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Rifle Scopes steiner elevation knob Problem? (binding)

thejeep

thejeep

Psychosomatic Long Covid+
Full Member
Minuteman
    • Aug 30, 2008
    2,586
    2,345
    New York City
    #1
    Here is a copy of an email i sent to customer service this eve.

    Attn steiner warranty please foward to the correct folks. Thanks
    Just received a new steiner military 4-16x50. have a concern. when turning the elevation knob (CCW) each 0.1 mil click is easy to hear and feel on the way up requiring even pressure for each click. however on the way down( CW) it feels as if there is some degree of binding making it difficult to click each 0.1 mil click one at a time, and it will catch at different posistions during a revolution requiring different amounts of torque to turn the knob. This catch is very evident at the postions 14mils and 4mils on the knob requiring almost the same amount of force as the opening of a 20 oz coke or so (probably not that much but it is a far greater amount of torque required than any other click on the knob). I spoke to someone on the phone today who said it may remedy itself with use, or i could send it in at any time but i figured i would write this email so that other folks may read and comment. Let me know if the knob should break in and how many turns back and forth it may take before it can be assumed that there may be a problem if it does not correct itself.

    What do you guys think? problem or no? The windage knob is smooth in both directions.
     
    Last edited:
    #2
    That scope should be sent in. Print the repair authorization form off of the website and return that with your scope.

    PM would probably be better for this type of stuff but either way it should be sent in.
     
    #3
    Steiner Optics: Was just looking for an opinion from the masses. After i slept on it I figured it needed to go in too.

    Talked to customer service and they are sending me a shipping label. Should go out today.
     
    #5
    They sent you a shipping label! 1 up on Steiner. Been considering a Steiner because of their lifetime warranty(besides the quality). Good to know.
     
    #7
    Had it been several months and beyond in the life of the scope than yes customer pays for shipping, It is the standard, nothing more, nothing less. Though in "thejeeps" case where he just received a scope that should never have been shipped out, he should not have had to pay for shipping, which he didn't. Clearly Steiner realized that and sent him a label which is also fair. Glad to see how Steiner handled it.
     
    #8
    Sadly today I received a brand new replacement 4-16x50 millitary with yet another sticky turrent. Another email had to be sent
    Buris Optics/Steiner Warranty:
    Thankyou for evaluating and replacing my new steiner military 4-16x50 for the reasons listed below in previous communication (shown below this message). I received the new scope today and I must say that I am writing you to express further concern about the new scope and also voice some discontent with the whole process.

    1. Issue with new scope. Elevation turrent is sticky and mushy at 10mils during the time when the 2nd turn indicator is actuating. When turning both up and down it is difficult to click each individual .1mil click from say 9.4-10.1 mils. when tring to turn from 10 to 9.9 the turrent will skip from 9.9 and land on 9.5. I know this is a problem as the previous scope did not have this issue with the second turn indicator and i am requesting another shipping label for further evaluation. I am really wanting to like this scope and request if it is to be replaced again to make sure and test the new one you send back.

    2. Issue with shipping. When i bought the scope overnight shipping was included. That was june 16th. The scope was sent back to you on june 19th( the day after i received it). Today I received the new scope (again with problems) the date is july 10. That is almost 1 month since the day of purchase and I am still without a scope in propper working order making it the sh!ttest overnight shipping I have ever paid for. I hope in the period of far less than 1 month from tommorrow 7-11-13 that I will have a 100% functional scope in my hands and mounted to my rifle. Please send another shipping label.

    Thanks
    Peyton
     
    #9
    I had a windage turret come loose recently and called Steiner. Got a human right off the bat that explained the return process. I shipped it
    on7/5 and got an email today(7/19) with a tracking number for it on it's way back to me. Very pleased with that customer service on a 20 year old scope.
    Looked at a 4-16x50 on Wed, it will be my next purchase. I'll check the turrets before I buy it though.
    RonA
     
    #10
    all is well now got the number 3 scope in and at least visually and tactilely everything is up to snuff. only time will tell. hopefully after 3 tries they got it right.
    edit: not up to snuff see below
     
    Last edited:
    #11
    thejeep said:
    all is well now got the number 3 scope in and at least visually and tactilely everything is up to snuff. only time will tell. hopefully after 3 tries they got it right.
    Click to expand...

    I'm not implying there was nothing wrong with your previous scopes but I have found it to be common with many scopes that have some type of 2nd rev. indicator that at the transition between the revs some change in feel or resistance is normal. My Steiner 5-25 certainly exhibits additional stiffness at this location in its travel, and my S&B 5-25 as well but to a far lesser degree. Whatever internal mechanism is employed to actuate the indicator obviously comes into effect here. What you described about the force necessary to overcome the resistance to move does sound excessive, but some resistance at this point in the range is normal.

    Glad to hear Steiner is looking after you.
     
    Last edited:
    #12
    I had to chuckle a few minutes ago when my Steiner showed up from repair. I sent it out with a loose windage turret and when it cam back today it's locked solid. Looks like their service isn't as good as I hoped. Hopefully they won't pull a nightforce on me and tell me they'll give me a couple hundred trade in for a new $1600 scope.

    RonA
     
    #14
    thejeep said:
    I'm on my 2nd replacement scope (3rd total). and am laughing that they, knowing i had already received 2 f'd scopes and send me a 3rd that has been checked over by a manager soo they know its good, i receive 3rd scope and elevation turret hash marks do not line up with indicator line throughout the revolutions. sometimes the lines line up sometimes it falls in between. Maybe its too nitpicky, WTF!

    Hell i'm so tired of going to ups. I'm just going to box test it and if its good call it a day. I should just retitle this thread the goddang steiner bitching thread. Fnck a pair of dam binoculars, you couldn't give me nothing i mean nothing for me to spend my hard earned money on another goddam steiner the rest of my fucking life.

    OK so to surmise: To get one pos steiner thats worth a damn you have to take the positive attributes of 3 pos steiners just so you can have 1 scope that is worth your fucking time.

    scope 1: hash marks line up in all clicks, clicks are smooth through second turn indicator, however a fncking gorrilla is needed to turn the elevation knob past points of binding at 4.1 mil and 14.1 mils (from memory)

    scope 2: hash marks line up, clicks smooth through all elevation travel except, clicks mushy and sticky during the time of second turn indicator actuating.(wouldn't have been a big deal if it hadn't been smooth on the first one )Better than the 1st

    scope 3: clicks good, however turret lines do not line up with indication mark at all times. knob is not graduated the same as the click amount by a small amount, but never more than 0.05 mil off. Better than the rest but enough to piss me the fnck off, but probably one of those function over fashion issues. If it is functional i'm settling. Cause i sick and tired of mailling shiT.

    I feel better now, but seriously 3 fncking strikes.
    Click to expand...


    Seriously!! Is this your first ever scope with turrets??

    Sounds like whatever scope someone sends you, you would find fault with it, probably due to your own ignorance. I have S&B's that I could set the turret up to read between the graduations. None of them do because I'm not an idiot. Why don't you just loosen off the set screws and align the indications with the reference mark... problem solved! Or you can send it back to Steiner yet again.
    As for the 2nd. rev feeling slightly stiff as the detent engages, this is normal on many scopes. My Steiner 5-25 shows this same characteristic as well as my S&B 2-25 to a lesser degree.

    Kudo's to Steiner for dealing with customers like you in a professional and courteous manner.
     
    #15
    I just received my Steiner 3-12x56 from a hide member today in post. I have been nothing but flat out impressed with it. Pulled the turrets off, had a look on how everything worked and adjusted, and put them back on, hash marks line up right if you do it right and turrets are smooth with crisp clicks.


    You might be torquing the grub screws too tight if you are feeling a binding feeling in the turrets.
     
    #16
    Marcoman said:
    Seriously!! Is this your first ever scope with turrets??

    Sounds like whatever scope someone sends you, you would find fault with it, probably due to your own ignorance. I have S&B's that I could set the turret up to read between the graduations. None of them do because I'm not an idiot. Why don't you just loosen off the set screws and align the indications with the reference mark... problem solved! Or you can send it back to Steiner yet again.
    As for the 2nd. rev feeling slightly stiff as the detent engages, this is normal on many scopes. My Steiner 5-25 shows this same characteristic as well as my S&B 2-25 to a lesser degree.

    Kudo's to Steiner for dealing with customers like you in a professional and courteous manner.
    Click to expand...

    You may want to read the part where it says doesn't line up all the time. SURE YOU CAN LOSEN THE SET SCREWS AND MAKE THE HASH MARK LINE UP WITH SAY 3 MILS THEN BY THE TIME YOU GET TO 9 MILS OR SO IT IS FALLING IN BETWEEN THE LINES AGAIN. surely with an iq as high as yours you caught that.

    learn to read.

    You know what i did today. took my boys trout fishing. you know what i didn't have time for? sending a fucking pos scope back for the third gd time.

    If i am paying for something new it better be right the first time!
     
    #17
    thejeep said:
    You may want to read the part where it says doesn't line up all the time. SURE YOU CAN LOSEN THE SET SCREWS AND MAKE THE HASH MARK LINE UP WITH SAY 3 MILS THEN BY THE TIME YOU GET TO 9 MILS OR SO IT IS FALLING IN BETWEEN THE LINES AGAIN. surely with an iq as high as yours you caught that.

    learn to read.

    You know what i did today. took my boys trout fishing. you know what i didn't have time for? sending a fucking pos scope back for the third gd time.

    If i am paying for something new it better be right the first time!
    Click to expand...

    Attached are pictures of said turret. maybe i'm a dumbass. whatever. 18mils the hash is lined up. at 12.1 it ain't. which set screw should i adjust? or should i just take my pocket knife and scrape new lines? suggestions? MARCOMAN?? Shall i adjust the flux capacitor?

    I will say it is a nice scope other than this.

    Before I'm accused no i didn't take the pic one way then adjust the turret to make the lines off. Nor have i ever worked at the carnival.

    Yall take it easy.
     

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    #18
    thejeep said:
    Attached are pictures of said turret. maybe i'm a dumbass. whatever. 18mils the hash is lined up. at 12.1 it ain't. which set screw should i adjust? or should i just take my pocket knife and scrape new lines? suggestions? MARCOMAN?? Shall i adjust the flux capacitor?
    Click to expand...

    I'm willing to bet that if you could actually measure it you'd find that you are off by a very very small amount and as you turn the knob sooner or later it will line up. My 4-16 had the same problem if I wasn't careful when rezeroing it. I lined mine up at the 0.1 mil hash since the actual zero was slghtly off. You could try have someone hold the knob in place while you tighten both set screws just so you don't accidently move it slightly as you are tightening them down.
     
    #20
    Isn't the mil scale linear. so the clicks are evenly spaced. If the clicks and knobs were spaced appropriately, the hash would line up with the indicator every click or be off the same every click.
     
    #21
    The issue is with the engraving on the knob not the turret clicks. I have mailed you a package with not 1 not 2 but 5 new turrets. All were manufactured in different lots and engraved at different times. One is a "must work" as it came off of one of my personal scopes.

    I'm hoping that somehow somewhere in that package there is a turret cap that will work for you and that this will fix the issue with your scope and finally make you into at least a somewhat satisfied Steiner owner.

    Don't bother returning the unused turrets. They aren't cheap but certainly not worth dragging this out.
     
    #22
    Steiner Optics said:
    The issue is with the engraving on the knob not the turret clicks. I have mailed you a package with not 1 not 2 but 5 new turrets. All were manufactured in different lots and engraved at different times. One is a "must work" as it came off of one of my personal scopes.

    I'm hoping that somehow somewhere in that package there is a turret cap that will work for you and that this will fix the issue with your scope and finally make you into at least a somewhat satisfied Steiner owner.

    Don't bother returning the unused turrets. They aren't cheap but certainly not worth dragging this out.
    Click to expand...

    Wow... this is serious customer service. Kudos to the folks at Steiner.
     
    #23
    Steiner Optics said:
    The issue is with the engraving on the knob not the turret clicks. I have mailed you a package with not 1 not 2 but 5 new turrets. All were manufactured in different lots and engraved at different times. One is a "must work" as it came off of one of my personal scopes.

    I'm hoping that somehow somewhere in that package there is a turret cap that will work for you and that this will fix the issue with your scope and finally make you into at least a somewhat satisfied Steiner owner.

    Don't bother returning the unused turrets. They aren't cheap but certainly not worth dragging this out.
    Click to expand...

    And this is why Steiner rocks!
     
    #24
    Steiner Optics said:
    The issue is with the engraving on the knob not the turret clicks. I have mailed you a package with not 1 not 2 but 5 new turrets. All were manufactured in different lots and engraved at different times. One is a "must work" as it came off of one of my personal scopes.

    I'm hoping that somehow somewhere in that package there is a turret cap that will work for you and that this will fix the issue with your scope and finally make you into at least a somewhat satisfied Steiner owner.

    Don't bother returning the unused turrets. They aren't cheap but certainly not worth dragging this out.
    Click to expand...

    Thanks alot. I look forward to getting the scope mounted and going shooting.
     
    #25
    Steiner Optics said:
    The issue is with the engraving on the knob not the turret clicks. I have mailed you a package with not 1 not 2 but 5 new turrets. All were manufactured in different lots and engraved at different times. One is a "must work" as it came off of one of my personal scopes.

    I'm hoping that somehow somewhere in that package there is a turret cap that will work for you and that this will fix the issue with your scope and finally make you into at least a somewhat satisfied Steiner owner.

    Don't bother returning the unused turrets. They aren't cheap but certainly not worth dragging this out.
    Click to expand...

    Now that's service!
    ...and I WILL be getting a Stiener 5-25 for sure now...
     
    #26
    Steiner Optics said:
    The issue is with the engraving on the knob not the turret clicks. I have mailed you a package with not 1 not 2 but 5 new turrets. All were manufactured in different lots and engraved at different times. One is a "must work" as it came off of one of my personal scopes.

    I'm hoping that somehow somewhere in that package there is a turret cap that will work for you and that this will fix the issue with your scope and finally make you into at least a somewhat satisfied Steiner owner.

    Don't bother returning the unused turrets. They aren't cheap but certainly not worth dragging this out.
    Click to expand...

    :) Nice work.
     
    #27
    Steiner Optics said:
    The issue is with the engraving on the knob not the turret clicks. I have mailed you a package with not 1 not 2 but 5 new turrets. All were manufactured in different lots and engraved at different times. One is a "must work" as it came off of one of my personal scopes.

    I'm hoping that somehow somewhere in that package there is a turret cap that will work for you and that this will fix the issue with your scope and finally make you into at least a somewhat satisfied Steiner owner.

    Don't bother returning the unused turrets. They aren't cheap but certainly not worth dragging this out.
    Click to expand...

    You should be commended on your efforts to satisfy your customers. I own a 5-25 MSR myself and thus far am very pleased with it. Reading this has made me feel very assured as a customer that if I do have any issues with my optic someone will take a legitimate interest in trying to remedy the situation. Thanks on behalf of all owners of Steiner rifle scopes.
     
    #28
    Steiner Optics said:
    The issue is with the engraving on the knob not the turret clicks. I have mailed you a package with not 1 not 2 but 5 new turrets. All were manufactured in different lots and engraved at different times. One is a "must work" as it came off of one of my personal scopes.

