Still haven't gotten that Leupold scope yet, but I decided to try out a few of Primary Arms' optics (also got the DD solid rear Iron on in place of the Troy Battle sight flip-up on my KISS Carbine thanks to jcbarlow - I got your feedback coming man, I haven't forgotten about you).
This is their M3 clone and the micro (with their non-cant mount and QD Riser mount respectively):
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So far, I'm reasonably impressed. The locking mechanism on the riser for the Micro was a bit tricky to adjust - thought I had it, but it was actually just stiff and loosened up on the rail so I had to tighten it down a little more - I'll see how solid it is next time I shoot it (I think I just didn't have it tight enough and the stiffness fooled me).
The coating on the objective-end lens on both optics is very bright and looks obvious from the forward end of the gun, so stealthiness isn't a strongpoint (I am wishing I got the kill-flash 3rd gen version of the micro, but its not that big of a deal and the M3-style will accept a standard kill-flash).
The inside of the M3-style has a little bit of reflection off of the top of the laser housing (I'm assuming that's what it is) that you can see while looking through it, but that's barely noticable in just the right conditions (I only noticed it inside; when its pretty dark, or with any kind of outside light is present, its not noticeable).
The laser in the Micro stands up off of the bottom of the tube enough to see it when looking at the lowest point of the optic (its noticeable when cowitnessing with irons, but it doesn't prevent me from using the optic - its just an annoyance - and its much more noticeable with the short-range larger circle sight aperture than with the long-range smaller one).
So far, they seem very durable and well made. I found a little bit of left-over from casting on the riser mount for the micro, but the mount for the M3 and the riser for the Micro both seem to be well enough made (weapons grade as opposed to cheap airsoft quality).
I have to keep reminding myself that the cost of these things when finding annoyances that I didn't have to deal with on the Aimpoints or EOTechs I've owned.
Brightness settings on both are more than adequate for the brightest conditions outside. The M3-style comes with flip-ups and the micro came with bikini covers. I put about 100 rounds through both guns so far (it was getting late and busted them out after pistols the other evening at the range) and both optics seem to work well (hold zero, no flickering or any QC issues).
The dot is not as crisp as Aimpoint's, but outside, I don't notice the "starring" effect nearly as much.
Adjustment was not nearly as crisp as my Aimpoint, but the knobs seem solid and repeatable (did a quick box test with both and they came back to where they were originally on the irons). You can tell that there are actual bushings inside - there is a solid audible click and good feel, but up against the real Aimpoint, its like comparing the Falcon Optics knobs to a Leupold MK IV - the Primary Arms are good enough, but there's a noticeable difference.
I'm going to get a few more pics and shoot a lot with these and post any updates. I got mine from Primary Arms website for retail cost (shipping wasn't too pricey at all and the order went through quickly and I got it to my door on Monday and I think I ordered it late Thursday afternoon).
This is their M3 clone and the micro (with their non-cant mount and QD Riser mount respectively):
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So far, I'm reasonably impressed. The locking mechanism on the riser for the Micro was a bit tricky to adjust - thought I had it, but it was actually just stiff and loosened up on the rail so I had to tighten it down a little more - I'll see how solid it is next time I shoot it (I think I just didn't have it tight enough and the stiffness fooled me).
The coating on the objective-end lens on both optics is very bright and looks obvious from the forward end of the gun, so stealthiness isn't a strongpoint (I am wishing I got the kill-flash 3rd gen version of the micro, but its not that big of a deal and the M3-style will accept a standard kill-flash).
The inside of the M3-style has a little bit of reflection off of the top of the laser housing (I'm assuming that's what it is) that you can see while looking through it, but that's barely noticable in just the right conditions (I only noticed it inside; when its pretty dark, or with any kind of outside light is present, its not noticeable).
The laser in the Micro stands up off of the bottom of the tube enough to see it when looking at the lowest point of the optic (its noticeable when cowitnessing with irons, but it doesn't prevent me from using the optic - its just an annoyance - and its much more noticeable with the short-range larger circle sight aperture than with the long-range smaller one).
So far, they seem very durable and well made. I found a little bit of left-over from casting on the riser mount for the micro, but the mount for the M3 and the riser for the Micro both seem to be well enough made (weapons grade as opposed to cheap airsoft quality).
I have to keep reminding myself that the cost of these things when finding annoyances that I didn't have to deal with on the Aimpoints or EOTechs I've owned.
Brightness settings on both are more than adequate for the brightest conditions outside. The M3-style comes with flip-ups and the micro came with bikini covers. I put about 100 rounds through both guns so far (it was getting late and busted them out after pistols the other evening at the range) and both optics seem to work well (hold zero, no flickering or any QC issues).
The dot is not as crisp as Aimpoint's, but outside, I don't notice the "starring" effect nearly as much.
Adjustment was not nearly as crisp as my Aimpoint, but the knobs seem solid and repeatable (did a quick box test with both and they came back to where they were originally on the irons). You can tell that there are actual bushings inside - there is a solid audible click and good feel, but up against the real Aimpoint, its like comparing the Falcon Optics knobs to a Leupold MK IV - the Primary Arms are good enough, but there's a noticeable difference.
I'm going to get a few more pics and shoot a lot with these and post any updates. I got mine from Primary Arms website for retail cost (shipping wasn't too pricey at all and the order went through quickly and I got it to my door on Monday and I think I ordered it late Thursday afternoon).
