Rifle Scopes SWFA 5-20 HD - Do the really stiff zoom/focus rings ever loosen up?

[Onewolf42]

I've shot about 1000 rounds over 2 years with my SWFA 5-20HD and the zoom and focus rings are still astonishingly stiff. Is there hope that they will loosen up over time or is there something I can do to assist the loosening process? Send it in for service?

Thanks.

 

[PBWalsh]

Aadland gripper for about $30 is supposed to fix it. I need to try it out myself as that knob is quite hard to turn with any speed.

 

[Onewolf42]

I have the Aadland gripper for the focus ring which helps, but it's still too stiff. I have the MK throw lever for the zoom ring, and it's still WAY too stiff. I have to get a firm grip on the rifle if I'm going to change the zoom or it will fall over from the tripod legs.

 

[PBWalsh]

Hmm, my zoom ring is silky smooth. The parallax is tight to turn though.

SWFA throw lever came with mine that I bought used off here.

 

[Deleted member 10043]

It's been several years but I used a pair of vice grips then commenced to move it back and forth until it loosened up. I put something around it so as not to scar it. This was way before throw handles. I'm talking about the paralex knob.

 

[Smooth_87]

An updated swfa 5-20 HD model would probably wipe out half the market.

 

[RFutch]

The Aadland gripper is a must. It's still stiff but a lot more manageable.