What is your oppinion of Barska Scopes

[nathank]

i was looking into getting a Barska 8-26x50 Benchmark Riflescope, Side Parallax, Black Matte, 30mm Tube, Mil-Dot Reticle just wondering your oppinions on the scope quality. it is regular over 900 but would be getting it for less than 500

 

[LewisH]

Don't do it!

 

[TheReeper]

Remember this, you get what you pay for. When buying optics by the best you can afford. For example, if you can afford to buy a Nightforce NXS and you buy a Leupold instead, to save a few bucks, your going to regrete it when you look through a Nightforce NXS. Shooting long range requires excellent optics. Oh yea, DON'T BUY THAT SCOPE! If your going to spend $900.00, buy a Leupold.

 

[nathank]

but o would only have to pay five hundred. Wouldn't a nine hundred dollar scope that I pay five hundred for be better than a five hundred dollar scope.

 

[LewisH]

I think we regard each other as friends on this site. Friends don't let friends drive drunk, or buy Barska (and some other) scopes.

 

[Len Backus]

Just curious... And I don't have a horse in this race, but what do you guys know about Barska?

 

[guns_and_labs]

I have two Barskas, which I have used to break in barrels, load development, keep on "spare rifles", let the kids thrash, etc. One's a Benchmark, and the other is a Tactical. Both are FFP, and both get the job done. I did have to send one Barska back because the reticle was mounted improperly (not vertical).

I also have Schmidt and Benders, Leupolds, and have used plenty of Nightforces (but this was before NF went FFP), which I use on my primary rifles, for hunting and competition.

The Barska is certainly no competition to the S&Bs or the Leupolds, but it's not meant to be. Barska provides a cheap and somewhat disposable tool for limited use. If that's your intended use, go for it. If you mean it to be your primary optic for serious use, there are better uses for $500.

BTW, I've never even seen them offered for the "list" $900, and I paid far less than $500.

 

[4ked Horn]

Don't do it. My friend bought his neighbors Barska target (those words don't belong in the same sentence) scope for $40 and I feel he got ripped off. The elevation turret is evenly divided in 13 1/2 moa per rotation. (***???) The set screws that lock the turrets in place are failing and use a metrix hex wrench. The gun it is mounted to is not all that fantastic but we were able to develop a 2-3 inch 100 yard load with his old scope but now I have a hard time holding a 7-10 inch group. We haven't proven that it is the scope systematically but that is the only change I am aware of since we developed the load so I'm just sayin".

 

[LewisH]

OK, FWIW, I examined every scope I could at the 2006 Shot Show. IMO some of the scopes were not worth buying, e.g., Barska, ATN, Sightron.

Since then Sightron has come out with the Sightron III, which I understand is a fine scope. I'm not aware of any similar improvements in the Barska or ATN products.

As some optic company writes in their advertising: "Only a rich man can afford to buy a cheap scope."

 

[TheShootist]

but o would only have to pay five hundred. Wouldn't a nine hundred dollar scope that I pay five hundred for be better than a five hundred dollar scope.

JMO but following your logic, If I advertise and ask $7,000 for a Leupold vxIII for sale, but for you I'll sell it for only $2,000. Have I just given you a good deal? Heck no.

The only thing I would consider using a Barska scope for is a target. Look thru it and you will probably see glue around the edges of the lens. GLUE!

You can buy a tremendously higher quality scope than the Barska for $500 in any sporting goods store. Check out the free classifieds here or on 24hourcampfire.com or gunsamerica.com. or anywhere else.

You will be far happier buying a used high quality scope online for $350 that will last for decades than you will be with the Barfska which surely will not.

 

[Magnumdude]

That was going to be my sole contribution; the prices you quoted sounded rather high for a Barfska.

 

[screech]

I dont know ya there bud but even if I did and hated your guts I still wouldnt let you buy a barska

Go Night force and youll be happy. Are they way more expensive. yeah but at least you will be happy.

 

[soren]

The only Barfska I looked at was a ***. If a $500 scope is your price range there are a lot of other scopes worth looking at. Stick with the known brand names and you should be ok.

 

[Magnumdude]

There's no Barfska made worth $500.00, or even $200.00.