Leatherwood CMR 1-4x24 30mm scope

[Urban Tactical Gear]

Article by: Andrew Rolfsen
Originally found at: UrbanTacticalGearReview.com (http://www.urbantacticalgearreview.com/index.php/weapons-accessories/scopes/leatherwood-cmr-1-4x.html)

Freshly released from Leatherwood, the CMR (http://swfa.com/Leatherwood-1-4x24-CMR-Tactical-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P45852.aspx) (Close Medium Range) promises to be the best value 1-4x optic on the market.

http://www.urbantacticalgearreview.com/images/reviewimages/leatherwood-cmr/leatherwood.gif

purchased from: SWFA (http://swfa.com/Leatherwood-1-4x24-CMR-Tactical-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P45852.aspx) (ordered on saturday, had it on wensday)

http://www.urbantacticalgearreview.com/images/reviewimages/leatherwood-cmr/DSCF1862.JPG

Recently I started putting together a new 16 inch AR-15. I was torn between mounting a 3-9x scope with an offset micro dot pairing; or to find a 1-4x optic that would function well as a close range optic. In the sub $500 price range there aren't many scopes that include an illuminated reticle, mil-dots and low profile turrets, with quality glass. While doing my research on the topic I ran across this newly released optic from Leatherwood / Hi-Lux optics. (http://www.leatherwoodoptics.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid =1) It is the CMR (http://swfa.com/Leatherwood-1-4x24-CMR-Tactical-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P45852.aspx) which is an acronym for Close Medium Range. And guess what, It has all the features one could ever want.

A Few technical specs:
Weight (oz):16.5
Length (in):10.2
Eye Relief (in):3
Field of View @ 100yds (ft):94.8 - 26.2
Exit Pupil (mm):11.1 - 6
MOA:1/2
Lens Coating: Diamond TuFF14
Warranty: Limited Lifetime

We'll start with the standard packaging contents. The CMR (http://swfa.com/Leatherwood-1-4x24-CMR-Tactical-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P45852.aspx) comes with the Optic, Two batteries, an allen wrench for adjusting the ZRO-LOK (as discussed later), a cleaning cloth and two slip on caps.

http://www.urbantacticalgearreview.com/images/reviewimages/leatherwood-cmr/DSCF1831.JPG

The CMR features three low profile turrets. The rear most turret is for turning on the illumination and adjusting it's brightness. There are 11 brightness settings, including a NV (night vision) setting. It also holds the Battery. The battery cap is mounted relatively flush with the top of the turret, so when you unscrew it be careful not to turn on the illumination. Same with replacing it. Not the contact points in the below picture. The battery should be installed so that the writing is face up.

http://www.urbantacticalgearreview.com/images/reviewimages/leatherwood-cmr/DSCF1836.JPG

The Next turret is on the top of the optic and almost in a straight line from the illumination turret. This would be the elevation turret. Note the two allen screws. We're about to get to those.

http://www.urbantacticalgearreview.com/images/reviewimages/leatherwood-cmr/DSCF1858.JPG
http://www.urbantacticalgearreview.com/images/reviewimages/leatherwood-cmr/DSCF1832.JPG
http://www.urbantacticalgearreview.com/images/reviewimages/leatherwood-cmr/DSCF1833.JPG

The Final Turret is located just to the right of the elevation turret, on the side of the optic. This is the windage turret. Again, note the allen screws. Almost to those.

http://www.urbantacticalgearreview.com/images/reviewimages/leatherwood-cmr/DSCF1834.JPG
http://www.urbantacticalgearreview.com/images/reviewimages/leatherwood-cmr/DSCF1835.JPG

Now. About those allen screws I've had you note. These are part of the ZRO-LOK turret system. This is a quick and easy return to zero system. Basically Before you zero your weapon you would loosen these allen screws, zero the elevation, and then tighten them back down, zero the windage, and then tighten those down. This system will ensure that you can adjust the scope for whatever shooting conditions and that when you return the adjustment ring to zero, your back to your inital zero. To quote from the manual "With this ZRO-LOK turret locking system, you can never lose your scope zero."

The Final external option is a fast focus adjuster. This is used to bring your weapon into focus quickly for varying depths. It is located at the user end of the scope.
http://www.urbantacticalgearreview.com/images/reviewimages/leatherwood-cmr/DSCF1852.jpg

So enough of the outside. Let's move into what REALLY matters. The Reticle. Unlike some sub-$500 scopes the reticle is laser etched into the glass. This means that there are no cross hairs free floating that can be broken. Everything is etched, including the cross hairs, horseshoe center dot, and the mil dots. All are visible with the illumination turned off. The first picture below is a stock picture from the manufacturer's website. The other two are my own.</p>

http://www.urbantacticalgearreview.com/images/reviewimages/leatherwood-cmr/cmr_reticle_notes.jpg
http://www.urbantacticalgearreview.com/images/reviewimages/leatherwood-cmr/DSCF1838.JPG
http://www.urbantacticalgearreview.com/images/reviewimages/leatherwood-cmr/DSCF1839.JPG

