OLD SF MJT

What Ryan said! I think this thing is starting to look like my next optic purchase! True 1X. Basically built for heavy hitting rifles & dangerous game! NOBODY seems to have a thing bad to say about it! Thanks for all the information, folks. Old SF MJT

How about its older cousin, the Nikon 1-4x20 Monarch African Riflescope? The are the same base scope, based on dimensions & physical appearance. Seems like only the turrets & the reticle are different. I'm looking for a good, general-purpose low power variable. I like the reticle & 1-4X is about perfect. Again, many thanks. Old SF MJT

Has anyone tried this optic? You thoughts/impressions? Many thanks, Old SF MJT

Just my $0.02 worth: The SKS is a tough, reliable performer as an entry-lever carbine for 3-gun. You could do FAR WORSE! I have one & use it occasionally for a match "just to maintain proficiency!" I have done three things to it: 1) Replaced the original stock with a regular sporter-style poly stock. I am long-armed & the original stock is WAY too short! 2) I installed an aperture sight - from Williams I think. Nothing fancy! 3) I jumped off the deep end & replaced the factory mag with a 20 rounder from Tapco. (Don't waste your time with any other replacement mag save the poly Tapco - all others are universally crap!) I use itin the same fashion as the factory mag - load from stripper clips, but the 20 rd. capacity is handy sometimes. Two other things you MIGHT consider: The TechSight. I have heard good things about it. And, there is a compact rail mount for optics that replaces the rear sight. It looks pretty nice & I am considering one as my aging eyes don't do irons like they used to! As always, YMMV! Old SF

You are correct, this sort of optic is set up for carry-handle mounting. As an aside, how old is that thing??? Old SF

For the vast majority of folks, the AK-type carbine is perfectly serviceable for 3-gun competition. The user simply needs to learn to 'run the gun!' To be sure, if you're competing at the Jerry Miculek level, you might be able to see some significant differences, but not at the 'Joe Everyman' level. Also, the AK-typs has some accuracy limitations (but, with a quality firearm, especially in 5.56, they're nowhere as great as a lot of AR-philes would lead you to believe! With WWB .223, I get around 1 1/2" @ 100m out of my Saiga.) and the 7.62X39 is absolutely an 'under-200m' round (but how many of us REGULARLY shoot competition at ranges beyond that?). On the flip-side, how much practice ammo can you buy for the cost difference between a quality AR and a similar-quality AK? Short answer: LOTS! As for running the AK, the first thing to learn is that it's not an AR & you can't run it like one! For thoughts on running the AK, you can find a LOT of good info over ath Gabe Suarez "Warrior Talk" forum (WARNING: This is not a forum for the thin-skinned!) as well as on the SAIGA 12 competition sub-forum. Then spend some quality time in the garage or basement with your 'commie rifle' and learn to operate the thing efficiently. Then go have a ball! To be sure: YMMV! Old SF MJT

A Question for the Weaver 1-3X20 users out there: How fast is the reticle to acquire given that it's a 'plex' reticle vs. some sort of dot? Thanks in advance for the assist. Old SF

What about the Leupold 1-4X20 VX-1 Shotgun scope? Compact, rugged, pretty quick heavy duplex reticle, true 1X capability, and a great price. What are the thoughts in this scope? Old SF

Just my opinion, but, go with the CProducts SS mags. Go with the CS springs if you are going to use them A LOT! Otherwise, go with the SS springs. Their mags are second-to-none and their customer service is absolutely the best! I had a dozen 20 rounders with orange MagPul followers & Ranger baseplates sent to my son when he was deployed with SF over in Iraq...They performed flawlessly. I personally have a dozen or so of my own & I love them. Just outstanding! But then, that's my opinion! YMMV!!! Old SF

