I have been eyeballing one of their scopes for a while:
http://www.nrastore.com/nra-tactical-tri-illuminated-first-focal-plane-scope-sa-24587
Well, I got around to making a purchase. I didn't buy the 1-4 mentioned above (though it looks like they still have that one), I got a 3-12x50mm FFP. Here it is:
http://www.nratactical.com/gear/sho...12x50-tri-illuminated-first-focal-plane-scope
Total price with shipping and tax was $200.03 delivered. I wasn't very pleased with NRAStore.com's communication, or shipping speed, but in these days of some lightning-fast service, I've gotten kind of spoiled. Also wasn't pleased with the packaging.
Order date: January 27, 2017 4:07:39 AM EST
Arrival date: February 2, 2017 - UPS (yesterday)
Shipping notification via email arrived this morning, 2/3/17 at 8:35AM. UPS Origin Scan was 1/30/17 at 7:49 PM.
So I ordered it on the wee hours of Friday morning, they processed it Monday early afternoon and UPS picked it up Monday evening, delivered it Wed afternoon, THEN NRAStore.com sent me an email the next morning (after delivery) that it had shipped. lol
Oh well.
I was asleep, but my wife heard the UPS truck pull up and was watching through the peephole as the UPS driver walked up and casually tossed the box to the concrete from several feet away from standing height.
When I opened the box, which was way oversized, I noted it had a couple of pieces of packing paper in it, not even 1/4 as much packing as was appropriate. As a result, the 2-piece box inside containing the scope and accessories had come open, allowing the contents to spill out inside the much much larger and mostly-empty box, so most of it was rattling around. The scope itself was in 1 layer of thin bubble wrap, but appears to be undamaged. I was surprised the inner box wasn't plastic-sealed or at least had a piece of tape to hold it closed. Nope. Nothing.
Anyways.... first thing I noticed about the inner box was the name on it - AIM Sports XPF Series. I've looked it up on their website and it appears to be this one. NRA sells it $10 less than their MSRP, but it comes completely stock AIM Sports retail, as far as I can tell. The same model sells at Optics Planet for $135 with free Value shipping (5-10 days) and $10 Standard shipping (3-5 days).
So... I checked it out, it seems to be pretty functional. I also broke out my Vortex Crossfire II 40-12x40 that Optics Planet has for $189 to compare them. I got the Vortex for like $110 on sale from... Cabela's, I think? Helluva deal.
Anyways, the Vortex is definitely a nicer scope. I don't have any experience with true high-end optics - I can't afford that stuff. lol. But it is functional, for sure. The Vortex has both an objective adjustment as well as reticle focus, while the AIM/NRA only has reticle focus. It may be FFP and tri-illuminated, but I don't get as clear a picture with it. I was just sitting at my kitchen table, focusing on a tree about 40 yards away, by holding each scope in turn. But there was a slight noticeable difference. Once mounted to rifles, it will be easier to tell. The Vortex is going on my 24" bull barrel 5.56 AR, while the AIM scope is going on a 16" mid-gas 7.62x39 AR. So we shall see.
So... I wasn't super impressed with NRAStore/NRATactical.com, but it wasn't horrible processing/shipping speed. Notification was obviously slow and useless, but the packaging was horrendously sub-par. I wish I had known the scope was an AIM, I would have just bought it elsewhere and saved $50+. Or actually, now, I would probably have chosen something different. Given the choice between AIM and Vortex, I will choose Vortex every day and twice on Sunday.
Not to mention, I have never really committed to the NRA, I've been sort of a conscientious objector. I recognize the power of their lobby, but at the same time severely disagree with them on some issues. Thus, I have never given my money to become a member, but had been considering it lately. However, after this experience, I'd say, while I am not bashing them, I am left feeling slightly displeased and less likely to buy in as a member. I can assure you, I won't buy anything from their store again. Sad... they had a chance to make a good impression, but they didn't. I put my money where my mouth is, and they didn't measure up, in my opinion. This isn't a RANT, per se, it's just a review for anyone who has been considering buy this or anything else from the NRA website. Look elsewhere, is my advice.
