Best 1-4x Scope Guide: Our Recommendations for Affordable Optics that Won’t Break the Bank

Welcome to the BlueSheepdog Rifle Optics Guide for 1-4x24mm scopes. We are full-time and retired police officers, who are also lifetime shooters and firearm enthusiasts. 

Our law enforcement experiences are quite varied, but we are all passionate about firearms, shooting, hunting and finding the best accessories for the money to make us more accurate on and off duty.

Like many of you, we have to make our dollars stretch so we can keep the family fed and clothed. While there are a lot of great, top-end scopes on the market, we wanted to put together a list of the best 1-4x scopes that are reasonably priced.

This page is the result.

We’ve tried to provide a real apples to apples comparison in this round-up. For this review, each optic selected for consideration here claims a 1x low power setting (unless noted) for reflexive close quarters shooting, and a maximum 4x magnification for short to low mid-range targets. To help you find the best scope for the money, we’ve focused on optics with a maximum MSRP of $500.

To provide our readers with an easy reference method for the selected comparison scopes, the listings will be in descending alphabetical order by manufacturer name. Each optic will have relevant features and specifications listed, as well as commentary on our personal experiences with the optics or our feelings about included or missing features.

But, you may be asking…

Why Select a 1-4x24mm Scope?

One of the great benefits of a true 1x scope is the ability for reflex shooting. This is shooting with both eyes open, where the rifle is quickly snapped into place, and the shooter uses the non-magnification setting for fast shooting. This is the same as a red dot optic – quick point, dot on target, shoot.

Unlike a red dot sight, these scopes also give the shooter the benefit of significantly improved accuracy at medium ranges. For that reason, we really appreciate these scopes for home defense, patrol rifles or SWAT teams. They do extremely well for hunting and competitions as well.

For many years the only scope selections seemed to be fixed magnification or variable magnification commonly starting at 3x power. When the so-called Assault Weapons Ban (AWB) expired in 2004 the firearms market literally exploded with new firearms, optics, and accessories. One of the biggest gains in firearms manufacturing and sales has been with the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. This gun is sometimes referred to as a Modern Sporting Rifle or MSR.

The rise of the MSR led to the increased shooting, hunting, and patrol rifle options as well. The AR-15 is a fantastic varmint hunting rifle as it frequently chambered for the small-bore .223 Remington or 5.56 NATO cartridges. These moderately powered, medium-range rifle and cartridge combinations made them popular for hunting coyotes, hogs, prairie dogs, and other small to medium game.

My go-to coyote rifle is a S&W M&P15 5.56mm, with a 1:8 twist rate, and Bushnell AR-Optics 3-9x40mm. This set up is great for the open area farms near me. For the mixed woods hunting spots a bit farther out, the company’s 1-4×24 scope is a better choice.

The rise in competitive shooting continues to prove to be extremely popular. What the IDPA and USPSA have done for pistol shooting, 3-Gun competitions have done for the AR-15. In fact, 3-Gun competitions are one of the fastest-growing firearms competitions in the country right now.

In 3-Gun competitions, shooters compete with pistols, shotguns and AR-15 rifles.

Many 3-Gun courses now expand rifle shots to various distances out to beyond 100 yards. This is where a 1-4×24 scope will truly excel over red dots or iron sights. A quick dial of the magnification ring and the shooter can be ready for long-distance or close up shots.

I have seen a large push for magnified reflex scopes in the military, law enforcement, and the personal defense domains. The ability to go from reflex shooting to pinpoint accuracy aiming is an extremely valuable ability.

Red dot or reflexive optics have been the darling in these areas for some time. Their simplistic aiming point with the ability to shoot with both eyes open works for close and very fast shots.

A simple red dot may be easy for close-quarters shooting, but depending on dot size human targets can start to be completely covered in as little as 100 yards. That doesn’t give a great deal of aiming flexibility, nor precision shot placement for even medium-range targets. This is where the 1-4×24 optics really shine.

Best 1-4×24 Scopes Under $500

Depending on your needs, any of the scopes on this page may serve you well. However, there are still a few optics that rise to the top. When looking at performance for the price, the following are the best low power scopes that can receive our recommendation. Keep in mind that we are looking at the sub-$500 options. There are some very good scopes at higher prices as well.

Burris MTAC 1-4×24

Burris makes high-quality rifle scopes that tend to be very affordable for the performance they deliver. Based in Greely, Colorado the Burris designers are surrounded by some of the most beautiful and challenging hunting in America. It’s no surprise that they design excellent optics.

The MTAC 1-4×24 scope is a perfect example of the company’s build and design quality.  The optic is built with some advanced features to meet the needs for a variety of shooting situations. Though specifically targeted to 3-gun shooters and hunters, these features also make the MTAC 1-4×24 suitable for many law enforcement applications.

To start with, the MTAC has a one-piece 30mm aluminum tube providing greater light transmission than smaller 1-inch tubes. The MTAC tube is Nitrogen filled to prevent fogging in cold or rainy weather, and Burris uses double internal spring-tension systems to maintain zero and point of impact through shock and recoil.

Burris uses high-grade optical glass with multi-coated lenses to enhance low-light shooting and reduce glare on the MTAC 1-4×24 scope. I cannot emphasize enough how quality glass selection improves overall optical and targeting ability.

The MTAC 1-4×24 reticles are illuminated. Powered by a single CR2032 button battery, the reticle has 10 illumination settings plus intermediate “battery saver” stops.

The Ballistic CQ reticle has a fairly large circle with a cross-hair in the middle. The reticle will be black or red depending on illumination. The cross-hair has 100-yard interval Mil-Dot bullet drop aiming points out to 600 yards.

Alternatively, the Ballistic AR reticle uses a much smaller broken circle targeting system, with Mil-Dot hash marks on the horizontal and vertical axis. The vertical hash marks are designed to be 100-yard interval bullet drop aiming points out to 600 yards. Each reticle is good for reflex shooting, but my personal preference would be the Ballistic AR for a much clearer picture and holds for moving targets or wind adjustments.

Burris gives the MTAC 1-4×24 scope an ergonomic power ring for making small and large magnification adjustments. The turrets are capped, which is O.K. for a low magnification scope. When exposed, the turrets have finger-adjustable 0.5 MOA adjustments per click, which is fairly standard for these scopes. Being able to make adjustments without a tool is very important!

The company offers its “Burris Forever Warranty” with every scope they sell. This is a no questions asked, transferable for life, repair or replacement warranty. You may pay a little more for the MTAC 1-4×24 scope, but your getting high-quality features and an outstanding warranty. At the time of this writing, the MTAC 1-4x 24 scope can be had at Amazon for less than $350.

Burris MTAC 1-4×24 Features

• Aluminum one-piece 30mm tube
• High-grade optical glass
• Ballistic CQ reticle or Ballistic AR illuminated reticle
• Index-matched, Hi-Lume multi-coated lenses
• Turret adjustment value 0.5 MOA
• Up to 4.0 inches of eye relief
• Compatible with night-vision technology
• Double internal spring-tension system to hold zero
• Waterproof
• Nitrogen-filled tube to prevent fogging
• Precision-gauged, hand-fitted assemblies for consistent POI
• Guaranteed by the Burris Forever Warranty.

