pretty neat
I've been looking at these for some time now and finally pulled the trigger. I carried an A2 in the 82D ABN in the late 80s, so this scope was way before my time. I figured what the heck, I'll get one for my A2 clone. Glad I did. There's some things I like and some things I'm not fond of, but overall it's a pretty cool scope. I like that it's an accurate copy of the original, made with modern materials by the original manufacturer. I like how it fits the carrying handle on my rifle. I really torqued the clamp so that it has zero wiggle. If it wiggled what would be the point? Accuracy would be off. But I got mine nice and tight with a little elbow grease. I like that it's compact and light weight. I like the mid range accuracy that I now have vs the iron sights alone. My 53 year old eyes pretty much are terrible now, so this is definitely a game changer for my A2 clone. I really like the BDC knob and the adjustments all the way to 500 yd. It's very tactile and has positive, easy to feel clicks. The A2 is a dream to shoot, as far as AR-15s go and this one is no different. Having this scope on it REALLY makes it a dream to shoot. It's very accurate out to 500 yd. Hitting steel at that distance at my local range was easy. The glass is very clear and very bright. I have no complaints there. Quality is apparent. It feels solid. Now, what I don't like. Eye relief is a serious problem with this scope since it cannot be moved closer to my eye. Where it sits is where it sits and you're stuck with that. I had to move my head waaaay far forward to obtain a full sight picture with no vignetting, almost to the point of being uncomfortable. It really is not a natural head position or cheek weld. I also wish they made the mount stud bigger diameter to better fill the mounting hole in the carry handle, as there's a significant distance the scope can move back and forth within the hold unless you really torque it down tight. If it's not tight, accuracy will suffer. I also don't care for the reticle cross hairs because they are too thick. Even at 100 yd they obscure a small bullseye. Finally, I don't care for the big "Retro" wording on the scope. They could've left that out. My overall thoughts are that I still really like the scope and am glad I bought it. It gave me a whole new reason to love my A2 clone even more. Hitting targets beyond 300 yd is now easier than ever, and it's done with minimal extra weight and with a price tag that's easy on the wallet. Use code TAG for an extra $15 off. If you're on the fence like I was for so long, go ahead and pull the trigger. You will thank me for it.
Great retro optic
The quality on this thing is great. There are cheaper options but they are just that, cheap. The only reason this is a 4 star is the giant retro logo.
Good quality
for the price I expected some sort of scope caps to come with the product. Over all excellent quality.
Nice little scope
4 stars because of no lens caps. Mounting is very easy and intuitive. Instruction are very clear and easy to follow. (but real men don't read the instructions, am I right) Glass is clear and focus is easy to adjust. Zeroing is pretty basic and forthwith. Reticle is very crisp. I put this scope on a rifle that I am putting together using all Brownell's parts or parts purchased from Brownell's. This is my everyday carry, goes with my everywhere rifle. (I live in the country) I needed basic but sturdy and reliable parts and Brownell's has NEVER failed me yet. (Buying from them for over 35 years) This scope will earn it's keep and not be a safe queen. We'll see how it holds up.
Great Scope, Here Is The Cover You Want
The scope is great. Eye relief is the biggest problem, but youll live with it if you want to top off your A1 or A2. Anyway, the cover you want is this: available at Brownells 268-101-001WB Standard Scopecoat Mini - 5.75"x20mm Black Mfr Part: 10SC01BK It fits perfectly!
