Anyone used NRAStore.com or NRATactical.com? Here's my review...

[tRidiot]

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.

 

[bigred1]

Thanks for the review, I would like to find a reasonably priced optic for my Colt AR15A4MP-FDE 20" but I'm a novice when it comes to the AR platform so I appreciate reading opinions like yours.

 

[druryj]

Appreciate you posting this review. I had heard a similar thing from a friend who purchased an item from them awhile back.

 

[tRidiot]

Yeah, it's pretty disappointing. I had hoped for slightly better. <sigh> Oh well...

 

[mr ed]

Not defending but I want to say this.
First off the NRA is not in the wholesale / super discount sporting goods business.
Secondly the profit made goes to the fight for the 2nd Amendment.
As with all products offered by them if your looking for a bargain look elsewhere.
Did you check the tracking to see where the package came from?
I seriously doubt the NRA ships that stuff. Probably a drop-ship warehouse somewhere.

 

[tRidiot]

Not defending but I want to say this.
First off the NRA is not in the wholesale / super discount sporting goods business.
Secondly the profit made goes to the fight for the 2nd Amendment.
As with all products offered by them if your looking for a bargain look elsewhere.
Did you check the tracking to see where the package came from?
I seriously doubt the NRA ships that stuff. Probably a drop-ship warehouse somewhere.

I don't know and I don't care. I was reviewing the product and the service. If their page had stated they were selling an AIM scope, I could have looked up more on it and made a more informed decision. I was just giving more information for people to make their own decisions, and expressing my disappointment in their shipping and processing. And for someone not in the business, they sure have a ton of products on their site for sale.

None of which I will be purchasing from them in the future - and also, as I said above, much much less likely to become a member now as a result. I was always a skeptic - now even moreso.

<edit> Oh, and to answer your question, yes, I did check the tracking... I did mention the tracking in the review, if you remember. It was shipped out of Roanoke, VA. Not sure that means anything to me, but apparently it does to you. I don't know.

 

[Dave70968]

Not defending but I want to say this.
First off the NRA is not in the wholesale / super discount sporting goods business.
Secondly the profit made goes to the fight for the 2nd Amendment.
As with all products offered by them if your looking for a bargain look elsewhere.
Did you check the tracking to see where the package came from?
I seriously doubt the NRA ships that stuff. Probably a drop-ship warehouse somewhere.

If they put their name on it, they're responsible for what goes out. If it's substandard, they either need to have stern words with their supplier, or find a new supplier.

 

[Rod Snell]

The NRA instructors supply gave mediocre service until they moved it out of the DC area to W VA, where it is now a true joy for support. Having spent two tours in the DC area, I try to avoid dealing with any company still located in the DC swamp. While stationed there, I saw a US Postal worker unloading a drop box as the wind sent half the letters blowing down the street in the wind; he glanced at them, got in the truck and drove off.
I used to drive by National Target in Rockville on the way home, then found their mail order stank.
After they moved to Frederick, their service improved dramatically.
I think all you're seeing is the DC area disease, and the lesson to be learned is don't order merchandise from anyone in that area. The hired help sucks. And unlike Oklahoma, they can't just fire them.

Course, if you just want another (expected) excuse to bash the NRA, that's a different matter. They are presently doing what is needed and relevant, helping staffers prepare legislation to undo the devastation done by Executive orders in Nov and Dec. Did you notice that one executive order defined dealing in gun sales as ONE GUN ADVERTISED FOR SALE? Fortunately, the new administration put orders not yet published in the National Register on hold pending review. Whether Liberal or Conservative by nature, if you're a gun owner, you dodged a bullet in the last election. The President could undo orders by another executive order, but legislation is more permanent.
And how about that Supreme Court nominee? A real gun owner, not some jerk awkwardly posing with a borrowed gun......

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