LP, Looks like we have something in common..."accumulating" firearms! No real rhyme or reason...we just acquire shooters that catch the fancy! For 3-gun, I use my 1951 Tula Arsenal SKS with the above-mentioned Millett Scout Base and a Bushnell 30mm red dot, an ATI replacement stock & stripper clips. I shoot tactical-style 3-gun to help maintain proficiency (I'm a Guardsman) as well as have a load of fun! Mostly I use my AR carbine, but now & then I use any of several other semi-auto long guns in my safe...an ecclectic mix, to be sure! Includes a Saiga in 5.56mm, an M-1 Carbine & a Ruger Mini-30. Plus the SKS. And don't let folks BS you - With practice, you can reload as fast as any Garand shooter (PLUS you have the option of optics) and most with M-1A's or the Ruger. It's just that you have only 10 rounds compared to 20 or 30! Again - PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! Man, I'm sorry to hear that the Saiga is banned out there. For the money, that's probably the best buy out there in a semi-auto! (Have you considered moving EAST???) As far as the M-1A goes...They really are the best option that you have out there in the PRK! IF you can afford it! They don't come cheap! Neither is the ammo, compared to 5.56 or 7.62X39. Personally, I'd go with the 18 in. barrel version - don't recall the model. To me, that's the best compromise. They are about as 'handy' as a bigger gun can be. I've shot the SOCOM (16 in. bbl.), the Squad Scout (that's the name!) and the full-sized variety. The Scout is my choice. Fantastic gun. Just a tad on the expensive side! Sort of depends on what your goals are in 3-gun. I shoot to learn, improve, maintain & enjoy! I try to attack each stage like it was a tactical engagement, I don't go in and hose things like some gamers. But that's just me! No offense to the gamers. They have their own goals! Me? I'm not going to win any championships or anything. I just hope to improve! That's my opinion & I'm sticking to it! YMMV! Old SF

Just a thought: Determine what feels best to you most of the time and then be consistent with your technique. Whatever you do, do it the same way all the time! Oh, and practice, practice, practice!!! Old SF

LP, These are just my thoughts: You do have a few workable options to begin playing with, depending on what sort of money you are willing to shell out. If you like the SKS AND you can find one without that gawd-awful grenade launcher, that seems to me to be the most cost effective route. There are a few mods available out there - there are folks who will re-work the trigger - Millett offers a Scout Mount setup to facilitate mounting an optic - there's a neat replacement rear sight, I think it's called the 'Tech Sight' that is a great improvement over the issue item - and there are some good replacement stock options. These will give you a good basic rifle to work with. I have used the rifle in local 3-gun shoots and have done respectably. If you are a fairly big man, this is a benefit. The gun IS a bit of a club and doesn't handle ALL THAT WELL! Not unlike the Garand (Sorry!). You'll help yourself a lot by becoming fluid with your reloads...practice, practice, practice!!! Next Option: Is the SAIGA line of rifles legal in the PRK (10 rd detatchable box mag and a 'sporter' stock)? If so, this might offer an excellent option. Rugged as an anvil, reliable as the sun coming up in the East and respectably accurate. And not too pricy!!! The down side: Lousy trigger with not a lot of recourse. Aside from good mounts for optics, there are next to no mods available. Still, she's a lot of gun for the money! There is a lot of info on the website SAIGA-12.com. You might want to check it out. Next is the Ruger. Rock solid platform and getting better as we speak. Plenty of mods & options out there, just lick your VISA card & stick it to your forhead!!!! It won't be cheap! (Good stuff seldom is!) I really like the M-1 Carbine, but it too has some limits. They are seldom cheap to acquire or feed and they have limits as to optics & range. For short-range stuff and for SHTF personal protection, though, loaded with good-quality expanding ammo, there isn't anything better. YMMV! Well, those are my thoughts. YMMV! "I'm no expert, though I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night!" Good luck to you. Old SF

My thoughts on carbine choice are based on the notion that you must "train as you would fight!" If your choice for an actual "social situation" would be the Marlin Camp Carbine, that's what you should train & practice with. While I would personally choose the .30 Carbine over the Marlin, that might not be yours. Your .30 Carbine might not be as reliable as your Marlin, etc. Once again, that's my opinion. YMMV!!!

I purchased two of these back before the Holidays and have used them a fair amount. I've also written about them on this website and on other one. I am generally satisfied with them. So far, they have been easy to get along with...Very compact, fairly robust, the illumination is quite good, and, unlike what someone else said, I have had no issues with the thing loosing zero after a few hundred rounds. All in all, I like it a bunch! My most significant complaint: The reticle adjusting knobs are coarse and crude. The adjustment 'tick marks' are painted onto a thin metal ring that pops off during sighting in. Is it a 'Leupy' or IOR? NO!!!!!!!!! But, at $50.00 from CDNN, it's one hell of a $100 scope. As a short- to medium-term fix for an optic, waiting for the nickles to build up for something of greater quality, I don't think you can beat it! As an aside, you simply can't beat CDNN for service and value for your dollar. If you're not happy with a purchace or it acts up in any way, they'll square you away ASAP! No shell games, no deceptive practices. Just good value and honest treatment! At least, that's my story & I'm sticking to it. YMMV!

I e-mailed MDM late last week. They replied back quickly but, unfortunately, indicated that they would be tied up with the Shot Show till mid-week next week. Additionally, they seemed quite excited about their scopes potential appeal to us in the "3-gun/ competition/ tactical" market. I am anticipating having some contact with the MDM folks after that. I'll post an update then.