Burris MTAC 1-4×24 Specifications

• Overall Length: 11.3 inches
• Weight: 14.5 ounces, 25.0 ounces (combo)
• Magnification: 1-4x
• Objective Lens Diameter: 24mm
• Ocular Lens Diameter: 42mm
• Parallax Focus/Adjustment: None
• Field of View (FOV) @ 100 yards: 100 feet (1x), 32 feet (4x)
• Exit Pupil: 24mm (1x), 6mm (4x)
• Turret Adjustment Ranges: 130 MOA elevation and windage
• Turret Click Adjustments: 0.5 MOA per click
• Illumination: 10 settings, with intermediate “battery saver” stops
• Battery: (1) CR2032
• MSRP: $479.00 (but less at Amazon )

BSD Remarks

The Burris MTAC 1-4×24 scope is a serious option for multiple rifle uses. The highly functional bullet drop compensating illuminated reticles, and finger adjusted turret controls are outstanding features. Illuminated reticles can be a game-changer in low-light conditions. The use of high-grade optics glass with Hi-Lume multi-coated lenses is extremely valuable. We have not used this scope in person, but from what we’ve seen it appears to be more than capable for on-duty use. The Burris scopes we observed at SHOT Show appeared to be very well made.

Leatherwood Hi-Lux CMR 1-4×24

Leatherwood Hi-Lux rifle scopes are designed to excel in the harshest shooting conditions. The CMR (Close Medium Range) line of scopes is specifically designed to enhance the performance of AR-platform rifles. Made with a one-piece aluminum tube, the exterior of the Hi-Lux CMR 1-4×24 scope is protected from rust and wear with a PermaCoat coating. Each scope is also Nitrogen-purged to make them fogproof.

Each Hi-Lux scope comes with fully multi-coated lenses. The company uses its proprietary “Diamond Tough” DT14 lens coating that is supposed to allow 99% light transmission per lens. If accurate, that ranks as one of the best light transmission ratings in the riflescope market. It would be a better performance than many competitors in the affordable scope market. In low-light shooting conditions, every bit of light counts.

The CMR 1-4×24 reticle offers a practical circular reticle designed to aid in target acquisition by drawing the shooter’s eye to the center of the scope. At the same time the Bullet Drop Compensating (BDC) reticle is uncluttered with fine, short bar aiming points calibrated for standard 5.56mm and 7.62mm ammunition. One of the most outstanding features of the reticle and outside-of-the-box is the “no math” range-finding for targets at distance. Red and green reticle illumination is available.

The Hi-Lux CMR 1-4×24 scope turrets are exposed to provide easy adjustments to POI. In addition, Hi-Lux builds their turrets with Tri-Center spring system to provide outstandingly crisp and positive adjustment clicks. The rheostat control turret is angled on the top left side of the eye bell and provides night vision settings in addition to the illuminated reticle.

The turrets provide audible and tactile adjustment feedback, and the Zero Locking System gives the shooter two very important features. First, the Zero Locking System has two Allen-screws in each turret head. The shooter can set the turrets to show “0” and then loosen the screws. This allows the outer turn dials to adjust the turrets, while keeping the markings on “0”. Once the rifle is properly zeroed on target, simply tighten the screws and the turrets are now ready to show windage or elevation adjustments like normal.

The second feature is a zero stop on the elevation turret. When engaged this feature prevents the elevation turret from going down below zero. In low-light conditions, when returning to zero is necessary, the shooter can confidently dial down until the turret locks, and know they are on true zero.

Leatherwood Hi-Lux CMR 1-4×24 Features

• One-piece aluminum tube construction
• Glass etched BDC reticle allows more intricate design
• Reticle specifically designed for .223 or .308 ammunition
• Illuminated reticle
• DiamondTuff Multi-coated lenses
• Fogproof – Nitrogen gas purged
• Waterproof – Rubber O-ring construction
• Second Focal Plane (SFP)
• Perma-Coat soft-luster blue-black finish
• ZRO-LOK turret locking and adjustment system
• Tri-Center spring tension for optimal waterproofing and tensile strength
• 0.5 MOA turret adjustments
• 28.5 MOA turret adjustment range

Leatherwood Hi-Lux CMR 1-4×24 Specifications

• Material: Aluminum, PermaCoat coating
• Magnification: 1-4x
• Tube Diameter: 30mm
• Overall Length: 10.2 inches
• Weight: 16.5 ounces
• Objective Lens: 24mm
• Exit Pupil: 11.1mm (1x), 6mm (4x)
• Eye Relief: 3.0 inches
• Field of View (FOV) @ 100 yards: 94.8 feet (1x), 26.2 feet (4x)
• Short Reticle: CMR circle and dot, illuminated
• Turret Adjustments: 0.5 MOA per click
• MSRP: $365.00.

BSD Remarks

The Hi-Lux CMR 1-4×24 scope is one of the most feature-packed options in this review. From quality glass and coatings to an uncluttered BDC reticle this hardily constructed scope offers a lot to the shooter.

Non-exposed turrets are a drawback for fast minor adjustments. This may or not be important to the shooter, and likely depends on the purpose the scope will be used. Another potential concern for some shooters is the rheostat control turret on the eye bell could interfere with the manipulation of the magnification ring. These are made in China, which will be important to some buyers.

Leupold VX-2 1-4×20

[Editor’s note: Since publishing this article, Leupold discontinued the VX-2 1-4x 20 scope. Currently, the company does not offer a 1-4x scope with an MSRP under $2k. Leupold makes great glass, and if you are flexible in your needs and budget, the closest alternative to the VX-2 is the Leupold VX-R Patrol 1.25-4x 20 riflescope. It has an illuminated reticle and an ultra-clear picture. It is a bit more expensive with an MSRP of $780. However, you can get it on Amazon for less than $550.

The information on the VX-2 is left in place for historical purposes.]

And then there is Leupold. Arguably the most famous and reputable American high-quality optics maker, the Leupold VX-2 1-4×20 is just one of Leupold’s “1-4x” scope options. However, both the Leupold VX-R and Leupold AR Mod 1 scopes are actually 1.5-4x scopes. Since they are not true 1x scopes we did not review them here. That’s unfortunate because both of those models are outstanding in their own right.

The Leupold VX-2 is very unique in this category, as it incorporates a 1-inch tube as opposed to the dominate 30mm selection. I have used several 1-inch scopes in my lifetime, and some of them have performed very well. However, most 30mm scopes outperform the 1-inch scopes by simple physics – bigger tube = more light = better view and clarity. The VX-2 scope tubes are waterproofed with Leupold’s proprietary Argon/Krypton gas blend.

The selection of a 1-inch tube also drops the VX-2 objective lens to a puny 20mm, again quite different from most selections in this category. Leupold uses high-quality glass, so some of that light quality will be recaptured, but that view will be noticeably smaller through the 20mm lens. In fact, Leupold states their Index Matched Lens System, which determines specific lens coatings based upon their refraction index, was nearly perfected in the VX-2 providing excellent brightness and sharp resolution.

The Leupold VX-2 has capped turrets, which is fairly common for these 1-4x scopes but not what we would prefer for on-duty use. Exposed turrets give the shooter fast access to minute adjustments, and are found on the VX-R and AR MOD 1 options. The magnification ring has an aggressively ridged texture, and a slightly raised lever for control, familiar to many Leupold scope offerings. The VX-2 comes standard with a non-illuminated duplex reticle, but a buyer can upgrade to several BDC reticles for additional cost.

The Leupold VX-2 is one of the lightest 1-4x scopes on the market. Having a weight of only 8.1 ounces this is a huge benefit for this scope. Any and everything added to a rifle can make the rifle harder and more cumbersome to wield or shoot. At only 9.5 inches long and having the lightest weight among these competitors, Leupold stands strong here.

Leupold gives the VX-2 1-4×20 scope a simple duplex reticle. I would have preferred to see a better duplex, or even BDC reticle. However, with the high quality glass and features already on the VX-2, Leupold had to surrender somewhere to remain competitive in this market. Even with the simple duplex reticle, this remains a very nice scope.

