Optics question

[edteach]

I just purchased a NcStar 4x22 colt knock off for my Pac West arms AR. I had a rail mount with a 4x32 on it that worked fine but I wanted to make the foot print of the rifle a bit smaller. This seemed like a good way to go.

I took the gun to the range and at 50 yards I was hitting about where I wanted on a target. Ran it out to 100 yds and it was not on target and hitting high. The first thing is that the adjustments are not clicks, they are just screws that do not click when turned so its difficult to know exactly how much you are adjusting.

After 100 rds I am not hitting well at all. Groups seem to be about 5 to 6 inches or more and do not seem to adjust well. I have read many reviews of this gun and its hard to find a bad one. Did I get a bad one or is there something I am not taking into account? Thanks

 

[Veyec]

Is your question about the gun or the optic?

I recently built a semi-custom 10/22 and put a NcStar scope on it. It was horrible. I ended up sending it back and getting a Centerpoint scope. It was a much better scope and ended up costing much less than the NcStar.

On the Centerpoint, the clicks are precise and positive. The turrets on the NcStar did click, but they were definitely not precise. There was no repeatability in the adjustment.

 

[Deaj]

Sorry to hear about this disappointing experience. Unfortunately the NC Star optics are junk, no two ways about it. I'm definitely not alone in this opinion. Optics are one of those things where there are few true bargains, where you get what you pay for.

Primary Arms would be the company to look to for a solid optic at a fantastic price. These products are no replacement for true combat optics - something the owner is clear about. For training and for recreational shooting they have an optic to fit most any type of shooting. I have used quite a few of their optics to date and all have been consistent and durable with mounts that provide a reasonably consistent return to zero.
*The M4 style multi-reticle red dot sight was a great sight for the money. I'd still have it but a friend talked me into selling it to him when PA was out of stock.
Their Micro Dot is a fantastic little sight - lightweight, durable, and plenty bright for bright daylight use. I have one I occasionally mount on top of my Browning Buckmark .22LR pistol for plinking.
*The 1-4X variable power illuminated scope (closer to 1.5-4X really) is also very nice. My son has this scope mounted to his Ruger 10/22 - both of us enjoy shooting this rifle as equipped.
*The 4-16X variable power illuminated mil-dot scope is a great scope for the money. I have one in an American Defense QD cantilever mount along with a Harris 6-9" bipod on an American Defense QD mount. I use these with my M&P15T when I feel like reaching out beyond 200yds (not an activity I wanted to pour much money into as I can hit effectively at medium range with the EOtech 512 revF / G23.FTS magnifier I keep mounted to the 15T normally). The 4-16X on the AD mount has proven to be durable and consistent with an excellent return to zero.
*Their 3X Deluxe red dot magnifier and FTS mount are a slick setup for a nice price. I sold this as I found a great deal on the EOtech G23FTS. It was an excellent magnifier though.

I haven't used any of the rest of their optics offerings but all have received excellent reviews. Lots of positive feedback online about their recent 3-9X scope. Their green dot reflex, M3 style, magnifiers, and mounts have all been positively reviewed over and over.

If you're looking to replace the NC Star scope without spending a whole lot Primary Arms is the only recommendation I would make personally. This only if the optic is for recreational / training use of course.

 

[BritDan]

Sorry to hear about this disappointing experience. Unfortunately the NC Star optics are junk, no two ways about it. I'm definitely not alone in this opinion. Optics are one of those things where there are few true bargains, where you get what you pay for.

Primary Arms would be the company to look to for a solid optic at a fantastic price. These products are no replacement for true combat optics - something the owner is clear about. For training and for recreational shooting they have an optic to fit most any type of shooting. I have used quite a few of their optics to date and all have been consistent and durable with mounts that provide a reasonably consistent return to zero.
*The M4 style multi-reticle red dot sight was a great sight for the money. I'd still have it but a friend talked me into selling it to him when PA was out of stock.
Their Micro Dot is a fantastic little sight - lightweight, durable, and plenty bright for bright daylight use. I have one I occasionally mount on top of my Browning Buckmark .22LR pistol for plinking.
*The 1-4X variable power illuminated scope (closer to 1.5-4X really) is also very nice. My son has this scope mounted to his Ruger 10/22 - both of us enjoy shooting this rifle as equipped.
*The 4-16X variable power illuminated mil-dot scope is a great scope for the money. I have one in an American Defense QD cantilever mount along with a Harris 6-9" bipod on an American Defense QD mount. I use these with my M&P15T when I feel like reaching out beyond 200yds (not an activity I wanted to pour much money into as I can hit effectively at medium range with the EOtech 512 revF / G23.FTS magnifier I keep mounted to the 15T normally). The 4-16X on the AD mount has proven to be durable and consistent with an excellent return to zero.
*Their 3X Deluxe red dot magnifier and FTS mount are a slick setup for a nice price. I sold this as I found a great deal on the EOtech G23FTS. It was an excellent magnifier though.

I haven't used any of the rest of their optics offerings but all have received excellent reviews. Lots of positive feedback online about their recent 3-9X scope. Their green dot reflex, M3 style, magnifiers, and mounts have all been positively reviewed over and over.

If you're looking to replace the NC Star scope without spending a whole lot Primary Arms is the only recommendation I would make personally. This only if the optic is for recreational / training use of course.

Never truer words spoken. I love a bargain; so had to learn the hard way about optics myself. Unfortunately, the best thing you can do with that NC Star scope is use it for target practice....(i.e. with the scope as the target - it's what I did with mine, a long time ago!

I'd also echo the advice above about Primary Arms; not bad for the money; they still use Chinese stuff, but do have very good customer service and will look after you. If you can spend just a bit more ($150-$300), Weaver, Nikon and Burris have low powered variable options within that bracket that are GTG.