Barksa M-16 4x20 Electro Sight

[Irons]

I received this as a gift last week, and decided to throw it on an Bushmaster and try it out this last weekend. It is not an expensive item, and the truth is, I wasn't expecting a whole lot from it, however I was thoroughly impressed with it by the end of the day. I am not a scope shooter, and truthfully don't know much about it other than it's an art unto itself, but I was knocking around a Coffee can at 150 yards with it no problem what-so-ever. It's well made, rugged, simple, and worked like a champ for me. At 50 bucks, I'm thinking of grabbing another one myself just to stick in the safe. Has anyone else had any experience with this scope? If so, have you played around with it enough to be able to squeeze any performance tricks out of it? This is actually the first scope that I've ever owned. I may be changing my handle if this keeps up. Thanks.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/Item/71/25/88/i712588sn01.jpg

P.S. I'm not sure why they call it an "Electro" sight. It's doesn't have a red-dot or anything. It's just a normal 4x20 scope. It has a bullet drop compensator on it, but I'll have to go research what that is. I just zeroed it and pulled the trigger a bunch.

[Hispeed1]

If you liked that, how about the Barska Euro-30 1.25-4.5 X 26. The price is right. It fits on 30mm rings (poor man's S&B scope)

http://www.barska.com/ac10018.html

[Irons]

Well, that one is 178 dollars. Now we are getting into what I would consider "real money" for a scope. Also, I can see how a 4x and up helps in some situations, but why would you need less than 4x? Honest question here. If it's under 150 yards, then won't iron sights get it just as well? I dunno. I would say that this scope is a fun item, and a real bargain at 50 bucks, but if I were going to get into scopes in a real way, then I'd probably go to a Burris or a Leopold or something of that nature. There is a point where the money is well spent, and a point at which you are just throwing money away. I've never been one to believe that a 1,200 dollar item is substantially better than a 300 dollar item. After a few hundred bucks, you're usually just paying for a brand name in my experience. Then again, I really have no great interest in this field of shooting outside of a nice surprise from a cheap scope that performed beyond my wildest expectation. It's got a mildot reticule by-the-way, not the 30/30 that the advertisement states.

[SMGLee]

Irons...

This is how i look at this scope thing...

Let's say you own a Ferrari F430 Scuderia...the pre-eminent sports track machine that will turn on a dime and pull so much Gs that your brain will get pushed out of your ear...

let's assume you run a full weekend of track and you find your beloved F430 ultra expensive track tires are running bald... you said what the heck... "I've never been one to believe that a 1,200 dollar item is substantially better than a 300 dollar item" and you went to Wal-Mart and bought something that was reliable and works..

Guess what.. your Scuderia will no long run the way it does and you can NOT deliver the razor sharp performance you get with the 1200.00 tire that came equipped on your Ferrari...

Scope is the same thing.. if you have a Model 1 AR15 or a high Point, I would say what the hell.. a 50.00 optic match the gun...

but if you have a good firearms with a good barrel, that you might spend 7-800 dollars on... what is so bad on spending like 250 for a scope? a good clear and sharp optic that will stay zero and take some abuse are weight in gold... this is why people in harm’s way will pay big bucks for optics that will keep them alive..

I do not recommend the scope you mentioned, for ****s and giggles, you should at least look at a Burris 1-4x in the 200.00 price range which can give you a consistent zero and a good clear field of view..

let's take another look at this....I am building a Armalite Super SASS...I have a choice at a Leupold LR/T 4.5-14x50mm illuminated TMR or go with a Nightforce 3.5-15x50 NSX...the difference is like 400.00 but that difference in price is what I am willing to pay in order to get a much clear optic, better click on my turrets, no fuzz around the glass edge, and the NSX will give me another 30minutes shooting time during sun down compare to the Lupy...build like brick and it will last as long as I own the gun without any worries on losing its zero while sitting in my safe...

Optic are like the tires on your car, those tires are the only contact you have between you and the road, why would you save money and put your live in risk...