Leupold VX-2 1-4×20 Features

• One-piece aluminum construction
• Indexed matched lens system
• 2nd generation proprietary Argon/Krypton waterproofing
• Fog-proof
• Blackened lens edges
• Externally threaded eye piece for reticle clarity
• Includes durable lens covers
• Full lifetime warranty.

Leupold VX-2 1-4×20 Specifications

• Material: Aluminum
• Magnification: 1-4x (*1.4x)
• Overall Length: 9.5 inches
• Weight: 8.1 ounces
• Tube Diameter: 1-inch
• Ocular Lens Diameter: 20mm
• Eye Piece Diameter: 1.6 inches
• Turret Adjustment Value:
• Turret Adjustment Range: 125 MOA
• MSRP: $389.99.

The Leupold VX-2 1-4×20 scope is engineered for excellence. Where the features (turrets, tube diameter) don’t’ quite fit our preferred selections, Leupold responds with superior craftsmanship and materials. Out of 169 comments on the Leupold website for the VX-2 1-4×20 scope, 156 customers gave 5 out of 5 stars (92.3%). That is a strong testament to the high-quality value of Leupold optics. The VX-2 1-4×20 is also very reasonably priced.

I have used a Leupold Mark IV scope for 9 years. It has excellent clarity and superbly constructed turret adjustments. It is mounted to my SWAT sniper rifle so has endured the rigors of packing, stalking, shooting, and more. I have been able to shoot the VX-2 on limited occasions and despite its smaller size does present a good sight picture. If it says Leupold on the box you can believe it will deliver. We have no problems endorsing and recommending Leupold optics for on-duty or self-defense applications.

Update: Thanks to reader Doug M. we have learned the Leupold VX-2 is actually a 1.4x magnification scope. The information we had from Leupold came from SHOT Show, Leupold Media Kits, and the Leupold website. However, apparently the Leupold Consumer Catalogue 2017, page 44 Ruger4life, under the column “Actual Magnification” shows the VX-2 as a 1.4x scope. We are leaving the VX-2 here for comparison, but with the noted asterisk. It is surprising and disturbing to us that a fine company like Leupold would hide the facts among their different publications, but now you know.

Millet DMS1 1-4×24

[Ed. note: According to several retailers, the Millet DMS scopes have been discontinued. We attempted to contact the company for clarification, but have not gotten a response yet.]

The Millet Designated Marksman Scope (DMS1) 1-4×24 is another option for shooter’s to consider. The DSM1 is specifically designed for close quarters to mid-range shooting. The one-piece aluminum 30mm tube is staying with the standard for these scopes and for good reason. As we’ve mentioned before, a 30mm tube is far superior to a 1-inch tube in light transmission and clarity of sight picture. However, the Millet DMS1 is one of the longest scope options having an overall length of 18.4 inches.

The DMS1 windage and elevation turrets are capped, so the shooter is limited in making a fine-tuned point of impact (POI) adjustments in a more dynamic environment. I suppose the shooter could take the caps off prior to going into a shooting engagement, however, this is not the most efficient method and is the reason we prefer exposed turrets.

The Millet DMS1 rheostat is located on the left side of the turret tower, avoiding the potential interference with the magnification ring. This is a preferred location in our opinion. In addition to avoiding any interference, it makes all the controls intuitively in one general location. The DMS1 uses (1) CR2032 3v battery, and the windage cap has a storage compartment for a spare battery as well.

Millet DMS1 1-4×24 Features

• One-piece 30mm aluminum tube
• Illuminated reticle
• (11) illumination settings
• Fully multi-coated lenses
• Aggressive magnification ring texture
• Donut-dot reticle
• CR2032 3v battery included.

Millet DMS1 1-4×24 Specifications

• Material: Aluminum
• Finish: Matte black or ATACS
• Magnification: 1-4×24
• Overall Length: 18.4 inches
• Weight: 11.3 ounces
• Tube Diameter: 30mm
• Objective Diameter: 24mm
• Eye Relief: 3.5 inches
• Battery: (1) CR2032 3v
• MSRP: Not Listed.

BSD Remarks

The Millet DMS1 1-4×24 scope is a really nice option. The DMS1 has several desirable features, including an illuminated donut-dot reticle. I like having the top crosshair removed to clear up the overall field of view. Though the larger donut could create some hindrance when aiming at distant targets, the donut and dot combination makes an excellent reflex targeting point for close quarters targets.

With a price in the medium range of the scopes in this review, the Millet DSM1 makes some strong arguments to be considered among the best overall options. Millet has a very good name in the firearms market, including very good accessories, mounts, and other items.

Nikon M-223 1-4×20

Nikon is no stranger to high-quality glass, having an extremely strong presence in the camera and video market. Nikon is not a stranger to the firearms optics market, and the company has been expanding its premium riflescope line. The Nikon M-223 1-4x20mm scope is an entry-level optic that offers a lot of features in this comparison guide.

Made from a one-piece aluminum tube, the M-223 is built to be waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof. However, like the Leupold VX-2, the Nikon M-223 uses a 1-inch tube diameter rather than the 30mm tubes much of the competition offers. Like the Leupold, Nikon has packed this scope with very nice features, and glass quality, but I always prefer the greater light transmission a 30mm tube provides.

As any photography professional can tell you, Nikon excels at designing and manufacturing precision glass. Using its Ultra ClearCoat optical system, the Nikon M-223 delivers a very sharp sight picture with 95% light transmission for good picture quality in lowlight conditions. In addition, the company’s Eye Box technology provides a constant 4.0 inch eye relief that remains open even with some side-to-side movement.

Exposed turrets provide a quick reference for those minor adjustments; I am a big fan of this style of turret. Nikon uses spring-loaded turret controls so the shooter can be very confident about adjustments and locking in place. In addition, the Nikon M-223 features Instant Zero Reload turrets. Once the shooter dials in their zero simply pull the spring-loaded turret up or outward, rotate the turret to zero, and push the turret back into its locked position. This tool-less method fits the current trend and is extremely beneficial.

Nikon gives the M-223 1-4×20 scope their BDC-600 reticle. The duplex crosshairs are not too large to interfere with overall sight picture, but they are a little larger than I would prefer. The crosshairs become fine around the center and include (5) aiming dots for bullet drop compensation starting at 150 yards. With markings listed a shooter could fairly confidently engage targets out to 600 yards, understanding that temperature, crosswind, and barometric pressure will all have an influence on the small .223 caliber bullet at that range.

In another very innovative feature, the Nikon M-223 has the option of Spot-On Custom Turrets. These amazing turrets are specifically designed to compensate for bullet drop using personalized ballistic information the shooter enters into their online ordering page. The shooter will be asked for rifle, ammunition, scope, and typical atmospheric conditions in the shooting area to create a uniquely calibrated turret. This could be phenomenal if the shooter has already settled on a particular ammunition load.

Nikon M-223 1-4×20 Features

• One-piece, aircraft-grade aluminum tube
• Premium quality glass
• Fully multi-coated lenses
• Waterproof, fog-proof, shockproof
• Wide field of view
• Point Blank Reticle
• Spot On Custom Turrets are available
• Ultra ClearCoat optical system
• Spring-loaded turret controls
• Instant-zero reload turrets
• Optional AR-15 scope mount.

