Is this scope defective?

[12Pump]

In the past, I had bought a $10 Tasco scope and was actually satisfied with it until it lost its zero along with the ability to be adjusted about a year later. So now I decided to get something better so I wouldn't have that problem again.

Yesterday, after doing an obsessive amount of online research, looking up reviews on a number of different scopes, asking questions and finding out what's available in my area, I finally paid $50 at Gander Mountain for a new Simmons 3-9x32 22Mag scope for my Ruger 10/22. Here's an Amazon ad for it: https://www.amazon.com/Simmons-511039-Matte-Black-Riflescope/dp/B000KOSB34

The zoom lens is almost impossible to turn, but I'm fine with that since I would have been ok with a fixed power scope of 4x anyway. Gander Mountain had a 4x model of this scope, but it was exactly the same price, so I figured I may as well take the one with adjustable power.

But here's where the real problem is. When I first tried sighting it in, it shot about 2" low and 2.5" to the right. So I tried making the adjustments to correct this. On the dials, it indicates 1/4 MOA per click. Well, I tried using several clicks and eventually ended up turning both dials at least a full turn in an attempt to move the retical to the desired setting. No matter how far I turned the dials (both the windage and elevation), it didn't make a bit of difference. I even lightly tapped the top of the scope in the middle with a plastic screwdriver handle thinking that maybe the reticle was stuck. No luck with that. I'm afraid to keep turning the dials because I don't want to break it if it isn't broken already. I'm sure there's a limit as to how far they should be turned.

Any ideas about what I may be doing wrong? Did I just waste $50?

 

[ColtPythonElite]

A $50 scope is a crapshot. You gambled and lost....lol....Yes, it sounds as if that scope is defective in more than one way.

 

[LoonWulf]

Id return it if still possible. Ive had good luck with the bushnell trophy series of scopes on the cheap end, but i generally go for stuff in the 100-150 range. Those will USUALLY work as expected.

 

[12Pump]

Id return it if still possible. Ive had good luck with the bushnell trophy series of scopes on the cheap end, but i generally go for stuff in the 100-150 range. Those will USUALLY work as expected.

I should be able to return it. I just bought it yesterday.
I guess it doesn't matter how much research I do and how good the reviews are. But for $50, no matter what the item is, it should work as designed, especially when brand new.

 

[12Pump]

A $50 scope is a crapshot. You gambled and lost....lol....Yes, it sounds as if that scope is defective in more than one way.

But isn't Simmons a good brand? I bought a pair of binoculars that are Simmons and they cost $40 and work perfectly fine.

 

[LoonWulf]

yes and no, they are a bargain brand name, tho owned by bushnell now i believe, and they have some good scopes and have had some REALLY good scopes (whitetail expedition series, and the old Aetecs were very good values).
The BUT is that a 50 dollar scope is still a 50 dollar scope, and those .22mags usually got for 30 or so online. The cheapest scope id look at in the Simmons line up would probably be the Pro Hunters.

Another thing to take into consideration when buying a "cheap" scope is to avoid as much mechanical error as possible, so getting a fixed power is usually the best bet.

Personally on a budget i like the old fixed scopes from the 80s and early 90s....and some of the japan made scopes from earlier.

 

[12Pump]

yes and no, they are a bargain brand name, tho owned by bushnell now i believe, and they have some good scopes and have had some REALLY good scopes (whitetail expedition series, and the old Aetecs were very good values).
The BUT is that a 50 dollar scope is still a 50 dollar scope, and those .22mags usually got for 30 or so online. The cheapest scope id look at in the Simmons line up would probably be the Pro Hunters.

Another thing to take into consideration when buying a "cheap" scope is to avoid as much mechanical error as possible, so getting a fixed power is usually the best bet.

Personally on a budget i like the old fixed scopes from the 80s and early 90s....and some of the japan made scopes from earlier.

The funny thing is that I asked the salesman there about how likely it is that the reticle would break after a short time, since that happened to my other "cheap scope" that cost $10 before. He pointed out that this one was rated for .22 Magnum, so it should have no problem on .22LR. I guess I forgot that it might not even be able to handle being taken out of its packaging and tried for the first time.

