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View Full Version : PA 1-6 ACSS 556 scope & deluxe mount - T&E



mustangfreek
18 January 2015, 01:32
First off, just an amateur,civilian, shooting enthusiast review...I'm not dropping from helicopters or deep freezing it,or dragging it behind a truck. Just a ongoing update hopefully if able on this scope and mount...Anyways lets get to some info/opinions/pics..

Primary Arms 1-6X GEN 2 Scope with Patented ACSS 5.56 Reticle "Advanced Combined Sighting System" w/ PA deluxe 30mm mount.

Tube Diameter: 30mm
Magnification: 1-6X
Exit Pupil: 10mm at 1X, 4mm at 6x
Eye Relief: 4.5 in. at 1X, 4 in. at 6x
Field of View:
115 feet @ 100 yards at 1X
19.2 feet @ 100 yards at 6X
Click Value: .5 MOA
Length: 10.75 inches
Net Weight: 17.4 oz.
Red Partial Illumination
Fast Focus Eyepiece
Second Focal Plane
Front and rear flip caps included
Waterproof
Nitrogen purged
Fog resistant
Fully Multi-Coated
2nd Focal Plane
6063 Aluminum
3 year warranty

Scope- https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_1_6X_Scope_with_Patented_ACSS_Reticle _p/paps1-6x.htm
Mount-https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_Deluxe_AR15_Scope_Mount_30mm_p/padlxsm.htm


First off out of the box, and looking at the scope and mount box, very good packaging and nice thick cardboard .Also the std, info, instructions, Ballistic charts and info for the ACSS reticle, along with the scope, and a set of scope covers..

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z176/mustang91_2007/IMG_0220_zps68b930cb.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z176/mustang91_2007/FullSizeRender1_zps5549d2fc.jpg

The Primary arms deluxe mount as they call it seems like a good range use mount, not gonna be recommending it to guys in the field or what not as i noticed tightening the nut seemed a little goofy, like it did and then did'nt tighten....Time will tell, or first range session..

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z176/mustang91_2007/IMG_0213_zps2799f3da.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z176/mustang91_2007/IMG_0216_zps9062e015.jpg


First impression of the scope is, its heavy built, and not real heavy weight wise, has good glass on 1-4 , on 5 and 6 started noticing the eyebox getting less and less, plus a slight haze on the edges on 6x..

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z176/mustang91_2007/FullSizeRender3_zps1e008f37.jpg

The power selector is stiff right out of the box, has a nice even coating on the scope and overall good looking scope.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z176/mustang91_2007/FullSizeRender2_zps68633757.jpg

The windage and elevation clicks feel tight out of the box, not real tight, but not mushy either, caps screw on and feel good, a little plus i noitced was that under the windage cap there is a compartment for a extra battery, which was included..Kinda cool..

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z176/mustang91_2007/FullSizeRender_zpsc258ee88.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z176/mustang91_2007/FullSizeRender4_zpsb5b62e3c.jpg

It comes with some ballistic info to get you dialed in or on page with what the ACSS system is, ill admit it looks easy to use, but this has only been mounted and not shot yet, but has different info for different cartridges and more.


http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z176/mustang91_2007/FullSizeRender4_zps6a716307.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z176/mustang91_2007/IMG_0209_zps6d282da5.jpg

And just a quick sorta comparison, although its not apples to apples, thought i would throw the info out there, the PA is on the right and a Vortex PST 1-4 on the left, Very close in size but PA being about a ounce heavier and slightly longer

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z176/mustang91_2007/FullSizeRender1_zpsc366540d.jpg

Okay, now switching to a few mounted up pics and a few pics i tried to capture the best thru my Iphone...which now looking at them..these next 2 pics suck donkeys, compared to the others.....Anyways I like the reticle, not too cluttered, the illumination works good, had no issues when lit up. it is super bright on high, at low light it would probably be good, but first time outside in daylight, it washed out in the bright of day.




This is on 1x and it looks very close to being a true 1x.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z176/mustang91_2007/FullSizeRender5_zps12451de2.jpg

This is about the same position, think me or gun slightly shifted but this is on 6x power

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z176/mustang91_2007/FullSizeRender4_zpseeebc0e3.jpg

Like i said those pictures suck and do it no justice, the scope is clear, numbers are clear, it's just the guy behind the camera..lol..


