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SWFA SS 1-4x24 classic competitors?

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simpkinst View Drop Down
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    Posted: April/08/2015 at 20:06

I have been looking at the SS 1-4x24 scope.   The features that I am looking for are the mil reticle and matching mil turrets.  I also like the "full size" reticle - not a tiny unit that is hard to use.

How durable is this scope and how is the quality of the glass/image?

This seems like an awful lot of scope for $400.  What are the cons?   I am a believer of the "if it seems to good to be true"  mantra....

At the $400 price range, what is the competition?  Is there a comparable scope with Mil/Mil at this price point?  The Mark AR Mod1 has the same features at $450.  Any thing else out there to compare with?



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote frozentundra Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/08/2015 at 23:12
I am also considering this scope.  Koshkin wrote this in the other thread:  http://opticstalk.com/new-swfa-ss-14x24_topic40752.html 

"   Ultimately, in the sub-$500 price range, there are now three truly viable low range variable scopes, where there were only two.  It has been Leatherwood CMR4 1-4x24 and Vortex PST 1-4x24.  Now there is also the SWFA SS DM 1-4x24.  Burris Tac30 and the original Leatherwood CMR are pretty good, but the three I referred two above are clearly better.  For the money, the new SSDM is probably the best one in the bunch.  Here is a spec table with a few scopes of this general configuration. "

Also wrote this in blue:
- "How does this compare directly with the Vortex Viper PST 1-4x24.  I assume this will be one of the primary competitors with this scope when it reaches it's final price.  They'll be within 100 bucks of one another.  They are comparable in many ways.  The SSDM is likely a touch better optically, but it is close.  Mechanics are hard to tell for sure until there is a number of these out there.  The scope I played with did not hiccup at all.  I prefer the reticle on the SS, but that is personal.  The SSDM is a touch lighter though, which is important for my application."


It's worth reading the first couple/few pages of that thread for some additional info from Koshkin and others.  

I've been having trouble deciding about a low power variable.  I don't know much about optics, and I'm not sure if it is realistic for me to expect a 1-4 illuminated scope at this price point to have turrets that track precisely, and are repeatable and durable when actually dialing firing solutions.  Without those qualities it seems silly to buy something with exposed turrets. 

Really looking forward to opinions about how the feature set and execution of the SS 1-4 compares with other scopes in it's general price range.






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Steelbenz View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Steelbenz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/09/2015 at 04:48
I own the 1-4 and the box test is perfect on mine. Mine is on a dedicated night hunt hog gun. A laser genetics Nd-3 with the illumination of the scope on 2 is perfect for fast target acquisition. IMHO. The set up will put BBQ on grill!😋
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 3_tens Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/09/2015 at 05:23
One thing to note. The SS line has always put a very robust scope thats quality and preformance far exceeds the price point. This is especially true on the lower priced SS scopes.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/09/2015 at 09:25
Originally posted by simpkinst simpkinst wrote:

How durable is this scope and how is the quality of the glass/image?

This seems like an awful lot of scope for $400.  What are the cons?   I am a believer of the "if it seems to good to be true"  mantra....



One of the reasons that the price is kept low is that there is no middle man or distributor involved. SWFA gets the scope directly from the manufacture. And as far as the quality of SS scopes, do a search here or on some of the other forums. I do not recall anyone being unhappy with their SS scope.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote siegrisj Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/10/2016 at 10:59
This is kind of a necro post but whatever. I've owned both the Vortex MRAD PST 1-4 and now the SWFA SS 1-4.

My impression was that the only thing that the SWFA scope gives up to the Vortex is optical quality. To my eyes the Vortex was much crisper and brighter. The SWFA is using some kind of different coating that makes it seem not as bright. However, it is still plenty clear. It was a case of "wow" vs "good enough".

But that's about it. The reticle is far superior in the SWFA. Particularly against the Vortex MRAD model. The hash marks on that particular model are so fine that hold overs are impractical I think (MOA I believe is a different story). I also trust SWFA's quality more than Vortex's non-Razor lines. My .308 wears a Viper PST 6-24 and it had to go back to the shop. Vortex of course took care of me, everyone knows they have excellent customer service. The problem is I had to use it. And that seems to be a fairly common thing.

I wish the SWFA had a capped windage knob because dialing for wind is rare and having it exposed is just asking for trouble. I bumped my Vortex windage knob on the range one day and it took me awhile to figure out why I was missing targets at less than 50 yards. .3 mils adds up quick. Now I constantly check my turrets and wish I had covers for them. Haven't bumped the SWFA ones yet, but Murphy is lurking...

If you are using it for 3 gun or competition and speed is your thing, then I might give the edge to the Vortex. It might have a slightly faster reticle design.  For the ability to range targets or do anything involving distance: SWFA
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