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Rifle Scopes Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

S

Spookfish

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 24, 2013
14
0
31
AZ
Hey guys,

I threw on some Butler Creek flipups for my Vortex PST for a course last week and both of them broke! The first was the eyepiece and when I went to adjust the magnification I bumped it and it just snapped off. Minimal force applied. The Objective piece just went flying off when I flicked it with my thumb when going down to range some targets. Nothing too strenuous. I contacted SWFA about a return but have yet to get a response. I will call them after work today.

Anyone else have this problem?

IMG_4371_zpscf7b973b.jpg


Just snapped off.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

I think that is a frequent happening. My scope came with BC's but I'm keeping info on the proper Tenabraex to replace them with when the time comes.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

Liberty Optics has been getting the new tactical versions in, and they're supposed to be much more durable. I'm sure the other dealers have been getting them in as well. They went downhill the last few years, must be watering the mixture down with donkey piss or something.

How cold out was it? They become pretty brittle when below 40*F.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

My objective cap broke last week. Though in fairness, my rifle was sitting, bipod-supported on the soft ground and got tipped over.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: earthtrekker1775</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My objective cap broke last week. Though in fairness, my rifle was sitting, bipod-supported on the soft ground and got tipped over. </div></div>

That's how mine broke, too, except it was on carpet. On top of that, the scope cover was in the closed position. Guess I shouldn't abuse it too much.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

I got one of the new BC tactical caps and they are much nicer. Thicker rubber type material. It would be hard to tear them up.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Redmanss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Liberty Optics has been getting the new tactical versions in, and they're supposed to be much more durable. I'm sure the other dealers have been getting them in as well. They went downhill the last few years, must be watering the mixture down with donkey piss or something.

How cold out was it? They become pretty brittle when below 40*F.</div></div>

It was 55F out, so not cold at all. This is disappointing as my previous caps from years ago still work fine. Time to switch to a quality set.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DrewinTejas</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I got one of the new BC tactical caps and they are much nicer. Thicker rubber type material. It would be hard to tear them up. </div></div>

The Tacticals sound good.
I eventually got tired of taking the original ones back to exchange.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

Guys I'm sorry to report that the new BC tactical caps may not be all we hoped they would. Monday I was out training. Had my rifle on the line for about 45 minutes with the caps closed while I was spotting for other team members. It was about 18 degrees with the wind, which was blowing between 12-20+. When it came time for me to shoot I got behind my rifle popped open the objective cap and one of the rubber tabs that holds the cap cracked completely through while the other broke nearly all the way through. Seems that these caps don't like cold weather either. I haven't called BC yet but just wanted everyone who had their hopes up, like I did to, know.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

I gave up on the BC caps a few years ago. Always breaking and would not stay closed. What's weird is that I got a new S&B a few months ago with BC caps on it and the're perfect. Go figure.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

Good to hear your report blade. New tactical caps that are just reshaped, re-canned P.O.S like the old style.

Guess I'll be sticking with my second choice of staying with neoprene covers that don't break in the cold.

Alaska scope shield or Scopecoat for me from here on out.

Sorry to hear of your bad experience blade, but it is good to get some honest feedback of real world use and in what conditions.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

The original BC's were pretty good, they had just the right amount of flexibility to give instead of break. These BC's the last few years, they must have changed the plastic formula as it's gotten so brittle; any little impact breaks them. When they break I just keep using them (they usually will still snap on) until they totally crack. Usually they break at the hinge, when I catch the cover shooting through a port.

Pathetic.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

Put mine on rifle and went to range. Sat down to shoot and flipped cap up. Cap broke. I then quickly broke the other one with much greater force. No cap problems since!
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

Common problem unfortunatley. I RO'd a stage at a match last year where shooters had to shoot thru various barracades and saw LOTS of broken scope covers on that stage. Mostly objective covers.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

My ocular cap broke the 2cnd time out of the case
mad.gif
Butler Creek ought to give us our money back or replace them with the new ones.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

Has anyone here actually spoke to the folks at Butler Creek? I'd be curious to hear their reaction to the poor quality the last few years as well as what they're willing to do about all the broken caps......
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

I plan on calling them on Monday. I'll let you guys know what they have to say.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DrewinTejas</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I got one of the new BC tactical caps and they are much nicer. Thicker rubber type material. It would be hard to tear them up. </div></div>


Oh thank God.

$3k scope with pos plastic shitty covers.

Hope the new ones are a lot better.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

My caps that came with my USO sn3 are far superior then anything I can find on the Internet. I would love to get a set of them them for my Swarovski.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 997/2man</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DrewinTejas</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I got one of the new BC tactical caps and they are much nicer. Thicker rubber type material. It would be hard to tear them up. </div></div>


Oh thank God.

$3k scope with pos plastic shitty covers.

Hope the new ones are a lot better.</div></div>

I got the new ones on two of my scopes and am not impressed. They are hard to close because they are flimsy and they dont stay closed. Just a slight bump and they pop open I have already taken them off and put my bikini cover back on one and the old BC caps on the other.

