This optic has a significant magnification range making it adaptable to a variety of long range shooting needs.
Primary Arms provided the scope to the author for review.
In fact, its not uncommon for folks to spend more on their optic than the gun.
In this Primary Arms rifle scope review, the author mounted the GLx 3-18×44 FFP to the Springfield Armory SAINT chambered in .308.
Optics have rapidly evolved since I started shooting 40 years ago.
Back then, they were pretty simple and straightforward, with just crosshairs and that was it.
[Learn more about thedifferences between first focal plane and second focal plane scopes here.]
The lockable turrets on the Primary Arms scope have pronounced ridges on them, which make click adjustments easy, even when wearing gloves.
Some folks really like all of these features, providing a great deal of information and options.
Others prefer the KISS reticle, or Keep It Simple Stupid version.
you might find reticles on both ends of the spectrum and everywhere in-between.
The Primary Arms illuminated reticle offers a great deal of aiming information with which you can place your shots. The scope is a first focal plane design.
Lets discuss one of the most important aspects of any optic light transmission percentage.
When you look at the cost of optics, the biggest determining factor is glass quality.
you could definitely notice the difference when shooting at distance and also in low-light conditions.
Like any high-quality scope, the Primary Arms is sealed to provide weather protection and a long life in the field. The author put this to the test with a hot tub submersion test.
That is good glass if that is the case.
This is where the Primary Arms GLx 3-1844 FFP Rifle Scope comes in.
I have seen more variety of reticles with Primary Arms than I have seen with any other company.
The author drop-tested the scope to test its impact resistance. It is foreseeable that a hunting rifle or competition gun could be bumped or dropped, making a certain level of ruggedness necessary.
I have had the opportunity to test many of their optics and also torture test them.
They have been surprisingly tough and consistent, and at prices much lower than similar products.
They sent me one to review before being released knowing how I test my optics.
The illuminated reticle of the optic is run by a single CR2032 lithium battery.
I thought this was the perfect example of just what you need without getting really busy.
However, I was waiting for the perfect gun to test it on.
Scope Details
There are two options for variable power scopes: first vs. second focal plane.
The author did long-range testing with the Primary Arms scope. The optic combined nicely with the Springfield Armory rifle to deliver very good groups.
Both have their advantages and disadvantages.
With this, the reticle does not change size or increase as you dial up the magnification.
It works great for low-power optics that do not have BDCs.
Shown here is the author’s view through the scope. Any lack of sharpness is from the camera and not an imperfection in the optics.
Thus, the BDC and all the options we discussed will be the same and accurate at any magnification.
[Dont know much about BDCs?
No worries.Learn about BDC reticles here.]
Even with simple 7.62×51 M80 ball ammunition, the rifle and scope provided impressive accuracy.
Primary Arms is known for its quality glass, and the GLx series does not disappoint.
I have seen comparable glass in optics that cost twice as much.
This is really important at extreme distance shooting.
I have also noticed a progressive increase in tube diameter in current scope production.
It also creates a more rigid and durable optic.
It also creates a larger and heavier optic as a down-side.
The GLx comes in at 29.6 oz., and that is no lightweight.
I get so focused and distracted when shooting I almost always forget to turn OFF the illuminated reticles.
Thus, I constantly have dead batteries with my illuminated scopes.
This basically translates to always on as far as I am concerned, and no dead battery surprises.
Basically, we have to decide if it is tough enough to justify the cost of a quality optic.
Well, that is easy enough to test.
My torture test starts with dropping it off my deck onto the ground from approximately 10.
I should mention we are in a drought and the ground is hard as rock.
The mechanisms in the reticle often break free, rendering the scope useless.
This GLx had no listed IPX rating, so it was a bit concerning if it would pass.
If the seal is broken, water typically will leak in but not always.
Then, the final test tossing it into the freezer for 30 minutes straight out of the hot tub.
It will also further test the seals and waterproofing by expansion of water in places it should not be.
Many optics that cost twice as much as the GLx have failed this test.
Having that small chevron in the center is critical for getting the smallest possible groups in my opinion.
Its hard to beat this for the price of $799.99.
