barska scopes any good?

Well, I have no illusions about what I bought but for around $30 I bought a [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/barska-brand.html]Barska[/link] 4x32 Plinker-22 scope. I figured it would at a minimum give me a cheap backup set of 1 inch silver rings and I have two CZ 452 silhouette models that are always dressed in silver.

Besides an extra inexpensive set of silver rings, what I ended up with is an acceptable 22LR plinking scope for the money. To be clear the scope itself has no business on my CZ's and I would only compete with the [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/barska-brand.html]Barska[/link] rings if I was in a bind but they are a handy backup. However, the $30 I spent is as much money as I want to have tied up in a scope for the stock Ruger Charger pistol that is often bumping around under the seat my vehicle and that is what I find this scope useful for. Your mileage may vary.

just buy a red field scope they are made by [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-brand.html]Leupold[/link]. The price is way less than the [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-rifle-scopes.html]Leupold scopes[/link] but use all [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-brand.html]leupold[/link] parts and glass.

Well great topic. BTW I own a [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-brand.html]Leupold[/link] 3x9x32 vari x scope it is 28 years old. Sounds to me as [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/barska-brand.html]Barska[/link] is a ODM for other companies if you have to buy the cheap scope buy it from them not [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/barska-brand.html]Barska[/link]. Here is why, [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/tasco-brand.html]Tasco[/link] has someone watching the quality coming out of that factory and their specification may be tighter that what [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/barska-brand.html]Barska[/link] ships. Don't assume you will get the same scope, you may not. I worked for 3 computer companies sourcing Displays out of Asia and trust me until the factory company get lots of expertise and engineering resources they will not be able or might even sell the rejects of other OEMs. They don't make much money building for OEM's so nothing can go to waste therefore they sell their own brand. Eventually they will get good if they work at it.
Given that [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com]optics[/link] cost have come down a lot over the years. My Vari X cost nearly $300 28 years ago. Today I can buy a scope for $150 with better [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com]optics[/link]. However it won't be a [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-brand.html]Leupold[/link] and in 28 years from now that scope will be worthless. I can sell My vari X for at least $175 because who ever buys it is guaranteed to function to specification. If not they can send it to [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-brand.html]Leupold[/link] for free repair. I had this scope on a Winchester 9422WMR lever action rifle and shot thousands of rounds though the gun. I could not get the rifle to center and thought I had some how hammered the scope. So I sent it back with a letter explaining what had happened. I can imagine how hard they were laughing when they read my note thinking I had somehow ruined their scope by shooting thousands of rounds of .22 Mag on it. They politely centered it shock tested it and sent it back with a report for no charge.
This scope sits on my 917 now and it is not enough scope for me. I am 63 now and The .17 needs more magnification due to longer range and still small [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/targets.html]targets[/link]. The [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-brand.html]Leupold[/link] has served me well but this kind of scope will be very expensive so I will go with other brands. I won't need it to last 40 years either. But you can bet I will not buy a [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/barska-brand.html]Barska[/link] because it won't pass the [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com]optics[/link] test. I can look at [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/nikon-brand.html]Nikon[/link] or [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/redfield-brand.html]Redfield[/link] even [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/bushnell.html]Bushnell[/link] [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com]optics[/link] as I have had good luck with them too.
If I were young and had a expensive rifle I would not hesitate to go with [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-brand.html]Leupold[/link] as in the long run your money is worth it.

The wonderful thing about the internet is that you can get lots of negative feedback about anything. I bet eighteen year old cheerleaders would get trashed here as well. I have a small retail shop and although I would prefer to sell [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-brand.html]scopes[/link] of say a [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/redfield-brand.html]Redfield[/link] by [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-brand.html]Leupold[/link] on up through [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-brand.html]Leupold[/link] ,[link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/burris-brand.html]Burris[/link] and high end European [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-brand.html]scopes[/link] I do have a lot of customers whose budgets or inclinations do not take them to this price point. I have actually found the [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/barska-brand.html]Barska[/link] products to outperform their price point . Certainly they have surprised me that they have performed satisfactorily in applications that I would not have recommened them for. I have only seen a few of them pack it in and the customers got good service from [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/barska-brand.html]Barska[/link] when they sent them back for warranty. An important point to note is that they have what they refer to as a "Limited Lifetime" warranty on most of their products. It is limited to the original purchaser and he must have registered his warranty by mail or email shortly after the time of purchase. If you register your purchase they are great to deal with. If you don't register your ownership you are out of luck--no warranty. This factor allows a lower price point as there is not a built in long term insurance policy on the product. Most people doi not register their purchase or for the price of the product do not bother sending it back.--My observations anyway.