Why someone cant make a cover that is both durable and functional is beyond me, but IMO the BC tactical cover aren't the answer.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

I had the same issue broke mine and my dads on the same day. so what are everyone's suggestions for a good flip up cap?
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

Unfortunately it seems that bikini covers or neoprene covers are the next best thing. I am unaware of any other company making all the sizes that B/C makes for all different makes/brands of scopes.

If some other company out there could come up with a better mouse trap, they'd sell a shit ton of them and leave B/C in the dust.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

BC was purchased by another company, when that happened the quality of their caps went to crap. I've broken half a dozen just flipping them open.

My only experience with BC is the flip up caps with the red release button though.

I still wish scope makers would threat their scopes so we could screw on high end multicoated photographic filters. Then I'd never have caps on at all.
 
Butler Creek Solution Pending!!

Do not despair...a solution may be on the horizon. Just make sure you do not throw away your Butler Creeks when they break...you will need to salvage the good parts.

8463075598_5abd8be9a7_c.jpg

8461976445_a1d7d45309_c.jpg
 
Re: Butler Creek Solution Pending!!

.

What about the Leupold Flip Up Scope covers? Arent they good? Or they are just as bad as BC?

I thouth that, being made of aluminum, they would be very good, but hear nothing about them... good or bad.


LRCampos
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

hk dave said:
<span style="color: #FF0000">BC was purchased by another company, when that happened the quality of their caps went to crap. I've broken half a dozen just flipping them open.</span>
Might be something to the new owners using more "regrind" when the plastic parts are molded. Saves money by reusing the plastic molding scrap, but reduces the quality of the molded parts - as in more brittle.

I have BC caps on all my scopes and never had one break till the newest one's ocular cap broke off.

OFG
Click to expand...
 
Re: Butler Creek Solution Pending!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LRCampos</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.

What about the Leupold Flip Up Scope covers? Arent they good? Or they are just as bad as BC?

I thouth that, being made of aluminum, they would be very good, but hear nothing about them... good or bad.


LRCampos </div></div>

I got a set with my new MK4 ER/T and they are BC, i'm not impressed with them, the set I had on my old Bushnell were lots better and BC too. Must have been older ones setting in the gun shot for a few years, I just got them a year ago, guess I better go back and see if they have another set.
 
Re: Butler Creek Solution Pending!!

Well I shouldn't say this, because I'll probably break them tommorrow, but I bought a set of the aluminum covers from Leupold last year and have used them pretty hard and so far they have held up well. Down side $80 a set. They screw into the scope and are held closed with a magnet. Only issue so far is I lost one of the little o-rings on the cap. I've broken enough plastic caps to pay for these. So far so good.
 
Re: Butler Creek Solution Pending!!

The Alumina (sp?) covers from Leupold are $$$ but first rate. The plastic Leupold marked covers that came with my MK 4 are just BC's and are crap... Leupy replaced them for free, but they are still crap.
 
Re: Butler Creek Solution Pending!!

The Leupold aluminum covers work very well and screw on. You can adjust them to get the lid to flip out in the direction you want. Definitely not a cheap product.
 
Re: Butler Creek Solution Pending!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 19Scout77</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do not despair...a solution may be on the horizon. Just make sure you do not throw away your Butler Creeks when they break...you will need to salvage the good parts.

8463075598_5abd8be9a7_c.jpg

8461976445_a1d7d45309_c.jpg
</div></div>

Look nice, but probably out of the price range of BC's.........
 
Re: Butler Creek Solution Pending!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: buffybuster</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 19Scout77</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do not despair...a solution may be on the horizon. Just make sure you do not throw away your Butler Creeks when they break...you will need to salvage the good parts.

8463075598_5abd8be9a7_c.jpg

8461976445_a1d7d45309_c.jpg
</div></div>

Look nice, but probably out of the price range of BC's......... </div></div>

Incorrect assumption.
 
Re: Butler Creek Solution Pending!!

Anyone got a good source for Bikini Covers. Links would surely be helpful as well as appreciated.
 
Re: Butler Creek Solution Pending!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Redmanss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Liberty Optics has been getting the new tactical versions in, and they're supposed to be much more durable. I'm sure the other dealers have been getting them in as well. </div></div>


this.... i have a box of broke BC caps
frown.gif
 
Re: Butler Creek Solution Pending!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 19Scout77</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do not despair...a solution may be on the horizon. Just make sure you do not throw away your Butler Creeks when they break...you will need to salvage the good parts.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8510/8463075598_5abd8be9a7_c.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8384/8461976445_a1d7d45309_c.jpg</div></div>


How far out are we from these being available? Who is making them?
 
Re: Butler Creek Solution Pending!!

Well I contacted BC today (actually Bushnell) who I guess owns BC. They are sending me out a new tactical cap to replace the broken one. Can't complain about the customer service.

