[stevehgraham]

A buddy of mine is getting his first AR-15 (DPMS .223), and he wants help with scopes. The only ranges in our area are limited to 100 yards. I believe he will primarily use the gun for home defense, but he would like to be able to have fun at the range with it.

He says he can get a Simmons 3-9x50 8 Point scope for nothing. I don't know a whole lot about optics, but this is a $50 scope, so I am worried. Can anyone tell me if this thing will work out okay for plinking at 100 yards or less?

I assume he would be shooting in sunny conditions.

http://swfa.com/Simmons-3-9x50-8-Point-Rifle-Scope-P3446.aspx

I have read good things about the Nikon M-223 scopes, so I was thinking I might steer him in that direction.

[Maverick223]

It might be alright for a low-recoil application like an AR, but I still wouldn't chance it...especially if I had to rely on the rifle for anything more than busting pop cans.

I find that the best values in optics are Sightrons and Vortex (preferably not the Crossfire series, but even these aren't horrible) scopes. Dependent upon the budget, others that deserve a look include various Nikons and the Bushnell Elite series optics, lesser scopes need not apply IMO.

:)

[Fremmer]

Better, more expensive glass will yield better clarity.
And that big ol' 50 mm objective is gonna look funky on an AR.

At the range he's talking, he might want to consider a red-dot or other electronic sight. Or just stick to irons for now.

[Robert]

I'd say a red dot or irons. If this will double as an HD weapon leaving the scope up on 9 after shooting could be a problem at 2am. A decent shoot should be able to hit anything they want at 100y with irons.

[Al LaVodka]

I don't know that particular scope but it does sound a little big. Still, I am a big fan of Simmons scopes -- I think they tend to be the best value on the mareket. The old 44 Mag series were excellent and underpriced IMO -- the new variation seems to have caught up.
Al

[slowr1der]

Well, I'm not a huge fan of cheap optics. That being said I actually have a Simmons 8 Point Blazer 3-9x40 and it works pretty well. So far it's held zero, works well, is decently clear, etc. It's not great in low light compared to my Burris Fullfield II, but it's better than my Leupold VX-I, and it's not as clear as a lot of higher end optics even in the daytime. Once again also better than my VX-I, but falls short when comparing to the FFII. I've also found it not to track exactly like it should. It doesn't always move 1/4" per click. However, once set it seems to stay set, it's plenty clear enough to shoot targets, cans, anything else in the daytime. In low light it's not horrible, but it's not great either. Better than the VX-I I have, but worse than the Burris Fullfield II I have. Overall, it's a decent scope. I got mine on a rifle I bought, and that's why I have it. It's surprised me though. I keep saying I want to replace it, but I haven't found a big reason to. It just plain works.

I've got another friend that has an older Blazer 3-9x50 and he loves his. The 50mm objective does better in low light, his gets banged around, he even ran over it with a rtv. Year after year it's still zeroed for him and he kills plenty of deer with it. I know he says he will not hesitate to buy another one for any rifle that uses a scope.

I've heard of a few guys online saying theirs have failed, but I've heard of lots of others that haven't had issues either.

Now, I don't think they are the best scopes out there by any means. However, for the price they seem to be pretty good. Would I trust them on a hunt that I paid $10,000 for? Probably not. Would I trust them on a range rifle that I will sight in at 100 yards and not adjust often and if it fails it won't be a huge deal? Yes I would.

[stevehgraham]

I'll let him know about these replies. Thanks.

[JDGray]

My Brother has been using my 3-9x40 8-point, on his 270 with no problems. If you go dialing in elevation for long shots you might run into problems, but its held zero really well.

[armoredman]

I had a Simmons 8 point on my CZ 527m. It worked great - once. Then the internals wouldn't zero ever again.

[M1key]

Meade Optical bought out Simmons a few years back. They looked like a good buy with telescope internals...so I bought three.

Well, two are still working on a pair of 22 rifles, but the third gave up the ghost (windage) on surprisingly short notice.

Called Meade and they referred me to Bushnell for service. Apparently they aren't even fixing their own rifle scopes anymore...

I haven't decided what to do with it yet. It's been sitting on the bench for about 2 years now.

[wnycollector]

Another option in budget optics are the Centerpoint's from walmart...yes good ol wally world your one stop shopping source for everything chinese;) Seriously, I have had a cernterpoint 2-7x32 on a Saiga 5.45x39 for 3 months and 1500 rounds...it is still holding zero! The glass is ok (not super crisp around the edges at higher powers) but what would you expect for $60! When you dial it down to 2x and pop on the illuminated cross hairs its almost like a red dot!

[benzy2]

I had an 8 point when I first started shooting. Seemed fine at the time, until I tried anything better. The image was dark even in bright day light. If I moved the magnification at all the point of impact changed. The turrets were neither correct nor did they track straight. Honestly, it was a piece. It worked ok on the little 10-22 I had, once it was sighted in. That said, I wouldn't put one on a rifle today if it were given to me. Just not worth the problems I had with the last one. I would rather shoot the iron sights.

If he has to have a scope, the Nikon Prostaff and Sightron SI are both inexpensive and decent scopes. The Vortex Crossfire line scares me a little but their other lines are solid. Pentax makes budget scopes that tend to have very good glass for the money. Mueller has a big following of late with their budget lines. Their CS is top notch as well.

I would avoid the 8 point and if a scope was needed try one of those listed above. You can put the 8 point on the rifle but I fear you will have more problems than its worth. Even if you get it to hold zero it was an ugly picture and one I wouldn't want to look through again.