SWFA 3-9x42 mil-quad

J

justpassingthru

Sergeant of the Hide
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Apr 8, 2022
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#1
Not sure if there’s any interest on the hide for this scope but they are typically a unicorn. Great simple hunting scope

Looks like 4 units in stock as of now

swfa.com

SWFA 3-9x42 SS HD - MIL-Quad Reticle, 30mm Tube, .1 MIL Clicks, FFP

In sub-zero temperatures or searing desert heat (-50 degrees to +130 degrees Fahrenheit, and altitudes of 30,000 feet to depths of 15 feet in salt water) the waterproof, shockproof, fogproof SS performs. Whatever the weapon, from .223 to .50 BMG, the SS handles the recoil. Whatever the target...
swfa.com swfa.com


Use CYCLOPS for 10% off

Ordered a second one after being thoroughly impressed with the first from a few weeks ago. Turrets aren’t the most tactile feeling but the detents are still solid and it tracks true. By far the best money I’ve spent on a hunting scope in a long time.
 
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#3
Having had and used both the SWFA 3-9x42 and the Athlon Helos BTR Gen 2 2-12x42 extensively, the Athlon has the superior feature set. I should note that both scopes fit in the MVPO category making them ideal as DMR or Hunting type optics. They are perfect for 18" Barreled 5.56mm AR's, and short barreled hunting rigs (below 20" for example) , as are all the other scopes in the MVPO class.

Positives for the Athlon over the SWFA:

It has a better reticle (For large targets like game, steel plates and 2 legged varmints).
Illuminated Reticle
Wider field of View 55 ft @ 2x for the Athlon vs 33 ft @ 3x for the SWFA
Side Parallax Adjustment and adjustment down to 10 yds making it suitable for rimfires.
10 Mils per rotation vs 5 Mils for the SWFA
Zero Stop
Locking Turrets
Cheaper by about $200. or so depending of course on whether your a Leo or Mil or Veteran and/or time of year when sales are in full bloom. During those times there is little price difference to matter much.
From my perspective SWFA looks to be a declining enterprise, and it's long range viability is in some doubt.

Negatives for the Athlon compared to the SWFA:

The SWFA has finer reticle for target work. Though it must be said neither scope is designed for pure target work.
The SWFA is probably more rugged long term.
The SWFA is 5 oz lighter.
The SWFA has better eye relief 4.1" vs 3.6"
The SWFA use a 3x zoom range vs 6x in the Athlon. Some will say that this is simpler construction therefore better.
The SWFA is faster to the shot, as there is no side parallax you need to fiddle with ever.
The SWFA is not made in China.
 
Last edited:
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#5
st1650 said:
The SWFA survives the drop test, not the Athlon. And I say that as someone who owns 6 athlon scopes.
Click to expand...
What test?? And where is it?? I'm not saying your wrong but please provide the receipts.

Also note I said "The SWFA is probably more rugged long term."

So how many Helos BTR Gen2 2-12x42mm's have you broken??
 
#6
I never looked through the Athlon but the SWFA was very clear and easy to get behind, I was pleasantly surprised with the glass.

I don’t dial while hunting (eastern whitetail) so the 3-9 is prefect and the reticle is actually very usable on all but the lowest power at least for me.

It’s lightweight for a ffp scope. I actually like the simplicity of it, not too many bells and whistles.

I almost picked up the Credo 3-9 mil-square but this came in stock so decided to give it a try.
 
#8
BobinNC said:
What test?? And where is it?? I'm not saying your wrong but please provide the receipts.

Also note I said "The SWFA is probably more rugged long term."

So how many Helos BTR Gen2 2-12x42mm's have you broken??
Click to expand...
I wouldn’t trust a 2-12 Athlon either. Specs are all great, but I’ve seen some issues online for maintaining zero.

Athlon Helos BTR Gen2, 2-12x42mm Field Eval

This is a field evaluation of the Athlon Helos BTR Gen 2, 2-12x42mm scope. This scope was handed to me from from Ryan Avery for evaluation. It was sent to him from a forum member. The ammunition used was Hornady Black 168gr AMAX that was purchased by Ryan. The 20 round proof group was just over...
rokslide.com rokslide.com
 
#9
BobinNC said:
What test?? And where is it?? I'm not saying your wrong but please provide the receipts.

Also note I said "The SWFA is probably more rugged long term."

So how many Helos BTR Gen2 2-12x42mm's have you broken??
Click to expand...
They drop scopes on Rokslide from up to 36”… pretty much everything does not hold zero other than Trijicon , Maven rs1.2, Swfa and NF…
I’m sure the Athlon has nice features …… but it isn’t even in the same league as the SWFA 3x9 in maintaining 0

Also SWFA 3x9s are made in Japan
Athlons are made in Chynaaa
 
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#10
kkp005 said:
They drop scopes on Rokslide from up to 36”… pretty much everything does not hold zero other than Trijicon , Maven rs1.2, Swfa and NF…
I’m sure the Athlon has nice features …… but it isn’t even in the same league as the SWFA 3x9 in maintaining 0

Also SWFA 3x9s are made in Japan
Athlons are made in Chynaaa
Click to expand...
The Minox THLR also survived the drop test. I just got one for a very good price and will see how it does next fall. They’re massive tho. Pretty much as big as my DNT 7-35, just a bit lighter.
Also got a Maven 1.2 on the list for my lightweight 7SAW, will replace a Leica amplus6 2.5-15.
 
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#12
st1650 said:
The Minox THLR also survived the drop test. I just got one for a very good price and will see how it does next fall. They’re massive tho. Pretty much as big as my DNT 7-35, just a bit lighter.
Also got a Maven 1.2 on the list for my lightweight 7SAW, will replace a Leica amplus6 2.5-15.
Click to expand...
I also have a couple Maven 1.2 scopes. They have fantastic glass and the reticle is really good, it’s useable even on low power. Looking forward to trying them out at 1k yards this spring, they’re only 15x but there’s plenty for me
 
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#13
st1650 said:
The Minox THLR also survived the drop test. I just got one for a very good price and will see how it does next fall. They’re massive tho. Pretty much as big as my DNT 7-35, just a bit lighter.
Also got a Maven 1.2 on the list for my lightweight 7SAW, will replace a Leica amplus6 2.5-15.
Click to expand...
Any issues with the Leica Amplus? I know they haven’t done any drop test on them but wanted to hear if anyone has had firsthand issues
 
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#14
kkp005 said:
Any issues with the Leica Amplus? I know they haven’t done any drop test on them but wanted to hear if anyone has had firsthand issues
Click to expand...
Zero whatsoever and it’s been bounced around the ATV quite a bit.
I bought it on clearance last year and it’s the MOA version and everything else I run is mil. I’d prefer FFP although it’s not a huge deal breaker for a hunting build.
 
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#15
bmicek said:
I wouldn’t trust a 2-12 Athlon either. Specs are all great, but I’ve seen some issues online for maintaining zero.

Athlon Helos BTR Gen2, 2-12x42mm Field Eval

This is a field evaluation of the Athlon Helos BTR Gen 2, 2-12x42mm scope. This scope was handed to me from from Ryan Avery for evaluation. It was sent to him from a forum member. The ammunition used was Hornady Black 168gr AMAX that was purchased by Ryan. The 20 round proof group was just over...
rokslide.com rokslide.com
Click to expand...
I’d pay attention to Castle Rock and his findings. He probably has more rounds through his setup and a ton more time bouncing around in a vehicle in the bush than anybody else. Granted he hasn’t fallen down a mountain 11 times on the way in and during a hunt and then another 32 times with a full pack load on the way out during the 3 trips of meat like the sliders claim and that’s just in one state on one hunt.

ETA: I have multiple 3-9 Super Chickens and 1 Helos 2-12 and haven’t had an issue with any of them. They’ve all bounced around on the farm but my Helos has taken more abuse because it’s on a 223 that I shoot almost exclusively. Shitty roads in a 3/4 ton pickup and a 6 wheel gator almost weekly for multiple days per week during that timefrom May through January. I wish it had better glass for shitty rainy overcast last light performance but other than that I can’t complain.
 
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#16
BobinNC said:
Having had and used both the SWFA 3-9x42 and the Athlon Helos BTR Gen 2 2-12x42 extensively, the Athlon has the superior feature set. I should note that both scopes fit in the MVPO category making them ideal as DMR or Hunting type optics. They are perfect for 18" Barreled 5.56mm AR's, and short barreled hunting rigs (below 20" for example) , as are all the other scopes in the MVPO class.

Positives for the Athlon over the SWFA:

It has a better reticle (For large targets like game, steel plates and 2 legged varmints).
Illuminated Reticle
Wider field of View 55 ft @ 2x for the Athlon vs 33 ft @ 3x for the SWFA
Side Parallax Adjustment and adjustment down to 10 yds making it suitable for rimfires.
10 Mils per rotation vs 5 Mils for the SWFA
Zero Stop
Locking Turrets
Cheaper by about $200. or so depending of course on whether your a Leo or Mil or Veteran and/or time of year when sales are in full bloom. During those times there is little price difference to matter much.
From my perspective SWFA looks to be a declining enterprise, and it's long range viability is in some doubt.

Negatives for the Athlon compared to the SWFA:

The SWFA has finer reticle for target work. Though it must be said neither scope is designed for pure target work.
The SWFA is probably more rugged long term.
The SWFA is 5 oz lighter.
The SWFA has better eye relief 4.1" vs 3.6"
The SWFA use a 3x zoom range vs 6x in the Athlon. Some will say that this is simpler construction therefore better.
The SWFA is faster to the shot, as there is no side parallax you need to fiddle with ever.
The SWFA is not made in China.
Click to expand...
I wouldn’t call them negatives, just trade offs. The SWFA is just a straightforward, no-frills scope.
 
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