Okay so now all mounted up, leveled and ready to test. this gun had the PST on it before which shot fairly well, usually 1 MOA or so with LC 55gr stuff.

With the scope caps on.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z176/mustang91_2007/FullSizeRender_zpsf07b8353.jpg

With the scope caps up, which this i did'nt like, they stopped where they are in the pic and felt like they might break if i pushed farther/harder...Kinda cheesy covers..

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z176/mustang91_2007/FullSizeRender1_zps98b47b01.jpg

So, as i hate the scope caps on any gun really, i pulled them off...ready to go, gonna bring some std 55gr LC stuff and some hand loads after i get zeroed in and see how it performs the box test.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z176/mustang91_2007/FullSizeRender2_zps5e0c5dd0.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z176/mustang91_2007/FullSizeRender3_zpscb50803a.jpg


So there is my start to a ongoing thread that i will update after first range session and along the way, of things how it shoots, reticle system and overall impression..

First impression though, i really like it, scope is a good deal for the money, good quality and value , so far atleast. again new and un shot with yet ,so there if you have any questions or anything to add with your experience or anything , go ahead...


Jason

voodoo_man
18 January 2015, 02:23
....unboxing pictures?


*facepalm*


Lol

Deadwing
18 January 2015, 02:52
Nice write-up. I look forward to seeing your impressions of this scope. I have one mounted in an ADM Scout-X. I only have about 100 rounds with it, and have it zeroed at a less than ideal 50 yards. Next step for me, get it properly zeroed at 100 yards and send more lead down range. :P

Ride4frnt
18 January 2015, 08:07
....unboxing pictures?


*facepalm*


Lol

Ha! I added unboxing pics to my thread on this scope.

You have the same impression of this scope as me MF. Seems to be an awesome scope for a budget price. We will see over time. Gonna compare mine to a bushnell throwdown 1-4 when it comes in.

Sidebar: should we have a sub forum just for the t&e reviews?

toolboxluis00200
18 January 2015, 08:24
very nice well done

GOST
18 January 2015, 11:41
Great review Jason, very well done.

mustangfreek
18 January 2015, 16:14
....unboxing pictures?
*facepalm*
Lol

Not sure how to take that or how to reply.


Nice write-up. I look forward to seeing your impressions of this scope. I have one mounted in an ADM Scout-X. I only have about 100 rounds with it, and have it zeroed at a less than ideal 50 yards. Next step for me, get it properly zeroed at 100 yards and send more lead down range. :P

Thanks, im eager to get out and play with it.



Sidebar: should we have a sub forum just for the t&e reviews?

i asked the same, and was told to post it here, so just labeled it T&E


very nice well done

Thanks


Great review Jason, very well done.

I tried..lol..thanks

jymbeux
18 January 2015, 17:46
Excellent write up, I look forward to your range report.

DutyUse
19 January 2015, 00:28
I'm taking notes, amazing photos and write up. Well done sir! I'm thoroughly impressed :D

Only question: If you had the chance to pick between this PA 1-6 or Vortex 1-4 which would YOU choose? Not based on value, but performance. More magnification or sharper glass seems like what it boils down to.

Wow this got me fired up about reading all the other T&E's! You set the bar high ;)

alamo5000
19 January 2015, 01:17
Very nice review sir!! Good job!

mustangfreek
19 January 2015, 02:51
Excellent write up, I look forward to your range report.

Im also excited to get out and see how it does, tomorrow kids are off from school and have kids over night , so no tomorrow shooting and i am busy wednesday on so hoping to get out tuesday and try it out


I'm taking notes, amazing photos and write up. Well done sir! I'm thoroughly impressed :D

Only question: If you had the chance to pick between this PA 1-6 or Vortex 1-4 which would YOU choose? Not based on value, but performance. More magnification or sharper glass seems like what it boils down to.

Wow this got me fired up about reading all the other T&E's! You set the bar high ;)

Wow, thanks for the high regards, i think there decent pics but not on par with many here, just iphone pics, but i'll tell ya what hanging around here has increased my interest in taking photos.

