Rifle Scopes so... the SWFA SS variable...

[SkaerE]

has it been durability tested as much as the fixed 10x?

i know throughout the years ive seen tons of reviews showing the abuse of the fixed version but i really need a variable for my hunting 308. was thinking the 3-9 was it if it was as durable.

seriously, its priced right and durability is #1 on my requirement list. it would be replaceing a loopy 2.5-10 LR premier ret gen II scope that i sold off a while ago... about the same... better... step down?

thanks all!

 

[ToddM]

Re: so... the SWFA SS variable...

Considering how short of a time it's been on the market there's no way it has been as well tested or has long term reliability information that the 10x has.

That said everything I've seen and heard about it so far would seem to indicate it's a very solid scope and I'd say it's at least as good if not better than the loopy, but I haven't been overly impressed with my 3.5-10x loopy.

 

[19818119]

Re: so... the SWFA SS variable...

The new 3-9x42 was released before the new 10HD so it's been in the public hands longer with no issues that I've seen reported. The new line from SWFA are a higher quality proposition (and higher price) than the older gen.

I would say the variable is a excellent hunting scope.

 

[nostyta]

Re: so... the SWFA SS variable...

Here's one of LL's famous reviews on it.

SWFA SS Review.

 

[SkaerE]

Re: so... the SWFA SS variable...

interesting.

hard to tell which scope he is talking about between the 2... are both the 10x HD and 3-9 the "HD" glass?

 

[ToddM]

Re: so... the SWFA SS variable...

The 10x HD has only been out the same time as the 3-9x but the super sniper line of fixed scopes before that has been out for a long time and there is a lot more data about it's long term reliability. The internals are probably very different between the old fixed line and the new HD line and 3-9x so older reviews may not apply to these new scopes.

I believe only the 10x HD has the HD glass. I'm guessing the 3-9 does not since if it did not only should be be priced higher than the 10x HD but just for advertising sake it should be mentioned on the info page for it and it's not.

 

[Oodin]

Re: so... the SWFA SS variable...

I bought the variable as an introduction to precision shooting and I am impressed.

It is my first tactical style scope but so far I'm hooked. Can't make any comment on the durability, but the mechanics and glass are much better than I'm used to. Well worth the money IMHO.

 

[billyburl2]

Re: so... the SWFA SS variable...

During the development of the 3x9 S.S. it was torture tested on a 8.5lbs un-braked .338 lapua mag. by hide member Mike McDonald. You can read about this over on SWFA's forum, Optics Talk, just use the search.

 

[Impact]

Re: so... the SWFA SS variable...

just ordered one on ebay for my M1A

 

[gunsmithcat]

Re: so... the SWFA SS variable...

I'm still saving up my pennies for one. Can't wait

 

[SkaerE]

Re: so... the SWFA SS variable...

only question i have, in the video lowlight seems to bring up the fact that the scope has all brass internals...

i thought that was a bad thing? im sure ive read it as being a downside on scopes on this forum more than once - brass not being as hard as stainless and getting sloppy over time...

 

[SkaerE]

Re: so... the SWFA SS variable...

nobody? what i recall from years ago was a "torture test" where the user ran the knobs from stop to stop many... many... many... times and brass became less than appealing at some point.

of course, perhaps i am remembering something incorrectly or the important parts on the SS are made from something else.

just wondering before i order. i mean, it is SWFA, im sure they would make good any problems

 

[Impact]

Re: so... the SWFA SS variable...

got my scope. It's very nice. I will ditch the swfa rings though, they are too wide for my LRB M25 mount, I'll probably get some TPS rings instead.