UTG scopes?

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 I want to replace the scope I have on my Discovery. Currently I'm using a spare scope (Barska) that was lying around the house when my Disco was delivered. While it's adequate, I think the Discovery deserves better. Anyone have any thoughts on the UTG brand scopes? I understand they're made by Leapers...correct? The one that caught my interest is the full sized UTG Swat 3-12x44. It has a 30mm tube and -- important to me -- it has the side focus feature. Does anyone have any experience with the UTG brand...good OR bad?
  I'm going to be taking a vacation pretty soon and I'll be in the area of one of the retailers that we all know. I plan on stopping in at their place and see what they have that I can't live without. I'd kinda like some thoughts on the UTG before I get there so let me know what you think, would you?
   Thanks
   Larry

[RatRacer]

Yes, it is Leapers. I've read a lot of good things about that particular scope. I'm happy with the Leapers that I have, but like everything else, they have some duds in their line-up too.

[bart the fart]

i really like the 3-12x44 swat scope they make. i feel its a great value and can take a beating. not that your disco has recoil, but if down the line you buy a canon it wont break on that...Bart

[Bullit]

Ditto on the UTG 3-12x44 SWAT Compact scope....Short,  Swell,  Tough.

[MustangMike]

Utg is the parent company to leapers

I've used leapers and utg scopes in the past and have nothing but good things to say about them.. the one bad thing is so very minor it can't even be called a bad thing.. the AO leapers and utg scopes that use the front lens housing as the AO adjuster its a bit stiff. A little lighter turns to make it easier to keep the cross hairs lined up and adjust the AO.

[DMikeM]

I am another owner of the Swat Compact 3-12x44 and so far I am happy. Very robust looking and feeling scope. Be aware it is shipped with Weaver rings not dovetail.

[gby2k6]

I have the full size UTG Accushot 3-12x44 SWAT scope.  It's sitting on my R9 .22, but was on my .177 previously.  So far it's holding up just fine.  I've had it for about 2 months now and have shot about 1000 rounds using this scope.

In the box, you get a set of nice rings (weaver), black cleaning cloth, scope, 2 batteries for the IR, 2 size of allen tools, extra screw for the mount, and the scope sunshade/caps.  

First off, lemme say that I don't have a huge amount of scope experience.  Here's a list of my previous scopes that I have, had, or have used for some time:  Bushnell Sportsman, Bushnell Legend, Bushnell Elite 3200, Nikon Buckmaster, Nikon Monarch, Nikon Prostaff, Vortex Viper, BSA Majestic, BSA Air Rifle, BSA Stealth Tactical, Vector Optics Paladin, Leupold VXII EFR, Centerpoint Adventure, Centerpoint Air Rifle, Simmons 44Mag, and Zeiss Conquest.

Pros:
- Pretty clear glass (not as nice as my Bushnell, but better than my BSA and Simmons)
- Mil-dot reticles are nice
- The 36 colors are fun to play with
- 30mm tube definitely helps with light transmission compared to my 1" tube scopes
- The rings that come with it are very nice (they're the new UTG rings)
- Scope caps are nice
- Length (not too short, and not too long)
- Solid build (doesn't feel cheap)

Cons:
- Turret clicks are not as defined as I would like
- Kind of hard to use the quick lock on the turrets even with my small hands
- If you go over the available turns on the turrets it will cause the turret screw to come loose
- Heavy (I had plans to put one on my R11, but it threw the balance off so I had to go with something else)

With the amount of time I have on it so far, those are my observations.  I know, it's limited, so I apologize.  Overall, I think it's a great deal.  Consider the rings alone will cost you $20.  I got the scope from Amazon for about $93 shipped, so minus the rings, that comes out to about $73 for the scope.  It's a great deal if you don't mind the weight.

Would I buy it again?  Yes I would.

-GB

[KenH]

I sure hope it's a good scope- I just ordered one for my Mrod.  Should be here Monday.  I also ordered an 80mm wheel for the side knob.

Here's hoping:)

Ken H>

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Thanks for the feedback. Now, when I can actually look at one first hand, I'll have all this information to help me make up my mind. The only thing that I wish was different, would be a higher power setting...a 4-16x50 would suit me better. By looking at it I'll be able to tell if the 3-12x44 will be enough. As it stands now, I think this scope would be a good choice.  I have also considered getting a Picatinny rail adaptor in order to use the Weaver rings. Thanks again..
   Larry

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I sure hope it's a good scope- I just ordered one for my Mrod.  Should be here Monday.  I also ordered an 80mm wheel for the side knob.

Here's hoping:)

Ken H>

 Ken...Would you let me know what you think of the 80mm wheel? Easy to use or unhandy? Having only seen photos of a wheel in use, it appears it might be an awkward attachment. I'd appreciate knowing your experiences and thoughts as you use one. I have another SF scope but I just use the normal adjustment knob when I wish to change the AO on that one and I'm curious about that wheel.....Thanks.
   Larry
   

[gby2k6]

Ken...Would you let me know what you think of the 80mm wheel? Easy to use or unhandy? Having only seen photos of a wheel in use, it appears it might be an awkward attachment. I'd appreciate knowing your experiences and thoughts as you use one. I have another SF scope but I just use the normal adjustment knob when I wish to change the AO on that one and I'm curious about that wheel.....Thanks.
   Larry
   

Larry, I have both the 11mm to picatinny adapter and the 80mm wheel.  One thing to note, at least on my R9, is that the screw that tightens the rings to the rail has to be on the opposite side of the wheel.  The wheel is definitely quicker and works well while bench shooting.  It can get in the way when hunting though and it adds a little bit of weight, but it's useful.  I like it.

