Does Anyone have experience with the Leupold Mark AR Riflescope?

[Jeff White]

I'm looking at one of these for a 20" flat top AR I built several years ago. I had a 4x32 ACOG on it and I've since moved that scope to a carbine.

https://www.leupold.com/tactical/scopes/mark-ar-riflescopes/

They are priced at the low end of the spectrum and I'm wondering about the quality. I've been pleased with all of my other Leupold optics but they are "higher end" models.

 

[ACP]

Hi Jeff,

My experience is limited to looking at it side-by-side with a Leupold VX-R Patrol in 3-9x40mm. I preferred the VXR, but the VXR costs about $200 more. VX-R glass seemed brighter, but it is a 30mm tube vs. the AR's 1-inch tube. I did prefer the Mark AR's magnification adjustment ring, however --a little more grippy.

For the money I think the Mark AR is a standout value, esp. considering the Firedot illumination.

Precision Rifle Blog really likes the Mark AR series:

http://precisionrifleblog.com/2013/...scopes-buyers-guide-and-features-to-look-for/

 

[Jeff White]

Thanks for the info and the link.

 

[HexHead]

Hi Jeff,

My experience is limited to looking at it side-by-side with a Leupold VX-R Patrol in 3-9x40mm. I preferred the VXR, but the VXR costs about $200 more. VX-R glass seemed brighter, but it is a 30mm tube vs. the AR's 1-inch tube. I did prefer the Mark AR's magnification adjustment ring, however --a little more grippy.

For the money I think the Mark AR is a standout value, esp. considering the Firedot illumination.

Precision Rifle Blog really likes the Mark AR series:

http://precisionrifleblog.com/2013/...scopes-buyers-guide-and-features-to-look-for/

The MK-AR is basically a VX-2 with illumination. Glass is comparable to the VX-III from a few years ago.

Your VX-R is brighter because it has better glass, not the 30mm tube. The larger tube allows for larger erectors for more adjustment range, and has nothing to do with brightness.

 

[ACP]

Jeff, I don't know what distance you will be shooting, but I think any Mark AR scope will suit your 20" flattop well. It's a 12" scope that weighs 12 ounces - nice and compact.

FYI, the knobs are engraved for a 55-gr. bullet travelling at 3100fps -- I think that is useful for the BDC reticle, not the TMR reticle. And the dot on the Mark AR is green vs. red for the VX-R Patrol.

Optics Planet, AR15.com and The Truth About Guns all rate this scope very highly.

Here's a Leupold link to the 3-9x model:

https://www.leupold.com/tactical/scopes/mark-ar-riflescopes/mark-ar-mod-1-3-9x40mm/

 

[Jeff White]

I will mostly be shooting from zero to 600 meters with it. I'd have to drive a ways to find a place to shoot much farther then that. I intend on using a 77 grain MK262 equivalent rather then the 55 grain M193 I usually shoot. I will work up my own hold over data for the ammo out of that rifle so the markings on the turret won't matter.

I have 6 ARs, 3 factory Colts and 3 I built. This is the only one I've optimized for longer range shooting.

 

[RainDodger]

Everyone here seems to have an illuminated Mark AR. Mine is not. It is a 3-9X, non-illuminated and because of that it was very competitively priced. Nice scope, good warranty and it's a nice small package as someone said. Works well on an AR. I like mine.

Granted, there are better scopes, but on a 16" AR I find this scope to be excellent. On a 20" heavy barreled AR that is a bench rifle, I have a 4-12X Leupold that's a bit bigger. On a .308 AR, I've got an even bigger Leupold... so I think the Mark AR is perfect for a lighter rifle. Good warranty too.