click the range button. This scope will provide the distance reading and the illuminated red dot of the X96 reticle will show the holdover required. Align the red dot on your target and fire.

2. When measured against known distances, the Burris Eliminator III 4 16×50 range finder accuracy was on the mark, +/- one foot over several 100 yards.

3. The Burris Eliminator III 4 16×50 comes with a book and a website app that helps you figure out the perfect trajectory compensation based on your target range and ammunition. Once you get used to using the app, the scope is easy to program.

4. A remote cable switch is available with Model #200119. The flexible cable is 14 to 24 inches long and provides repeatable activation of your scope at the push of a button.

5. The Burris Eliminator III 4 16×50, with five illuminated aiming points, lets you hit your target under low-light conditions.

6. The scope has good eye relief at 3.5 to 4 inches.

7. With 400 different loadings, the Burris Eliminator III 4 16×50 covers most calibers. You will need the bullet drop in inches to 750 yards plus the G1 Ballistic Coefficient to program the scope. While some tech savvy helps, Burris offers support to assist with this.

8. The scope has a point and click interface that is easy to use and understand. A lot of complicated math is needed to make targeting this easy but the Burris Eliminator III 4 16×50 onboard technology does the work.

9. The cross hairs in the X96 reticle do not span the entire FOV, making for a very uncluttered reticle. It gives you your target range in a split second. While windage is not automated, the X96 reticle has tools to help you make an accurate hold-off estimate. Plus, it is usable with any magnification, not only with full power.

10. The Burris Eliminator III 4 16×50 is waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof and comes with Burris’ Forever Warranty.

11. This scope is mountable to any Weaver or Picatinny base.

Cons

1. For a 4-16x power scope, the Burris Eliminator III 4 16×50 is heavy at 30.4 oz. and big at 16″. The shooter needs to take this into account if the plan is to mount it on a lightweight rifle.

2. The price is hefty for a scope of this quality. While optical clarity and light gathering was considered good, it appeared similar to scopes available at a fraction of the price. And there was some disappointment with the lack of quality to the scope’s matte finish.

3. To get the most out of what the Burris Eliminator III 4 16×50 has to offer, the shooter needs to be comfortable with technology and using the website and app. The scope is easy to program but it can take some time because of the number of options available.

4. Some shooters felt that the pressure needed to activate the range button is enough to throw your shot off at a long distance. It is this complaint which makes considering the model with a remote cable a good option.

5. While most users found the scope to work well over a wide range of weather conditions, there have been some complaints about problems in very cold weather like under 15 degrees.

6. The expensive programming technology in the Burris Eliminator III 4 16×50 scope works only with centerfire rifles.

Who Is This Product For?

Image Source: BurrisOptics.com

The Burris Eliminator III 4 16×50 will allow shooters who already have some hunting experience to hit their prey at longer distances. For animals like coyotes and prairie dogs, this scope provides a precise target point with the speed necessary to aim and fire. For larger game, such as deer and elk, its precision at 400 to 600 yards makes it a great scope option. It is also an excellent scope for target shooters who want to push their range success further.

Conclusion

For a scope with a list price that starts at $1,799, the purchase of the Burris Eliminator III 4 16×50 scope is not a spur of the moment decision. Average shooters claim that this scope has improved their success rate at further and further distances. If that is your goal, the Burris Eliminator III 4 16×50 could be the right scope for you.

Yet these same shooters comment on the lack of glass and finish quality plus how much light really comes through the 50mm lens. Less expensive scopes compare better on these features. Yet those cheaper scopes don’t have the Burris technology that allows for how easy it is to use the scope.

Yes, you do need a bit of tech savvy to get started. But once you’ve got the process down, the Burris Eliminator III 4 16×50 will work the numbers for you and put you right on your target.

Set your sights on the Trijicon ACOG 4×32 Advanced Tactical Optical Gunsight. This rifle scope has optical and mechanical designs that will give you greater accuracy in all types of light. The excellence of this 4x fixed magnification scope starts with its design and finishes with its manufacturing. Made out of an aircraft strength aluminum alloy, it is precision tooled and hard-anodized to give you a scope that is lightweight, small, and compact. With this rugged easy to carry scope, you’ll get precision aiming and great results, even with multiple moving targets.

The Trijicon ACOG 4×32 is 100 percent ‘Made in the USA’, from design to engineering, to assembly at Trijicon’s manufacturing facility in Wixom, Michigan. The company continues to follow a tradition started by its founder and all products have a small biblical reference on it. While military and law enforcement can request their scopes without the reference, it is standard on all consumer products.