So there it is. Take it for what it's worth.
http://www.nrastore.com/nra-tactical-tri-illuminated-first-focal-plane-scope-sa-24587
Well, I got around to making a purchase. I didn't buy the 1-4 mentioned above (though it looks like they still have that one), I got a 3-12x50mm FFP. Here it is:
http://www.nratactical.com/gear/sho...12x50-tri-illuminated-first-focal-plane-scope
Total price with shipping and tax was $200.03 delivered. I wasn't very pleased with NRAStore.com's communication, or shipping speed, but in these days of some lightning-fast service, I've gotten kind of spoiled. Also wasn't pleased with the packaging.
Order date: January 27, 2017 4:07:39 AM EST
Arrival date: February 2, 2017 - UPS (yesterday)
Shipping notification via email arrived this morning, 2/3/17 at 8:35AM. UPS Origin Scan was 1/30/17 at 7:49 PM.
So I ordered it on the wee hours of Friday morning, they processed it Monday early afternoon and UPS picked it up Monday evening, delivered it Wed afternoon, THEN NRAStore.com sent me an email the next morning (after delivery) that it had shipped. lol
Oh well.
I was asleep, but my wife heard the UPS truck pull up and was watching through the peephole as the UPS driver walked up and casually tossed the box to the concrete from several feet away from standing height.
When I opened the box, which was way oversized, I noted it had a couple of pieces of packing paper in it, not even 1/4 as much packing as was appropriate. As a result, the 2-piece box inside containing the scope and accessories had come open, allowing the contents to spill out inside the much much larger and mostly-empty box, so most of it was rattling around. The scope itself was in 1 layer of thin bubble wrap, but appears to be undamaged. I was surprised the inner box wasn't plastic-sealed or at least had a piece of tape to hold it closed. Nope. Nothing.
Anyways.... first thing I noticed about the inner box was the name on it - AIM Sports XPF Series. I've looked it up on their website and it appears to be this one. NRA sells it $10 less than their MSRP, but it comes completely stock AIM Sports retail, as far as I can tell. The same model sells at Optics Planet for $135 with free Value shipping (5-10 days) and $10 Standard shipping (3-5 days).
So... I checked it out, it seems to be pretty functional. I also broke out my Vortex Crossfire II 40-12x40 that Optics Planet has for $189 to compare them. I got the Vortex for like $110 on sale from... Cabela's, I think? Helluva deal.
Anyways, the Vortex is definitely a nicer scope. I don't have any experience with true high-end optics - I can't afford that stuff. lol. But it is functional, for sure. The Vortex has both an objective adjustment as well as reticle focus, while the AIM/NRA only has reticle focus. It may be FFP and tri-illuminated, but I don't get as clear a picture with it. I was just sitting at my kitchen table, focusing on a tree about 40 yards away, by holding each scope in turn. But there was a slight noticeable difference. Once mounted to rifles, it will be easier to tell. The Vortex is going on my 24" bull barrel 5.56 AR, while the AIM scope is going on a 16" mid-gas 7.62x39 AR. So we shall see.
So... I wasn't super impressed with NRAStore/NRATactical.com, but it wasn't horrible processing/shipping speed. Notification was obviously slow and useless, but the packaging was horrendously sub-par. I wish I had known the scope was an AIM, I would have just bought it elsewhere and saved $50+. Or actually, now, I would probably have chosen something different. Given the choice between AIM and Vortex, I will choose Vortex every day and twice on Sunday.
Not to mention, I have never really committed to the NRA, I've been sort of a conscientious objector. I recognize the power of their lobby, but at the same time severely disagree with them on some issues. Thus, I have never given my money to become a member, but had been considering it lately. However, after this experience, I'd say, while I am not bashing them, I am left feeling slightly displeased and less likely to buy in as a member. I can assure you, I won't buy anything from their store again. Sad... they had a chance to make a good impression, but they didn't. I put my money where my mouth is, and they didn't measure up, in my opinion. This isn't a RANT, per se, it's just a review for anyone who has been considering buy this or anything else from the NRA website. Look elsewhere, is my advice.
So there it is. Take it for what it's worth.