View Full Version : How tough are Nightforce scopes?
I recently finished my Recon rifle, equipped with a NXS 2.5-10x32. I'm considering securing this rifle in my squad car, which is equipped with a vertically mounted rack against my cage. The roads around here are junk, and i've jumped a few rail road tracks in my day. Not going to lie, it scares me having a $1500 scope being jarred 12 hours a day in my squad. Would this rifle and scope be better secured in my Pelican case, in the trunk? Or are you/we confident enough in Nighforce durability. Does anyone have any vibration/shock/real world tests on Nightforce?
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/737/23168994195_5b93835154.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Bin9Ma)
That scope is ridiculously tough.
As long as you don't let it hit against something hard that mangles up the knobs it'll be fine.
That car will die loooong before you drive it hard enough to hurt that scope!
You picked one of the best and durable scopes out there, seriously. There's only a few scopes I'd really consider beating the heck out of and not worrying at night.....Nightforce is one of them.
I have other scopes that I paid more $$$, but I wouldn't lump them into Nightforce's durability. I'd consider them more 3-gun durable, if that makes any sense.
PatrioticDisorder
12-03-15, 06:01
I recently finished my Recon rifle, equipped with a NXS 2.5-10x32. I'm considering securing this rifle in my squad car, which is equipped with a vertically mounted rack against my cage. The roads around here are junk, and i've jumped a few rail road tracks in my day. Not going to lie, it scares me having a $1500 scope being jarred 12 hours a day in my squad. Would this rifle and scope be better secured in my Pelican case, in the trunk? Or are you/we confident enough in Nighforce durability. Does anyone have any vibration/shock/real world tests on Nightforce?
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/737/23168994195_5b93835154.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Bin9Ma)
It's one of the scopes that seems to hold up well on the SCAR 17s/H, pretty good indication to me it's one of the most rugged scopes out there...
Coal Dragger
12-03-15, 21:47
That scope is ridiculously tough.
As long as you don't let it hit against something hard that mangles up the knobs it'll be fine.
That car will die loooong before you drive it hard enough to hurt that scope!
Wrong.
You can also bang the knobs hard on a rock. I know this because I have an NXS 3.5-15×50 that at one point was mounted on a Steyr SSG 69 P II. One year I was hunting with the rig, and while dismounting a stand the sling let go and released the whole outfit 20ft down to the deck. Hit so hard it shattered the plastic stock at the wrist, and then landed on the scope elevation turret...right on a rock. Banged up the turret/knob, banged up the objective lens housing a bit as well.
Once I got home, and put a new stock on it and torqued the actions screws to spec the rifle and scope shot POA=POI. The same scope has given me years of service, tracks perfectly, and is trouble free so far.
I doubt a little bit of riding around in a patrol car trunk will phase a Nightforce.
NightForce is the ONLY scope that we used that NEVER broke.
WE even had one of our rifles fall out of a jeep on a chase across the Judean hills when it was forced out of the hands of the officer riding in the back of the jeep due to the rough ride. The second jeep following my jeep drove over the rifle and the NighForce scope. The riflle had some serious damage, the scope was taken off of the rifle and mounted on a new rifle.
NightForce is the only scope I will buy.
You're asking if the scope will get damaged? It's a Nightforce. I'd be more worried about the scope damaging your squad car.
I have the same scope on a SCAR 17, works good, holds zero.
Like everyone said, they are solid, I have never regretted buying them. You may enjoy this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6LXAXu15eg
I've never seen body damage (mine has some body damage) impact the function of a Nightforce before.
Coal Dragger
12-04-15, 00:36
This thread reminds me that I am hoping for a Nightforce entry into the 1-6 or 1-8 LPV market.
Nightforce had an ad at one point about one of there scopes taking an ak round clean through the tube. Soldier put some duct tape over it and just kept using it in the sandbox for the rest of his deployment. Didn't effect function at all other than fogging. Held zero and continued to track just fine.