Here is the scope, rail converter adapter, with the side wheel, on my R9. 

[Onebaddj]

I love mine. Best bang for he buck deal out there imo. Their warrenty service is top notch also. Email them with the problem they send you a return number box it up with $10 to cover postage and you get a new scope. Ive had to return 2 courtesy of my 177 350, and both times no problems. Also shot them an email about the scope rails on the to6 guns being longer than their bases and they snet me an email thanking me for the info because they were unaware of the changes. Its a good company.

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Larry, I have both the 11mm to picatinny adapter and the 80mm wheel.  One thing to note, at least on my R9, is that the screw that tightens the rings to the rail has to be on the opposite side of the wheel.  The wheel is definitely quicker and works well while bench shooting.  It can get in the way when hunting though and it adds a little bit of weight, but it's useful.  I like it.

Here is the scope, rail converter adapter, with the side wheel, on my R9. 






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  Ken..Thanks for that information. The photos are a great help. I now have a Leapers 4-16 on my R9 and was thinking of switching it to the Discovery and using the new UTG on the R9. Now I can see exactly what it will look like in practice.
 Thanks again, Ken ..your information is just what I needed.
   Larry

[Smaug]

I have a few of them and I do agree that they're great bang for the buck, and seem to be pretty rugged.

However, to me, they don't seem to have top optical quality. They are not on par with my entry level Leupold VXII, my Weaver, or the Nikons I have looked at.

Now it may just be that my UTGs are lower end. I have 4X and 6X Bugbusters, and a 3-12 AO model whose name escapes me now. But they do not compare, optically, to the Hawkes I've seen or the others mentioned above.

If I were you, I'd save up and get something really nice. You already have something adequate to tide you over.

I felt the same as you when choosing the scope for my Marauder. I almost bought another UTG, but decided to pony up for a nice used Hawke in the end.

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really[/i] nice. You already have something adequate to tide you over.

I felt the same as you when choosing the scope for my Marauder. I almost bought another UTG, but decided to pony up for a nice used Hawke in the end.

 Thanks Jeremy, The Hawkes are very nice scopes, alright. I have an Eclipse 4-16x50 SF on my TX200 and it's perfect. I had thought of another Hawke but, since I'm gonna be visiting a store that has the UTG in stock, I just thought I'd look 'em over with the objective of buying one while I was there. They have that UTG for $100 while the Hawke Eclipse was around $270...and I'll have it "right now'' as it were. I want something to put on my rifle when I return home without having to wait a couple of weeks for the brown truck.....:>)
   Larry

[KenH]

Larry, it was gby2k6 who posted photos, not me.  I am still waiting for my "big wheel" and Leaper's scope.  They have shipped and scheduled for Monday delivery - hope they get here then:)

Thanks to all for comments - I think the wheel will be nice for adjusting....  easier than having to turn small knob - and side parallax adjustment should be a LOT less hassle than front adjustment.

Ken H>

[0351_Vet]

I'm pleased with my Leapers
3-12x44 SWAT AO MIL DOT

I also have the Large Wheel

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Larry, it was gby2k6 who posted photos, not me.  I am still waiting for my "big wheel" and Leaper's scope.  They have shipped and scheduled for Monday delivery - hope they get here then:)

Thanks to all for comments - I think the wheel will be nice for adjusting....  easier than having to turn small knob - and side parallax adjustment should be a LOT less hassle than front adjustment.

Ken H>

Larry, it was gby2k6 who posted photos, not me.  I am still waiting for my "big wheel" and Leaper's scope.  They have shipped and scheduled for Monday delivery - hope they get here then:)

Thanks to all for comments - I think the wheel will be nice for adjusting....  easier than having to turn small knob - and side parallax adjustment should be a LOT less hassle than front adjustment.

Ken H>

  GBY...KEN....My apologies for mixing up the credit for those photos! I guess I became confused over who posted what. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences with the  scope and wheel issue I asked about
   Larry

[454 Big Block Chevy]

I also hav the 30 mm 3-12x44 SWAT on my TX200 and it likely will never come off unless something breaks.  the Side wheel is cool enough, and very nice on bench shooting.  a little awkward while hunting but for me, i set the AO to 20 yds, and 3x and i almost never have to move it... only on the real far shots.  the image quality is NOT up to par to my leupold vari-x 3 but... who honestly expects a 80 dollar scope to compete with a 600 dollar scope?  it does what its intended to do.. Last on springers.  at least for me.

[Bullit]

I also do not use the side wheel add-on.  It's (Edit: the turret), a bit stiff, but I feel better because it's not looose.  Mine is actually pretty close with the stock settings, and past 35 yards, I have made my own reference card based on those settings.  Most of MY target and FT is informal...just pots.  So we don't care about time, unless you are just taking tooo long.  Then we start kibitzing the shooter, to let him know.   Heck, it's all the same...fun! Sometimes It can get intense tho.  Hey, it's the bluegrass!  Have a Good Time All!!!