SWFA Fixed Power Scopes

[kidicarus13]

Does anyone have a SWFA fixed power SS scope in either 10X, 12X, 16X, or 20X? I would like your opinion.

[ray1970]

I had one of the 10x for a while.

Decent enough for the price. Mine tracked well, the adjustments were repeatable, and the clarity of the image seemed pretty good to me. I do remember it felt a bit on the heavy side.

[Trigger Time 23]

I had a 10x fixed. It tracked and glass was ok for the money. I thought the turret "clicks" we a little mushy, but it for the money it was good.

[Blowby]

Still have a 10x, best bang for the buck on a low dollar scope. Had a 16x but too much for field, tactical use. I've shot the 10x out to a mile and the glass was impressive spotting for my buddy on a 12" target. Completed a tracking test and it was right on. All my higher end scopes were off a little.

[drew890]

As others have said regarding the 10x.
I enjoyed mine and can’t complain especially considering the price.

[earplug]

I have a fixed 16X on a CZ 455 22LR. I'm happy with the scope. With a 25 MOA base it works fine out to 200 meters. A local Colorado guy sells zero stop kits for the fixed power SS scopes. They work fine.

[Wolfshoon]

I've had all those scopes listed. Every one tracked repeatably and accurately. All of them had over a 100 MOA of elevation adjustment so no additional MOA bases are needed in most cases. The only one I dont really care for is the 20x fixed, the eye-box is real small making consistent cheek weld critical, it also fatigues my eye after a while. Glass is better than almost everything else in this price range. Built like tanks, but have the weight penalty as well. Dropped my 5-20 on a AR off a bench at lead valley (windy day, lesson learned) and it did not lose zero. Scratched the bell and turret up pretty good though.

When the fixed powers go on sale at black Friday or tax day for $260 w/rings and bubble it is a stupid good deal.

I am a fanboy of the SS line of scopes, I also use the 3-15x on a couple different 22 rigs as it will focus down to 6 meters. Have a 5-20 I move around on different rifles. I use a fixed 10x on a 308 rig and it has been adequate for that role so far.

They have not innovated very well recently or even kept up with current optic trends. They got into going all out FFL selling ammo / guns and seemed to lose their optics focus about 5 years ago. I'd like to see a 5-25x with a mil-quad christmas tree reticle and HD glass under $2k--that would sell really well for PRS production division competition.

[Tim K]

I have three, two 16x and a 20x. They are an amazing value. I've checked mine and many others on my tracking jig, and all pass with perfect results.

Glass quality is surprisingly decent for the crazy low price.

BTW, I'm the guy who makes the zero stops for them. I've sold a poop ton of them, and I know of just one scope failure. Happened to be mine. I sent it back and had a new scope in about a week.

[Colorado Osprey]

I put a 12x on a M1A precision to handle the recoil impulse. Love the MOA-Quad reticle. Sight it in at different distances and log your drops. Dial it in or simply do your hold over with the reticle. Has not lost zero. I love it so much I am waiting for their next sale. I bought this one about a year ago for $249 shipped.
I know a lot of people wouldn't consider a fixed power scope these days but most people won't admit that they rarely adjust their magnification on their variable power scopes.

They are an excellent buy and money well spent.

[CS1983]

Have had 10x and 20x. Between the two, I preferred the 10x. 20x's FOV and eye box was unimpressive as others have said. Also seemed... "darker" in the image.

For what they are, they're great little scopes.

[Delfuego]

Still have a 10x, best bang for the buck on a low dollar scope. Still got mine too! Great scope for the money.

[kidicarus13]

So it sounds like if I can wait until mid-April, the fixed scopes may go on sale?

[Delfuego]

For $300, I would just get one. The discount would be minimal.

[Wolfshoon]

So it sounds like if I can wait until mid-April, the fixed scopes may go on sale?

Past sale, fairly typical of the past 4 years for them:

http://www.opticstalk.com/ended-swfa-labor-day-sale-2017_topic44336.html

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

10X, non HD for the side parallax. Performance is fine, no complaints and my main scope is a Premier 3-15. Lower power and a lack of zoom really helps optics at this price point. Reticle is fine and it tracks fine, but it is only on a 22. If it were 10Mils per turn, it would be perfect- but it is inexpensive, but not 'cheap'.

The shim kit is key. I 3D printed mine, but they help to keep you on the right rotation.

[Shooter45]

I used a 10x years ago when I first came aware of them. While the glass is ok at best, the scope always tracked very well and could not be beat for the price. I know use a lot of their 5-20 and 1-6 HD scopes that I have been more than impressed with for the price.

[kidicarus13]

I ended up with the SWFA 16X and although I have yet to take it out in the field, I have noticed the the eye box is quite small.

[Delfuego]

That's the issue as the magnification goes up, the eyebox can get smaller. My 10x is great, you can drop down on the rifle and see downrange fast. I think the 12x is the "happy medium" on these scopes.

[mattiooo]

How does the glass compare to the low-end Vortex scopes? Like a Crossfire II?

[Delfuego]

In my 10x it is excellent. I think 10 power helps with clarity and FOV. I played with a buddies Crossfire and it wasn't great, but it was a 3-15x and variable, so not sure that is a fair comparison.

[MrPrena]

I have 20x. I had it for about 10 years, and have no reason to upgrade to other scope. Extremely happy with it.