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http://www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/bullethole.jpg
http://nightforceoptics.com/nightforce-stories
http://www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/bullethole.jpg
http://nightforceoptics.com/nightforce-stories
Awesome! I haven't seen the ad in years. There the surefires of the optics world.
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Wrong.
You can also bang the knobs hard on a rock. I know this because I have an NXS 3.5-15×50 that at one point was mounted on a Steyr SSG 69 P II. One year I was hunting with the rig, and while dismounting a stand the sling let go and released the whole outfit 20ft down to the deck. Hit so hard it shattered the plastic stock at the wrist, and then landed on the scope elevation turret...right on a rock. Banged up the turret/knob, banged up the objective lens housing a bit as well.
Once I got home, and put a new stock on it and torqued the actions screws to spec the rifle and scope shot POA=POI. The same scope has given me years of service, tracks perfectly, and is trouble free so far.
I doubt a little bit of riding around in a patrol car trunk will phase a Nightforce.
NightForce is the ONLY scope that we used that NEVER broke.
WE even had one of our rifles fall out of a jeep on a chase across the Judean hills when it was forced out of the hands of the officer riding in the back of the jeep due to the rough ride. The second jeep following my jeep drove over the rifle and the NighForce scope. The riflle had some serious damage, the scope was taken off of the rifle and mounted on a new rifle.
NightForce is the only scope I will buy.
I love hearing stories like this. I felt confident enough to put it in the rack last night. My Recon now rides up front next to my Mk18.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/664/22899742444_bd3edf7cb1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ATzaBA)
I'm not a Nightforce fan but that scope is way tougher than the mount holding it to the rifle. Way too many screws and joints in that thing to put up with any amount of abuse. But don't take my word for it. Drop it once on its side and see what happens to POA. If you are going to trust your life to the setup you shouldn't think twice about putting a few scratches in it to verify it will have your back when things go sideways. I wouldn't $hit talk about the mount unless I had reason to. Get a monolithic style with nuts on the side and a ring top that's split horizontally. Doesn't matter the brand, it will be a better choice.
daddyusmaximus
12-05-15, 22:39
This thread reminds me that I am hoping for a Nightforce entry into the 1-6 or 1-8 LPV market.
Something else to add to the prayer list.
I'm not a Nightforce fan but that scope is way tougher than the mount holding it to the rifle. Way too many screws and joints in that thing to put up with any amount of abuse. But don't take my word for it. Drop it once on its side and see what happens to POA. If you are going to trust your life to the setup you shouldn't think twice about putting a few scratches in it to verify it will have your back when things go sideways. I wouldn't $hit talk about the mount unless I had reason to. Get a monolithic style with nuts on the side and a ring top that's split horizontally. Doesn't matter the brand, it will be a better choice.
Sorry, but objective experience is going to counter you pretty hard and with good reason. LaRue is regarded as quality even if the owner of the company is a complete ass. So are many other QD mount manufacturers. Solid mounts come with there own set of problems. Also, I would really like to hear your reasons for not liking Nightforce.
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Sorry, but objective experience is going to counter you pretty hard and with good reason. LaRue is regarded as quality even if the owner of the company is a complete ass. So are many other QD mount manufacturers. Solid mounts come with there own set of problems. Also, I would really like to hear your reasons for not liking Nightforce.
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"Sure enough the mount had moved" See article below.
http://gearscout.militarytimes.com/2012/05/08/review-leupold-mark6-1-6x20mm-riflescope/
Also look at the construction of the mount. What's keeping the rings from moving vertically? There is a slip fit between the holes in the lower base and the bosses from the ring halves. That means there's play. A .001" movement at that ring spacing equates to an MOA or more. Plus the bottom screws are doing double duty, pinching the scope and the mount base. Not good.
To clarify, I said I'm not a fan of NF. They're tough, but that's because they're held together with glue. That's how you make an import scope tough. Then you charge $1k+ because if something goes wrong they can't be repaired. If you own one and you're happy with the optics, weight and feature set than it's probably a good solution for you. The problem I see in the OP's rig is the mount, hence the reason for my post.
Fair?
