Why modify the turret to be non locking

[BattleFieldDuke]

I see there are people will send their scope in to get modified so the turret is non-locking, this always puzzles me.
Can't we simply unlock the turret and leave it unlocked? This way you will always have the flexibility

 

[davere]

Because for some use cases, the risk of manually relocking it by accident becomes a thing (and with some scopes, it's easier than others to do that, too)

 

[hafejd30]

I would assume it be better for stages on the clock. Accidental locking

I love my ZCO locking turret but I’m not shooting PRS

 

[oldrifleman]

I am one who never locked a turret before my first ( used) ZCO and hated them. If I left the thing up ( unlocked) it would inevitably pop down and I would fight for a few seconds. About then they started offering the X reticle and non-locking elevation turrets and my bank account has been crying ever since. Just personal option, I know lots that like locking, just not me.

 

[ChrisAU]

I thought the same way until I used a 15 mil locking turret in competition the first time. The physical step from the reference mark on the turret body to the turret cap made me spend to much time making sure I was on the tenth I intended to be on.

 

[BattleFieldDuke]

Thanks for all the explanation, I guess it’s for competition situation and accidental locking could be too costly

 

[oldrifleman]

To me there is also a stronger click feeling between marks on the non-locking. I can more easily count clicks on them.

 

[Rob01]

Thanks for all the explanation, I guess it’s for competition situation and accidental locking could be too costly

I have used locking turret scopes in matches for over a decade without issues. I like being able to lock them when I don’t want them to move. Some don’t. Some see it as a perceived issue and do it just in case. All a personal options. I would never send a scope in to have it changed.

 

[lash]

I have used locking turret scopes in matches for over a decade without issues. I like being able to lock them when I don’t want them to move. Some don’t. Some see it as a perceived issue and do it just in case. All a personal options. I would never send a scope in to have it changed.

I’ve not found it to be an issue. But then my budget doesn’t allow for ZCO money, and that appears to be where the concern lies. No?

 

[Rob01]

I’ve not found it to be an issue. But then my budget doesn’t allow for ZCO money, and that appears to be where the concern lies. No?

Not sure if the OP was talking about a specific optic. Mine were Vortex Gen 2 and 3s and also a Steiner. I especially like locking windage as I had those spin in matches before when I didn’t want them too. Sucks shooting a mil right when there is no wind. lol

 

[1911Shootist]

I had both my gen3's unlocked and love it. Accidental locking was a rare issue - not really frustrating, just distracting. I have absolutely no need for a locking elevation turret on a match gun. It's also nicer to have the index mark right up against the turret graduations (I'm still baffled Vortex didn't extend it up under the turret), so it's easier to see where I'm at precisely.

 

[6point5CM]

Hi, I stumbled across a post where you made some MDT style cheek risers for the Aero Solus chassis. Are you still making those or do you have a website at all? It’s a good looking product!

 

[TahoeDust]

I really like that my Zeiss has a non locking elevation turret and a locking windage turret.

 

[rothgyr]

I just shot an NRL22 match with a brand new Razor 3 and had it lock on me during a stage. My other scopes don't lock, so I'm used to having some weight of my arm on the optic as I dial, so it locked. What bothered me is that the unlock isn't a quick click up, it feels like pulling a box out of another box when they're airtight and doesn't want to come up.

It's a training issue, 100%.

My plan is to shuffle optics around anyways, and the Razor will be on an ELR gun where I don't need to dial and do fast stuff on the clock, so I'm keeping the locking. I really liked the locking windage on my Ares ETR, and both my PRS/NRL22 guns have capped windage if I want it.

 

[davere]

I think a number of folks had that problem with the Gen 3 - so much so, that "return scope to Vortex to have it adjusted" became a first step folks did upon receiving them. I've felt them before/after that trip home, and it does make a difference in how easy it is to accidentally lock the turret, while still retaining the ability to lock it.

 

[Rob01]

I think a number of folks had that problem with the Gen 3 - so much so, that "return scope to Vortex to have it adjusted" became a first step folks did upon receiving them. I've felt them before/after that trip home, and it does make a difference in how easy it is to accidentally lock the turret, while still retaining the ability to lock it.

That problem was with the initial run that would drop easily and where this whole rep of locking easy came from. After they figured out the issue and fixed it there isn’t a problem with the locking turret unless someone is very heavy handed as mentioned. Just reaching up and spinning it will not lock it. I had an original and did the usual fixes at the time like a spacer or o-ring so it wouldn’t accidentally lock but even then it wasn’t bad for me. The newer scopes do not have that issue. I have a couple new ones I got over the past few months and there is no issue with it locking accidentally.

 

[rothgyr]

there isn’t a problem with the locking turret unless someone is very heavy handed as mentioned.

Exactly. I'm used to grabbing my whole turret like a jar lid with a chunk of my palm engaged on it from a shooting position instead of just using my fingers. It's not dropping on its own.

 

[Rob01]

Exactly. I'm used to grabbing my whole turret like a jar lid with a chunk of my palm engaged on it from a shooting position instead of just using my fingers. It's not dropping on its own.

That’s what I do too but no downward pressure. That is what I meant by heavy handed. The downward force.

 

[Secant]

I prefer my non-locking ZCO over locking ZCO for all uses. The zero lock on the 4-16x42 ATACR or Mk5 is better for me than the pull-up/push-down locking turrets on ZCO/Razor/etc.