Strat72
Member
thinking of buying a Barska 3-9x42 ir for my M&P 15 sport. Are these pretty good scopes?
-
Forum Update: We've upgraded the software to improve security, performance, and the overall experience.
👉 Read why we made the change | Support the Forum
Scope for my sport...
- Thread starter Strat72
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
cyphertext
US Veteran
Simple answer... no.
Rastoff
US Veteran
Trying to save money on optics is like discount dentistry; you can do it, but it will probably be painful.
schgsd
Member
I have one, got it at Wally World for $79 when I got my rifle. Predation control for livestock remains the foremost reason I talked myself into buying my M&P15. The Barska has very little leeway in terms of eye relief distance and that makes it less user friendly. The down and dirty though is if I lay the crosshairs on something bothering the animals that critter is gonna get lead poisoning. It's held zero well enough and I drag it with me plenty while I'm out and about walking the dog or doing chores. It fit the budget and my requirements at the time. I had just bought the rifle, paid the FFL and shipping, got a few hundred rounds of ammo, and wanted the whole package operational in the shortest amount of time necessary. The Barska filled that need.
Will it stay on the gun? Absolutely not. But I won't regret the $79 I spent on the Barska first time around either. It's allowed me to enjoy my rifle plenty while I learn and decide what's a better fit for me.
Update: Walking the dog last night nearly full moon so I brought the AR on my walk. Got to really play with the red green illumination in the Barska. For the life of me I can't see one bit of difference in intensity level 1 through 5 on either red or green.
Will it stay on the gun? Absolutely not. But I won't regret the $79 I spent on the Barska first time around either. It's allowed me to enjoy my rifle plenty while I learn and decide what's a better fit for me.
Update: Walking the dog last night nearly full moon so I brought the AR on my walk. Got to really play with the red green illumination in the Barska. For the life of me I can't see one bit of difference in intensity level 1 through 5 on either red or green.
Last edited:
ChattanoogaPhil
Member
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2009
- Messages
- 14,601
- Reaction score
- 20,622
There are some inexpensive optics that are well regarded for what they are. Primary Arms and Bushnell offers budget 1x red dot and magnified optics. With all the choices out there, I think you can do better than Barska.
My guess is that you're picking that particular scope because you want something compact. With compact scopes, stick to fixed magnification or variable low power 1-4x. If you want a 3-9x get a conventional rifle scope. Forget all the bang-zoom tactical death ray illuminated spinning kaleidoscope reticles. They are designed to satisfy the needs of those who suffered trauma from being denied colorful crib mobiles as infants.
My guess is that you're picking that particular scope because you want something compact. With compact scopes, stick to fixed magnification or variable low power 1-4x. If you want a 3-9x get a conventional rifle scope. Forget all the bang-zoom tactical death ray illuminated spinning kaleidoscope reticles. They are designed to satisfy the needs of those who suffered trauma from being denied colorful crib mobiles as infants.
Last edited:
cyphertext
US Veteran
Doesn't sound like a glowing review, yet you still recommend it? I see that as $79 wasted that could go towards a better scope, even if it is still a budget scope from Bushnell.
Last edited:
bhayles
Member
Forget all the bang-zoom tactical death ray illuminated spinning kaleidoscope reticles. They are designed to satisfy the needs of those who suffered trauma from being denied colorful crib mobiles as infants.
Not necessarily, Phil. I love both of my Primary Arms 2.5x red dot with the fancy CQB reticle...and I had a nice (for its day) crib mobile, or so I've been told...
Last edited:
schgsd
Member
No not a glowing review for sure. Not recommending it per se, I think more what I was trying to illuminate was the grey area of desire for something on a new rifle right away, versus the luxury of reading the M&P15 forum long enough to make a more informed decision. Not a whole lot of choices that day at Wally World. It was fish or cut bait time.
And for $79 think of all I've learned by owning it, as in how much better the next one needs to be. Factor in that I still got to enjoy my new rifle with a scope on it. Maybe it shifts to another gun in the future, maybe I trade it for 4 or 5 boxes of ZQ 5.56.
Not a waste, an investment with a scalable rate of return.
OP
Strat72
Member
thanks for the intel!
OP
Strat72
Member
What about an UTG 30mm SWAT 3-12X44 Compact IE Scope with AO Mil-dot. Saw this on Amazon. Got some pretty good reviews.
cyphertext
US Veteran
More cheap, gimmicky garbage. What you want in a good scope is clarity and good tracking, not 36 color reticles. I'm afraid that the folks who state that this scope has good clarity have not looked through a quality scope. Adding an AO adds more complexity to the scope, which results in a higher price tag, not lower.
