POLL - Help me pick 1 of the following 3 optics for an M1A

[sindominator]

Hello I am getting ready to purchase some glass for my Springfield M1A NM riffle.

I have picked out 3 that I feel are with in my budjet, Style, and application use. But I am having a hard time narrowing down "the one". The following 3 are to me very much the same as far as features and application use, but a few things bugols the mind (mine at least)

(in random order)

1st choice - Springfield Armory GE5099 6-20x56 Mil-Dot
http://www.ozarkguns.com/rifles/spri...ory_scopes.htm (2nd to last item on this website)

Pros (in my opinion)
* Increase value of my gun because they are the same Company and are a rare fine and no longer manufactured.

* From the homework I have done, it was design for the .308 / 7.62 nato cartridge which is what the M1A is.

* If it is Goverment, then I am sure quality is top notch. Or is that just a marketing plot


Cons (in my opinion)
* Since it is no longer made I wonder about warranty, and support.

* I don't believe that Springfield Amory all suddenly woke up and began to make scopes. Why they stop making optics? Is this something that was subcontract or they bough the rights too, who designed it for them? (example Scion, Lexus cars = Toyota)

* I am more of a shooter than a collector, would I be making a mistake by buying something so rare that I would hurt the intregity of it?


2nd Choice - Millet BK81006 6-25x56

http://www.opticsplanet.net/millett-6-25x56mm-lrs-1-matte-illuminated-multicoated-reticle-1-4-moa-click-long-rang.html

PROS
* Cool Features
* Nicely priced

CONS
* I have heard the brand but never seen one, whats the quality on the glass?
* Where is it made?


3rd Choice - Dark Ops DOH336 8x32 56

http://www.opticsplanet.net/dark-ops-riflescopes-countersniper-optics-8x32-56mm-doh336.html

PROS
* Loaded with features, some that I have no idea what the purpose is
* Mil spec
* Tough and sturdy
* Looks mean as sh*t

CONS
* A little over my budjet but whilling to eat noodle cups for another month if the feedback is great.
* Never heard of the brand
* Not sure if this particular model is overkill for an M1A


So what do you guys say? I plan on doing some distance shooting but I don't plan on going to war so I don't need nothing over the top. What I buy I keep so I don't care if it increases or decreases the value of my gun. I am a shooter not a collector. But if something rare and unique fits my application I don't mind using it.

Thanks team

-gus

[Marxman]

No experience with the Springfield scopes, sorry (didn't even know they existed). Chances are someone knows about them, hopefully they stop by. Seems a little pricey for what it is. Possible lack of customer support may be a big problem.

IIRC, Millet is manufactured in China (which isn't necessarily a bad thing, they've got more good reviews than bad). I know some other members have Millets and I'm sure they will chime in. Having never owned one and speaking from reviews they seem like a good option for the price.

Stay very far away from the Dark Ops scope. Dark Ops distributes the Countersniper scopes, featured prominently in these examples:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=18&t=494625

http://opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11448

I'd personally go with the Millet scope out of those options, partially from reviews, partially from price, and partially from reviews on customer support.

[SuperX]

If you dont plan to shoot in low light, there is no reason for a 56mm obj. lense.
The page of Springfield scopes you have there even says "no longer available"
I'm a fan of clear glass not bells and whistles. Manventure.com has a base Mk 4
for abt $675 . I payed $285 shipped for my sons Nikon 6x18 w/ BDC reticle and $485 shipped for my Sightron SIII fixed 16X MMD reticle.
Nikon made in Philipines
Sightron made in Japan

The Sightron is a very nice compact size too, comes in 10x 16x or 20x fixed. Unless you spend $$$ on a first focal plane scope the mildot reticle will only be correct at one fixed magnification anyway. Lots of noise about the WOTAC and Vortex brands too.
The Wotac is in the $300-$450 range, Vortex runs 200-2000 !
Nikon (on the AR)and Sightron - photo

[Stringer]

Sindominator--the three scopes you have chosen all have poor track records. In fact, the Dark Ops may be the biggest ripoff in riflescopes today. I have a friend who fell for the marketing and bought one, and it has never held zero. We are talking 12" "groups" at 100 yards, and turrets that are useless for all intents and purposes. Do a search for SA scopes and see if you want to gamble with them--I have not heard any success stories. Millet would be my pick of the three, but it would not be a durable selection, and the glass is crap.

IMO SuperX has given you some excellent suggestions, although WOTAC is a chicom gamble that will more likely than not fail on you. Sightron, Vortex, and Nikon are good scopes ,and excellent values. Go to as many shops as you can and look through many scopes and twist the turrets. Go shooting and see/ask what is working for shooters that actually hit what they are aiming at. Good luck!

[Divernhunter]

A buddy of mine has the first two brands and I am not impressed. He has had trouble with both. Never heard of the third brand.
On my M1A NM I first had a 4X12 Bushnell which worked fine. I then put on a Leupold 3X9X40 and have never looked back. IF you feel the need for more power use a 3.5X10X40 or a 4X14(to16) but get a good brand and Leupold is my first choice followed by Burris then weaver or a higher end Bushnell.

If money is not an object get a Nightforce. I have two on my 50bmg rifles and they are really great.

[Tony.]

None of the above. Unless you want scopes that break. Springfield Armory (the current company) does not make scopes (or M1a for that matter) for the government.

At your price range, go with the SWFA SS 3-9x or 10x HD.

[H2O MAN]

Consider shopping for a slightly used Leupold Mark 4.

[sindominator]

=) good thing asked. Gotta love this forum. I was almost suckered. Looks like i'll do a bit more homework and look at Leupold, Nikon, and Burris with a watchful eye.

Anybody know about those new digital automatic laser range finding scopes? The brands that make them are rather respectible but has anybody seen them, would you recommend it for an m1a match?

http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-laser-irt-rangefinding-4-12x42-riflescope.html

http://www.opticsplanet.net/burris-elminator-laserscope-4x-12x-42mm.html

http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-yardage-pro-4-12x42--laser-rangefinder-rifle-scope-204124.html

[sindominator]

Eventually i'll end up buying a high end sniper rifle like a Lapua or 416. For sure i'll look at fancy glass like Night force, US optics etc...

For now I just want something under the 1k price and make the most out of my m1a NM. So that eventually I can transition over to the high end stuff and not look like fool with an expensive toy. You ever see somebody on the road with a great car but they just can't drive for sh*t.

[skark_burmer]

Deleted

[johnrunner89]

The Millet TRS-1 is alot cheaper than the LRS model but it only magnifies 4x-16x(which is still plenty) but also has an illuminated recticle. The glass is VERY nice and it has a lifetime warranty. All for about $300, its worth checking out.