    I'm hoping that somehow somewhere in that package there is a turret cap that will work for you and that this will fix the issue with your scope and finally make you into at least a somewhat satisfied Steiner owner.

    Don't bother returning the unused turrets. They aren't cheap but certainly not worth dragging this out.
    Click to expand...

    Received turrets. First one lined up. Now I have a great scope.
     
    #29
    I have this exact issue goin on with a 5356 3-12x56 i just received a couple days ago. Steiner said to send it in for service. 4-6wks turnaround. I called the place i bought the scope from, they had another in stock, that has exactly the same issue. After reading this post not looking forward to going through all this!
     
    #33
    HW1974 said:
    Thats BS I didn't read any disclaimer saying that it was a factory second when I bought mine! It's not uncommon to see 50% difference in prices on the net these days. Look at ammo!
    Click to expand...

    Well, I got it today and it's not second. Looks perfect and the knobs seem to be straight, although the elevation seems to be in-between some of the settings. Haven't had a chance to take of the turret and reposition, though. Also have the 50mm version coming, too. Just got the tracking.

    20131112_180601_zps79de5c15.jpg
     
    #34
    Well this is what mine looks like at 0 and 7 mils. I'm new to Steiner, had leupolds till now and all indications lined up on them. Sent an E-mail in to service at Steiner hopefully get it fixed up right the first time. Not about to go through the crap jeep did. Just sucks not being 100% with a first time purchase like this.

    IMG_0740.jpgIMG_0742.jpg
     
    #35
    I have the same problem with the one I just got, both elevation and windage fall between the lines. Not a big deal but for the money you pay for them this simple issues shouldn't even exist.

    HW1974 said:
    Well this is what mine looks like at 0 and 7 mils. I'm new to Steiner, had leupolds till now and all indications lined up on them. Sent an E-mail in to service at Steiner hopefully get it fixed up right the first time. Not about to go through the crap jeep did. Just sucks not being 100% with a first time purchase like this.

    View attachment 21125View attachment 21126
    Click to expand...
     
    #38
    Artifact said:
    I have the same problem with the one I just got, both elevation and windage fall between the lines. Not a big deal but for the money you pay for them this simple issues shouldn't even exist.
    Click to expand...

    My elevation is falling between the lines, too. What email did you send it to? I'd like to clear this up, too. I hope the other 2 I ordered don't have this problem.
     
    #40
    hmmm, seems the American versions (4x) are having a few problems... my 5-25 (German assembled) works great with no issues to date...


    And I'm not proud to point out that humble observation....
     
    #47
    Marcoman said:
    You should be commended on your efforts to satisfy your customers. I own a 5-25 MSR myself and thus far am very pleased with it. Reading this has made me feel very assured as a customer that if I do have any issues with my optic someone will take a legitimate interest in trying to remedy the situation. Thanks on behalf of all owners of Steiner rifle scopes.
    Click to expand...

    PM steiner optics here on the hide. He should be able to set you right.


    \
     
    #48
    Artifact said:
    That one says Tactical, mine Military....
    Click to expand...

    I believe that in another thread Steiner clarified that if it is a 4x 3-12 it is the same scope whether it says "Military" or "Tactical" as they once called them Military and now call them Tactical, but they are the same scope. The 5x scopes are now called "Military" and are made in Germany. 4x = made in USA.
     
    #50
    HW1974 said:
    I have this exact issue goin on with a 5356 3-12x56 i just received a couple days ago. Steiner said to send it in for service. 4-6wks turnaround. I called the place i bought the scope from, they had another in stock, that has exactly the same issue. After reading this post not looking forward to going through all this!
    Click to expand...

    thejeep said:
    PM steiner optics here on the hide. He should be able to set you right.


    \
    Click to expand...
    Did that a couple days ago no response as of yet, contacted Steiner service last night promptly emailed me back this morning to ship it back to them. About on track with your return so far.
     
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