I've got both a laser and the BARSKA 3-9x42 IR Contour Riflescope and notice the laser bounces around within the scope picture from shot to shot. The laser is tight, so I know it's the scope. Any thoughts about what to check/tighten?

Thanks,

g-man

Are you shooting at the same target at the same distance each shot?

Yes. So I don't have the laser dead center in the scope, and right after the shot, the laser might jump to 5 oclock from 6 oclock, and then on the next shot it might jump somewhere in between. I use the laser as a point of aim and my shots are dead on so it's not the one moving. Target is close about 50-75 FEET. Guess I should crank down all the screws and try it again.

Ok. All I was getting at is that if you look through your scope to see where the laser is hitting it will appear as if it won't hold zero and be moving around in your scope reticle if you change target distances from 50 to 75.

Didn't mean to come across mean. I do realize it would change with the target at different distances. That is especially noticeable since my laser is mounted on the left. As I go from 50-100 feet the grouping from the laser is off by 3 inches to the right, but with the scope I should only see up/down issues not left right? Not that I'm seeing left right.

Got one last Christmas (with the gun). It would not hold zero and the top turret fell off. Barska wanted me to send it back postage paid round trip by me. I was supposed to enclose a $20.00 money order. Once received they would "determine" if it was covered or not. If not they would return the broken scope. I tinkered for several hours and got the turret back on. I put it on a 10-22 I rarely use (because of the 15-22).

I have a BARSKA 3-9x42 IR Contour Riflescope that the reticle twisted in the housing and would jump at every shot. I did send it back (on me) with the $20 money order. They sent me a new one, this one seems OK so far.

I haven't checked it out on the range yet (they were packed on new years eve day and I didn't feel like waiting for 2 hours), but when I went to check out the scope I found 2 of the ring screws weren't even hand tight! Now that I think about it, the laser seemed to jump in an arc pattern between 6 o'clock and 4 o'clock. That would imply rotation not side to side motion. So I loosened everything rotated the scope to square (noticed it was off a little) and tightened everything lug-nut style. I also took a socket/screw driver to the base screws (only thumb tightened before). If it still jumps now I know it's internal.
Thanks for the all the advice/comments. I'll post back after I get to the range to verify it was ring screws.

Those issues were why I didin't go with a Barska, too many reviewers having troubles. If it just seems like it's loosening up, medium thread locker may be your friend.

Scopes (and scope accessories) to avoid at all costs - Barska, BSA, NC-Star. You can get decent scopes for between $100 and $200 from pretty much any other manufacturer. Mueller makes damn fine rimfire-capable scopes at the $150 price point (less if you shop around). Check out their APT scope (4-15x40).

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*Aim small, miss small...

Big +1...I've had a couple of these cheapies - problems such as not holding zero, adjusting elevation as well as windage (and vice versa)....while I really love a bargain, I have come to learn that with scopes, there is a certain bottom level that you cannot go below.

For just a few more $$ you can pick up stuff from reputable brands such as Weaver or Nikon, which will likely be headache free.

I'm proud to report that I love this scope now. I finally got it forward enough so that the eye relief is correct at the mild magnification I'm using at the indoor range. But most importantly, 2 shots with the laser on, and I moved the center of the scope to the laser and it stayed there for 298 more rounds! I guess it was just loose screws (imagine that from the factory and after being shipped one would need to check the ring screws).

Thanks for all the advice (although most was that I should have bought something else), I'm really happy with this $75 scope, now I wish my shooting was better

g-man