Nikon & Weaver scopes able to handle M1A recoil?

[Red State]

I see some scope models from Nikon and Weaver that seem to have exactly the features that I want. My only worry is that they will hold up to the battering of the M1A.

I realize that medium power .308 loads should not be any concern for a quality scope. But what about the cycling of the bolt and the impact on the receiver?

I am specifically looking at the Weaver Classic V Series and the Nikon Team Primos / Buckmaster / Monarch. Should I be worried about the durability of any of these scopes?

 

[HGUNHNTR]

Definitely not the Nikon, especially the 1 piece tube Monarch. I have Nikons on everything from .22's to 300 wsm. No problems. I don't know for sure, but if I had to guess I would say the highest recoil impulse would be through a bolt action rifle rather than a semi-auto.

I have a buddy who hunts africa and has a Nikon gold on a 30-378, and .460 wby. No problems at all.

 

[06]

Weavers have lost my dependability factor. They may be great for 22s and such but would not depend on them for any high velocity rounds.
ETA: I have one you can have--lol.

 

[Z-Michigan]

You should be fine with any of the scopes you list. M1A recoil is hardly anything compared to a bolt gun in a magnum caliber. The movement of the bolt and slide is of no real consequence.

 

[Red State]

Thanks guys, I am not surprised that the Monarch holds up well. It was mainly the other ones that I was most worried about. Especially the Weaver Classic V.

 

[powerline]

I was pretty sceptical about Weaver scopes, too, but about two years ago I bought an AR that included a Weaver V-16, 4-16x42, IIRC. First time I took it out to shoot I was impressed by the clarity. I then moved it from the AR to my FAL for a while, and it's now taken up residence on my CZ 527 Varmint in .223.
Sure, there are better scopes, but I think the power range is ideal, clarity's good, it holds zero, and the adjustments are repeatable. Everything I could ask for in a scope in its price range.

 

[LouB]

M1A have a reputation for eating scopes alive. I have killed a Weaver and a Leupold trying to disprove this on my M1A. The weight and violence of the reciprocating parts is the problem. Ruins the scope reticule. A scope with an etched reticule might be something to try but I'm staying with iron sights after my experiences. Hope your experience is different.

Cheers,
Lou

 

[Bwana John]

The M-1A scope mount is just about the worst there is, between non-blueprinted M-1A receivers, and the scope mount being subjected to shear forces during recoil.

Just enjoy the "Best Iron Sights in the World", and let the mall ninjas worry about scopes, (and lasers, and batteries, and bells, and whistles, and rails...) on rifles not intended to be scoped.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I don't know for sure, but if I had to guess I would say the highest recoil impulse would be through a bolt action rifle rather than a semi-auto.

Highest recoil impulse, yes, but not necessarily the most jarring to a scope. Auto's have big hunks of steel slamming back and forth that can do more damage than recoil alone. The lighter but sharper blow of the bolt carrier hitting home may not feel like much to us, but to the delicate internals of an optical sight.......

Think of it this way: Punching the side window of a car will likely brake a hand and not the glass, but a sharp pointed tiny piece of carbide impacting it at a hundred FPS will shatter it. In the reverse, you'd barely be bothered by that glass breaker against your skin, but getting slugged with the same blow that wouldn't break the window is gonna smart.

That said, any of the mentioned units should be just fine.

 

[Bwana John]

I don't know for sure, but if I had to guess I would say the highest recoil impulse would be through a bolt action rifle rather than a semi-auto.

On a bolt action with the bases and rings on the top of the action the forces during recoil are compressional, the recoil forces are pushing the scope mounts tighter together.

The scope base to receiver mounts on a M-1A side mount are in shear, the recoil forces want to shear the attachments away from each other during recoil.

"Best Iron Sights in the World":banghead::banghead::banghead:

 

[Uncle Mike]

The Weaver Classic will be fine on a M1A, as will the Monarch. I had a Leupold Mk4 on a M21 for years, nary a problem!

 

[Red State]

Thanks all for the additional input.

Bwana John, even though my gun has been hunting in the woods more often than it has been to the mall with the ninjas, I still much prefer using a scope. If the gun was never meant to be scoped, why does it have the mounting elements (channel & threaded hole) on the left side of the receiver?

MachIV, that is an excellent anaglogy and is exactly the concern that I have.

Lou, I think I will take the advice regarding the etched reticle.....that makes sense to me. Does anyone know what scopes out there have etched vs wire reticles?

UM, I was hoping you would chime in. You usually have a good feel for the Weavers - and I really love the specs of the 2-10x38mm Classic V. I just don't want to be six months down the road wishing I had bought something a little clearer and a little tougher - like the Monarch 2-8x32mm.

 

[Uncle Mike]

Those Weaver Classics have not changed in years, still made in the Philippines, and of a ancient design, the glass is really good, I understand that Weaver did improve the lens coatings.

The Monarch is going to have better lens seats from what I have heard from the Nikon guys, they say the Monarch is top o' the line as to internals, comparable to the Weaver Grandslam and the Burris Fullfields and the Leupold VX series, who really knows, reps will tell you anything to get you to place a big order for their product.

 

[Z-Michigan]

FYI, the Weaver Classic K-series (not the V-series discussed above) K-4 and K-6 models are made in Japan, in case that appeals to you. They are fixed power of course.

 

[Uncle Mike]

Those Weaver Classics

Yea, I should have been more descriptive, but even at that, I was wrong, the Weaver Classics, all of them, AFAIK, are indeed made in Jap Land.

Oh my, it has been a long day, where I got the Philippines, I don't know....must have been thinking of my first wife!

 

[natescout]

i have the nikkon primos on my M1a... no problem yet..