That scope you want is nothing but a cheap Chinese copy of the old AR15 scope back in the 60-70s.... it might be great for a range plinker at best....don't expect it to deliver trouble free performance for years to come...heck just don't expect too much.

a 1200.00 scope from a reputable company is better than a 300.00 scope, bar none.

Hope this helps.

[BlackFlag]

I used to sell quite a few of those when I worked at Dunhams.

Their binoculars sold quite well too.

[Irons]

I hear ya Lee, but I'm not in harms way. I just enjoy firearms, like to shoot targets, coffee cans, drink beer on my own land, and throw the empties out there to shoot, clean up, go home. I buy mostly middle of the road stuff, Bushmaster, Marlin, DSA, Ruger, Winchester, etc.

So far as self defense, well, a Mossberg 590 and some 00 Buck, or an XD-45 are what I'd go to; aggression is more important to me in that scenario than skill to be honest with you. Hey, some untrained guy with a bullet can zap you just as fast as a trained professional if he's got the drop on you and doesn't hesitate.

I'm just curious about this whole world of scope shooting finally. From my perspective, this is just "for fun" because that's the majority of my shooting time; for fun. Incidentally, a friend of mine asked me if I wanted to buy his Burris 2-7x35mm today. Maybe I will upgrade a bit, who knows.

Thanks for the reply.


P.S. No Ferrari's in my world. A well running, clean, pick-up truck suits me just fine. ;)

[SMGLee]

I understand the having fun and not wanting to spend too much...your friend's deal on the Burris might be a great buy for you to get into this world of optics...once you had optic... you will never go back.

[Irons]

LMAO, I know. I've prided myself upon being an Irons Shooter since my Daddy gave me my first .22LR all those years ago. (still have it btw, Stevens Model 15-B .22LR; still shoots like a champ) I've never taken a deer beyond 200 or so yards, and always with Irons. Maybe It's time to change it up a bit. I just want to make sure I know what I'm doing before I risk injuring, rather than taking down a game animal.

I must admit, I had a really good time with this little cheapo last weekend. I'm afraid that I'm becoming a hypocrite; d*mnit! It sure was a blast though. LOL.

[ARGAR FORKBEARD]

the only optic i care about is the ones filled with pussers down my local pub!!! cheers!

[Irons]

I don't fully understand what you said. I don't speak "English" English.

I'll try to translate:

Pub = Bar/Honky Tonk
Optic = Glass Beer Stein/Your eyeballs?
Pussers = P*ssies/Women?

"You only care about fat girls at the bar?"

I'm at a loss. Try to speak Texan to me, we'll see how it goes. ;)

[Flagg]

I'm actually looking at buying a few 1.4-4.5 mil-dot Barska scopes for plinking and some hunting.

The price is quite cheap $100-ish.....I've heard quality provides good value for dollar.....and I don't need to have a $1000 hammer, when a $100 hammer will suffice for the job at hand.

Most of my optics are Leupold, Schimdt & Bender, and Aimpoint.

My wife's kind enough to let me "invest" a bit in firearms and optics as my most funnest hobby....but I'm not Bill Gates...and I hate swapping optics around.

Just my opinion......different tools for different jobs.

If only Schmidt and Bender scopes cost $5, instead of $5000(in NZ currency) the world would be a better place....especially at first and last light.

Wish me luck...I'm shooting out to silly distances this weekend with my good tools...hopefully I don't embarrass myself.

[Irons]

Flagg, this optic is just fine for plinking in my opinion. It may be better than that. The bottom line is; you can't go wrong for 50 bucks with this little thing. It seems solidly built, clear optic, Mildot reticle, bullet drop compensator out to 500m, and great value. I'd say it makes one hell of a Coyote/Varmint scope for a little Bushy Carbine out to at least 200m, maybe further. Good luck this weekend! ;)

[TonyT]

Irons,


If all you want to do is shoot on the range on sunny days, off a bench, at 50 yards with an AR then get the cheap scope. That is what a lot of people do. They buy cheap scopes, cheap bino's, cheap spotting scopes that look like expensive ones so they look cool while saving money.

Don't bitch if it doesn't hold a zero, fogs up, you can't see very well out to 100 yards - at dusk.