Pros and Cons of the Trijicon ACOG 4×32

Pros

Superior Lenses

The multi-coating on the Trijicon ACOG 4×32 scope means great light transmission with no distortion no matter what the light conditions. And the 4x magnification puts you right on target.

Rugged

The Trijicon ACOG 4×32 passes U.S. military drop requirements, with the housing made from a forged 7075-T6 aircraft aluminum alloy.

Illuminated Reticle

No matter what the light, the Trijicon 4×32 ACOG can handle it. The tritium/fiber optic illuminated reticle on the BAC model adjusts automatically to lighting conditions with no battery necessary. It is always on, with the fiber options working with ambient light and the tritium working in full darkness. The LED model illumination uses an AA battery and has 6 brightness options, with an “off” switch between each level. The basic model Trijicon ACOG 4×32 scope uses tritium for illumination.

Reticle Options

There is a choice of reticle options for each model of the Trijicon ACOG 4×32. The LED model offers crosshair, chevron, and horseshoe/dot. The BAC model has options such as doughnut reticle, chevron, crosshair, triangle, horseshoe dot, and more. The standard model offers several types of crosshair reticles. Plus some reticles offer a choice of red, green or yellow dots/chevrons.

Shoot With Both Eyes Open

The Trijicon ACOG 4×32 comes in a Bindon Aiming Concept (BAC) model that lets you shoot with both eyes open. With the BAC scope, it can be used as a Close Quarter Battle (CQB) sight.

Patented killFlash

While some models of the Trijicon ACOG 4×32 come with this anti-reflective system, if yours doesn’t it can be purchased as an option. It is a honeycomb hexagonal pattern that shields the front lens. It diffuses the light coming at the front aperture, preventing the reflective glare that would give the shooter’s position away. A lens hood could do the same job but the killFlash does it without the extra 4 to 5 inches, allowing the Trijicon 4×32 ACOG to maintain its compact size.

Waterproof to 100 Meters

Filled with dry nitrogen to prevent fogging, the Trijicon ACOG 4×32 is also waterproof to 100 meters, five times more than military standards.

Field of View

The field of view with the Trijicon ACOG 4×32 scope is a very clear 36.8 feet at 100 yards. This wide FOV allows for a good balance of precision and conditions awareness.

Cons

Price

Most negative comments about Trijicon ACOG 4×32 scopes have to do with the prices, starting at over $1,000. However, most users, once they get their scope, are very happy with it and feel the lens clarity and the no battery illumination on the BAC model worth the price.

Right-hand Side of Cross Hair Blurry

This is something a shooter needs to get used to. The mirror in the Trijicon ACOG 4×32 is in the sight at about a 45-degree angle. This means the left side of the reticle is closer to the shooter’s eye and the right side is further away. The result is the focus on the right side is beyond infinity, causing some distortion on that side of the reticle. How much distortion of the right side horizontal reticle line will depend on the shooter’s eyesight. The purpose of the design is to have a vertical center that is parallax free, allowing the built-in ranging to work properly and Trijicon claims it has no effect on the scope’s performance.

RMR Combo

Complaints, when purchased as a combination with the RMR, were too little eye relief because of how far back the RMR mounts. Also, because of the RMR height, there is more of an issue with parallax.

Limited Warranty

The tritium lamp has an illumination warranty of 15 years on fiber optic scopes. On a non-fiber optic model, the tritium lamp warranty is only 10 years.

Eye Relief

All models have a short eye relief at only 1.5 inches. This can be an issue for a scope that is used running and shooting in non-traditional stances. Plus, with short eye relief, the position of the shooter’s eye is very critical and it can take an extra second or two to find the right position.

Who Is This Product Best For?

Usage of the Trijicon ACOG 4×32 is currently heavy military and law enforcement. It has been used in combat more than any other magnified scope and handles recoil from a .22LR to a .50 BMG. This is a great tactical scope, allowing the shooter to quickly acquire moving targets in a mid-range situation. Its tritium reticle makes it the perfect choice for low to no light shooting situations. For use by a civilian, these same features make it good for home defense. And the fact that it works so well acquiring a moving target makes it a favorite of hunters.

The Trijicon ACOG 4×32 is designed for reliability and durability and the 4x fixed magnification is the right level for most shooting. The Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight has the design to provide precise shooting in combat situations and its excellence has been proven many times. Its superior quality gives you the confidence that when you shoot you will hit your target, no matter what the conditions.