Brownell's Retro 4x20mm Scope
4 Stars for this scope. I bought 2 of these & although both are set at 100yds & both have a 1" (3) shot grp using Underwood 223 Rem 62gr Controlled Chaos Ammo out of a 16" & 20" barrel, the click adjustments are not actually true. Manual clearly states, 1" clicks at 100yds". This is not so. Luckily for me, I have sighted-in literally hundreds of scope rifles & I have my own personal private rifle range for over 20 yrs now. Also, with this scope, I hit 4" high above center line bullseye, 4 clicks down according to the maual would put U on bullseye. Well, 17 clicks later, I was finally on bulls eye. So, if Ur having trouble with the click adjustments: shoot a 3 shot grp, meaure to center bullseye in inchs. Make adjustments according to 1 click = 1" at 100yds. Shoot another 3 shot grp. Then measure the center of that grp to center of bulleye. Now measure center of that 2nd grp to center of 1st grp. Once U have that measure, times it to center of bullseye & make Ur final adjustment. That will put U on Bullseye or be very close. Any further adjustment, should be done 1 click at a time to fine tune Ur impact on where On or Near bullseye that U want to be. I'd rather be just Above, rather than just below bullseye. Final thoughts, I did not shoot past 100 yds b/c the adjustment clicks are not true, but can be easily figured out with the above protocol. I also cant speak for the 100yd thru 500yd Elevation Turret once the rifle is set to 100 yds. I'm a Deer Hunter & all my shots are with in 100yds, So, its pointless for me to start shooting at 400 & 500 yds. Anyway, Yes, I would recommend to a friend. Just keep in mind that this is not a 500yd shooter scope. There are better options out there if Ur into long range shooting. With that said, buy it & go have fun with it & keep it with in Ur realistic ranges!!! Deer Man Out
Made it Fit
I acquired this scope to compete in Service Rifle (NRA & CMP) competition economically. I have a White Oak Armament upper (with handle). At first, there was a slight wobble within the handle unless i really over-torqued to screw. I slept on it a few days and then realized that I could shim it with tin-foil, which I just did. NO Wobble! Works great!
Retro Scope
Putting the scope on a Bushmaster A-2. The scope looks and works awesome, I think the mounting system a little on the cheap and flimsy side. Also for the price would a couple lens covers been to much to ask?
Solid Performance
I purchased this optic for use on a rifle I assembled using a Colt AR 15 SP1 lower and a Colt AR 15 A1 upper with a barrel bored with a 1 in 12 twist rate. I use this rifle for recreational shooting and varmint control on my farm. The optic is well finished with an attractive matte black finish. It's hard to describe, but the material used in its construction "feels" solid and of good quality. Brownells trademark "Retro" was prominently displayed on the top of the scope... maybe a little too prominently / flashy for my (conservative) taste. The included instructions are reasonably clear in describing mounting and scope adjustments. The optic installed easily in the upper's carry handle slot and, once secured, exhibited no wobble or lateral movement. Once installed, I had no problem focusing the duplex reticle. I initially sighted-in the scope on a warm day using a bulls-eye style target at 25 yards. My ammo... Winchester Q3131A 55 grain FMJ I purchased about 17 years ago (I find it shoots well in 1 in 12 twist barrels). The first three shots were on target but low and clustered left. After removing their covers, I had no trouble using the windage and elevation turrets to adjust point of impact. There are no tactile or audible "clicks" but there are are hash marks to help one track adjustments. After adjustment, the scope held zero without any issues. After zeroing, I shot multiple three-shot groups of about 3/4" at 25 yards using an improvised (not necessarily solid) rest. That's about as good as I can do with this rifle. I had no trouble seeing the impact holes with this scope at that distance. I did not attempt to use or test the elevation BDC adjustment feature. I'll do that in the future. I found the scope's lenses were clear from edge to edge with not visible aberrations. Images appeared bright and color was good. With the scope installed, I was able to use the rifle's "iron" sights without any issues. I noticed, however, that there is what appears to be a screw protruding from the left of the scope mount into the rifle's upper handle sight channel. It does not prevent one using the rifle's iron sights, but it is distracting, and I'm not sure what it's doing there (maybe a structural screw?). It might be normal, but it seems odd to have something like that protrude so far into the iron sight channel. I was a little disappointed that the scope did not come with some kind of basic scope cover to help protect it and its lenses. Even a basic "bikini" style cover would be better than nothing. I plan to either fabricate something myself of look around the internet for caps or covers. It would be helpful if Brownells could suggest a solution. Summary... This optic is a good solution for anyone who wants to easily scope an older style AR 15 type rifle that has a standard carry handle. It's easy to mount and remove, easy to adjust, feels solid and has good quality optics. I'm looking forward to putting it to use on my farm in the future.