Nikon M-223 1-4×20 Specifications

• Material: Aircraft-grade aluminum
• Finish: Matte black
• Magnification: 1-4x
• Overall Length: 10.35 inches
• Weight: 13.93 ounces
• Tube Diameter: 1.0 inch
• Objective Lens Diameter: 20.0mm
• Ocular Bell Diameter:  41.0mm
• Eye Relief: Constant 4.0 inches
• Exit Pupil: 20.0mm (1x), 5.0mm (4x)
• Field of View @ 100 yards: 92.9 feet (1x), 23.1 feet (4x)
• Turret Adjustment Value: 0.25 MOA
• Turret Adjustment Range: 100 MOA
• Parallax Setting: Fixed 100 yards
• MSRP: $289.95 (currently, less than $200 on Amazon)

BSD Remarks

Nikon scopes have an impressive level of performance for the money. The company took all of its extensive knowledge of high-quality camera lenses and incorporated that excellence into its rifle scopes. Nikon is considered to be among some of the best names in the market by many knowledgeable shooters and hunters.

The Nikon M-223 1-4×20 scope has several high-quality features. The Point Blank Reticle on the M-223 is not the best option we’ve seen among the competitors, but it is much better than several. The combination of duplex and dot design is very advantageous for a 1-4x scope. I have been able to shoot several different Nikon scopes and the optical clarity of each has been noteworthy.

Vortex Crossfire II 1-4×24

Vortex is one of America’s best rifle scope makers – especially when you factor in pricing. Combining top-notch materials with excellent engineering and craftsmanship, Vortex is considered a go-to brand by many shooters. The Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x 24 scope is one of the company’s more affordable offerings, but it still comes packed with outstanding features.

Built with a one-piece 30mm aircraft-grade aluminum tube, the Vortex Crossfire II 1-4×24 scope is waterproof, fog-proof, and shock-proof. Waterproofing is secured with O-ring construction, and Nitrogen gas purging prevents fogging over a wide temperature range. The exterior of the Crossfire II is hard-anodized coated for protection from the rust, the elements, and some scratching.

Vortex uses a second focal plane (SFP) reticle on the Crossfire II 1-4×24 scope, meaning the reticle will remain a constant size over magnification adjustments. This is a popular choice among shooters and hunters. Vortex uses the illuminated V-Brite reticle in this scope.

Reticle selection is very important to overall performance. Each shooter has to determine what they intend to use their scope for the most, and what reticle, and magnification best suits accomplishing that mission. For on-duty and self-defense applications I find the Vortex V-Brite reticle is a great choice. The V-Brite gives you a thin duplex crosshair to help guide the eye onto distant targets, while providing a visible red dot center for reflex shooting.

The Vortex Crossfire II lenses are fully multi-coated to enhance sight picture through greater light transmission and reduced glare. Turrets are capped, which is not the preferred design for dynamic shooting situations, but do provide a zero-reset stop once zeroed and locked in.

Vortex Crossfire II 1-4×24 Features

• One-piece Aircraft-grade aluminum construction
• Hard-anodized finish
• Fully multi-coated lenses
• Second Focal Plane (SFP) reticle
• Waterproof O-ring construction
• V-Brite reticle
• Fog-proof Nitrogen purged
• Capped turrets

Vortex Crossfire II 1-4×24 Specifications

• Material: Aircraft-grade aluminum
• Finish: Matte black hard-anodized
• Magnification: 1-4x
• Overall Length: 9.8 inches
• Weight: 14.8 ounces
• Optical Bezel: 1.73 inches
• Tube Diameter: 30mm
• Objective Lens Diameter: 24mm
• Eye Relief: 4.0 inches
• Field of View (FOV) @ 100 yards: 96.1 feet (1x), 24.1 feet (4x)
• Turret Adjustment Value: 0.5 MOA per click
• Turret Adjustment Range: 100 MOA
• Parallax Setting: Fixed 100 yards
• MSRP: $249.00 (currently on sale for less than $200 on Amazon with the V-Brite reticle)

BSD Remarks

Vortex has been a rising star over the last few years. I have had the experience of shooting with a variety of their scopes and optics, and have found each to provide a very clear sight picture. Reticle options are better than many, and scope construction is top-notch. However, some users have reported the illuminated red dot center can struggle somewhat in bright sunny daylight shooting conditions.

I currently own two Vortex red dot optics and have found them to be well built, accurate, and very competitively priced. In addition, the snipers on my SWAT team recently selected the Vortex Viper PST 1-4×24 scope to complete their secondary AR-15 rifles. We would have no problem recommending and endorsing a Vortex scope for on-duty or self-defense use.

Best Mid-Range 1-4×24 Scopes

If you need a 1-4x scope that balances price to performance, one of these mid-range scopes might be of interest to you. All of them offer good optics and features at reasonable prices. Some of the features might be a small step down from the top tier scopes above, but they make up for it by not crushing your bank account.

Black Spider Optics 1-4×24

Black Spider Optics (BSO) is very new to the market but has a growing following. Support from the likes of Spike’s Tactical is sure to help.

The Black Spider Optics 1-4×24 scope is the company’s second optic, and it appears to deliver quality features for a reasonable price. The BSO 1-4×24 is made with a one-piece 30mm tube made from quality 6061-T6 aluminum. The outer surfaces have a hard anodized finish in matte black.

BSO 1-4×24 lenses are fully multi-coated for light transmission and glare reduction. The company claims an “extra long” eye relief of 6.0 inches on 1x power. This is the longest eye relief among the scopes in this comparison. This could potentially translate into quicker 1x sight shooting, as the shooter does not have to get in a narrower space to avoid scope shadow.

The BSO1-4X24 is described as giving shooter’s a wide, full field of view from with edge to edge clarity, though the actual dimensions of view were not listed. Some cheaper optics start to get fuzzy towards the outer edges of the glass, particularly at higher magnifications, so this is a sign of quality.

This scope features exposed turrets for very fast point of impact (POI) adjustments for close-in or medium distance targets. These are outstanding pull/push locking turrets so the shooter can be assured their settings stay in place. Turret adjustments are set for 0.5 MOA per click.

A fast adjustment lever for magnification adjustments is standard on these scopes. This lever is much shorter than the Bushnell AR Optics lever (below), which could be good or bad depending on shooter preference.

The BSO 1-4×24 scope has an illuminated reticle with (3) night vision settings. The rheostat illumination control turret is on the left side of the center turret tower. I am a big proponent of this location, which I feel is a much more intuitive location than optics that place the rheostat on the ocular bell. Black Spider Optics includes one CR2032 3V battery for the illuminated reticle. These are the flat, button-style batteries commonly used on illuminated scopes.

Black Spider Optics goes the extra mile and provides flip cap lens covers, a scope coat, and a lifetime limited warranty on manufacturing.

Black Spider Optics 1-4×24 Features

• 6061-T6 aircraft grade aluminum
• 30mm tube, hard anodized black matte finish
• Full Field of View (FOV) Edge to Edge Clarity
• Fully multi-coated optical lenses
• Turret adjustments 0.5 MOA
• Tactical fast adjustment lever
• Extra-long eye relief
• Mil-Dot reticle w/ CQB
• (8) Brightness settings, (3) Night vision settings
• (1) CR2032 3v battery included
• Flip-up lens caps and scope coat included
• Shockproof & fogproof
• Limited lifetime warranty (1 year for electronics).

Black Spider Optics 1-4×24 Specifications

• Material: Aluminum
• Finish: Matte black
• Overall Length: 11.5 inches
• Weight: 17.6 ounces
• Tube Diameter: 30mm
• Objective Lens Diameter: 24mm
• Eye Relief: 6.0 inches (1x), 2.0 inches (4x)
• Exit Pupil: 24mm (1x), 6mm (4x)
• MSRP: $299.00 (BSO doesn’t build much markup into its pricing. Nevertheless, it is about $40 cheaper on Amazon)

BSD Remarks

We’ve heard just a few comments about the Black Spider Optics, and each has been optimistically positive. The mixture of MOA turrets and MRAD reticle can present some ranging or aiming problems at longer distances but should be fine at the lower magnifications this scope will be shooting.