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If you are looking for an affordable scope for your rifle, then the Nikon ProStaff 3-9×40 is the scope for you. It is nitrogen-filled with an O-ring sealed housing to make it fog proof, shockproof, and waterproof. Its 3.6-inch eye relief will keep your brows safe, even if using lightweight rifles, heavy recoiling cartridges or severe shooting angles. With a parallax setting of 100 yards, a 40 mm objective diameter lens, and a lifetime warranty, the price point on this scope is hard to beat. The Nikon ProStaff 3-9×40 is a great choice where you are a hunter or shoot targets.

Nikon ProStaff 3-9×40 Pros and Cons

Pros

1. Durable and Easy to Use
Starting off with the first thing you see out of the box is the matte black finish. A perfect scope for any rifle, the design is both classic and simple. But don’t let this simplicity fool you. The Nikon ProStaff 3-9×40 gives top-of-the-line performance. Its durability and strength help the scope maintain its zero on rifles like the 308 Winchester and 30-06 Springfield which are high-velocity rifles. Positive click precision hand turn MOA click adjustments allows you to zero in faster and maintain the setting even when using equipment with heavy recoil.

2. Easy Focusing Lens
Whether you are target practicing or out for game, you want a scope that focuses quickly and this scope comes through. With glass that is very bright and sharp, quick focusing is easy. Light transmission is up to 90 percent, making the scope easy to use in low light conditions. The magnification adjustment is smooth and the lens gives a 33.8 feet field of view at 100 yards on the 3X setting. At 9X it drops to 11.3 feet, making the Nikon ProStaff 3-9×40 a perfect scope for hunting when the target appears a lot closer than you are expecting.

3. Bullet Drop Compensator
The Bullet Drop Compensator circles are a great feature. Nikon offers an app called Spot On which teaches you how to use the BCD based on the loads you are using in your rifle and your target distance. Because rounds fired from a high-velocity rifle arc, the BCD helps the shooter calculate where the round will drop and actually hit the target. By manually adjusting the scope based on the BCD information, you know you’ll hit your target whether it is 300 or 600 yards away.

4. Price
For a Nikon scope, with these features, reliability, lifetime warranty, and ease of use, the price makes this scope a winner.

5. Firm Feel
The Nikon ProStaff 3-9×40 scope offer firm clicks when making adjustments. Other scopes can feel too soft or too tight when trying to adjust the knobs of focus. The firm feel of the scope makes it perfect for anyone who needs to make quick adjustments.

Cons

1. Size
Its ruggedness means its size is a bit bigger than comparative scopes with a 40 mm objective. This may make it harder to fit some rifles and require using higher rings, or even extra higher, to accommodate the scope.

2.Weight
It is hard to argue with a lifetime warranty but the rugged outer housing also adds to the weight of the lens. At about one pound, some shooters may notice the difference after it is mounted to their rifle. Still, when compared to similar scopes, the weight is not out of line.

3. Bullet Drop Compensator
Yes, this is also listed in the Pros. But some shooters find the BCD circles distracting and not helpful when shooting small game. At more than 150 yards, the BCD circles cover the entire body of small game like a prairie dog or groundhog. Plus, they can be hard to see and use in low light conditions.

4. Scope Caps
The caps that come with the scope do serve their basic function of protecting the lens but are a bit inconvenient to use. They don’t just flip up or down. When are removed, they must be stored in a bag or pocket. For some shooters, this can be annoying.

5. Adjustments
The inset adjustment controls are more difficult to set than, for instance, finger-adjustable click knobs. This makes initial adjustments of the scope cumbersome.

6. Lens Distraction
The internal workings of the lens, including screws and mechanisms, are apparent if your eye moves from the field of view.

Who Should Buy the Nikon ProStaff 3-9×40

This classic looking scope is perfect for someone who collects and shoots older rifles. It is great for target shooting. For the hunter, you get the option of using Nikon’s BCD circles instead of the crosshairs. Its price makes it affordable for the beginner who is looking for a good entry level scope.

The Nikon Prostaff 3-9×40 provides you value for your money. The technology from Nikon is state of the art. It has Nikon’s adjustment technology and patented coated lens. With the BCD circles, hunters find they can get accurate results at greater distances than they thought possible. And the scopes spring-loaded adjustment knob gets you back to zero in no time, ready to fire that next shot. With a lifetime warranty and a scope that brags 90 percent light transmission, it will be harder to find a better scope in this price range. If you don’t want to spend a ton of money on a great rifle scope, you don’t need to look any further than the Nikon Prostaff 3-9×40.

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