a.g.s swat 4-16x56 review

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Average Ratings

Value for Money	10/10
Overall rating	9/10

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By jahson12 on 27th Aug 2005

jahson12's Ratings

Value for money	10/10
Overall value	9/10
jahson12's recommendation

Good Points

Does exactly what it says on the tin!

Bad Points

Side wheel (100mm).

General Comments

I got my A.G.S. SWAT 4-16X56 today, oh joy! I purchased it from binocularsuk.com for the reasonable price of £168.00, minus mounts and a large target sidewheel. I purchased those from uttings.com £34.95 for the sidewheel and £25.95 for the Sportsmatch 2 piece high mounts.
My first impressions of the scope were very positive! It looks stunning, especially with the sun shade, it adds another 4 inches. 16 inches without. Unpacked, the 100mm sidewheel, again looks fantastic, and is good quality. But on further close inspection, I realised that there are only 3 Allan key screws placed at 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock, and 9 o'clock. Also, the centre part which butts onto the turret adjuster, is made of rubber, so it is not a clean fit. Rubber against rubber makes the wheel rotate unevenly. It doesn't help not having a 4th Allan key at 6 o'clock to keep it flush and even. The flip-up lens covers (comes as standard with sunshade,) are a nice touch but very cheaply made. I find mine are reluctant to stay down. There is no crisp "snap" as they close, but a soft "click", and not precise at all.
Performance?... I have no gripes here at all! The scope seems to have come pre-zeroed. I just mounted, took 2 shots at a distance of 15 yards, a few clicks later, and 7 shots fired, voila! Lovely groups. The lens quality is excellent, with a crystal clear image, a fairly wide field of view, and range finding seems to be just as they say " yard perfect readings", measured out to 10, 20, and then 30 yards pretty much bang on.
Overall, this is a very nice scope, especially for the price. You would definitely expect to pay more for this kind of spec. But I feel the finishing touches are what lets this scope down. Oh how I wish manufacturers would take a little more pride in what they do! What is the point of making flip-up covers that don't close properly? And why on earth make a sidewheel that doesn't mount precisely and evenly? A few modifications are defiantly what's needed to make this a perfect scope for me. I think I will drill and tap a 4th screw for stability on the sidewheel, and either change the flip-up covers, or again modify them in some way! Not sure yet!
Anyway, maybe not all will agree with my review, but I have truly given my honest opinion, and advise all who are thinking of purchasing this latest A.G.S. Swat Scope to pop down to your local stockist, and have a good hard look before you buy. I am doing a spot of pest controlling this weekend, and am keen to see how the scope performs out in the field. I will keep you all posted... Best regards to all..

Total Respect: +3