The Black Spider Optics BSO 1-4×24 should definitely be included in consideration for your 1-4×24 scope purchase. Though we have no personal experiences shooting with this scope, there are several YouTube videos showing very pleased owners. This YouTube video provides a very good look at the BSO 1-4×24 glass and illuminated reticle. Each shooter should review this product with their own due diligence, but we’re liking what we’re seeing and hearing.

Bresser Condor 1-4×24

The Bresser Condor 1-4×24 scope brings a uniquely European appearance to the options, as should be expected from this German company. In fact, the Bresser company motto is “Bresser Brilliance, German Inspired.” The Bresser Condor comes with a single-piece 30mm aluminum tube, which we greatly prefer over 1-inch scope tubes. Each scope is inert gas purged to prevent fogging and sealed with O-rings. The Condor 1-4×24 is also designed to be shockproof and waterproof.

The fully multi-coated lenses, provide the shooter enhanced light transmission and glare reduction for a much clearer, brighter, and color reproduced sight picture. Any optic worth talking about will have multi-coated lenses. The Condor line was completely redesigned in 2015 to reduce weight while enhancing features.

Bresser Condor 1-4×24 scopes come with capped turrets. The turrets are designed with 0.25 MOA click adjustments for fine-tuning point of impact (POI). The caps have aggressive edge texture to assist in their removal or tightening, but we are much more favorable to scopes having exposed turrets allowing quick adjustments in the field.

Bresser uses the German A-Plex duplex dot reticle for the Condor 1-4×24 scope. The center red dot is illuminated with digital, push-button illumination controls on the eye bell. The dot is small, appearing to be only around 1 MOA, and is highlighted with a duplex crosshairs. The side and bottom reticle pillars are a medium width, extending to just shy of the scope’s center. From there, finer crosshairs take over to the center dot. The top crosshair is a fine line from top to center, helping keep the overall sight picture clean while still providing reference points for aiming. Overall, the Bresser Condor reticle is very nice.

The previous True View Koenig scope had a manual illumination control on top of the eye bell. This feature is very unique among affordable 1-4x scopes, and also has an auto shut-off feature to extend battery life. However, as a right-handed shooter, I would have preferred to have the controls on the left side so a positive shooting position (including trigger hand) could be maintained, while the off-hand handled illumination adjustments.

One area I’m not thrilled with is the magnification control ring. Placed at the front of the eye bell like most controls, the large digital rheostat appears that it could easily interfere with manual manipulation of the lever, especially in low-light conditions. Though the magnification ring does have aggressive ribbing, and a small ridge lever, an extended control lever would help make magnification changes around the large rheostat.

Bresser Condor 1-4×24 Features

• One-piece aluminum 30mm tube
• Illuminated reticle w/ push-button controls
• Digital Rheostat w/ auto shut-off feature
• Fully multi-coated lenses
• Bikini lens cap included
• Turret adjustments 0.25 MOA
• Capped turrets
• Duplex crosshair w/ illuminated red dot center.

Bresser Condor 1-4×24 Specifications

• Material: Aluminum
• Magnification: 1-4x
• Overall Length: 9.375 inches
• Height: 1.65 inches (eye bell)
• Weight: 15.98 ounces*
• Field of View (FOV) @ 100 yards: 100.5 feet (1x); 26.1 feet (4x)
• Eye Relief: 3.94 inches
• Exit Pupil: 15.2mm (1x); 5.2mm (4x)
• Turret Adjustment Value: 0.25 MOA
• MSRP: $149.99.

BSD Remarks

The Bresser Condor 1-4×24 scope is a very unique rifle scope in this category of affordable scopes. The digital rheostat is both a benefit and a potential hindrance. A benefit for its easy use and auto shut-off feature, but could be a hindrance for its potential to interfere with the magnification ring.

The simple duplex crosshair with illuminated red dot center is particularly good for reflex shooting, and could even benefit longer distance shots as well. The clutter-free reticle is easy to see through and the red dot is very fast to pick-up in either daylight or low-light conditions.

Bushnell AR Optics 1-4×24

Bushnell has been making rifle optics for more than 65 years, and is one of America’s most recognized brands. Bushnell places its 1-4×24 scope in their AR Optics line, specifically targeting the fastest growing area of the rifle market: the AR-15.

The Bushnell AR Optics 1-4×24 scope is made with a one-piece 30mm aluminum tube, providing superior light transmission over 1-inch tubes. Bushnell uses a second focal plane (SFP) for this scope, so the reticle will remain the same size regardless of magnification setting. For a lower end magnification scope this feature should be fine. First focal plane (FFP) scopes really benefit shooters at longer distance targets. The parallax setting is fixed on this optic.

The base model of the AR Optics 1-4×24 scope uses the Drop Zone-223 non-illuminated reticle. This reticle has fairly small cross-hairs providing a greater view of the target area. There are (6) aiming points for positive aiming out to 600 yards. I have looked through this scope numerous times and it has good glass, decent glare reduction, and I really like the BDC reticle. The reticle has rather fine duplex crosshairs, and the BDC dots are very easy to pick up for targeting at distance while remaining small enough not to obscure overall sight picture. However, an illuminated center dot would have been great to complete this scope.

The AR Optics 1-4×24 lenses are fully multi-coated for enhanced light transmission and glare reduction. This optic is labeled as waterproof, but does not have the more advanced RainGuard HD Bushnell offers on higher-end optics.

Bushnell also offers an upgraded version of the AR Optics 1-4×24 scope called the Throw Down PCL. This version has a folding lever on the magnification lever, allowing the shooter to make extremely quick adjustments. When desiring to make adjustments the shooter simply folds the lever up to quickly change magnifications whether gloved or in bad conditions.

Bushnell AR Optics 1-4×24 Features

• One-piece aluminum 30mm tube
• Second Focal Plane (SFP) reticle
• Fully multi-coated lenses
• Hard-anodized matte black finish
• Drop Zone-223 reticle
• Fixed parallax
• Exposed MRAD turrets
• Waterproof.

Bushnell AR Optics 1-4×24 Specifications

• Tube Diameter: 30mm
• Magnification: 1-4x 24mm
• Overall Length: 9.5 inches
• Weight: 16.9 ounces
• Reticle: Drop Zone-223
• Lens Coating: Fully multi-coated
• Parallax Adjustment: Fixed
• Field of View (FOV) @ 100 yards: 112 feet (1x), 37 feet (4x)
• Eye Relief: 3.5 inches
• Exit Pupil: 13.1mm (1x), 5.2mm (4x)
• Turret Adjustment Value @ 100 yards: .1 mil (.34 inches)
• Turret Adjustment Range: 50 MRAD
• MSRP: Not listed (currently less than $130 on Amazon)

Bushnell AR Optics 1-4×24 Throw Down PCL 

• First Focal Plane (FFL)
• Overall Length: 9.4 inches
• Weight: 17.3 ounces
• Illuminated BTR Reticle
• (11) Illumination Settings
• Field of View (FOV) @ 100 yards: 110 feet (1x), 36 feet (4x)
• Eye Relief: 3.6 inches
• Exit Pupil: 13.0mm (1x), 6.0mm (4x)
• Turret Adjustment Range: 60 MRAD
• Maximized for new Savage MSR
• MSRP: Not listed (the upgraded version of the scope can be had for less than $230 at the time of this writing)

BSD Remarks

The Bushnell AR Optics offer decent glass with nice reticle options. They have both a First and Second Focal Plane option, which is very nice, with illuminated and non-illuminated versions. The 30mm tube is a great selection for light transmission, and the multi-coated lenses provide quality light intake and glare reduction. The exposed turrets are great for a quick point of impact (POI) adjustments for longer range targets, and the Throw Down PCL lever is extremely easy to use and a very beneficial option.

