I was getting ready to pull the trigger on a TR24 when I became aware of this scope. It’ll be mounted on my only AR15…an M&P15. I’ll probably go with the T reticule.
http://http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-1-4x24-Tactical-30mm-Riflescope-P48373.aspx
I’ve tried searching, but can’t find very much info on the SWFA SS.
What do you guys think of it? I’ve read good reviews, but nothing from people who’ve owned one for awhile.
I have one of the T-reticle versions, and a good friend of mine has the circle version.
I think that they both work well, and it comes down to individual preference as to which reticle you will like more.
Mine had an issue with illumination, and was one of the first production runs. I notified SWFA about the problem, and they send me a replacement and simply asked that I put the problem optic in the new box and ship it back. I have had no issues with the new version’s illumination system.
That being said, the illumination is not a must-have if used in conjunction with a light, as the reticle posts are thick enough to pic up about as fast as a front sight post in the same conditions. The circle reticle, even more so. These are good properties because the battery life isn’t terribly long. It’s the price you pay with full reticle illumination, which allows the full use of the mil scale in low light.
I am not going to say that the SWFA is the best 1-4 optic out there, but it has a lot of features that I really like at a very competitive price.
If you have any specific questions, let me know.
Thanks for the info Failure.
What mount do you have it in?
Does it clear your rear sights, if you have them?
How long would you say the battery last on a “useful” setting for daylight?
For those of you who don’t know, this scope has the reticule on the first focal plane. Here is a review by Hokie that has photo’s:
http://206.125.47.33/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2491668
Here’s some photos:
Bobro, from SWFA.
Great mount.
Does it clear your rear sights, if you have them?
Yup, clears my folding Troy rear with no problem.
How long would you say the battery last on a “useful” setting for daylight?
Indefinately for daylight use, the reticle is fine with no illumination.
However, I understand the intent of your question.
I accidentally left mine on for about 50 hours and it lasted for several hours of use later. I ditched that particular battery before it failed. In other cases the optic was left on for over 72 hours and was drained, though that battery had been used for several hours previously.
The illumination is a lot like magnification with this optic:
Leave it off until you need it.
F2S, as someone having shot both reticles, what are the pros and cons of each. I am looking at this scope and cant decide on the T or the circle.
thanks
Maybe I can help you decide:
Kit 4:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2962908&page=1
SWFA SS 1-4x24 Tactical 30mm Riflescope: First Focal Plane Illuminated T Reticle (Post/Mil-Scale) with Capped Turrets
BOBRO Mount: Low, Slightly Forward
SWFA SS Switchview Throwlever
Butler Creek Eye Cover
Butler Creek Objective Cover
All for $799
This is what I ordered after sitting on the fence for awhile.
If you don’t have a clear preference for the T reticle based on experience or expectation I would recommend going with the circle.
Like I said, my good buddy has a circle reticle, and we both shoot very similarly with no clear advantage in any application for either optic, however, the circle will be easier to pick up in low-light.
These pics show that pretty well:
(copied from Snipers Hide)
I originally wanted the circle reticle for the particular AR I was going to put this optic on. When I saw the group buy I went with the T reticle and its been perfect, the FFP on this optic is great and one of the reasons I chose this optic over some other I was looking at. The BoBro mount is top notch and better than any of the LaRue mounts I own. SWFA has great customer service also, if you can still get the group buy pricing, go for it you will not be dissappointed.
That’s good news!
My scope should be arriving soon.
I think for $799 I’d be looking for another scope, there are others far cheaper and have auto shut off so you don’t kill your batteries.
I think that scope has some useless features and is over priced.
You just need something to hold a zero for 0-300yrd shooting, and the serrations on the cross hairs are useless.
Curt
I’m sorry, this seems in direct opposition to what people who know what they’re talking about say. is this a joke? what do you base any of these statements on?
Practical experience, I’ve been shooting the AR for 25 years, and have participated in Tactical Rifle matches for the past 12.
I just thank the SS scope is a bit over priced, what features justify this over the competitors scope? I know SS makes a rugged quality scope, but what features pushes the price so high, they sold their 1st SS sniper scopes for $299.00 and still do so why can’t this scope be a bit more affordable.
The hash marks in the reticle seem to be a bit gimmicky as they don’t translate into Mils or Rads, so what are the purpose, how much hold over will you need in the 50-400 range? I like the basic reticle design (minus the hash marks) but is it worth $400 over a competitors scope?
I think it might be trying to be two scopes in one, a CQB sight and a long range precision scope, I think for what it is intended for, close to mid range battle sight, there are other less expensive alternatives.
I’ll buy the cheaper scope and with the money I save buy ammo, or another gun, and I’m sure I can stand side by side with the SS and still bang the gong at 400 yrds.
Curt
The ‘hash’ marks are in mils and the turrets are in mils, this is a MAJOR difference with less priced scopes.
I don’t know where you are getting that idea, but it is most definately a mil based reticle.
I also don’t think that there is such a thing as “Rads” in terms of reticle design, and that you are confusing it for Milliradian (commonly called Mil-Rad for brevity).
Part of the price is that it is a first focal plane reticule. I’m not aware of any 1-4 power scope that has this feature.
The price on the link I posted also includes a $200+ mount, $60 throw lever and butler creek lens covers
I don’t think you know what you’re talking about. the $299 scope you are referring to was made by Tasco. the new scopes are made by a Japanese manufacturer that is known to make other very high quality products. they have HD glass, FFP, accurate miliradian reticles, and are built significantly better. the “hash marks” are mil and the knobs are mil. the reviews have stated that it is very much worth it’s price compared to some of the competition. and I want you to show me the $400 scope or $400 rifle that you can “stand side by side with the SS and still bang the gong at 400 yrds.”…
I am also interested in this scope. I was leaning heavily toward the TR24 myself and then read some reports of members having issues with water getting into the scope after a day of shooting in the rain. The main selling point for me regarding the TR24 was the fiber optic technology. I was willing to overlook some of the TR24 shortcomings until the above mentioned water issue was reported on this forum. (I live in the Pacific NW and it rains here occasionally). I have a couple noob questions for those with experience using the SWFA SS 1-4x:
Has anyone experienced an issue with water getting in the scope after it has been subjected to wet conditions?
This may be an ignorant question, but what are the pros and cons for the exposed turrets as opposed to the capped? I note SWFA sells both configurations.
I have an Aimpoint Pro which I like, but the red dot blooms a little due to my eyesight. Another aspect that I liked with the TR24 was that I didn’t experience that bloom effect. Does the illuminated reticle of the SWFA have a tendency to bloom for those with astigmatism?
After reading several reviews for this scope, my main hang up is the battery life. Would you still be confident with this scope as a CQB optic should the illumination feature fail for some reason? (I’m interested in the version with the circular reticle). The pic attached to this thread seems to show a relatively visible non-illuminated black reticle with the target lit by a light, but I’d like the opinion of those with experience using this scope during competition, training, or on duty. In a nutshell, is the battery life a reasonable compromise in your opinion?
Do you have to be a member at snipershide to get the group buy kit?
ETA: Never mind, it appears that you do not have to be, I just ordered a Kit 4. (Registered there anyways.) Thank you very much for the heads-up on that deal, and those pics really helped to sell it.
I just received a Kit # 4 on Friday and my impressions are generally positive. My biggest concern was the weight; I am a big ACOG fan and you will have to pay a weight penalty for the better adjustable scopes. Right now it’s mounted on a rifle that sported a TA11 with LaRue mount, so it’s only about 3-4 oz. more.
Glass clarity is quite good. Appears rugged and well done. With the diopter properly adjusted, the milliradian hash marks are clear and visible against a light background without illumination. Although my eyes are astigmatic, I do not have any problems at all with the illuminated reticule. (Aimpoints did not give me a problem, but the older Eotechs – 552 – drove me nuts.)
Although the illumination battery life is supposed to be very short – about 70 hours or so, that is not a problem. The reticule design is what attracted me to this scope and I am happy with the setup. I like the “old school” concept of using heavy bars to point to the center of the scope, and then a relatively empty space indicating the aiming point. Brush hunters used this system for years before illumination came along.
Although I occasionally think “I should have gotten the DoD reticule,” I doubt I will miss it at all. At lower magnifications, circle reticules slow me down because I try to frame the aiming point inside the circle rather than just let the three heavy bars point to the thing I want to hit. I don’t want to look at the reticule; I only want it to tell me how to align the rifle. The ToD is a faster system, I think.
Also, if you are looking at small distinctions, the open space indicated by the interior heavy horizontal and vertical bars is smaller than the interior of the circle, meaning that the T-reticule is potentially slightly more accurate for fast, close range work. At 4x, the circle is purposeless.
As Failure stated, the sight is not really meant to use illumination all the time. It does not need it. Rather, illumination could be handy in low light situations and should be an option in your bag of tricks, not something to rely on. Similarly, as stated above, the sight works best as a 1x sighting device, with the potential to push to 4x if it will help.
Due to other commitments, it took me all weekend to get the scope mounted and properly set up. Adjusting the diopter took me a while, mostly because I was stupid and tried to do it when the light was less than I needed, and, because I thought I could do it quickly. I knew better, but …
A note on placing the scope in the Bobro: At first I was surprised to see that some people had not pushed the scope all the way forward in the mount, but realized once I had my hands on the scope that the large illumination knob on the left made it more advantageous to place the scope slightly back by about 3/4" in the mount. Even so, with the mount placed with one slot showing on the top of the upper, I could get a good cheek weld with an A1 length stock. When I placed the mount on a different carbine with a collapsible stock, I could get an acceptable eye relief with the stock set on position three (from the receiver) and the mount placed as far forward was it could go.
Now, if I could only get enough time to shoot the thing. Maybe this week.
ETA: The scope in the # 4 Kit Bobro mount (very nice) clears a Troy flip-up by 2-3 millimeters, and will probably clear a few others others, without the caps. But, I noticed that the large ocular bell and the BC caps will probably provide have contact with PRI and Magpul Gen I rear sights. That measurement will have to wait for another day.
Glad to help!!