wtk:EER scope for a fal opinion

wonderdog451 · June 23, 2011, 14:34

I am looking to buy a decent scope with long eye relief and at least four times magnification for a short-gas fn-fal. I believe that some pistol scopes fit that description, can soneone here give me their thoughts on this subject?

**J. Armstrong** · June 23, 2011, 16:15

I use a light little Leupold M8 2.5x40 compact and a Millet DMS-1 on two of my carbines. I firmly believe that anything much over 2 or 3 power is defeating the purpose of a battle rifle, especially a short barreled carbine. I've never liked variables, but so far the Millet has worked out pretty well, although I like the light weight and smaller size of the Leupold better.

Inkognito · July 16, 2011, 00:20

What's your budget? A lot of people will disagree, but I like an Elcan on my FAL (an optical sight, not a scope). 3.6X magnification, great optics, illuminated reticle, external BDC adjustments made by a dial on the mount makes it operate more like a sight. Its got very good performance in low light, which is where I use mine a lot. Elcan now has some newer more advanced products out now, but their original optical sights sell in the $500 range. If you are looking at one with the tritium reticle, find out of the tritium still glows. I believe it can be replaced, but I'm sure for a price.

ACOG's are nice, but pricey and I think you can get better optics for the money you would spend on one. But the ACOG is about as compact and durable as they come. I own a TA01 and its very nice. But I think its eye relief is less forgiving than some others also.

Others to look at: Vortex Viper 1-4x24, IOR Valdada 1.5-8x26, Weaver Super Slam Euro 1-6x24, IOR Valdada Pitbull 1x&4x. Prices range from $500-up

If you are on a tighter budget: Millett DMS 1-4x24, Leatherwood Hi-Lux CMR 1-4x24. These are more in the $250-$350 range. The optics and overall quality of these two are well below some of the others listed above. I own the Leatherwood. Its a pretty handy little scope with a lot of nice features. But I've got it mounted on my 10/22 because I don't trust it enough on something more serious.

Here are some other brands that make lower power variable compact scopes. I have some experience with S&B and Vortex but the rest of these I do not have any experience with at all so I cannot say much about them: Horus Talon, Horus Backbird, Pride Fowler, Hawke Eclipse, NightForce, Schmidt & Bender, Meopta.

I'm not making any recommendations, just putting out the results of my scope research from about a year ago mixed with experience I have had with some of these personally. It really depends on your budget. For the most part, the more you pay, the quality of glass, turrets, and overall durability go up.

June 23, 2011, 14:34	#1
wonderdog451 Registered FALaholic #: 20069 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Warren,michigan Posts: 1,661	wtk:EER scope for a fal opinion I am looking to buy a decent scope with long eye relief and at least four times magnification for a short-gas fn-fal. I believe that some pistol scopes fit that description, can soneone here give me their thoughts on this subject?

June 23, 2011, 16:15	#2
J. Armstrong Minister of Amusement Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 13629 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: SE Pa Posts: 8,491	I use a light little Leupold M8 2.5x40 compact and a Millet DMS-1 on two of my carbines. I firmly believe that anything much over 2 or 3 power is defeating the purpose of a battle rifle, especially a short barreled carbine. I've never liked variables, but so far the Millet has worked out pretty well, although I like the light weight and smaller size of the Leupold better. __________________ "The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools" Herbert Spenser "A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

July 16, 2011, 00:20	#3
Inkognito Registered FALaholic #: 51153 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: KS Posts: 806	What's your budget? A lot of people will disagree, but I like an Elcan on my FAL (an optical sight, not a scope). 3.6X magnification, great optics, illuminated reticle, external BDC adjustments made by a dial on the mount makes it operate more like a sight. Its got very good performance in low light, which is where I use mine a lot. Elcan now has some newer more advanced products out now, but their original optical sights sell in the $500 range. If you are looking at one with the tritium reticle, find out of the tritium still glows. I believe it can be replaced, but I'm sure for a price. ACOG's are nice, but pricey and I think you can get better optics for the money you would spend on one. But the ACOG is about as compact and durable as they come. I own a TA01 and its very nice. But I think its eye relief is less forgiving than some others also. Others to look at: Vortex Viper 1-4x24, IOR Valdada 1.5-8x26, Weaver Super Slam Euro 1-6x24, IOR Valdada Pitbull 1x&4x. Prices range from $500-up If you are on a tighter budget: Millett DMS 1-4x24, Leatherwood Hi-Lux CMR 1-4x24. These are more in the $250-$350 range. The optics and overall quality of these two are well below some of the others listed above. I own the Leatherwood. Its a pretty handy little scope with a lot of nice features. But I've got it mounted on my 10/22 because I don't trust it enough on something more serious. Here are some other brands that make lower power variable compact scopes. I have some experience with S&B and Vortex but the rest of these I do not have any experience with at all so I cannot say much about them: Horus Talon, Horus Backbird, Pride Fowler, Hawke Eclipse, NightForce, Schmidt & Bender, Meopta. I'm not making any recommendations, just putting out the results of my scope research from about a year ago mixed with experience I have had with some of these personally. It really depends on your budget. For the most part, the more you pay, the quality of glass, turrets, and overall durability go up.