The author lives near a Bushnell Factory Outlet store and has examined these optics extensively. Glass quality is in the lower mid-range, as to be expected from a second tier scope. The shooter will have a decently clear target image, but in low-light or high glare situations the shooter might begin to notice some clarity reductions. The author has used the Bushnell AR Optics 3-12×40 scope on a dedicated hunting AR-15 with great success against coyotes, and other small game. We are optimistic about the potential of the Bushnell AR Optics 1-4×24 scopes for on-duty use, though the illuminated reticle option would be the best choice in those situations. Here is a YouTube video from Mrgunsngear highlighting their positive experiences with the Bushnell AR Optics 1-4×24 scope.

Mueller Speed Shot 1-4×24

The Mueller Speed Shot 1-4×24 scope provides shooters a “new technology advanced illumination system.” According to Mueller, this advanced illumination system allows shooters to use the illumination during daylight hours without excessive tube glow. That could be particularly helpful if the shooter dials up the illumination. Though I wouldn’t call it “tube glow,” I have noted high illumination on the reticle can sometimes cause the reticle to have a hazy, non-crisp appearance.

One of the most unique features of the Mueller Speed Shot 1-4×24 scope is the reticle. Mueller uses a simple 4 MOA dot reticle, unlike many of the competitor models highlighted in this review that use some form of crosshair reticle. This can be both good and limiting. During reflex shooting (say 25 yards and closer) a single dot can be incredibly fast as the shooter’s eye quickly locates the dot and references it to potential targeting area. Busy crosshair reticles can cause the shooter to be slower in the acquisition of a target.

Shots at a farther distance, one that requires more time aligning the sight, will likely be hindered by the simple dot reticle on the Speed Shot. The 4 MOA dot used in this scope will almost completely cover a human-sized head target at 100 yards (a shot well within expected uses for a scope like this). That can hinder target identification and will have a significant impact on precision accuracy.

Shots with a 4 MOA dot may hit the general targeted area (head or torso), but a shot to the cheek is much less effective than one hitting the eye, nose, or forehead. Likewise, a shot that hits the shoulder or gut is not as effective at stopping a threat as a hit to the heart or lungs. As the distance increases a crosshair type of reticle really begins to shine. Where in the happy medium the two choices meet is up to you.

Like other options, the Mueller Speed Shot 1-4×24 scope uses a 30mm tube for enhanced light transmission. The lenses are multi-coated to assist light coming in while reducing glare. Mueller coats the Speed Shot in a Matte black finish.

The turrets are capped on the Speed Shot 1-4×24 scope, reducing quick adjustments on the fly. However, Mueller does provide larger turrets, that are finger adjustable, to assist in finger manipulation once they are uncapped. Turret adjustments are set for 0.5 MOA per click, providing an adequate accuracy level for a combination of reflex/low magnification scope.

There are (11) illumination settings on the Mueller Speed Shot rheostat, providing the shooter an excellent range of brightness control.

Mueller Speed Shot 1-4×24 Features

• One-piece 30mm aluminum tube
• Matte black finish
• Fully multi-coated lenses
• All-weather, high-torque magnification ring
• (11) illumination settings
• Waterproof, fog-proof, shock-proof
• 0.5 MOA turret adjustments
• Quick targeting red dot reticle
• Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Mueller Speed Shot 1-4×24 Specifications

• Material: Aluminum
• Finish: Matte black
• Magnification: 1-4x
• Overall Length: 10.25 inches
• Weight: 17.6 ounces
• Tube Diameter: 30mm
• Objective Lens Diameter: 24mm
• Objective Eye Bell Diameter: 44.45
• Field of View (FOV) @ 100 yards: 100 feet (1x), 25 feet (4x)
• Eye Relief: 3.5 inches
• Turret Adjustment Value: 0.5 MOA per click
• Parallax: Fixed 100 yards
• MSRP: $249.95 (and slightly cheaper on Amazon)

BSD Remarks

The Mueller Speed Shot 1-4×24 scope presents an interesting alternative in the affordable 1-4x scope market. The single dot reticle is unique, with both benefits and detractors. The (11) illumination settings are outstanding for getting the reticle to the right light level for the particular shooting circumstance your facing.

This Mueller scope appears to be well made with desirable features, however, we have not had any personal experiences with this scope. There are some positive remarks on some YouTube and firearms blogs so the Speed Shot should at least garner consideration. Here is a great YouTube video from Military Arms Channel highlighting the Mueller Speed Shot.

Good 1-4x Scopes Under $200

Let’s be honest – not everyone can (or even wants) to buy an expensive scope. So, we took a look at some of the sub-$200 optics that are on the market to see which 1-4x scopes were the best for the money.

Primary Arms 1-4×24 SFP

The Primary Arms 1-4×24 SFP scope is the best option in this category as it blends high performance with a very reasonable price. We originally scored this is the middle tier of all 1-4x scopes, but this is clearly the king of the sub-$200 scopes.

Made from a one-piece 30mm aluminum tube, the PA14x is waterproof and fog-resistant. The exterior surfaces are coated in matte black. The non-exposed turrets and rather large duplex pillars put the scope on the line, but its quality and price bring it into the good mid-range category.

This Primary Arms scope uses an illuminated duplex dot reticle. This provides the shooter with a decent crosshair for drawing in distance shots, with the advantageous red dot center for reflex shooting and pinpoint accuracy. I’m not a real fan of thick crosshair pillars, and the scope uses large pillars on the sides and bottom. Thankfully the reticle’s top crosshair is a finer line to help clear up the overall sight picture. The illumination rheostat control is located on the left side of the turret tower, which I think is more intuitive than on the eye bell.

Turrets are capped which is not our preferred design. However, this can be completely acceptable to many shooters as this design tends to reduce turret size and price since the caps provide the waterproofing instead of the turrets themselves. Turret caps are finger adjustable, and the turret adjustment settings are 0.5 MOA per click.

The ocular lens is adjustable to ensure the reticle remains in focus over the range of magnification options. Eye relief is generous on the Primary Arms scope, ranging from 4.9 inches on 1x power to 3.5 inches on 3.5x power. The optic includes flip-up lens caps and is covered by a 1-year warranty. Out of 153 customer responses on the Primary Arms website, 127 rated the scope five out of five stars.

• One-piece 30mm aluminum tube
• Second Focal Plane (SFP)
• Illuminated duplex dot reticle
• Not night vision compatible
• 0.5 MOA turret adjustments
• Capped windage and elevation turrets
• Flip-up lens caps included.

Primary Arms 1-4×24 SFP Specifications

• Material: Aluminum
• Magnification: 1-4x
• Overall Length: 11.75 inches
• Weight: 17.0 ounces
• Tube Diameter: 30mm
• Objective Lens Diameter: 24mm
• Focal Plane: Second
• Eye Relief: 3.9 inches
• Reticle: Duplex dot
• Battery: (1) CR2032 3v
• Street price: $129.99 (Primary Arms sells this directly through Amazon)

Barska 1-4×28 Illuminated Reticle

The Barska 1-4×28 scope was specifically designed for shooting close to mid-range targets with AR-style rifles. Originally called the SWAT-AR, this scope is now being marketed as a hunting scope. Either way, it comes with a glass-etched Mil-Dot Reticle, which is always a popular choice. The Mil-Dot reticle is illuminated (IR) with optional red or green crosshairs and adjustable brightness settings to provide the shooter good targeting points under a variety of lighting conditions.