I love hearing stories like this. I felt confident enough to put it in the rack last night. My Recon now rides up front next to my Mk18.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/664/22899742444_bd3edf7cb1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ATzaBA)
Why 2 rifles?
steyrman13
12-06-15, 11:27
"Sure enough the mount had moved" See article below.
http://gearscout.militarytimes.com/2012/05/08/review-leupold-mark6-1-6x20mm-riflescope/
Also look at the construction of the mount. What's keeping the rings from moving vertically? There is a slip fit between the holes in the lower base and the bosses from the ring halves. That means there's play. A .001" movement at that ring spacing equates to an MOA or more. Plus the bottom screws are doing double duty, pinching the scope and the mount base. Not good.
To clarify, I said I'm not a fan of NF. They're tough, but that's because they're held together with glue. That's how you make an import scope tough. Then you charge $1k+ because if something goes wrong they can't be repaired. If you own one and you're happy with the optics, weight and feature set than it's probably a good solution for you. The problem I see in the OP's rig is the mount, hence the reason for my post.
Fair?
So what scope do you recommend?
And what mount options are there with horizontal rings that aren't bolted to the base and are still QD?
"Sure enough the mount had moved" See article below.
http://gearscout.militarytimes.com/2012/05/08/review-leupold-mark6-1-6x20mm-riflescope/
Also look at the construction of the mount. What's keeping the rings from moving vertically? There is a slip fit between the holes in the lower base and the bosses from the ring halves. That means there's play. A .001" movement at that ring spacing equates to an MOA or more. Plus the bottom screws are doing double duty, pinching the scope and the mount base. Not good.
To clarify, I said I'm not a fan of NF. They're tough, but that's because they're held together with glue. That's how you make an import scope tough. Then you charge $1k+ because if something goes wrong they can't be repaired. If you own one and you're happy with the optics, weight and feature set than it's probably a good solution for you. The problem I see in the OP's rig is the mount, hence the reason for my post.
Fair?
Thanks for the article, though it refers to the QD function being the problem and not the rings. I wonder if other mounts, such as Bobro, would have done any better though?
Why 2 rifles?
One is a SBR for CQB, the other is a Recon rifle to fill a designated marksman role.
We actually had some hand picked Colt Commando's that were tack drivers, so some of the DM guys on missions would use these rifles as a DM rifle. They had 2 scopes a red dot and a regular scope for DM use.
Coal Dragger
12-07-15, 01:46
To clarify, I said I'm not a fan of NF. They're tough, but that's because they're held together with glue. That's how you make an import scope tough. Then you charge $1k+ because if something goes wrong they can't be repaired. If you own one and you're happy with the optics, weight and feature set than it's probably a good solution for you. The problem I see in the OP's rig is the mount, hence the reason for my post.
Fair?
No, more like ignorant. To begin with the NXS 2.5-10X32 compact line are all US made optics so your cheap import argument is invalid. Secondly the use of an industrial adhesive to secure the lenses inside the scope tube is not exactly something that I would personally consider to be inferior. If an adhesive makes the optical system more robust, and is cost effective then it sounds like a great engineering solution to me. For that matter if an industrial adhesive does a good job of securing the aluminum parts that make up the scope tube together resulting in a durable, true, and serviceable part at a lower cost then huzzah for glue. If memory serves the NXS compacts are all a one piece tube unlike the larger NXS line, not that having a two piece tube has managed to degrade the durability of my 3.5-15X50 any.
So what exactly is your objection again? Because it sounded something like: "Nightforce makes a really tough scope, but I don't agree with the way they achieved it.... even though it clearly works."
So what scope do you recommend?
And what mount options are there with horizontal rings that aren't bolted to the base and are still QD?
So you found someone with a defective mount? That's your argument? LaRue products have been used very effectively, by pretty serious dudes to put a lot of shit bags in dirt naps all around the globe. They've received a pretty good reputation for doing so as well. Everyone puts out lemons. Everyone. As for Nightforce using glue..... So? Everything manufactured these days employs some form of permanent /semi permanent bonding method. I should know, as a welder I've kinda created a career out of it.
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