Burris Compact/Mini 3-9x32 PA

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Futo Inu

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It's stock number 200384. PA=parallax adjustable (AO). I'm a little disappointed with this Burris. I put it on my RWS model 350.

The good: Short and light. I was able to put it on with low mounts. Low Leupold rimfires were just a scrunthair too low. Half to 3/4th of a millimeter taller and they would have worked. Worked with low Millett rimfires I had lying around. Also, sturdy construction and Burris warranty. Also, ostensibly focuses down to 7 yards (though strangely, at 10 yards the clarity was best with around a 30 yard setting and at 25 yards, clarity was best with about a 90 yard setting. :scrutiny: )

The bad: This thing is pretty darn cloudy from 6-9x, even in bright sunlight. Marginal at 4-6x. Pretty decent at 3-4x, which is where I'll be using it most of the time, so it's OK for my purposes. My advice is to save another hundred and get a Leupold compact, or go with a standard-sized, 40mm scope and use medium rings. Shoulda got another Swift Premier or Bushnell Trophy instead. Live and learn. However, it's possible that with Burris's sturdy construction, it will have less issues with holding zero down the road than others mentioned. Probably best to save for Leupold, as per usual. Shoulda known. :banghead: Primary lesson learned is that I'll never buy another scope without either (a) buying it in person, or (b) buying on a SPECIFIC recommendation of exact model from a person with PERSONAL experience, such as at THR. I got carried away with wanting a LOW mount, for taking quick shots on close-in game, since the irons are going bye-bye.

[Edited: No, it wasn't the irons occluding the view. I had already taken off the front sight, and after rear sight removal, it's still cloudy. The verdict stands.]

Also good was SWFA's excellent service. www.riflescopes.com . It was around $249 - only a couple dollars more than Natchez, and the excellent service was worth it. Got here NEXT day by UPS ground.
 
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-This has nothing to do with the clarity issue, but you know that regular scopes tend to break on spring-piston guns, yes? The warranty will repair it at least once of course, and I see that Airgun Express sells it, but is it spring-piston-airgun-rated? Most firearm scopes are not....
~
 
Yes, Doug, thank you. I've researched this. The following scope makers make ALL of their scopes strong enough to withstand even magnum spring piston airgun recoil:

-Leupold
-Burris
-Bushnell 4200, 3200, and Trophy (also, Bushnell Banners for medium to low-powered airguns)
-Swift Premier

So, ANY adjustable objective scope from these makers is good for airguns. Actually, the top 3 are "for sure"/ verified. As for Swift, I've read this at only one place, so not 100% on that.

As for Scopes from Weaver, Simmons, and BSA, the scope needs to be designated as for airgun-inclusive contruction, such as Weaver v16, 4-16x42, Weaver Grand Slam 6-20x40, BSA 2-7x32 AO, etc. Also, the RWS models 300 and 450 can withstand magnum spring piston, but the RWS model 350 (scope) can withstand only low-powered spring piston recoil.

Also, Nikon has informed me that all of their scopes can withstand airgun recoil, but this was just in an email from a worker there - I've yet to corroborate this assertion. In any event, I don't think there are any AO Nikons suitable for airgun use anyway. Least not that I'm aware of.
 
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Also, ostensibly focuses down to 7 yards (though strangely, at 10 yards the clarity was best with around a 30 yard setting and at 25 yards, clarity was best with about a 90 yard setting. )

I have seen this on more than a few Burris scopes - apparently they make no effort to ensure the parallax adjustments actually match up or even come close to the inscribed increment markings.

As far as your clarity issues if you cannot get a clear view at every power level I would contact Burris and see about returning the scope for repair/replacement. I certainly would not live with it. I have a 2X-7X Burris LER scope and it is clear at all power settings.
 
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