What are you trying to accomplish with a scope? What type of shooting are you doing, paper or hunting? What distances? What is your budget? Answer these questions and maybe we can point you in the right direction.
TheMaineEvent
Member
I always chuckle when people spend good money on a rifle, but want to get by with cheap optics. Optics are what will give you pleasure shooting the rifle or can cause endless aggravation and frustration if they don't work.
Spend some money and get something that is reliable, has decent glass, and will hold zero. Bushnell, Nikon, or even a Primary Arms scope will be FAR better than a Barska, NcSTAR, or some other **** brand.
Spend some money and get something that is reliable, has decent glass, and will hold zero. Bushnell, Nikon, or even a Primary Arms scope will be FAR better than a Barska, NcSTAR, or some other **** brand.
bhayles
Member
I always chuckle when I hear "...or EVEN a Primary Arms..."
TheMaineEvent
Member
It wasn't a slight against them. I use one of their 4-14x44 scopes and it's been great, but I did have a red dot go south after very little use.
Even though their customer service is second to none I guess I'm a little leery all things made in China now, but they are better than a Barska or NcSTAR any day of the week.
Even though their customer service is second to none I guess I'm a little leery all things made in China now, but they are better than a Barska or NcSTAR any day of the week.
sgtsandman
US Veteran
Bushnell does make some decent stuff if you go with their top end products. Note that I said decent, not good or great.
That being said, for and AR15, I would say you are getting into good at around the $200 mark for something like a Nikon or a Leupold. Redfield is supposed to be getting pretty good now that Leupold has them under their wing but I have not tried any of their product to go beyond what others have told me. You get what you pay for and might as well make the right purchase the first time. Places like this will help you but do some research elsewhere as well. Look at product reviews and customer reviews to help you narrow down your selection.
In my case, I went with a Nikon M-308 for my M&P10 and my MVP Partol. Are they the best you can get? Certainly not, but for a "best bang for the buck" purchase they are right where I want to be.
That being said, for and AR15, I would say you are getting into good at around the $200 mark for something like a Nikon or a Leupold. Redfield is supposed to be getting pretty good now that Leupold has them under their wing but I have not tried any of their product to go beyond what others have told me. You get what you pay for and might as well make the right purchase the first time. Places like this will help you but do some research elsewhere as well. Look at product reviews and customer reviews to help you narrow down your selection.
In my case, I went with a Nikon M-308 for my M&P10 and my MVP Partol. Are they the best you can get? Certainly not, but for a "best bang for the buck" purchase they are right where I want to be.
bhayles
Member
PA 2.5x red dot with ACSS CQB etched and lit reticle. $219.00 with mount.
I have 3 Sports, 2 are scoped, and both have this optic...and I'm happier than a pig in slop with them.
ChattanoogaPhil
Member
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2009
- Messages
- 14,601
- Reaction score
- 20,622
36 colors 
My Aimpoint only has one. I got ripped off!
This is the second tactical kaleidoscope you've asked about.
Cypher is right, gimmick.
That said, you're obviously interested in that kind of thing. It's only $100. Get one. You can buy it through Walmart. Return it if you don't like it.
UTG 30 Milimeter Swat 3-12X44 Full Size Illuminating Enhancing Adjustable Objective Mil Dot Rifle Scope - Walmart.com
My Aimpoint only has one. I got ripped off!
This is the second tactical kaleidoscope you've asked about.
Cypher is right, gimmick.
That said, you're obviously interested in that kind of thing. It's only $100. Get one. You can buy it through Walmart. Return it if you don't like it.
UTG 30 Milimeter Swat 3-12X44 Full Size Illuminating Enhancing Adjustable Objective Mil Dot Rifle Scope - Walmart.com
Last edited:
OP
Strat72
Member
I appreciate everyone's insight. I'm new to buying a scope. It does make sense if you spend big money on a rifle, then spend the same on optics.
TheMaineEvent
Member
There's a saying that I would recommend you embrace, "buy once cry once". It's better to spend the money on a quality product once than to have to buy something two, three, or four times becomes you skimped.
sgtsandman
US Veteran
And that's all that matters.
Once I get off my duff and get my AR15 kit built, I might go the same route. I'm not a brand snob. Heck the kit I have has so many different brands in it, it's going to have an identity complex!