i bought a 8 by 32 50 mil only had it for two years the gases let go foged out i called to get it fixed cause i dont have my sales reiceat they want to charge me i got the box it came in bought it at duhams

We don't kid ourselves about quality of low-priced [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-brand.html]scopes[/link]. For serious elk hunting we have serious [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-brand.html]scopes[/link] such as [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-brand.html]Leupold[/link]. For plinking a row of pine cones set up when out camping, my tri-focals don't seem to do the trick with iron sights anymore. A .22 doesn't have enough recoil to upset a scope and we don't camp and shoot during rain or weather cold enough to fog a lens. I guess we will never be able to confirm the claims of waterproof, fogproof and shockproof. For next to nothing in cost for a bit of plinking pine cones, our [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/barska-brand.html]Barska[/link]'s are as good as any.

just wanted to say i bought a [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/barska-brand.html]barska[/link] a couple three weeks ago after mounting it bore sighting it at 100 yards it was all over the paper small adjustments it was off the paper bore sighted 2 more times got it back on paper but ran out of elevation adjustment after 27 rounds threw a 7mm remmag i gave up !!!!!!!!!!will try one more time before i give it the JUNK rating !!!!!!!!!

Ok, read all 52 reviews and it sounds like they are mixed, I have a feeling there are some haters out there just against trying new things, however with the glass remarks and all the same review on the lighted reticles, Id definitly have to say you get what you pay for, My man wants a new scope for his bday, we hunt every weekend different areas and different ranges, but I will tell you after reading all these, Im going with the [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/bushnell.html]Bushnell[/link], or the [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/nikon-brand.html]Nikon[/link], or perhaps I should check the old LOOP HOLDES out~ and if I find a cheap enough [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/barska-brand.html]Barska[/link], I may just get one to test myself, I must say I think that is what it will take cause there is so many mixed reviews and most of the decent ones I have a feeling the ppl are from China just by the way they speak! I work with International all day long and can usually decipher from where they come from, either that or they really do like the fact of disrespecting whoever raised them to tell everyone else how stupid they are! way to go out there! Good luck with the ones who are willing to try the new things out and if nothing else, can only get better!

Quality is actually cheaper in cost than the "low cost" junk like BARFska. You pay for it once and it works and works and works, instead of having to buy it over and over again. There are plenty of good quality medium grade [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-brand.html]scopes[/link] in the $100 to $200 price range that will probably last a lifetime to choose from. No one ever has to really settle for this and then find out it just wasn't worth the entry price. So more reminders and evidence that BARFska is just a total waste of time and money to take the risk that you may get the one that actually does work right and last for a while is always good to see.


[quote="Billstaf"]I got the [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/barska-brand.html]Barska[/link] 4X28 IR Electro scope for my AR. Fit and finish looked OK.

The scope never would hold a zero. Finally, the front lens just came completely loose inside the scope housing. I went to the [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/barska-brand.html]Barska[/link] web site and asked about repair/replacement possibilities twice. They claim a response within 24 hours, but I have heard nothing back from them after either attempt.

As it is right now, this scope is worthless junk. [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/barska-brand.html]Barska[/link] apparently isn't much interested in customer service. I've learned my lesson and will only purchase reliable [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com]optics[/link] in the future. I know they cost a lot more, but in the end it will be worth it.

What I will do is warn any others who are willing to listen about my experience with [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/barska-brand.html]Barska[/link]. There are lots of gun forums for me to do this on.[/quote]

I got the [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/barska-brand.html]Barska[/link] 4X28 IR Electro scope for my AR. Fit and finish looked OK.

The scope never would hold a zero. Finally, the front lens just came completely loose inside the scope housing. I went to the [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/barska-brand.html]Barska[/link] web site and asked about repair/replacement possibilities twice. They claim a response within 24 hours, but I have heard nothing back from them after either attempt.

