SCOPE WARNING

[jeager106]

My BSA 3X12X50MM is (was) 10 days old.
It WAS mounted on my new RWS M 52.
Today the crosshairs broke loose and fell to one side!
10 days old with about 300 shots thru it!
How do you spell JUNK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hate spending hard earned $$$ just to send products back for refunds, credits, etc.
I don't care how nice the dealer is, I hate the hassle.
Since buying the BSA I've learned from long time airgun shooters that BSA quality is spotty at best. The BSA WILL break on a magnum recoil springer, it's simply a matter of when.
Lesson learned here.
Word of advice based on experience, spend the $$$ on a GOOD arigun scope.

[mjfa]

You may have better luck with a Bushnell Elite 4200,  Bushnell Elite 3200,  Bushnell Legend,  Weaver V-16 or Leupold EFR, and a solid one piece scope mount from BKL Technologies.

[dave]

well, I've said this before but BSA and magnum airguns don't mix, period. They are better left to compressed gas rifles with no recoil.
The 52 can be hard on scopes, even the good ones. If you want any scope to last on it, get the gun tuned. The 48/52/54 guns have springs that are pushed to the limit to get that kind performance, and as a result are real harsh and recoil hard. The result is usually a broken scope and short spring life. A good tune using a better seal, quality spring and fitted guide will greatly improve the shooting manners of your gun and make it much more scope friendly.

[jeager106]

dave: excellent advice. A tune is definately in order but I must still get a quality scope.

Lawdog. Yes I have contacted BSA. I promised a LOT of FREE ADVERTISING against BSA.
Clearly thier scopes are JUNK.
The dealer will extend a credit for he waisted money and pay for the shipping back to the dealer.
That says volumes for the dealer.

As for straightshooters; I'm not taking advice from straightshooters the business, but members of straightshooters form who have miles more experince than me.
I have e-mails for a couple of these guys (one owns SIXTEEN airguns, and is a champ with trophies and medals) and the consensus is BOYCOTT two products. ALL BSA and ALL GAMO.
I intend to carry that message to every forum I can get to.
This is the age of the internet. Speaking my mind violates no ethics, laws, or morality and hurts those that produce junk.
That's what free enterprise is all about.

The Bushnell products you mentioned were AIRGUN scopes or centerfire rifle scopes?
I intend to do my homework much better this time and seek out QUALIFIED people to take advice from.

[Lawdog]

dave: excellent advice. A tune is definately in order but I must still get a quality scope.

Lawdog. Yes I have contacted BSA. I promised a LOT of FREE ADVERTISING against BSA.
Clearly thier scopes are JUNK.
The dealer will extend a credit for he waisted money and pay for the shipping back to the dealer.
That says volumes for the dealer.

As for straightshooters; I'm not taking advice from straightshooters the business, but members of straightshooters form who have miles more experince than me.
I have e-mails for a couple of these guys (one owns SIXTEEN airguns, and is a champ with trophies and medals) and the consensus is BOYCOTT two products. ALL BSA and ALL GAMO.
I intend to carry that message to every forum I can get to.
This is the age of the internet. Speaking my mind violates no ethics, laws, or morality and hurts those that produce junk.
That's what free enterprise is all about.

The Bushnell products you mentioned were AIRGUN scopes or centerfire rifle scopes?
I intend to do my homework much better this time and seek out QUALIFIED people to take advice from.

I would very much be interested in what BSA had to say before you started threatening them. :eek:

Yes I have contacted BSA. I promised a LOT of FREE ADVERTISING against BSA.

It's really great you are basing your comments on one scope.  If I were to do that then Leupold would be "JUNK” as you put it.  My first Beeman Kodiak busted up a brand new Leupold that the salesman at Beeman recommended, before sightin was complete.  Actually Leupold's are excellent scopes, just a bit high on the price for many to afford.  To date I have purchased 7 BSA air rifle scopes and none have given any problems, clear to the edge and never shifted POI.  They have held up for thousands of rounds on air rifle well known for tearing up scopes.  You know you haven’t yet posted the model number of the scope you purchased?  Does it have the letters “AR” in front?  As for the Bushnell scopes listed on Straight Shooters none of them are warranted for springer air rifle use.  Check them out on their web site, I DID.  In fact Straight Shooters states “The superb optics of these scopes make excellent choices for any PCP rifle.”.  A far cry from a “magnum” springer’s recoil.  Also Bushnell is the pits when it comes to backing up their warrantee’s.  Before anyone buys a scope for any "magnum" springer air rifle they should make sure the warrantee says they are approved for springer air rifle use.  If it doesn't and it breaks don't be surprised if the manufacture says SORRY.  You'll be SOL.  Lawdog
 

[dave]

SIXTEEN airguns? Heck, I got that many in just one corner! I think I'm approaching 100 maybe? Can't get them all in one place long enough to count.  :eek:
Anyway, for what its worth, look into the Leupold 3-9x33EFR. Its about the best value in airgun scopes out there, and will probably hold up better on the 52. I've had one on my R-10 for more than a year.

Without a proper tune though the gun may end up breaking any scope you put on it. Usually a gun that breaks scopes in short order like that has some sort of problem too, such as a seal thats a bit undersized or spring thats not quite right. Not problems as far as the factory is concerned because the gun does what its supposed to do, but problems non the less that will cause more headaches down the road. 9 times out of 10 just putting something like a JM GSI kit in it will solve the problem.

[Lawdog]

jeager106,

Just noticed that the BSA scope you're complaining about is NOT one of the ones approved for air rifle use.  BSA only makes 4 models of air rifle approved scopes; AR27X32, AR312X40, AR312X44 and the AR4X32.  You’re BSA 3X12X50MM is not one of these.  Mounting it on a RWS 52, no wonder it broke.  I would like to know who told you the BSA 3X12X50MM was approved for springer air rifles?  I always tell people to go to the BSA site at http://www.bsaoptics.com/productlist.asp?ID=11&Cat_Name=airrifle22.jpg&Cat_Code=AR&Cat_Type=RFAM and check them out for themselves.  If the dealer did it then it's the fault of the dealer and not the manufacture.  Lawdog
 

[jeager106]

Well, beats the He$$ outa me!
The owner of PyramidAir highly recommended it and they ONLY sell airguns and supporting products.
He said the 3X12X55 was not even advertized yet and he has a supply because he is a high volume BSA dealer.
Beats me!
The small new catalog that came in the box in front of my face says it's an AR31250.
(ya suppose "A R" means air rifle?)
The scope in front of my face says on the right side logo says
"BSA AIR RIFLE".
So unless you have secret information from the NSA, KGB, CIA, FBI or alien life forms I'd say it was AN AIR RIFLE SCOPE!
Sorry to bust yer bubble but it's an airgun scope AND it's J U N K.

[dave]

I think you will find that in the case of scopes approved for airgun use vs those that aren't, the difference isn't in internal construction, at least with better makes like Leupold. The scopes intended for use on air rifles have the parallax and focusing set for closer ranges, usually down to 10 yards or under. Cheaper scopes like the BSA are the same, but few of those are really made to stand up to magnum spring guns. Survivability depends a lot on the gun and whether or not is shooting well, how the scope is set up on the rifle, and in the case of magnum springers whether or not you are using the right pellet for the gun.

[jeager106]

O.K.
If I'm hearing everyone right the thing to do is geta GOOD scope.
Don't put even the "best" cheap scope on a magnum springer, nor buy the advertising hype about the cheap scopes.
Bottom line is this: Buy a quality scope; have the rifle tuned and probably all will be well in Happyvale. :-D

[Graybeard]

I've heard darn few good comments on BSA scopes and LOTS of bad. But I own only one and it sits on a magnum springer used for pest control around the house. It's the 2-7 with PA and has proven to be an excellent scope for my rifle. I have no complaints after perhaps 500 rounds fired. I must admit it has tempted me to get another like it for rimfire use. I've not done it but sure have been tempted.

[dave]

As far as scopes go, BSA scopes are a good value. I have a fairly new model on my Sharp Ace, and it works fine. Holds zero no problem, good optics and focuses right down close. However, its just not made to withstand the recoil of a spring gun, and it will break in short order on one. If you want a decent scope for a PCP, CO2 or pump rifle though, its a good choice.

[quickdtoo]

I have a BSA AR312x44 on a Crosman 377, it's been doing fine after a year and a couple tins of pellets. My guess is that BSA makes a few scopes that are good and within the rest, you are gambling that you will get a good one. FWIW, those at RFC that have had problems with their BSA scopes and returned them to BSA, they recieved a replacement scope within a week or so....as far as customer service goes, they do stand behind their products with prompt service....and it may be needed!!!

Tim

[victorcharlie]

Well......what did you expect?  You get what you pay for.....BSA has never had a very good reputation, but recently, lots of people have been using them......I hear a lot about the BSA scopes from  the .17HMR guys and they  love them.....

I can't say I'm suprised.....sorry, take your licking, learn from it,  and go get a good scope......

[Lawdog]

After doing a little more research I have found out that the scope that “jeager106” purchased was an outdated, discontinued model that Pyramyd Air must have had sitting around in their warehouse for quite some time.  The AR31250 was discontinued over a year ago(along with the rest of the old line of rifle scopes from BSA) and that is why they are not on the current web site or in their 2005 catalog.  Manufactured back before BSA completely overhauled their manufacturing process.  This is why I always say before buying an air rifle scope from any dealer, check them out first with the manufacture and you won’t end up getting burnt.  In this case "jeager106" really hasn't got a reason to complain as the dealer, Pyramyd Air, is making everything right for him.  Lawdog
 

[jeager106]

After doing a little more research I have found out that the scope that “jeager106” purchased was an outdated, discontinued model that Pyramyd Air must have had sitting around in their warehouse for quite some time.  The AR31250 was discontinued over a year ago(along with the rest of the old line of rifle scopes from BSA) and that is why they are not on the current web site or in their 2005 catalog.  Manufactured back before BSA completely overhauled their manufacturing process.  This is why I always say before buying an air rifle scope from any dealer, check them out first with the manufacture and you won’t end up getting burnt.  In this case "jeager106" really hasn't got a reason to complain as the dealer, Pyramyd Air, is making everything right for him.  Lawdog
 

Ahh, haahhhhhhhh! The Dealer is at fault for building the cheap scope! :evil:
Seriously, that was very, very useful information. So the dealer had scopes that aren't built anymore and that's probably why he's going to refund the bucks.
At least he SAYS he is.
But I do have reason to complain. We don't ahve to stand for inferior quality.
We work hard for our $$$ and we deserve the right to EXPECT QUALITY.
If we settle for sending junk back as a matter of every day life I doubt quality would every improve.
After years of builfing junk cars our domestic auto makers got thier arses kicked by foreighn makers that built better and better vehicle.
Today GM struggles to try and stay even with Toyota in quality.
GM lost its domestic market share of a whopping 67% in the late '60's to struggle to maintain 25.5% today.
We do not have to settle fo inferior quality. FROM ANYONE.
Thanks for the information.
I'm looking hard at a Burris 4X12.

[victorcharlie]

The thing about quality is  you have to be willing to pay for it.  The BSA is priced much lower than most quality scopes.  Why, did you think BSA was a quality scope anyway?

[Charles/NM]

I'm perfectly happy with my BSA scopes on .22 rimfire rifles. I recently bought a BSA 2 power pistol scope to put on one of my Crosman 1377's.  I buy them knowing they are economy grade scopes and use them accordingly.

[Lawdog]

After doing a little more research I have found out that the scope that “jeager106” purchased was an outdated, discontinued model that Pyramyd Air must have had sitting around in their warehouse for quite some time.  The AR31250 was discontinued over a year ago(along with the rest of the old line of rifle scopes from BSA) and that is why they are not on the current web site or in their 2005 catalog.  Manufactured back before BSA completely overhauled their manufacturing process.  This is why I always say before buying an air rifle scope from any dealer, check them out first with the manufacture and you won’t end up getting burnt.  In this case "jeager106" really hasn't got a reason to complain as the dealer, Pyramyd Air, is making everything right for him.  Lawdog
 

Ahh, haahhhhhhhh! The Dealer is at fault for building the cheap scope! :evil:
Seriously, that was very, very useful information. So the dealer had scopes that aren't built anymore and that's probably why he's going to refund the bucks.
At least he SAYS he is.
But I do have reason to complain. We don't ahve to stand for inferior quality.
We work hard for our $$$ and we deserve the right to EXPECT QUALITY.
If we settle for sending junk back as a matter of every day life I doubt quality would every improve.
After years of builfing junk cars our domestic auto makers got thier arses kicked by foreighn makers that built better and better vehicle.
Today GM struggles to try and stay even with Toyota in quality.
GM lost its domestic market share of a whopping 67% in the late '60's to struggle to maintain 25.5% today.
We do not have to settle fo inferior quality. FROM ANYONE.
Thanks for the information.
I'm looking hard at a Burris 4X12.

You bought an outdated(over two years old), obsolete, no longer made scope that should have been returned to the factory and wasn't and you blame the manufacture!  If Pyramyd Air had returned it when the recall was issued you wouldn’t have ended up buying it.  Bad luck on your behalf.  BSA completely redesigned their manufacturing process just over two years ago and I will be the first to admit that before they did their products were cheaply made and wouldn’t last.  The new line is made in a totally different way than before.  You said you contacted BSA about your scope but if you had you would have found out about all this before you started posting your warnings.

Your choice of the Burris 4-12X R/A is a good one.  Too bad Burris dropped the 4-16X & 6-24X R/A models from their line but not enough sales so they are now gone.  Lawdog