Very odd sight picture - SIG SAUER Whiskey3 4-12x40mm Rifle Scope 1 inch Tube, Second Focal Plane

Just purchased this scope online without looking through one first....... so that's on me. The glass is clear, magnification adjustment is smooth, focus ring smooth, turrets crisp and audible; so what's wrong? Well, when you look through the scope, it's like looking down a hallway with blinders on, or looking through a paper towel tube. There is a big, thick, black ring around the sight picture, and it gives the perception of a very small field of view.....very odd and uncomfortable. Normally, while sighting through a good scope with both eyes open, you minimally notice the periphery of the scope sight picture, and can get a sense of your surroundings downfield, both inside and outside of the scope's field of view. With this Sig Whiskey 3, 4-12x40, the periphery is so thick and black it greatly distracts from the downfield view. May be OK for concentrating on paper targets, but just doesn't lend itself to hunting or tactical situations. On top of that, the eye relief is very critical, especially at higher magnifications, and the heavy portions of the reticle seem much too thick, with squared off instead of tapered ends leading to the thinner center section. If I would have looked through this scope before I bought it, I would not have made the purchase. I'll use it on a .22.