This will be a two parter...this 1st part will deal with overall impression of scope/optic quality and customer service...the second part will be the actual range report...I feel I owe it to everyone on here since I went into this kind of as a volunteer guinea pig since Barska doesn't have a stellar reputation.
First off, let me say that this forum has been a great source of information. I found it AFTER I ordered a Barska Tactical 3-12 scope. I had read the reviews elsewhere and chose the 3-12 because I had heard that Barska's optics got fuzzy after 14x or so. I also read that the Tactical model was heads and shoulders above the SWAT model as far as quality goes. So, I ordered it, and THEN logged on to this site and read all the conflicting reports about Barska quality control. So, Cheaptrick, this one's for you, being one of the most outspoken opponents of Barska (with good reason).
Initial report:
I received the scope in October, just before a trip to Kodiak, Alaska, so I had no time to test it out...fast forward a month (just after Cheaper Than Dirt's no hassle return policy expires) I am handling the scope and examining the optics. Optics seem clear, and side focus works...I do like the FFP Mil Dot idea. So, optics are clear enough for this budget scope--MUCH better than the Tasco World Class I bought as a "slap on" scope for one of our 30'06s.
But here comes the disappointment...when I held on to the rear bell of the scope, and gave the front bell a wrap against my open palm, I heard rattling inside...could've been either a spring or a loose front lens. UH OH! I thought...this could potentially be going on my 300 RUM (which is currently wearing a Burris 3-9 FFII BPLX) if it can withstand the recoil of the Saiga .308 that I put it on. Well, Cheaper than Dirt wouldn't accept it back, so I called Barska.
Experiences with Sandra from Barska were no less than wonderful. She was an absolute delight to speak with on the phone, and issued an RA number very quickly. Only bummer is that I paid for shipping back to them. My mistake, since I should've asked them to cover shipping. However, they paid shipping back to me, and I had my replacement scope within 2 wks. I was still on cloud nine after talking to Sandra, and the timely turnaround when I opened the package only to find......more disappointment. This scope was worse than the first one!!!!! The front bell still had a rattle, the side focus was stuck, and when I got it to turn, I could actually hear parts moving inside! But that's not all, the reticle focus was so loose that it wobbled side to side and up and down...moving the entire sight picture.
So back on the phone to Sandra, who assured me that she would issue another RA as well as a call tag for UPS to pick it up so I didn't have to pay shipping. So, another pleasant experience speaking to her, and a fairly rapid resolution to my issue. She promised to personally inspect the next scope that was coming to me before it went out the door.
So by this point I have experienced such a roller coaster of emotions with Barska, I finally began to understand why there were such conflicting reports about the quality control.
Fast forward 2 months to this week, since I was down in South America on vacation and just got back this weekend. I found the 2nd REPLACEMENT (dealt with 3 scopes in total so far) scope tucked in my closet, where my parents put all my stuff while I was away on vacation, opened the package and examined everything. Optics are much clearer than both previous scopes, knobs work without a hitch, reticle focus is tighter, and overall, the scope is just better quality than the previous 2. This one must've been a middle of the week scope, is the only thing I can figure. So, I mounted it on the Saiga, and this week will be the test run.
TO BE CONTINUED.....
I hope someone finds this information helpful when thinking about Barska, and I will be posting again when I actually use it at the range.
Would I buy Barska again? Too soon to tell, maybe the range session will say a lot, but at this point, I would probably not buy one again with the sheer gamble on quality control. I could've saved up another $50-$75 and got a Burris, Bushnell, Nikon, or saved even more and got a SS.
------------- God Bless and Shoot Straight
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