As far as choosing , i cant really answer that truthfully yet, the vortex has treated me well so far for what i have shot with it, the PA i have only looked thru havent shot with it on, or seen if it holds repeatabiltiy, as i plan to sight in and then pull it off, then put back on, just to see how far it shifts and just little stuff like that, also how it tracks with the knobs and how true they are and if it will be repeatable- box test for starters.

Sure the vortex cost more then the PA, but the PA has a little more magnification...so...we will see i guess, is all i can say


Very nice review sir!! Good job!

Thanks and same to you...even if you didnt include unboxing pics.....[BD].....

Deadwing
19 January 2015, 03:00
I'm taking notes, amazing photos and write up. Well done sir! I'm thoroughly impressed :D

Only question: If you had the chance to pick between this PA 1-6 or Vortex 1-4 which would YOU choose? Not based on value, but performance. More magnification or sharper glass seems like what it boils down to.

Wow this got me fired up about reading all the other T&E's! You set the bar high ;)

Not to steal Mustang's thunder, but personally, I'd go Vortex (assuming we are talking about the Viper line and up as i have no experience with the less expensive Crossfire 1-4). Obviously the Vortex is going to have better glass. At 4x, the Vortex is less sensitive to eye relief than the Primary Arms, and adjustment of magnification is smoother on the Vortex. I also find the windage/elevation adjustments to be more tactile and the clicks more positive, as well as the brightness control operating smoother (and having an off position between each setting). That said, i find the reticle on the Primary Arms to be easier to use and the extra magnification is pretty damn handy. I've got way more rounds through my Vortex than the PA, but so far this is how it's shaking out for me.

Sorry Mustang, hope you don't mind me chiming in! [BD]

DutyUse
19 January 2015, 03:14
Wow, thanks for the high regards, i think there decent pics but not on par with many here, just iphone pics, but i'll tell ya what hanging around here has increased my interest in taking photos.



It's obvious you take considerable time and effort in your shots, regardless of platform. And get them in focus, good lighting and edit.

Me I snap photo on a crap table and send in first one lol. I'm so hopelessly lost in photography etiquette I don't even know what I don't know, so I just don't even pretend like I do know and give yall raw photos

For shooting photos on same platform I can make solid gold look like tin foil, while you bust out stunners :D

SINNER
19 January 2015, 03:16
Never looked at this optic before. Had no idea their "patented" reticle was such a blatant copy of Trijicon's horseshoe reticle. I guess the windage ticks are the revolutionary difference. LOL

mustangfreek
19 January 2015, 04:05
Sorry Mustang, hope you don't mind me chiming in! [BD]


No your all good, keep the discussion going.

You make good points, and another to add..The PA scope has a 3 year warranty while vortex is for life...

CK 187
19 January 2015, 04:41
This is on 1x and it looks very close to being a true 1x.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z176/mustang91_2007/FullSizeRender5_zps12451de2.jpg

This is about the same position, think me or gun slightly shifted but this is on 6x power

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z176/mustang91_2007/FullSizeRender4_zpseeebc0e3.jpg





That's what i like is to actually see an eyepiece shot. Very nice detailed write up

CK 187
19 January 2015, 04:44
At 4x, the Vortex is less sensitive to eye relief than the Primary Arms, and adjustment of magnification is smoother on the Vortex. I also find the windage/elevation adjustments to be more tactile and the clicks more positive

They seemed to me like good close to even options for a comparison and I was wondering how the adjustments were compared to the Vortex (which has great positive clicks IMHO)

mustangfreek
29 January 2015, 02:47
Forgot to update, got the itch last weekend to go shoot it, it was raining/mixed snow of course.... but no football on so i drove up to a somewhat local pit to go play for a while and get it close....scope was good, left it out the whole time up there laying in the snow..lol..sorry no pics.. Scope never fogged up and illumination seemed to be unbothered.

One thing after breaking it out today to go over it as i intend to hit the range/bench tomorrow and get some better testing in.Is that the illumination knob still works fine but feels more mushy, not as positive of a click when switching brightness...just something small i noticed..

Anyways, hitting the range tomorrow and hoping for some better weather to get a little more time in with it....So far im liking it , especially for the price.

But..I Cannot stand the cheap ass scope covers though ,the rear one just sticks strait up in your way....Im not running the scope with it..bugged me that bad, and just cheesy....[BD]...You told us not to sugar coat anything...so...

mustangfreek
29 January 2015, 02:50
That's what i like is to actually see an eyepiece shot. Very nice detailed write up

lol..thanks..the pic kinda sux, but i also among others that dont have the option to look thru many scopes/red dots before they buy want to see what the actual reticle looks like.

Again my pic here sux, the reticle is nice and crisp.



They seemed to me like good close to even options for a comparison and I was wondering how the adjustments were compared to the Vortex (which has great positive clicks IMHO)


I'll agree with deadwing as i think he has a pa and vortex also , as i do ,the vortex elev. and windage adjustments feels more crisp and responsive and overall a more positive feel then the PA.. also the PA knobs are alot shorter..i noticed..

Deadwing
29 January 2015, 03:07
But..I Cannot stand the cheap ass scope covers though ,the rear one just sticks strait up in your way....Im not running the scope with it..bugged me that bad, and just cheesy....[BD]...You told us not to sugar coat anything...so...

On mine, the whole damn thing comes off the scope when i try to flip it up lol. Complete POS, and i leave it off when shooting and just use it as a dust cover when storing it.




I'll agree with deadwing as i think he has a pa and vortex also , as i do ,the vortex elev. and windage adjustments feels more crisp and responsive and overall a more positive feel then the PA.. also the PA knobs are alot shorter..i noticed..

I do have both, and your assessment is spot on.

voodoo_man
29 January 2015, 04:07
Have you done nonstandard shooting positions with it? Urban prone, vehicle centric prone/using cover. Etc. Sometimes optics fail in this aspect due to eye relief.

tact
29 January 2015, 05:13
Excellent question..

mustangfreek
29 January 2015, 15:49
Have you done nonstandard shooting positions with it? Urban prone, vehicle centric prone/using cover. Etc. Sometimes optics fail in this aspect due to eye relief.

Any non standard shooting...No... Just a recreational shooter here....So best i can answer i guess is,...

I can tell , when i had the PA out last nite looking outside, i grabbed the vortex 1-4 pst and just comparing again, the PA eyebox is very unforgiving when the power is turned up, really noticeable in 4,5,6 power for me..

MCA
30 January 2015, 12:59
Any non standard shooting...No... Just a recreational shooter here....So best i can answer i guess is,...

I can tell , when i had the PA out last nite looking outside, i grabbed the vortex 1-4 pst and just comparing again, the PA eyebox is very unforgiving when the power is turned up, really noticeable in 4,5,6 power for me..

Just wanted to chime in and say thanks for your time and efforts and for the reviews. I just received this scope from PA (my first scope ever) so I enjoy reading other folks opinions and questions. Unfortunately I still have the scope and the Bobro 30mm extended mount sitting in their respective boxes as I have not had the time to mount them up and go shooting. Ohhh the life of a stay at home house Dad with a 3 year old boy!

Anyway, I look forward to hearing about your future experiences with this scope and following the thread. I'm hoping to get out next Friday for the first time with fellow forum member "Former11B" and get this thing sighted in. Thanks again and happy shooting to all.

Cheers...Mike

mustangfreek
30 January 2015, 15:22
Just wanted to chime in and say thanks for your time and efforts and for the reviews. I just received this scope from PA (my first scope ever) so I enjoy reading other folks opinions and questions. Unfortunately I still have the scope and the Bobro 30mm extended mount sitting in their respective boxes as I have not had the time to mount them up and go shooting. Ohhh the life of a stay at home house Dad with a 3 year old boy!

Anyway, I look forward to hearing about your future experiences with this scope and following the thread. I'm hoping to get out next Friday for the first time with fellow forum member "Former11B" and get this thing sighted in. Thanks again and happy shooting to all.

Cheers...Mike

Well thanks ...

mustangfreek
26 February 2015, 02:02
Well time as has come to wrap up my T&E evaluation of the PA 1-6 acss scope

In short the pros for me
- very good deal/glass for the money
- well built, heavy,durability is another as i didnt have it long enough..
- nice reticle, not too cluttered

only real con i can say about it for the time i had it, was the eyebox was not very forgiving on4-6 this is compared to my dialed in ginger eagle eyes..lol..

I would give it 2 thumbs up and will someday pick one of these up for myself...the mount is okay for a range toy but anything more serious i would opt for something a little better then the PA mount

Thanks WEVO !!!