By now your probably trying to figure out what you want to mount this optic in. We used the American Defense Mounts (ADM) AD-SCOUT. With 30mm rings this mount is spec'ed out to have a 1.5 inch lift from the reciever. Using this scope/mount combination will clear a Magpul MBUS rear sight..... by a hair. For whatever reason the first picture shows that the optic is bent. It's not. It's an optical illusion.

http://www.urbantacticalgearreview.com/images/reviewimages/leatherwood-cmr/DSCF1841.JPG
http://www.urbantacticalgearreview.com/images/reviewimages/leatherwood-cmr/DSCF1844.JPG
http://www.urbantacticalgearreview.com/images/reviewimages/leatherwood-cmr/DSCF1843.JPG

One final gratuitous porn shot.
http://www.urbantacticalgearreview.com/images/reviewimages/leatherwood-cmr/DSCF1846.JPG

Now that the initial write up is done, it's time to field test it.

[Uglyduck]

Great writeup! I saw this a while ago but forgot all about it. Is the reticle daylight visible?

[Aragorn]

Looks good so far. Is it combat durable? Or more oriented towards 3 gun & match?

[Urban Tactical Gear]

i'm going to be putting it through some stuff later this month and then it'll get passed around at Tactical response's Alumni Weekend in July. we'll know soon enough.

as to the reticle you can see the reticle just fine. if you want to use the illumination in day light i would recommend using one of the higher power settings.

I live in a densely populated area with lots of greenery so getting you a 1x and a 4x with variable illumination settings might take me a few days.

[Urban Tactical Gear]

These are some of the day light shots. we were trying to compare it to a aimpoint t1 but alas the t1 pics just wouldn't come out.
illumination off
http://www.urbantacticalgearreview.com/images/reviewimages/leatherwood-cmr/DSCF1927.JPG
Illumination at setting 2
http://www.urbantacticalgearreview.com/images/reviewimages/leatherwood-cmr/DSCF1928.JPG
illumination at setting 6
http://www.urbantacticalgearreview.com/images/reviewimages/leatherwood-cmr/DSCF1929.JPG

[Paulo_Santos]

That looks great. If you need someone to help out with testing, let me know.

[eldogg]

i ordered one from swfa. i mounted it tonight and put my leupold bore site on my rifle. the windage adjusted fine, how ever the elevation will not move. i also noticed when you tighted down the ZRO-LOK turret it will change the location of the rectical. i could not keep the turret on zero. i can also push in on the turrets and the rectical will move also. i had high hopes for this scope, oh well, looks like i'm out of shipping both ways.
i hope mine was just a dud and you have no problems. now, what to order?

[DTOM1775]

Sounds like you received a dud. I've actually forwarded your blog entry to Leatherwood/Hi-Lux to ask them about it. I have one and have no issues. A few of my friends have them as well and they have no problems either. I'll let you know what I hear.

[eldogg]

SWFA was a pleasure to deal with. they are shipping me another with a return tag for the other one, same day no less. this scope has all the bells and whisles that i was looking for, under $500. i really hope this new one is OK. i will let everyone know how the new one performs.

[eldogg]

i received my replacment scope today and mounted it. first thing i noticed was the rectical was very close to my leupold bore site target. not way off like the other. on this scope, everything is ALOT tighter: the turrets, magnification ring, and the focus ring. i like the features this scope offers and i'm glad i didn't ask for a refund. this one is a keeper. now for some range time.

[DTOM1775]

That is excellent news! I'm glad the new one is spot on. I really like mine. I'd like to hear how the time spent at the range goes.

[eldogg]

i finally got out to the range today. the glass is very clear and i could see the recticle easily. my only problem was thinking it was 1/4 in. per click, ever though it says clearly 1/2 in the turret.:) the mount i 'm using is the Larue LT-104 on an Adams Arms 16 in. mid. upper. i really like this set-up.
BIG THMBS UP for Hi-Lux for an affordable optic.

[BamaMike]

I was just wondering if there are any additional thought/opinions on the Leatherwood CMR 1-4x24 30mm scope? I have a Vortex PST 1-4x24 30mm on order but looks as if the PST’s are not going to ship anytime soon, so I am considering purchasing this scope to fill that role. It is about half the cost ($250) and I like the reticle (like them both really), so the affordability factor is looking good. The scope will reside on a mid-length Spikes upper with a 16” DD barrel, a 12” DD Lite rail system, w/troy BUIS. I also have a Bobro 30mm extended mount (along with the aforementioned PST) reserved SWFA and this mount would be used to mount either scope.

Any and all comments are welcomed as I am still considering this move.

Thanks, Mike