Scout scope recommendation for SOCOM 16?

[23 Blast]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone can suggest a decent scout scope for a SOCOM 16. This scope would be mounted on the integral forward rail that the SOCOM 16 comes with. I'm not planning to put on a Sadlak, Bassett or other scope mount.

Preferably it would have magnification of 1-4 (or thereabouts) so I'm not all that interested in a plain old red dot or the like.

I'm also interested in a scope with relatively compact dimensions. A typical 3-9x40 scope that measures over a foot long and has large bells is not what I'm going for.

I'm willing to spend up to around $500-ish for this scope.

[Dinosaur Jr]

I've been sniffing around in that price range myself. I was looking at this:

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/411549770

About 9.7" long - well under a foot.

http://www.burrisoptics.com/ar536.html

I like this too @ $399, 5x fixed, but it will require adding a close-in solution..

[Sumo99]

How about this http://www.opticsplanet.net/leupold-...fle-scope.html
or this: http://www.opticsplanet.net/burris-2...ut-scopes.html

both are fixed power, not variable.

The 2 scopes mentioned in the previous post do not have a lone enough eye relief so they will not work on the forward rail.

[OpticsPlanet]

Both Leupold and Burris have a scout scope around 2 or 2.5x. Ive had teh Nikon EER 2.5-8x mounted on a Marlin 1895 in a scout position for a while and it worked great. You can also usually get away with a handgun scope in a scout position as well. that gives you more options to find a variable power scope.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-force-xr-riflescopes-2-5-8x28mm-eer-bdc-reticle.html

Trevor B.

[Sumo99]

Oooh, forgot about the Nikon.

There is also the new Leupold which is 1.5-5 power: http://swfa.com/Leupold-15-5x33-VX-R...pe-P51466.aspx

[23 Blast]

Thanks for the responses, everyone. The Nikon looks great!