As it is right now, this scope is worthless junk. [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/barska-brand.html]Barska[/link] apparently isn't much interested in customer service. I've learned my lesson and will only purchase reliable [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com]optics[/link] in the future. I know they cost a lot more, but in the end it will be worth it.

What I will do is warn any others who are willing to listen about my experience with [link=http://www.opticsplanet.com/barska-brand.html]Barska[/link]. There are lots of gun forums for me to do this on.

I mounted a Red Dot on my Kalashnikov. After approx 260rds the Red Dot IR w/ 2x mag literaly started coming apart. The Scope is 2 months old. I know that you get what you pay for but this scope is advertised as a Shock proof Tactical Scope. Absolute JUNK!

I've had the opportunity to handle and use many brands, every one that we carry here and then countless more. Everything from the $10 Tasco to the $4000 Hensoldt. It is very true that price does reflect quality of optic. There is a Very noticeable difference from a $100 scope to a $1000 scope as well. First is is over clarity of the glass, lesser optics do not have bright and crisp images. Same magnification and objective, pricier brands DO have better glass and it is noticeable. This comes from the glass itself, but the coatings are a huge difference. better coatings mean more light transmission therefore a brighter picture. The turrets are another huge give away. When you spend a little more you will get a more solid turret that is dependable and repeatable. I know ever time I click a Nightforce 1/4 MOA turret, that bullet will move 1/4 moa the very next shot. On a scope under $200, it may take a few shots for the turret to settle in. I personally like to be able to shoot a box perfectly, and not have it look like a box with a circle around it.

Better glass, better coatings, repeatability, durability, construction, erector housing are just some of the features that determine what makes a better scope. People that disagree about glass might need to check the birding forums as well. I've never seen more scrutiny on optics, and its very valid. The differences are noticeable to trained eyes, and inches and mm's matter at 1000 yards.

there is always the right tool for the job. I am a huge fan of Nikon and their Monarch series suits my needs for the majority of my shooting. You DON'T always NEED to spend thousands on optics, a few hundred dollars can do the job a lot of the time. HOWEVER, there are differences that ARE very noticeable.

I know that in 99 times out of 100 you get what you pay for. but all I hear is that barska scopes are cheap and ok for the occasional shooter.
what makes them cheaper quality overall. I know that stuff made is China = crap but let's hear some details, what makes their glass inferior, let's list facts not opinions. thanks for the replies.

I bought the 3x12 Ridgeline because I liked the P4 reticle.
It's been mounted on my Arsenal SA-M7 AK47 for the past 2 years and I have had zero issues with losing zero.
I even have this on a Russian sidemount dovetail scope base.

Pop it off to use iron sights, pop it on to go back to the scope. Still no shift in zero.
This scope has seen well over 2000 7.62x39mm rounds. Still dead on. Might not be true with a lesser priced AK(stamped versus milled), but I have had zero issues.

I did not use the supplied rings. Installed Burris Extreme Tactical Rings. Tightened down the rings "JUST ENOUGH TO HOLD THE SCOPE" (Still a gap between the top and bottom ring halves). I turly believe that too many times, people use low quality rings or overtighten the rings so as to crush or deform the tube. Then they wonder why scope components became loose after shooting.

Have my Savage Model 10 FCP-K in .308 on the way so am looking for another scope.

It's looking like another Barska will be riding atop the Savage.

Don't forget to read the dates of the reviews in forums and on-line review sights.
Good companies listen to consumer feedback and tend to improve quality year after year.

I would almost bet that a 2006 Barska scope is not the same as a 2012. It's probably better!
Good luck!

[i]"I own a zeiss 3x12 as well as several leupold scopes. Recently I got a Barska[/link] 1.25-4.5 30mm scope. If anything optics apear to be brighter then either of the above, both to me and others. After mounting it on an a known acurate .270 0n EAW mounts, that the zeiss allso has. After sighting Barska it shot the same groop (1.3/16"maximum, (I'm old) changing zeiss and barska back and forth.
I live in Alaska and Scopes are abused by the elements as well as bouncing in back of a plane or tied to the struts. I have not taken the Barska hunting yet, but if it holds up to that as well as the leuopolds (I have never taken the zeiss either it is to hevy) It will be difficult to spend the extra several hundred for the plesure of having a known exelent brand name."[/i]