 

[jmr40]

I hate to break the news to you, but decent scopes start at around $200 MSRP. There are a handful of exceptions closer to $150 MSRP and there are always scopes sold at discount prices and used. There isn't anything in the $100 and under range I'd give to my worst enemy.

 

[12Pump]

I hate to break the news to you, but decent scopes start at around $200 MSRP. There are a handful of exceptions closer to $150 MSRP and there are always scopes sold at discount prices and used. There isn't anything in the $100 and under range I'd give to my worst enemy.

Is that the case even for a scope that's only going to be on a .22LR rifle that hardly has any recoil? The durability is what I was mostly concerned about since my experience with my previous scope. As for other quality issues, the Simmons seems to have everything else going for it. The view through the eyepiece is very nice. The reticles not moving is the only real problem. Oh, and of course the zoom lens dial hardly moving either. I guess I could also mention that the scope rings don't hold the scope onto the mount very well either. It slips backwards if I push on it. I was thinking of using lock-tite on the mount to keep the scope rings from sliding off. I guess I won't be needing to do that anymore.

 

[cdb1]

"But for $50, no matter what the item is, it should work as designed, especially when brand new." Not.

Step up and get a decent scope. The one you bought is not a decent one. I don't know too many people who expect a $50.00 scope to work.

Camera Land has a Minox ZV 3 3-9x40 for $100.00 to your door that I'd trust on a .338 WinMag. There are numerous rimfire specific scopes for $100-$150.00 that will work just fine.

Three things I believe in:
Me
My little lizard Mephisto
Not buying bubble pack scopes

 

[stringnut]

Any scope when new can have sticky adjustments. Try turning the adjustments all the way to the stops one way then to the stops the other way. Bring back to center and try that. If that doesn't get things moving the scope is probably defective. There are functional and reliable scopes for 100 to 150 dollars. Many others are complete junk even in that range. I know that some people claim that a 50 dollar scope is as good as any other. Never seen proof of this.

 

[LoonWulf]

Is that the case even for a scope that's only going to be on a .22LR rifle that hardly has any recoil? The durability is what I was mostly concerned about since my experience with my previous scope. As for other quality issues, the Simmons seems to have everything else going for it. The view through the eyepiece is very nice. The reticles not moving is the only real problem. Oh, and of course the zoom lens dial hardly moving either. I guess I could also mention that the scope rings don't hold the scope onto the mount very well either. It slips backwards if I push on it. I was thinking of using lock-tite on the mount to keep the scope rings from sliding off. I guess I won't be needing to do that anymore.

On the most recent simmons scope i bought the adjustmentz were fine but the zoom ring was really stiff and just got stiffer. Might by a constant flaw, who knows.

Really ive had zero issues with the 100-150 dollar scopes i own. All of them, besides a couple Bushnells are Nikons. I havent tried to many of other brands, but there are alot of good options.

 

[Grumulkin]

Here's a hint. Try eBay if you're not in a huge hurry. I've bought multiple used Leupold scopes there and never had a problem with any except on some handguns with very heavy recoil. The scopes that broke were fixed promptly and free of charge by Leupold as Leupold honors their warranty whether or not you bought the scope new.

 

[RainDodger]

What rifle you put a scope on has no bearing on the quality of the scope.... optics is one of the parts of our hobby that truly follows the, "one gets what one pays for"... maxim.

I gave up looking for bargain scopes decades ago. They're simply not there. Yes, one place might have a sale on a given scope, but that scope needs to cost a decent amount of money to begin with. Many years ago I cheaped-out with a Simmons "Whitetail Classic" for the bargain basement price of $109. I was putting it on a .17HMR and didn't want to put more money into the rifle. (a .17 has just about ZERO recoil, too) That scope was the worst investment in the history of shooting sports. You could move the adjustment expecting the reticle to move 1/4" in a given direction and it just never did. It went where it wanted. Direction didn't seem to matter. I sold it with full disclosure, for a nominal amount of money.

