Simmons Scope Repair Tutorial

[sendarope]

I know what you are thinking. Why would anybody repair a Simmons scope? Because it was either that or use it when I become a pirate so I can yell "Land Ho".

I have a Simmons Blazer model#510519 3-9x50 scope that was mounted on my rifle. (Stevens Bolt Action .223) I took it out to the range for the 2nd time was working on the zero when the cross hairs shifted about 45 degrees. I removed the scope to discover that it would move more if I twisted it fast. So I came to the conclusion that the ring that holds the crosshair was loose. I called Simmons and since I bought it on eBay they would not honor the crappy warranty. What do you expect for $40.00. They did offer to replace it for $45.00. Oh Goodie!

SO I figured I can't loose and started to see what I could do to fix it. Since there were NO tutorials online I figured I would document the attempt and success.

Hey inflations sucks so we gotta save where we can.

First I removed the magnification ring by removing the screw then pulling it off.


Then I wiped it down and found the 3 SMALL screws that lock down the rear of the scope. Then pulled that off.


I unscrewed the crosshairs to see if it was broken. It was not. So I reinserted it and then leveled it best I could by sight.

Then I applied nail polish to the threads to hold it in place.

You could use super glue if you want. I didn't have any so improvised. Thanks wife. I knew that smelly crap that stinks up the whole house would come in handy.

HEY SIMMONS TRY ADDING A LOCK DOWN SCREW YOU IDIOTS!!!
It would appear that they just glued the thing down but the glue broke loose.

Wait for the nail polish to dry then reassemble the scope. GOOD AS NEW!!!

 

[nicholst55]

The potential problem I see is this - assuming (big word, I know) that the scope tube was sealed and purged of air and moisture at the factory, it isn't any more. Next time you have it out on a humid day, you may be trying to look through fog - inside the tube.

 

[BBBBill]

I had a Simmons on a 10-22 that did that. Reticle rotated a few degrees every time I fired a round....

 

[sendarope]

Fogging...Hmmmm

I am fairly sure that it was not purged of air. That may be a problem but it is not something I am worrried about. $40 scope after all.

I wouldn't recommend this if it was a scope under warranty or an expensive one that the factory could fix for a small fee. This was just an illustration of what we can do with our cheap stuff when it breaks because it was cheaply made.

One thing to note was that the reticle ring didn't even thread in tightly in the scope. This was odd and an obvious oversight on the part of Simmons or maybe they are using one from another model.
Still...stupid on their part to expect it to hold. :banghead:

 

[GeorgeR]

Scope Repair

If you want to learn a little more about it, there is a great book "Guide to Riflescope Repair" by Dr J. W. Seyfried. You can get it through his company - University Optics, Inc. Also, if you take a scope apart and want to recharge it with an inert gas to prevent fogging, Nitrogen will do the trick. I use a can of wine preserver from The Wine Enthusiast 1 800 356 8466.

 

[nicholst55]

Insure that the nitrogen you're using is oil-free, also known as technical nitrogen or dry nitrogen. Otherwise the oil in it will coat your lenses and cause fogging or a distorted image.

 

[CRITGIT]

The older Simmons Co (Blount) before Meade(iocre) Optics took over, made some respectable products. They honored all their scope warranties regardless of origin or fault.
Meade is great for the kind of hobby exercise depicted above!

CRITGIT

 

[.38 Special]

I do appreciate the effort spent in documenting and writing up the process. Hopefully somebody will find it of use.

In a way, I suppose I already have: I think I'll be avoiding Simmons in the future!

 

[sendarope]

avoiding simmons

Good Idea. I think that this happens more often that not. The scopes are so cheap that people don't write up negative ownership experiences because it is not worth their time. I do like the scope and for the money and on a budget it is adequate. However, you get what you pay for. :banghead: