Restocked SWFA 3-9x42 Gen 1

ericmcd

WKR
Joined
Dec 22, 2020
Messages
454
why are these so desired? I'm not talking smack... Just want to understand.

non illuminated, tall turrets, FFP 3-9x42, no zero stop.

Kind of confused
I can't speak for others but for myself at this price point

1. Zero retention
2. Zero retention
3. Zero retention
4. Usable reticle
5. Reliable tracking
6. Zero retention
 

Ajsomp

WKR
Classified Approved
Joined
Feb 12, 2021
Messages
573
why are these so desired? I'm not talking smack... Just want to understand.

non illuminated, tall turrets, FFP 3-9x42, no zero stop.

Kind of confused

So SWFA is admittedly older tech for most of its line (gen 2 is refreshed with zero stop). The scopes are one of the best hunting scopes in terms of reticle, weight, reliability. You give up some features like zero stop, locking turret or illumination to prioritize zero retention and tracking above all else. And personally I have never used illumination while hunting unless I had a reticle that wasn’t really designed for hunting.

But the bottom line- they work. And the price point is great with Japanese HD glass.
 
Joined
Feb 2, 2020
Messages
3,152
I wasn't going to get one but then they told me they weren't going to have a gen2 3-9x (at least not yet or in Q1) and that cyclops code popped up, so..... Dang. I guess I need to sell the gen2 10x that will be at my house tomorrow 😂
 
OP
C

Cantharellus

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 25, 2014
Messages
189
Location
Colorado
why are these so desired? I'm not talking smack... Just want to understand.

non illuminated, tall turrets, FFP 3-9x42, no zero stop.

Kind of confused
Tested reliability and zero retention, light weight for a good price. I'm building a 6mm arc Howa with the goal of keeping it as light as possible while still being very reliable and shootable. This scope should be perfect!

Here's one example of testing for this scope. https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/centerfire-rifle-drop-testing-tikka-swfa.343904/

Many of the other SWFA models have been tested by Form here. https://rokslide.com/forums/forums/rifle-scope-field-evaluations.133/
 
Joined
Feb 2, 2020
Messages
3,152
Weight
Price

Id still prefer the zero stop fixed.
I'm curious on the real need for a zero stop. I have the rs1.2 and still haven't bothered to set the zero stop . I haven't needed it. I always check turrets before taking a shot.

What scenarios make you prefer the fixed power zero stop over the 3-9?
 

sndmn11

"DADDY"
Joined
Mar 28, 2017
Messages
10,814
Location
Morrison, Colorado
.

What scenarios make you prefer the fixed power zero stop over the 3-9?
All that matter. I've not had a turret on any scope rotate unintentionally in the field or transit, but that one shot to figure out if it rotated CW or CCW should it not be at 0 would be a big deal.

I'm not an advocate for locking turrets, but a zero stop matters to me.

My brother hunted with a fixed 10x SWFA last year and the turrets installed without stops on either. He said he remembered where the bottom turret edge was on the revolution indicators and did fine dialing to kill a bull.
 

satchamo

WKR
Joined
Jan 23, 2014
Messages
874
How does the 3x9 compare to the new gen 2 3-15? The 3-15s are back in stock as well, that’s why I ask… looking for a scope for a 22-250 for coyotes.
 
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