Why do you think scopes cost as as much, or more than rifles? It's not because we are all idiots who have money to burn. It is because we have all probably tried a cheap scope/bino/spotting scope and been dissapointed when it counted. There is nothing more annoying than going out on hunt or shooting in poor weather and you can't see anything due to fogged lenses or less than clear images. You don't notice this in your bedroom or at the store. But you will on poor days or when your buddy has nice optics.

I wouldn't pay $148.00 for the Barska (or $50). Not even for an air rifle. You can purchase an entry level Leupold for $259.00 (found at Cheaper Than Dirt). It has a life time warranty and fog proof lenses. It isn't exactly what I would put on my AR but will serve you much better than the Barska you are considering (or purchased already).

Finally, I usually look forward to SMGLee's responses. But he misses the point on the Ferrari slightly. A better analogy is you purchase the Walmart special tires and go into the Southern California desert to let your sports car rip but are afraid to go over 60 mph because your tires might EXPLODE.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd_images/lgprod/14877.jpg

<LI _extended="true">Weighs a mere 6.5 ounces. <LI _extended="true">Up to 17 percent less weight than comparable standard models. <LI _extended="true">¼-MOA click windage and elevation adjustments. <LI _extended="true">The Multicoat 4® (http://www.leupold.com/lightbox/features/multicoat-4/) lens system for incredible brightness, clarity, and optimal contrast in all conditions. <LI _extended="true">Attractive, matte black finish. <LI _extended="true">Available with the Leupold Heavy Duplex® or Wide Duplex reticle. <LI _extended="true">A durable Leupold Scope Cover (http://www.leupold.com/lightbox/features/scope-cover-included/) is included to protect your valuable FX™-II Ultralight riflescope during transport or when not in use. <LI _extended="true">Each model has been exhaustively tested in our factory, and is proven to be field ready and reliable for a lifetime of shooting. <LI _extended="true">The same guaranteed waterproofing technology used in all our Golden Ring® optics goes into Leupold Ultralight riflescopes.
Covered by the Leupold Golden Ring Full Lifetime Guarantee (http://www.leupold.com/lightbox/features/leupold-full-lifetime-guarantee/).
Specifications
FX-II 2.5x20mm Ultralight

Available Reticles
http://www.leupold.com/_images/reticles/heavy-duplex.gifhttp://www.leupold.com/_images/reticles/wide-duplex.gif
http://www.leupold.com/_images/thumbnails/fx-ii-2-5x20mm-ultralight-angle.gif (http://www.leupold.com/lightbox/more-views/fx-ii-2-5x20mm-ultralight-angle)http://www.leupold.com/_images/thumbnails/fx-ii-2-5x20mm-ultralight-prof.gif (http://www.leupold.com/lightbox/more-views/fx-ii-2-5x20mm-ultralight-prof)

[Irons]

Yeah, this was a friendly discussion, not a challenge to your personal pride or manhood. Jeez.

Btw, I read a story about a kid who took one of these to Iraq. Not only did it survive combat, and serve him well, but it also survived a Humvee fire. ;)

[TonyT]

Irons,


Is the manhood comment directed towards me?

I provided a little insight into scopes to help you. I am sorry you take offense to some of the comments but the Barska scopes are about as cheap as they come, literally. This is why I provided another low cost alternative - the Leupold 2.5 x 20mm.

The Barska Electro Sight 4x20 only comes with a one year limited warranty for a reason. They are manufactured to meet a cost metric instead of a quality one. The scope will not hold up as well when exposed to mildly abusive conditions to the same extent as a higher quality scope, such as a Leupold. Regardless what your friend said.

Why do you think the Army uses Trijicon instead of Barska? The Army chose Trijicon ACOG's instead of competitive products based on a cost/benefit analysis. I promise you, regardless what you hear from the media, the Government contractors aren't complete idiots and wouldn't pay five times as much if the Barska was 'almost' as good.

As I said before, if your goal is to 'plink' occasionally and you aren't going to subject your equipment to rain, fog, abuse, darkness, distance, and you are financially restrained - go for it.