You cannot compare scopes of substantially different magnification ranges for brightness due to the change in the exit pupil size and the amount let through as a function of this. That does not make the Barska a better scope because one in the 4.5X max range is brighter than a Zeiss that goes out to 12X. You would have to compare the Barska to a Zeiss that goes out to roughly the same 4.5 tp 5X max range for brightness. Or get a Barska that is 3 to 12X and compare to the Zeiss you have that goes to 12X, and then you will see a substantial difference in brightness and clarity. The brightness is a function of the objective lens diameter divided by the magnficiation to give you the exit pupil cone of light size. 40mm/12X is only a 3.3mm cone of light. 30mm/4.5X is 6.67mm cone of light diameter. More light to enter your eye and look brighter but not because it has better lenses and good antireflective coatings to help make that happen. This is an apples to oranges comparison.

Even if you set the Zeiss down to 3X it still won't be the same because the larger scope most probably has more lenses in the optics train to give you that 3X12 group that the Barska doesn't. Again, you simply can't make this apples to oranges type comparison and declare the lower power scope better because it appears brigher. A fixed 4 power scope will appear brighter than most high power zoom scopes, doesn't prove its better quality at all.

as far as the Barska holding zero on a bumpy plane ride in rough country in Alaska, Two words, Good Luck, your gonna need it.

my wife bought me a barska 4x16x42 for christmas, we went out to sight the rifle in ... now mind you this 7.62N shoots 1" @ 250yds ... we could never get it to group any better than a 8"x11" sheet of paper @ 50yds ... i sent emails "several" and received no reply what so ever ... guess its a fishing weight now ...

never buy Barska ... JUNK!!

Purchased from barska direct.2 myths have defective 4x16x50 varmint series. Will not hold zero anymore.
Contacted barska and they want original receipt.I also registered my purchase with the warranty card.I was able to find my original rec.seems difficult to get returned. WISH ME LUCK.I will post results.

Varmint series 4-16-50
Looked good clear was pleased until today went to the range 3 rd box of shells.All haywire.mounted on a22 magnum.
I have a 6-24-50 on a 243 worried it will follow. No peace of mind!
Returning to barska and see what happens next.

I have the Barska 6.5-20 x 50 Varmint and really like it. I use it for 50 yd rimfire benchrest and can read all the text printed on the target (even the 8-10pt) like it's right in front of me. At 100 yds, it's still clear all the way up to 20x magnification. I can put 25 shots in 25 targets with an overall spread about the size of a quarter. I have the Euro (cheapest) model CZ452 with it's stock non-adjustable trigger and shoot the lower cost CCI green label - not Eley or anything super special, but a step above bulk pack stuff. I don't have a real rest so this is off 2 sandbags. I have it mounted with a set of $10 rings from WalMart. When I don't hit the x or dot in the very center of the 1" target, I can't blame the Barska. Sure the guys with $3500 rifles & $1000 glass & $700 rests outscore me, but in sporter class I can score as well as most with much higher end stuff and a lot more experience shooting benchrest matches.

I don't have a lot to compare to since I'm fairly new to shooting with a scope - typically iron sights or Aimpoints. I have a Nikon Monarch 3-9 x 40 though and prefer the Barska just because I can be more precise with the higher magnification. They seem to have the same clarity - nothing looks blurry or fuzzy or distorted from either one at any magnification. The Barska seems to let in more light (darker indoor 100 yd range) and the target appears brighter in the Barska vs the Nikon.

I really can't complain about it - esp for the price. I don't know how well it holds up in bad weather or how hard of a knock it can take without losing it's zero or how well it would perform at dawn/dusk. I do know it's a good option for precision shooting from a bench on a budget.

! own barska scope, leupold and tasco plus a russion scop on my romak3. They all get the job done. I'll compare the Barska to my leupold. My barska was bought on sale. Now my barska 'tactical sniper scope' was at the time their top of the line scope. MY lEUPOLD IS A VX-1, 3X9 40MM and should be looked at as their lower end economic scope. I have been pleased with all my scopes. My barska dialed out to the highest settings loses fucos and at that high magnification it becomes so blurry it is useless. I can make 500 meter shots at the range but anything further out is simply not possible. the quality of the LOWER end scope from Leupold a good buy. If I am going TOP line scope from Leupold or Nikon I will jump to Swarovski. AN update to an old thread.