Rifle Scopes SWFA 5-20x50 -how many versions ?

[acts238]

SWFA 5-20x50 -how many versions are there ?
I assumed there was only one -but reading some post seems to indicate there are more than one model of the 5-20
I'm not talking about the illumination feature

 

[redneckbmxer24]

I've never seen any revisions and they all come with the milquad reticle. So as far as I know the only variation is illuminated and non illuminated.

 

[HumbleEinstein]

I have also read that the later productions have fewer issues. I'm not sure if it's true but it makes sense.

 

[Kiba]

While the usability & features of the 5-20HD hasn't changed much there have been at least 2 production revisions I'm aware of.

The first batch had the parallax knob marked to 35Y on the bottom end and had 60 splines on the windage & elevation knobs causing minor alignment issues between the hash marks on the turrets compared to the marks on the scope body. With 100 marks on the knob but only 60 splines available to align the knobs the marks would usually not line up when you moved the knob to zero the scope.

The second batch had the parallax knob marked to 50Y on the bottom end and 100 splines on the knobs to fix the turret alignment issues.

It wasn't just the marking on the parallax knob that was different, the first version scopes could be in focus and parallax free at 20X closer than the second run versions. The 35Y and 50Y marks on the parallax knobs were pretty close to what the scopes were really capable of at 20X.

Can't say if there is a 3rd or 4th revision as I haven't owned a 5-20HD in a while, but I had 9 of the illuminated 5-20HD at one time and those were the distinct differences between the first run and second run models.

 

[acts238]

thanks - did you ever use the cat tails on them and if so -how well did they fit and work ?
both power and focus knobs are stiff and kinda hard to adjust while looking through the scope

 

[Voltron]

Kiba got you squared away with the changes made to the scope. I have a cattail on mine, and it makes a big difference being able to manipulate the mag ring. I'm going to buy cattails for all my scopes from here on out.

 

[Bender]

2. Illuminated and non.

 

[HumbleEinstein]

thanks - did you ever use the cat tails on them and if so -how well did they fit and work ?
both power and focus knobs are stiff and kinda hard to adjust while looking through the scope

I use the SWFA switch view lever and the parallax gripper in the link below on mine. They make a huge difference. IMO, they did a decent job making the parallax gripper but I think the price should be lower.

Parallax Gripper for SWFA 5-20X50HD

 

[Deleted member 10043]

I found the tight parallax knob can be fixed simply by moving it back and forth over three hundred times . It loosens up enough after that. I padded the knob put a pair of vice grips on it just tight enough to grip and just went back and forth until it loosened up. I don't know why they are so damn tight out of the box. It's ridiculous.