What is it about SWFA SS scopes that make them suitable (rugged enough) for air rifles?

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AreWeNotMen?

AreWeNotMen?

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Jan 23, 2023
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Sacramento County, CA, USA
I have several for my combustion rifles, and after reading here, I understand they have a following for the air rifle folks (i've read all the related threads). From what I know, SWFA does not advertise them as being air rifle "proof" or whatever. My question is what makes the SWFA SS line sufficiently different from other firearm scopes to enable them to not get shaken to death? And is it by specific design or just "luck" that they are GTG on air rifles?

I ask because I hope/plan to get into air rifle hunting for turkey and would like to use a scope I already have v. buying a specialized one.

Thanks.
 
scopes that can be used on springers have lens that are supported on both sides=a springers "sharp jolt"goes forward then backwards,and without enough support a springer can break them.Some manufactors do this as a practice.
You can find which scopes are springer rated by google it,call the manufactors or ask here.Also some scope sellers will say which scopes are springer rated,
Another important item is the scope mount;it also needs to be rugged,and a one piece mount is better than a two piece mount.
If you like the SWFA line of scopes you in,though you would want a low power scope and I do not know if they make one,
 
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I don't know whether I'm going springer or PCP yet (I know, should prolly figure that out!), but was pondering using my fixed 6x SWFA SS as I'm not using it on anything else now.

Re-searched and found this: https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/are-swfa-scopes-springer-rated.246153/

So it appear SWFA has confirmed the fixed-powers are GTG on springers - I was simply wondering if they designed that in, or whether they were just built that rugged. Doesn't matter really, but I was curious.
 
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ctshooter said:
FYI - just got an email a few minutes back 40% of SWFA scopes.
Click to expand...
@ctshooter Yea 40% off SWFA SS HD scopes. I’m curious as to what makes these “HD” scopes. Is it because of the coatings on the glass or a different sort of glass? Is the glass ED quality glass? More info would be great.

Riflescopes, Sights, Binoculars & Optic Accessories - SWFA Outdoors

Shop for rifle scopes from top manufacturers like Burris, Bushnell, Leica, Leopold, Meopta, Nikon, Zeiss and more. Click through to find the latest deals.
www.swfa.com www.swfa.com

6ED2534A-D572-4532-BA38-9CE5C3D774D3.jpeg
 
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Back in their day, SWFA scopes were made to U.S. military specs and held government contracts for particular scopes. Because of their continued robustness and clarity they still are good scopes. FYI, due to market demands and current scope manufacturing processes, a lot of other scope manufacturers have these same standards of robustness and the like built into their products because a lot of them are made in the same overseas factories and with the same components. Here's the SWFA history.

History | SWFA

History Description
swfa-ss.com
 
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AreWeNotMen? said:
I don't know whether I'm going springer or PCP yet (I know, should prolly figure that out!), but was pondering using my fixed 6x SWFA SS as I'm not using it on anything else now.

Re-searched and found this: https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/are-swfa-scopes-springer-rated.246153/

So it appear SWFA has confirmed the fixed-powers are GTG on springers - I was simply wondering if they designed that in, or whether they were just built that rugged. Doesn't matter really, but I was curious.
Click to expand...
SWFA scopes are military grade spec scopes. Their fixed power are as tough as they get.
 
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Lotus7 said:
The scopes that are on sale have a 50 meter minimum parallax distance which is much too far for my airgun use.
Their 3x15 SWFA has a 6 meter minimum, unfortunately not on sale, but I already have 6 of them and I'm quite happy.
Click to expand...