Put out a couple hundred bucks and get yourself something that works like it's supposed to. One of the bigger names should do it.

Edit: listen to Grumulkin, above. Go to eBay and look for a Leupold or something with a lifetime guarantee. Almost all my scopes are Leupold now and the FEW times they've needed something, the factory does it for free.

 

[LoonWulf]

Many years ago I cheaped-out with a Simmons "Whitetail Classic" for the bargain basement price of $109

I got one too from Midway if i remeber correctly. Sold it for 125 recently on ebay. It worked perfectly for me and i had it on a 7mm STW. This is one of those things about buying a "cheap" scope. Some will be flawless, and others crap, Ive had really good luck so far with them but everyones experiences are different.

this is my theory for scope costs vs what youll get from a major name brand. This is also considering a basic scope probably 3-9x40, tho 2-7s and 3-9x32s probably fall into this range as well

0-50s, your LIKELY to get a crap scope

0-100 you MAY get a crap scope

100-150 you should get a scope that work 90-99% it may shift zero at different powers, the adjustments will be squishy and probably wont track properly, but once adjust it SHOULD hold. long term reliability not guaranteed.

150-200 is really the sweet spot for a "basic" low cost scope, you can get a decent Nikon, Bushnell, Redfield, Leupold, Burris, you name it in this range. They wont have the coatings or extra glass quality of the higher end models but they will almost always be reliable, fairly accurate to adjust, and optically sound.

200-250 you get some of the exta features, and nicer coatings/glass, and the adjustments become more reliable and repeatable....this is where i start looking at scopes that have AOs, or Paralax adjustments and magnification greater than the standard 3-9(but below 20).

300+ and your getting into the real MEAT of the standard scope line up, these will be brighter, clearer, and adjust better than any of the lower end scopes. Heres where im usually confident in spinning dials to adjust for trajectory.
This is pretty much the point where Im buying more than i need, so ive only got experience with a half dozen scopes over 300 bucks. Ive only owned leupolds and Nikons at this price point and beyond, both were great and id have no issue buying either brand again.

Again this is just my personal opinion, I also think you should buy the best glass that makes sense for you, your budget and your uses

 

[Elkins45]

Is that the case even for a scope that's only going to be on a .22LR rifle that hardly has any recoil? The durability is what I was mostly concerned about since my experience with my previous scope. As for other quality issues, the Simmons seems to have everything else going for it. The view through the eyepiece is very nice. The reticles not moving is the only real problem. Oh, and of course the zoom lens dial hardly moving either. I guess I could also mention that the scope rings don't hold the scope onto the mount very well either. It slips backwards if I push on it. I was thinking of using lock-tite on the mount to keep the scope rings from sliding off. I guess I won't be needing to do that anymore.

No. Simmons is garbage. Think Lorcin, but for scopes.

With the exception of perhaps Sightron there is no scope lass than $150 retail that isn't garbage. Now I'm sure somebody will tell us about their $30 Bushnell that has withstood 2000 rounds of 300 magnum...and I'm sure that somewhere out there is a Jimenez 22 that has fired 10000 rounds without a malfunction. But I wouldnt bet on either.

Buy a decent scope. Buy once, cry once. With optics you get what you pay for, if you're lucky. You never get more.

 

[12Pump]

No. Simmons is garbage. Think Lorcin, but for scopes.

The one I got seemed to have good reviews, and it was recommended to me by several people on a different forum. On Amazon, it was given a 5 star rating by 61% of reviewers, and 23% more gave it 4 stars. So a total of 84% of people (1,022 of them) seemed pretty happy with it and didn't consider it to be junk.