The SWAT-AR scope lenses are fully multi-coated, to assist with light transmission and glare reduction. In addition, Barska includes a built-in “Sniper Edge” sunshade to further help reduce glare. Barska is one of the only options in this range to offer an extended sunshade.

One of the features of this Barska scope that really stands out is the 28mm Objective Lens. The vast majority of 1-4x magnified scopes have either a 20mm or 24mm objective lens. It might not seem that moving from 24 to 28mm would make such a big difference, but it really does. That extra 4mm allows a significant increase in the amount of light entering the scope for greater clarity and positive target identification.

This scope is a second focal plane (SFP) design, so the reticle will remain the same size over any of the magnification settings.

Barska uses exposed, hand-adjustable windage and elevation turrets. The turrets and magnification dial are aggressively textured, making fine-tuned adjustments to point of impact (POI) very easy. These turrets can also be locked into place to prevent any unintentional movement. Barska includes a 30mm cantilever ring mount, making the SWAT-AR scope ready to mount on a Picatinny or Weaver-style rail.

The Barska dual cantilever ring mount that is included is a great feature, that reduces overall price as well. The mount uses two mounting bolts that fit into the grooves on a Picatinny or Weaver-style top rail. The two ring mounts have an excellent (6) lock-down bolts per ring, ensuring an excellent and secure mount.

Barksa SWAT-AR 1-4×28 Features

• One-piece aluminum 30mm tube
• Magnification 1-4x
• Objective lens 28mm
• Red or green illuminated Mil-Dot reticle
• Exposed MOA windage and elevation turrets
• Lockable windage and elevation turrets
• Fully multi-coated optics
• Angled sniper edge sun shade
• (1) CR2032 3v Lithium battery included
• Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
• Second Focal Plane (SFP)
• Included: Dual cantilever ring mount, flip-up lens covers, lens cloth
• Limited lifetime warranty.

Barska SWAT-AR 1-4×28 Specifications

• Material: Aluminum
• Finish: Matte black
• Tube Diameter: 30mm
• Objective Lens Diameter: 28mm
• Overall Length: 10.0 inches
• Weight: 16.0 ounces
• Field of View (FOV) @ 100 yards: 90 feet (1x); 22.5 feet (4x)
• Exit Pupil: 27.94mm (1x); 7.11mm (4x)
• Eye Relief: 4.5 inches
• Battery: (1) CR2032 3v
• MSRP: $149.99.

BSD Remarks

Barska is often considered a lower-end scope maker, but the SWAT-AR 1-4×28 scope does have some good features for its intended use. The larger 28mm objective lens is very nice, as is the inclusion of a dual cantilever mount. The illuminated reticle, with green or red options, is more often an advanced feature on higher-end scopes. It is a very beneficial feature in low-light shooting conditions.

We have seen but not personally used the SWAT-AR scope so we cannot definitively endorse this optic. The features are decent, and above baseline for many other manufacturers on several points. With an affordable price for a 1-4x scope, the Barska SWAT-AR scope may satisfy your needs.

Firefield Close Combat 1-4×24

The Firefield Close Combat 1-4×24 scope comes in a one-piece hard-anodized aluminum 30mm tube. The scope is IPX6 water-resistant, meaning it will sustain heavy water spray but not submersion. The scope glass if fully multi-coated for light transmission and glare reduction, including Firefield’s AR-blue coating as well. The Close Combat tube is Nitrogen-filled to ensure it is fogproof.

The Firefield Close Combat 1-4×24 Riflescope offers a red or green illuminated Mil-Dot reticle, standard black when non-illuminated. Turret adjustments are 0.5-inch MOA per click (though one spot on the Firefield website said 0.25″). The Close Combat is a second focal plane (SFP) system, meaning the reticle will remain the same size regardless of magnification. This also means the Mil-Dots will not keep their absolute values during adjustments, but instead will only be true for the setting zeroed.

The Mil-Dot reticle has medium-sized crosshair pillars that come in about halfway from the edge of the glass. The Mil-Dot crosshairs then complete the reticle offering elevation and windage hold-over aiming points, with optional illumination in green or red.

The Close Combat offers shooters easy-grip, open windage and elevation turrets making on the go adjustments much easier. The IPX6 water resistant construction ensures the scope is protected from the elements. The Close Combat 1-4×24 is one of the shortest options on the market having an overall length of only 8.86 inches. This can be very beneficial if the shooter is using the optic in dynamic, close-quarters shooting situations.

The magnification adjustment lever has a small tactile ridge to assist in making adjustments. There is plenty of elevation and windage adjustment capability, with each adjustment having a full 120 MOA range. Firefield includes (1) CR2032 battery, a cleaning cloth, and mounting rings for the scope. This makes the Firefield Close Combat 1-4×24 scopes one of the most economical while still feature-oriented scopes in the comparison.

Firefield Close Combat 1-4×24 Features

• One-piece aluminum 30mm tube
• Hard-anodized matte black finish
• Variable 1-4x magnification
• Second Focal Plane (SFP) Mil-Dot reticle
• Nitrogen-filled tube
• Red/green reticle illumination
• (5) brightness settings
• Fully multi-coated lenses, AR-blue coating
• Weatherproof, fogproof, shockproof
• Operating temperature of 0 to 120F
• Exposed MOA turrets
• Fast focus eyepiece
• IPX6 weatherproof rating
• Includes: Cleaning cloth, mounting rings, (1) CR2032 battery.

Firefield Close Combat 1-4×24 Specifications

• Material: Aluminum
• Magnification: 1-4x
• Tube Diameter: 30mm
• Objective Lens Diameter: 24mm
• Eyepiece Diameter: 36mm
• Overall Length: 8.86 inches
• Height: 2.68 inches
• Width: 2.2 inches
• Weight: 14.2 ounces
• Exit Pupil Diameter: 12.3mm (1x); 6.2mm (4x)
• Eye Relief: 4.13 inches to 4.92 inches
• Field of View (FOV) @ 100 yards: 88.3 feet (1x); 23.8 feet (4x)
• Diopter Adjustment: +3~-3
• Parallax Setting: Fixed @ 100 yards
• Elevation Adjustment: 120 MOA
• Windage Adjustment: 120 MOA
• Turret Adjustments: 0.5 MOA per click
• Battery Type: (1) CR2032 3V
• Battery Life (Hours): 80 – 150
• MSRP: $119.99 (the price on Amazon is currently less than $100)

BSD Remarks

The mixture of Mil-Dot reticle and MOA is not ideal, but is not a tremendous detractor on lower magnification scopes. There may be some point of impact (POI) issues at further distances if the shooter tries to use Mil-Dot hold-overs, but since these scopes are mostly targeted for targets 200 yards and in, this shouldn’t be much of a problem.

We have not personally shot with the Firefield Close Combat scope so we can not make a definitive endorsement. We offer it as a viable option for people that need a scope on a tight budget.

Konus Pro M30 1-4×24

Konus is a nice entry from our friends down under in New Zealand. The Konus Pro M30 1-4×24 scope packed many of the features we’ve come to expect from these 1-4x scopes. The one-piece aluminum tube is dry Nitrogen filled to provide fog-proof protection. The scope is also waterproof and shockproof making it sturdy enough for packing, rapid-fire and various weather conditions.

Coming with fully multi-coated lenses, and an engraved 30/30 reticle, the Pro M30 provides a nice and simple sight picture. The reticle is a duplex design with a center red dot that can illuminate. This is a good combination of crosshairs and red dot reticles, and the crosshair posts are not too thick preventing the sight picture from becoming too crowded.

I prefer finer crosshairs that are easy to reference and don’t interfere with a good overall sight picture. The Konus Pro M30 reticle crosshairs are right around my limit for width to still provide a good picture. The center red dot appears to be in an octagon shape, and though not listed on the Konus website, it appears to be about 3 MOA in size.