There are a lot of people who buy cheap bino's and scopes and are perfectly happy with them. There are a lot of us here who have had equipment not live up to the task and won't get fooled again.

I have had a cheap spotting scope fog up on a rainy day and ruin my sight in day. I have had a cheap rifle scope nearly ruin a hunt. I won't have either happen again.

[N-G-F-O]

I don't fully understand what you said. I don't speak "English" English.

I'll try to translate:

Pub = Bar/Honky Tonk
Optic = Glass Beer Stein/Your eyeballs?
Pussers = P*ssies/Women?

"You only care about fat girls at the bar?"

I'm at a loss. Try to speak Texan to me, we'll see how it goes. ;)

Pub = http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/7220/pubd.jpg

Optics = http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/2526/41y3likhkjlsl500aa280.th.jpg

Pussers = http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/3780/380x350694cc789.th.jpg

[Irons]

@T: It's just a cheap scope for kicks. I found no trouble with it in anyway.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

N-G-F-O (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/member.php?u=26616), Thanks for the translation, boy, I was way off on that on. Thanks again.

[Hollis]

A good read thanks. Scopes are one of those firearm issues that also demonstrate we all have different needs, different pocket books, and along with a range of understanding about scopes.

Scopes can be viewed as coming as different kinds depending on shooting. Plinking/fun shooting, Hunting, and then precision. There are brands that get a negative response because, some people will feel only precision scopes should be used and anything less is junk. For them that is fine, that is their choice and their pocket book. Not everyone is a precision shooter, not everyone owns precision firearms, not everyone cares. I think most shooters like to shoot for fun. Matching the scope to the firearm is a good idea, also take in consideration the skill of the shooter or why they are shooting.

[TonyT]

Hollis,


I think people are responding to 'why' one scope might be better than another. Not necessarily what his decision needs to be.

Regardless what type of shooter you are, it might be nice that others share with you their experiences with a product before you plunk down any money. $50 sounds better than $1,000 regardless what budget you are on. We are just explaining what you should expect for the extra money.

Oh well, at the end of the day who really cares. If Iron is happy then go for him. Money well spent.

[Flagg]

A good read thanks. Scopes are one of those firearm issues that also demonstrate we all have different needs, different pocket books, and along with a range of understanding about scopes.

Scopes can be viewed as coming as different kinds depending on shooting. Plinking/fun shooting, Hunting, and then precision. There are brands that get a negative response because, some people will feel only precision scopes should be used and anything less is junk. For them that is fine, that is their choice and their pocket book. Not everyone is a precision shooter, not everyone owns precision firearms, not everyone cares. I think most shooters like to shoot for fun. Matching the scope to the firearm is a good idea, also take in consideration the skill of the shooter or why they are shooting.

I just had a great weekend shooting out to just shy of 1200m.

I'm very happy I went with Schmidt & Bender.......it REALLY paid for itself.

I also was fortunate enough to get behind a US Optics "Hubble Telescope" attached to a AI .338 Lapua that shot like a laser.

For both, partly due to the quality optics and partly due to conditions I could EASILY see not just my rounds impacting, but the "swirl" of the rounds moving downrange......even "good" optics would have been challenged.

Big money specialized gear that works VERY, VERY well.

But I'm still probably going to get around to buying a Barska or two.

1 for my M14 clone

1 for my K31 hunting rifle

Both are great rifles for what they are......I have very little money invested in either rifle.

The idea of putting a $5000NZ Schmidt & Bender 1.1x4 on a $400 boomstick would have my missus throwing a tanty.

Yeah...different tools, different jobs.

For example.......I have a really nice pair of Swarovski Habicht 7x42 binos........I think the serial number dates to the early 80's......great classic look and I can glass deer at dusk or dawn better than brand new mid-range binos.

But then I had a look at some of the new futuristic Swarovski and Leica Binos lying around this weekend...some with integrated LRF......it must be like how God sees things :)

Now my otherwise far more than adequate old-school Swarovskis seem poopy :(

Must........defeat........consumerist urges.......with my shootin' stuff :)

[oldsoak]

You use a K31 ? Can you get the brass in NZ ?