Tomorrow, I plan to take it back to Gander Mountain for an exchange. They had a sign in the store that said they provide free mounting and bore sighting of scopes when bought there, although their site seems to say it's not so free: http://www.gandermountain.com/gunsmith/scope-mounting.shtml
I thought this would be a good idea because if the new scope I exchange for is junk as well, then it will be known before I leave the store. But even if I end up having to take it home and try it myself and it doesn't work, I can still bring it back for a refund. At least I'd be giving it a second chance. But I won't be spending $200 for a .22 scope. It's not worth that much to me. I've had a $10 scope that I was happy with when it functioned for the first year. I would expect one that costs 5 times that much to be at least somewhat better--unless manufacturing standards have dropped to the point that we shouldn't expect scopes to even work until they cost at least $200. If that's the case, then I'll be happy to forget about scoping my rifle.

 

[cdb1]

You don't have to spend $200.00, $100.00 will do the trick. Anything less is a crapshoot. I've seen your logic a bunch. Doesn't make sense to me but it doesn't have, just needs to make sense to you.

My Marlin Model 60 cost $139.00 several years ago. I put a Vortex Rimfire scope on it that cost $119.00. Still running strong. I've got a CZ .22 Mag that cost $450.00. It wears a $225.00 Clearidge Rimfire scope. Still works great.

The majority of people posting seem to be saying you've got a pretty strong chance of chasing your tail if you replace the scope with an identical one.

 

[Sav .250]

Take it back.................

 

[Everready73]

Primary Arms makes a 22lr dedicated 6 power scope that is good quality for the price. Glass is not cheap especially if you want something that will track well and hold up durability wise.The Primary Arms scope is 119.99, but I think it is worth spending a little extra for the quality difference. I have one of their 1x6 and the glasss is really good for the price. You can check it out http://www.primaryarms.com/primary-arms-6x-scope-with-the-patented-acss-22lr-reticle-pa6x32-22lr

 

[imashooter]

When you take it back and hopefully buy a replacement, before leaving the counter person, have them move the elevation / windage and any other features to your satisfaction. Have them take you completely through the scope that you plan on walking out with.

 

[12Pump]

When you take it back and hopefully buy a replacement, before leaving the counter person, have them move the elevation / windage and any other features to your satisfaction. Have them take you completely through the scope that you plan on walking out with.

I went back today and got an exchange. I brought my Ruger 10/22 with me for them to mount a replacement scope on it. I decided to get the 4x version instead of the 3-9x since they are the same price anyway. Someone suggested that the lack of the zoom lens could mean better durability. After mounting it, the guy said it works correctly. I asked if he made adjustments to both the windage and elevation and he said he did and they both functioned. I asked before he mounted it if I could be with him when he did everything so I could see for myself that everything was in working order, but he didn't let me do that.

Next, I'll have to try shooting with it and see what happens. We're about to get hit with a big snowstorm tomorrow, so I don't know when I'll be able to do it. Hopefully sometime in the next 90 days, which is the time limit for returns or exchanges.

 

[LoonWulf]

Cool give it a try see how it works. I actually have one of those .22 mag fixed 4s and its been ok on a few guns.

 

[JTHunter]

No. Simmons is garbage.

It didn't used to be that way. I have a Simmons 3-9x on my .243 rifle that I bought secondhand almost 30 years ago. That combo made it possible for me to have a 200 yd. zero and a 7-shot group smaller than my palm despite shooting off of sandbags, one shot at a time.
This may just be yet another example of the lowering of "quality standards" that has ensued in the last couple of decades.

 

[imashooter]

I went back today and got an exchange. I brought my Ruger 10/22 with me for them to mount a replacement scope on it. I decided to get the 4x version instead of the 3-9x since they are the same price anyway. Someone suggested that the lack of the zoom lens could mean better durability. After mounting it, the guy said it works correctly. I asked if he made adjustments to both the windage and elevation and he said he did and they both functioned. I asked before he mounted it if I could be with him when he did everything so I could see for myself that everything was in working order, but he didn't let me do that.

Next, I'll have to try shooting with it and see what happens. We're about to get hit with a big snowstorm tomorrow, so I don't know when I'll be able to do it. Hopefully sometime in the next 90 days, which is the time limit for returns or exchanges.

That was pretty darn sorry. Though I might have been without a scope for a while, I'd likely told him to stuff it. Be that as it may, I hope it works out for you. Sunny and 74* today.