I recently completed building my newest rifle, an AR-15 platform in 6.5 Grendel (NiB upper/BCG, 20” AA bbl, Geissele SSAE trigger, Magpul PRS, Todd Jarrett free-float tube). I am hoping to play around at longer ranges with this, and am in the market for a scope. I have been doing a lot of research over the past year and a half while I sourced parts for the gun and waited for them to get delivered, and had pretty much settled on the SWFA SuperSniper 3-15x42 FFP tactical scope (SWFA SS 3-15x42 Tactical Rifle Scope). I am just getting into the medium/long range game, and am looking for a more ‘budget-minded’ scope (inasmuch as such a thing exists). The SWFA has a lot of the features I like (most notably FFP) and comes with a good reputation and reviews at a reasonable price (about $700). After finally taking my gun out to the range for the first time last weekend and getting frustrated playing around with iron sights, I was all set to place an order for the SWFA when a friend mentioned to me that there is a scope sold by Primary Arms that is getting some good feedback, a 4-14x44 mil-mil FFP (Primary Arms 4-14X44 Mil Mil FFP Scope - First Focal Plane - Mil Turret - Mil Reticle Scope) . As the price for this is only $230, I was very interested. The specs on the scopes seem pretty similar to my un-trained eye, but with that drastic of a price differential, I assume there are going to be deficits somewhere… glass/optical quality, turret adjustments, other features, durability, etc. Unfortunately in all my web-scouring I haven’t found any particularly in-depth reviews of the Primary Arms scope… just some cursory “shot it at the range yesterday and it worked well. Tracked good too. Not a bad scope” kind of reviews. Was hoping some of the experts here might have some more details regarding optics/glass quality, etc. Yes I know that with optics you get what you pay for, and yes, this Primary Arms scope is made in china, but Primary arms has a reputation (at least with their red-dot sights) of bringing really quality pieces to market at a great price. I have one of their red-dots that has survived a LOT of abuse I’ve thrown its way. I’m not afraid to drop the money on the SWFA scope, but if I can get one that’s 85% the quality for 1/3rd of the price, that would be an option worth looking into. Thanks for any help!
Rifle Scopes PrimaryArms 4-14x44 FFP info? (vs SWFA 3-15x42 FFP)
- Thread starter RocketScientist
- Start date
I have not played too much with the Primary but I have handled one at the range. I am by no means and expert, but I remember it being fairly decent glass. My main complaints would be that the turrets were mushy and it has a boring mildot reticle. Now these are my personal preferences, but I'm not a huge fan of standard mildots and I HATE mushy turrets. A shooting buddy has the SS 3-15 and it really is a great scope for the money. Good glass, great turrets and I really like the mil-quad reticle. Some don't like the diamonds as opposed to dots or lines... The mil-quad reticle is pretty thin, so it's great at high power but maybe too thin at low power. This isn't too big a deal though IMO, it was still usable.
I know the price of the Primary is appealing, I considered it myself but I'm a buy once, cry once kinda guy. I ended up with a Vortex Viper PST 4-16 and love it. I think the SS is comparable to the PSTs for less (sans zero stop & illumination).
For reference, here is a great video review of the SS 3-15 by LoneWolfUSMC.
SWFA SS 3-15x42mm Rifle Scope Review - YouTube
GOOD LUCK either way you go! 6.5 Grendel seems like an awesome caliber for a gas gun.
I know the price of the Primary is appealing, I considered it myself but I'm a buy once, cry once kinda guy. I ended up with a Vortex Viper PST 4-16 and love it. I think the SS is comparable to the PSTs for less (sans zero stop & illumination).
For reference, here is a great video review of the SS 3-15 by LoneWolfUSMC.
SWFA SS 3-15x42mm Rifle Scope Review - YouTube
GOOD LUCK either way you go! 6.5 Grendel seems like an awesome caliber for a gas gun.
Last edited:
Malsa - thanks for the actual feedback! I posted similar questions on some other forums, and got the typical cliche'd answers (save up for the better one, buy once cry once, dont put cheap tires on a ferrari, if you cant afford a good scope this is the wrong hobby) I expected, but no feedback from someone who has actual experience with one of the PA scopes. I understand that these people are trying to help, and I agree with their sentiment/advice (didn't exactly build this rifle on the cheap), but it was refreshing to get some feedback from someone who has handled one of these in the real world. I was looking for responses like yours, basically confirming what I was already thinking (namely: a halfway decent scope, but a budget scope nonetheless, and not near the same class as the SWFA). So yeah, thanks again!
I have the primary arms on my savage axis 223... its a decent scope...the glass is decent, turrets are mushy, no idea if the mil dot and turret adjustment are accurate at not (haven't tested it yet).
Im also planning on getting a swfa ss 3-15x42 ( probably order it tomorrow) for my 308 build. I could do a side by side comparison for you after I receive it if you want
Im also planning on getting a swfa ss 3-15x42 ( probably order it tomorrow) for my 308 build. I could do a side by side comparison for you after I receive it if you want
I'm 99.9% sure the SWFA is a better scope in every aspect.
The reason I say this is I have 3 BSA tactical 4-14's which is pretty much the same scope as the PA 4-14 except for slightly upgraded with a better reticle. I have the SWFA too. I don't know if I'd trust the BSA on a centerfire for any serious competition. But some day for the heck of it I might try it in a monthly match. I already tried the SWFA in competition and it worked great.
The reason I say this is I have 3 BSA tactical 4-14's which is pretty much the same scope as the PA 4-14 except for slightly upgraded with a better reticle. I have the SWFA too. I don't know if I'd trust the BSA on a centerfire for any serious competition. But some day for the heck of it I might try it in a monthly match. I already tried the SWFA in competition and it worked great.
If you are on a budget, the Falcon Menace series 4-14 scopes have several really good reticles, the glass is surprisingly good and the mushy turrets can be fixed with a little bit of spray silicone lube (as can the PA scope)
The SS 3-15 is a superior scope, if you can afford it, it is a much better investment.
The SS 3-15 is a superior scope, if you can afford it, it is a much better investment.
I actually ended up finding a good deal on a swfa ss 5-20x50. I will say that if you want something reliable go with the SWFA it will be worth the extra money... if its something that doesnt need to track 100% and dont care if the turrets SUCK then get the primary arms.. I will sell you mine soon as I have enough saved up again for the 3-15 swfa for my 223.
Similar threads