Of course I was told that they haven't seen this happen before.

Hey 19Scout your close enough to me to stop by and pick up a set of those caps. I'm running a Nightforce 3.5x15x50. Any idea when they'll be available?
 
Re: Butler Creek Solution Pending!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Spookfish</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 19Scout77</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do not despair...a solution may be on the horizon. Just make sure you do not throw away your Butler Creeks when they break...you will need to salvage the good parts.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8510/8463075598_5abd8be9a7_c.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8384/8461976445_a1d7d45309_c.jpg</div></div>


How far out are we from these being available? Who is making them?
</div></div>

Can't say for sure as they are still being tested and intial production will be limited to a few of the more popular sizes. Final product will be flat black hardcoat anodized and should be priced under $15 shipped conus. Hopefully within a few months.
 
Re: Butler Creek Solution Pending!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: blade</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Well I contacted BC today (actually Bushnell) who I guess owns BC. They are sending me out a new tactical cap to replace the broken one. Can't complain about the customer service.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Of course I was told that they haven't seen this happen before.</span></div></div>

I FOOKIN HATE THAT LINE

2x SWFA 10x scopes, 4x broken covers the first trip to the range. I had a set on a Leupold from ~2005 and they still work to this day. The new ones are made of stool and lint.

I'm going to try out their living hinge design and I'm looking forward to these aluminum things.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: steve123</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My ocular cap broke the 2cnd time out of the case
mad.gif
Butler Creek ought to give us our money back or replace them with the new ones. </div></div>

I had 2 of the new 2A BC cap break the same way twice. Both time the caps were closed and broke when I flipped them open. I have a number of old ones I have been using for 20 years and never had a problem
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

If you broke them I don't see why you would be permitted to return them.

The new Butler Creeks are worse than they ever were. That said, I have always broken a few objective covers every year.

Like Scout says, salvage the parts. I buy a bunch of covers a year: For $7 each they are consumables.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

I dont even bother with them as living in Alaska it gets far below the temperature that BCs stay happy. In the teens and below you better use both hands and very gingerly open them ensuring you dont apply any torque to them and if you do all this they *MIGHT* not break. I am definitely ready for a company to release a better option.

I can understand looking at them as consumable but with them getting maybe 10-30 cycles of open/close average for me I dont think they are THAT consumable. The little silicon bikini cover works quite well its cheap and never breaks even in weather so cold you dont want to touch the metal on your gun.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you broke them I don't see why you would be permitted to return them.

The new Butler Creeks are worse than they ever were. That said, I have always broken a few objective covers every year.

Like Scout says, salvage the parts. I buy a bunch of covers a year: For $7 each they are consumables.
</div></div>

They don't say "consumable" in any of the descriptions of the product. If it breaks the first trip out they ought to do something as that is a load of horse shit on their part.

I'll happily wait for yours 19scout. Just let us know when and I'll be all over them.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Spookfish</div><div class="ubbcode-body">They don't say "consumable" in any of the descriptions of the product.</div></div>They don't come with a warranty, either.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Spookfish</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If it breaks the first trip out they ought to do something as that is a load of horse shit on their part.</div></div>It's a crappy product. Welcome to the club.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

Feel free to post up with the size objective and ocular aluminum replacement caps you want to see made and those with the largest number of votes will move up in the queue. One objective cap size fits a number of collars. For example NF 56mm, SB 56mm and HDMR 50mm all use the same size cap. SB 50mm and NF 50mm as well.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">They don't come with a warranty, either.. </div></div>Actually they do. They come with a 1 year warranty. Call them and ask how long the warranty is.

That said, I started a thread on this last year. I've got a couple of old sets of the caps that have been great, but the newer ones keep constantly breaking. They replaced the same caps for me twice last year under warranty. I took the rifle to the range a total of twice throughout the off season. Then this hunting season I got the rifle out again, got to my stand and went to flip up the cap and when I flipped it up, one of them broke again. It's just ridiculous. They last me about 3 range trips. I called Bushnell and even though it was no longer under warranty they replaced it again. Each time they tell me they haven't heard of this happening before and that they will forward my complaint on to the quality department.

So I give them a thumbs up for replacing them, but the caps turned into complete pieces of crap after Bushnell took them over. Then again everything I've had with Bushnell written on the side of it has left me disappointed so I can't say I'm surprised.

That said, I've been using a Scope Shield Alaska and it's a great product. Works well and doesn't break. I honestly like the flip ups better than a scope coat that will be dangling off of my rifle, however, when the caps break just about every use they aren't a reliable option imo. Until someone else starts making a set of reliable caps, the Scope Shield Alaska is the way to go imo.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

Does anyone have the contact info for BC? I looked on their site and no contact info is available
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

I just get the Bushnell number off of the Bushnell site and call them. Their number is 1-800-423-3537.
 
Re: Butler Creek Flip-ups flimsy and breaking

So is the new tactical one gtg or am I better off just buying a scope coat?
 
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