Thankfully, you're wrong. 😆 I hope you don't mind my gloating, this is good news for all who have been put off by SWFA's consistently high prices in both retail and the classified....:

3-15x42 FFP
$480
www.swfa.com

SWFA 3-15x42 SS 30mm Riflescope

SWFA 3-15x42 SS 30mm Riflescope Details SKU: SS315X42MQ Finish: Matte Reticle: MIL-Quad Tube Diameter (mm): 30 Elevation Knob: Exposed Target (.1 MIL) Windage Knob: Exposed Target (.1 MIL) Parallax Setting: Side Focus Focal Plane: First
www.swfa.com www.swfa.com


But yeah, you're right, the 5-20x50 FFP has a 50y parallax. Thankfully, more and more scope manufacturers are getting the hint of making 10y parallax scopes. Even March with it's typical price of 3 grand for a typical scope goes the 10y route. (Well, Leupold is still ignorant of the growing airgunning community in the US.)

Matthias
 
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JungleShooter said:
Thankfully, you're wrong. 😆 I hope you don't mind my gloating, this is good news for all who have been put off by SWFA's consistently high prices in both retail and the classified....:

3-15x42 FFP
$480
www.swfa.com

SWFA 3-15x42 SS 30mm Riflescope

SWFA 3-15x42 SS 30mm Riflescope Details SKU: SS315X42MQ Finish: Matte Reticle: MIL-Quad Tube Diameter (mm): 30 Elevation Knob: Exposed Target (.1 MIL) Windage Knob: Exposed Target (.1 MIL) Parallax Setting: Side Focus Focal Plane: First
www.swfa.com www.swfa.com


But yeah, you're right, the 5-20x50 FFP has a 50y parallax. Thankfully, more and more scope manufacturers are getting the hint of making 10y parallax scopes. Even March with it's typical price of 3 grand for a typical scope goes the 10y route. (Well, Leupold is still ignorant of the growing airgunning community in the US.)

Matthias
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Sorry, my mistake, I only checked the 40% off HD scopes that were in the original post.
The web page that came up for me didn't show the 3x15 on sale, but I see it is.
Note that 3x15 is not a HD scope.
Mattias, unfortunately by you pointing out the sale on the 3x15 I may have to spend some money!
I agree It is the best price I have seen on them.
They usually have a few good sales a year but I haven't seen the 3x15 on sale in quite awhile.
Although I haven't had a bunch of different scopes to compare, I'm happy with my 3x15's. I find its nice to have the same scope on several guns, sort of the KISS method. By the way I was introduced to them from one of Joe's Cyclops videos.

Bill
 
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Lotus7 said:
Mattias, unfortunately by you pointing out the sale on the 3-15x I may have to spend some money!

Bill
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm truly sorry for causing you such grief, Bill.
NOT!!

When you go on these forums you KNOW there is a whole pack of ENABLERS waiting for your wallet, credit card, and bank account....! 🤪
I'm just one of them. 😄
You enter at your own risk.

Matthias
 
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SWFA SS makes a number of fixed power scopes .

Fixed power scopes will have fewer lens elements than variable power scopes. This is the same with prime lenses vs. zoom lenses in photography.

It could be that the simpler design of fixed power scopes could be an advantage towards “ruggedness”. As there are not as many glass elements to shift or get knocked out alignment.
 
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Nitrocrushr said:
After numerous scopes had issues with shiftng POI on my springers, I moved to the SWFA 10x42 rear focus. I now have three of them and not a single problem, all mounted on springers.

Steve
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Curious what would you say is your "roughest" springer? I have a Gamo that has broken apart a number of cheaper scopes and have some SWFA not being used on anything. And what mounts are you using?
 
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MongooseV8 said:
Curious what would you say is your "roughest" springer? I have a Gamo that has broken apart a number of cheaper scopes and have some SWFA not being used on anything. And what mounts are you using?
Click to expand...
I have had the SWFA’s on my D56’s with no issues. I kept them as close to mechanical zero as possible using FX No Limit rings. They tracked well and held POI.

I have since moved to the Hector Medina accurized ZR mounts on the D56’s.

On my TX200’s I use the Sportsmatch ATP66 fully adjustable rings, again this is to keep my scopes as close to mechanical center as possible.

Steve
 
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