The Konus Pro M30 1-4×24 scope uses a Second Focal Plane (SFP) reticle, so the reticle remains a constant size over the magnification range. Without having Mil-Dot hold-over markings, having an SFP reticle is perfectly fine for the Pro M30. Many shooters prefer SFP reticles to avoid cluttering the sight picture when the First Focal Plane reticles become enlarged with magnification.

The Konus Pro M30 1-4×24 scope is built with an illuminated red dot center, with (5) illumination settings in either blue or red. Elevation and windage turrets are capped, which is not our preference, and use a 0.5 MOA adjustment for zeroing. The magnification ring is marked every 0.5 magnification change, which is nice. Included flip-up lens covers, cleaning cloth, and (1) CR2032 3v battery round out the Konus features.

Konus Pro M30 1-4×24 Features

• One-piece aluminum tube
• Dry Nitrogen filled
• Fully multi-coated lenses
• Dual engraved duplex reticle with illuminated center dot
• Second Focal Plane (SFP)
• Waterproof, Fog-proof, Shockproof
• Locking fast focus ocular
• Finger adjustable windage and elevation turrets
• Side adjustable rheostat
• (5) Illumination settings (blue and red)
• Includes: Flip-up lens covers, cleaning cloth
• (1) CR2032 3v battery (included).

Konus Pro M30 1-4×24 Specifications

• Material: Aluminum
• Magnification: 1-4x
• Tube Diameter: 30mm
• Overall Length: 11.6 inches
• Weight: 17.6 ounces
• Turret Adjustment Values: 0.5 MOA per click
• Turret Adjustment Range: 112 MOA
• Exit Pupil: 12.0mm (1x), 6.0mm (4x)
• Eye Relief: 3.9 inches
• Field of View (FOV) @ 100 yards: 100 feet (1x), 25 feet (4x)
• Parallax Setting: 100 yards fixed
• Street Price – Less than $200 on Amazon

BSD Remarks

We’ve only recently discovered Pro M30 1-4×24 scope, so our familiarity is very limited here. The overall features are very comparable with many of the competitors here. The simple duplex reticle with illuminated center dot provides a fairly clear sight picture, and an easy reflex aiming point uncluttered from rings or Mil-Dot markings.

The eye relief is more generous than some, and the exit pupil is a little larger than most. This will help the shooter take in more light through their pupil during low-light shooting scenarios, while daytime light may not be as efficiently used. The Konus Pro M30 MSRP is reasonable for the features provided. Here is a YouTube video from 762x51n8o. He seems pleased with the overall features provided by Konus, but his groupings may be more “hunting” groups rather than precision groupings necessary for on-duty use.

• One-piece aircraft-grade aluminum construction
• 30mm scope tube
• Fully multi-coated lenses
• Pre-calibrated BDC turrets (.223/.308)
• Durable leaf-spring turret click adjustments
• Mil-Dot reticle
• Fog-proof Nitrogen filled tube

TRUGLO Tru-Brite SCP TAC 1-4×24 Specifications

• Material: Aluminum, matte black finish
• Magnification: 1-4x
• Overall Length: Not listed
• Weight: 28.8 ounces
• Tube Diameter: 30mm
• Objective Lens Diameter: 24mm
• Field of View (FOV) @ 100 yards:
• Eye Relief: Not listed
• Exit Pupil: Not listed
• Turret Adjustment Value: 0.5 MOA
• Turret Adjustment Range: Not listed
• MSRP: $184.00 (Amazon currently has this for less than $120)

Weaver Kaspa 1-4×24

The Weaver Kaspa 1-4×24 scope is designed with a one-piece 30mm aluminum tube. Using a 30mm tube is a great feature over 1-inch tubes that provide less light. The tube is Nitrogen purged to prevent fogging, a fairly common feature among current optics.

The Kaspa turrets are exposed for quick adjustments on the fly. This is an important feature for on-duty use, but may not be as important for self-defense, hunting, or target shooting. Turret adjustments are valued at 0.5 MOA at 100 yards, which is fairly common among this category of rifle scopes. The field of view (FOV) on the Weaver Kaspa 1-4×24 scope is high, with 109.0 feet at 100 yards on 1x power.

Lenses on the Kaspa 1-4×24 scope are fully multi-coated to enhance light transmission while reducing unwanted glare. Weaver provides optional reticles to accommodate the desired use of the Kaspa 1-4×24 scope. There are Dual-X or Ballistic-X reticles for on-duty or self-defense applications, and a Vertical Turkey Zone reticle for hunters. The Ballistic-X reticle would be my preferred choice for its thinner duplex crosshairs and bullet drop compensation (BDC) has marks as well. The reticle is illuminated, with the rheostat control knob on the left side of the turret tower, but Weaver does not list how many illumination settings.

Weaver Kaspa 1-4×24 Features

• One-piece aluminum tube construction
• Matte black finish
• Illuminated reticle
• Fog-proof Nitrogen-purged
• Exposed turrets
• Turret adjustments of 0.25 MOA.

Weaver Kaspa 1-4×24 Specifications

• Material: Aluminum
• Finish: Matte black
• Overall Length: 10.5 inches
• Weight: 16.8 ounces
• Eye Relief: 4.0 inches (1x), 3.54 inches (4x)
• Exit Pupil: 13.0mm (1x), 6.0mm (4x)
• Field of View (FOV) @ 100 yards: 109.o feet (1x), 27 feet (4x)
• Turret Adjustment Value: 0.5 MOA
• Turret Adjustment Range: 120 MOA
• MSRP: $273.95 Hunting, $360.35 Tactical.

BSD Remarks

Weaver has a long history in the rifle market. The company is still considered one of the better accessory and mounting components makers available. The Weaver scopes are not as well known as some of their competitors, but they could meet shooter’s needs.

The Weaver Kaspa 1-4×24 scope (Amazon link picture incorrect) has features that provide decent shooting opportunities for hunters and target shooters. In fact, there are a lot more YouTube videos for the turkey hunting Kaspa version, than the standard version. For several reasons, I would not feel comfortable recommending this scope for on-duty use. Here is a YouTube video showing the Kaspa 1-4×24 scope features.

Final Thoughts

We hope you find this Affordable 1-4×24 Scope Guide helpful and informative. This was not an exhaustive list of available and affordable 1-4×24 scopes, however, it does provide an overview of the best sub-$500 scopes we have found available. As you can see, there is a fairly wide range of quality and features available within a reasonably small price window.

Obviously, the more expensive the scopes became, we typically found higher-end glass and greater features. However, some of the most inexpensive scopes had good features and could provide very good options for certain applications. This is where we recommend the shooter to critically evaluate the intended purpose for the scope. If the scope is simply to have fun and shoot some targets, or perhaps hunt medium to large game animals, then you may be fine with selecting one of the cheaper scopes that still have good features (particularly the Primary Arms, TRUGLO Tru-Brite, or Bushnell AR Optics).

If your intended use is for on-duty military, law enforcement, or self-defense then you owe it to yourself to consider the better glass and manufacturing details so you have the assurance of pin-point accuracy when it is life or death. The Burris MTAC, Leupold VX-2, or Vortex Crossfire II would be much better options under those circumstances.

Remember, if you plan on purchasing one of these optics we would really appreciate it if you used our Amazon link to do so. Your purchase will help pay to keep this website going.

Disclosure

BlueSheepdog.com is a for-profit website. I do not charge readers a dime to access the information I provide.

Some of the links on this page and site are affiliate links to companies like Amazon and Palmetto State Armory. These links take you to the products mentioned in the article. Should you decide to purchase something from one of those companies, I make a small commission.

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