Anyone have a Nikon M-233 or Millett DMS-1?

[usmcdadx2]

I'm looking for a new scope for my DPMS LoPro. The budget says about $350-400 for the scope and mounts. The two scopes that looked like they would be a good bet are the Nikon M-233 1-4x and the Millett DMS-1 1-4x. No local shop has either so I would have to order on blind faith. Can anyone make me a little less "blind".

[billt]

Have you considered the Leupold Mark AR 3-9X? They can be had for the same price, or just under the $300.00 mark. I've heard nothing but good about them. If I were going to an AR specific scope, that would be my top choice. It's hard to beat Leupold quality.  Bill T.

[usmcdadx2]

Thanks...but,

I guess I didn't give all of the information up front, did I?  My desire is to have a scope with a low end as close to 1x as I can get and a high in the 4x to 6x range. In addition to the two I mentioned I have looked at/looked through the Leopold VX-II 1-4x. That scope plus the cantilever mounts I'm looking at put me just a bit over my upper limit. I may go that route anyway but I was hoping for some feedback on the other two.

[JdePietro]

Nikon has some of the best glass you can get from Japan, the Mark AR line from Leupold is Japanese as well so optically there would be no advantage in the MkAR line of scopes. The Millet scope has the best reticule of the ones you have listed, eyes are naturally drawn to circles and this takes advantage of this trait. However a small check on google seems to suggest that the DMS line are touch and go. Some ok scopes and some trash seem to roll out, I got the chance to look through one at the shop and was not impressed. Lots of rolling along the edges and glass that made a murkey fish tank look better. This would have been an example of the bad ones.

For that range you do have some options.

Hawke Endurance 1-4x has a great reticule and superb glass.
Hi-Lux Leatherwood offers a 1-4x scope that has some great reviews.
Bushnell Banter Firefly 1-4x. Bushnell has made some leaps and bounds in the optics world so I would not count them out.

Of all the scopes within your range the Nikon will have the best glass. It would be tough call on the reticules and really you never gave a reason for wanting a low power scope so I can only assume you want something in that range for on the move shots.

Best of luck!

[billt]

My desire is to have a scope with a low end as close to 1x as I can get and a high in the 4x to 6x range. In addition to the two I mentioned I have looked at/looked through the Leopold VX-II 1-4x.

http://swfa.com/Leupold-15-4x20-Mark-AR-Riflescope-P40551.aspx

Leupold has a Mark-AR in a 1.5-4X Model. The nice thing about the Mark AR is it is drop calibrated for .223 / 5.56 MM Ammunition. SWFA has them for $279.95.   Bill T.

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[usmcdadx2]

I knew I could count on you guys to help, I just didn't expect the help to add options I hadn't seen yet(I should have known better)...  and yes I'm looking for the 1x factor for the speed on moving targets or rapid transitioning. I've got a buddy that is trying to suck me into the three gun world and I'm finding the 3-9x I have on the gun doesn't cut it for that game(don't even ask about the shotgun portion). He's got a Trijicon Accu-point 1-4x with crosshairs and illuminated dot on his which I really like but can't justify paying for. I guess I'm looking for something similar but a step down in price. I like the idea of the illuminated "circle-dot" on the Millett but have seen the same reviews claiming spotty quality control. I do have a buddy who has the Hi-Lux mentioned and he has had constant problems with the scope not holding zero so I didn't even really look at those. I like Nikon glass, I have Monarchs on two of my other rifles, but having never seen an M-233 I wasn't sure about the "point blank reticule".
The Leopold Mark AR will be added to the growing list. The problem is most are not available in my local shops so I can actually check them out. In the end it may all come down to Leopold or Nikon simply because of company rep.

[usmcdadx2]

For a perspective this is the rig I really wanted- too bad it over twice what I have to spend.

http://swfa.com/Burris-1-4x24-Xtreme-Tactical-XTR-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P45511.aspx

[bafsu92]

I've got 2 of the Millett's (sorry not for sale) and have had great luck with them. I have one on an AR and another on a HK91 clone. I bought one new from Dillon, the best price I found new. I bought the other off ar15.com. There always seems to be a couple listed there for good prices, I think I paid $175 for the used one with Millett rings.

[usmcdadx2]

Thanks for the info. I went over to ar15.com and found their 81 page thread on the DMS scope, gave me alot more information. I know you get what you pay for and optics is never a good place to skimp but sometimes you have to settle for good enough to do the job. Now I just have to pick something that gives a good balance.

[m25operator]

USMCDADX2,  a great scope, while new is expensive, but can be found used reasonably, is the 1.5 x 5 Leupold varix3, at 1.5 power, it can be used in the house, and of course once outside, the higher power is nice. It is a quality piece of glass, search on AR15.com, Swfa, gunbroker etc... I got mine for 175.00, because the previous owner did not mount it securely on a big magnum rifle, and it had bad ring marks, does not bother me, as long as the optics work.