Top airgun scopes...

[Wildernesstech]

Newly back into airguns and yet puzzed by scope quality...

What are the best brands (even models) of scopes for airguns?  What I am finding seems to have a low price-point, and even lower quality!  Am I missing something here?

[Bullit]

If you are shooting a PCP, or Co2, or pump pneumatic, you can use any scope that you have used on your powder burners, without any problems.

With Springers or NP rifles, it is important to get one that holds up to the whiplash effect scopes must endure, because of the reverse shock when the piston slams home.  If you have a Magnum Springer it becomes more important.   Mis-Matching scopes to rifles, is a big reason for many of the complaints about a scope,,, when someone has a scope fail.
Perhaps asking with a specific rifle that you have, will help get you some solid choices.

[Wildernesstech]

Great point Bullit.

The particular type of gun in question is one that requires the toughness to deal with the double recoil of a NP/NP2 or heavy Springer type... Hence the question about airgun scopes, or scopes rated to handle "airgun" recoil.  I am reading that with so many scopes used for this purpose, individual scopes among the same model perform or not.  many forum posts talk of having owned 4 of X scope, with 2 working well, and two failing early on.

[jus Tom]

David, I think your post highlights a dilemma of many springer and/or gas piston airgunners.
I've read many gun reviews in recent past and found so many of the reviewers mention of "junk" scopes included in the package deals. That may be the best marketing way for companies to make the packages attractive enough price-wise to sell their guns ?? I would personally rather see the option of ALL guns offered with or without scope included.

As you mentioned some people saying that it took 2, 3 or 4 scopes of the same model to get a good one,,,,,,?  That seems like a poor way of marketing a product to me and doesn't build consumer confidence. I don't care to be subjected to that process and am fortunate enough to be able to upgrade the scopes on the rifles I have.
I've had good luck, so far, with an airgun rated Nikon EFR model on my X20S, it's a great scope, higher priced but very clear with a small dot/duplex reticle. On my Nitro Venom sits a BSA Essential 3-9x40 air gun scope also with duplex reticle, also clear with all the user friendly options and so far it's held up to the piston.
I will say that I've considered swapping those two scopes between rifles,, but I'm hesitant due to the gas piston seemingly having more recoil and I don't care to "push the envelope" on the higher quality Nikon.......even though it should be covered by warranty if something would happen.

I tried a Hawke Sport model and found it wasn't clear enough for my eyesight, returned it in exchange for the BSA.
My scope drawer is accumulating with the factory take-offs. The Stoeger "shorty" 4x isn't too bad and if I took the time to re-adjust its' fixed parallax I think it would work okay for back yard pest shooting. Then there's a CenterPoint 3-9 that never had a chance due to all the bad reviews.

[Bullit]

Great point Bullit.

The particular type of gun in question is one that requires the toughness to deal with the double recoil of a NP/NP2 or heavy Springer type... Hence the question about airgun scopes, or scopes rated to handle "airgun" recoil.  I am reading that with so many scopes used for this purpose, individual scopes among the same model perform or not.  many forum posts talk of having owned 4 of X scope, with 2 working well, and two failing early on.

Buying sub $100.00-$120.00 simply "airgun rated" A/O  scopes for Magnum air rifles, is a risky choice, (like you have read about) IMO.  I feel that w/3-9x scopes, you can get a tough one for that price.  I bought a simple "Leapers 3rd Generation" 3-9x40, for a .22 Diana 48, years ago ($110.00~ with pre-set 50yd parallax),and it's been a good simple scope that's still kicking squirrels.  I don't know what the current model name for that scope is today, but this one seems very close to the one.  You can always call Leapers and ask them about a simple one like the 3rd Generation series of scope.  No Bells or Whistles.  Just tough and good reticle.
http://leapers.com/prod_detail.php?mitem=Optics&itemno=SCP-U394FDT2

I have bought (2) Leapers UTG Accushot SWAT Compact 3-12x44mm scopes.  First one had wire reticle, and when the Glass Etched Reticle model came out, I bought one.  Both have held up great on the Diana 48 and 460.  They are both good tough 1/2 Mildot.  Today they offer this same SWAT scope with fixed 10x.  They all have 30mm tubes.   I'm a 1/2mildot "Glass Etched Only" convert.   Much Finer and no wire reticle problems.
http://leapers.com/prod_detail.php?mitem=optic&level1=&level2=&itemno=SCP3-UGM312AOIEW&status=&mtrack=m

I've read so many problems with the 4-16x and higher magnification scopes that I've steered clear of them, for the Magnum (15fpe+) NP and Springer rifles.  Just my opinion from the observations others have experienced.  Every good mfr today offers good lifetime warranties, but I don't wanna pay for shipping back, and going without a scope.
There's a big difference between the common "Airgun Rated" and "Magnum Rated" scope.

[chiro972b]

If you don't care about having a mil dot or similar reticle, the best air rifle scope I know of is the Nikon 3-9x40 EFR rimfire. It is spring airgun rated and has the best clarity and eye box of any scope I have tried. The only downside is it only comes with a simple cross reticle with a tiny diamond in the center. It retails for under $200. Mine is on a rimfire but again it is spring gun rated.

[Wildernesstech]

Thanks All,

   This gives me a few more things to research and confirms the over-all picture that I am seeing.

[AK73]

The Centerpoint 4-16x40 is one of the best scope values currently in my opinion. You get a lot of magnification, an illuminated crosshair, mil dots and most importantly an adjustable objective for only 70$ at walmart. Centerpoint claims it is spring gun rated but I don't know if it is as I've never tried one on a spring gun.

[ToRmEnToR]

Interesting thread.. I've had a Centerpoint 4-16x40 for the last four years.. It started out on a Mrod.25, then My D48 (Considered a Magnum Springer), then My Condor SS.. I consider it to be a great scope (for $69 at Wallys) Never Failed me, but some have had bad luck with 'em.. I'm going to get another sometime when I get around to it.. Wallys return policy is hard to beat, also.. Lots of 'good' budget scopes at Wallys.. Not on a budget.. Well... Well.. Hawke is highly rated at decent price, Vortex, Leupold, Aeon.. More $ is the key in top brands.. GL!

[kaz]

I got a leapers utg 4x32 scope (model # scp-u432fw) for my airsoft rifle. Cost me $60 ( found them cheaper later *face palm* $45-50) but ive switched it over to my swiss arms tac1 springer (1200fps) and it holds zero just fine. I figure 4x32 is good up to oh 400yrds or so and i doubt ill be shooting at anything that far out with any air gun so it should do me fine. And im sure the airsoft raises a few eyebrows here, but in that community people like to accessorize their guns with "real steel" (meaning real guns or military grade) items. I was a bit leary of ruining my scope untill i looked up the item code on a search and it took me straight to leapers (theres a lot of utg knock offs). The box said it was built on a true strength platform and shock resistant, im inclined to believe them. Has 9 mil dot reticule and finger twist AO. I still feel at $60 i kinda stole a good scope.