Rifle Scopes TPS Rings vs Seekins - First Impression.

[Elite_KG]

Well I waited on TPS rings for about a month and got really impatient. I decided to give the more expensive Seekins a try since SWFA had them in stock.
The rings arrived to day and my initial thought was the Seekins are considerably larger overall for the same height ring than the TPS. The size is not an issue as it may provide a more stable platform for the scope.
I'm not real impressed with the finish on the Seekins rings. The finish is like a chaulky powder coat that shows any handling or tool marks. They wont look very good in 6 months. TPS has a more uniform low gloss smooth finish. More like a low gloss blued appearance. The ones I have had for 2+ years look new.
The Seekins rings are less likely to snag on anything with the rail mounting twin torx screws tucked under the rings diameter,2 while the TPS has a 7/16 nut portruding out beyond the ring diameter.

Overall the Seekins is possibly "beefier" due to size alone and snag less, but if performance proves the same between the two I still prefer the TPS. I prefer the hex bolt over twin torx screws for rail mounting and I prefer the TPS finish. As of now I don't see the 35 dollar increased price value of Seekins over TPS.

Two good sets of rings and I'm sure some other may find the info helpful before making that final purchase decision.

 

[Mike]

If you think the TPS rings are remotely close to the quality of the Seekins you're on the right drugs. First, I think TPS are crap and there have been countless problems with TPS rings. Sure, everyone has a "I've had them for years with no problems" story but you'll find a lot less issues with Seekins rings. They work and work well and Glen stands behind his work.
And I'm not sure about the cosmetic issue you're talking about and really don't understand the relevance unless you're building a safe queen. Go with what works and works well. You couldn't give me TPS rings.

 

[Elite_KG]

Well chief, everyone is entitled to their opinions. No safe queen, but if the finish looks like its been dragged through gravel from normal use, the I believe there are better finish options. Time will tell in that regard.

So what are your personal major problems using TPS rings? And better have some good ones because there's no way to tell from a side by side visual comparison. I think the fact you know "Glen" by name (or at least portray a first hand connection) may impose some bias.

Again, I could care less about some spouts of negativity on both products as I'm sure they exist on just about any product on the web. Both have positive reviews as well. I mean they are always sold out; bunch of long range shooting drug users out there by your account.
I will be judging them first hand for myself. Remember, each has an opinion, but if you want to rant on about your shitty opinion of TPS rings start your own bashing thread. I would be interested in hearing your first hand experiences with TPS if you have those.

 

[Early Cuyler]

Seekins is a far superior product quality wise and I would put their rings up against anyone's. The fact that Mike knows Glen by name is not necessarily because they're friends, but because Glen is a forum sponsor.

Mike is also dead on when he says Glen stands behind his product. When I ordered my S&B I got a set of his rings. I mounted it on the rifle and when clamping the rings to the scope base, I had a bout of sudden dyslexia and read 65 in-lbs rather than the recommended 55 in-lbs. I snapped the screw and my heart sank. After an email I sent them back and he sent me a new set! Even though it was my fuckup, he went above and beyond. He also made me a customer for life!

Also as for the finish, while I don't batter my rifles, I don't baby them. The finish has held up well on my rings for over a year!

 

[Rob01]

If you have a problem with Seekins rings then contact Glen and he will make it right. Like Mike I wouldn't use a set of TPS rings. Too many problems over the years reported. If I was given a set I would sell them and buy some Seekins.

And you will notice I said Glen as well. That's because I have known Glen since before there was a Seekins Precision and consider him a close friend. Have hung out and shot matches with him and he is a man of the highest caliber and a perfectionist when it comes to his products. You have a problem then contact him. Anyone can have a bad egg but it's not the norm by any means. Glen is on this site as Glen Seekins. Here is his profile with contact info
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/members/glen-seekins.html

Not sure what troubles you see but there are no problems with the many sets of Seekins I have. Lets see pics of the problems.

 

[Artifact]

I don't have Seekins rings but I have other AR parts, not really impressed for what you pay for them. People need to justify their purchases having a herd like mentality with most people claiming to have a particular favorite product that they have never physically touched.

However have two TPS mounts, both alloy steel and aircraft aluminum and I am impressed by their quality. Again this is my opinion and experience.

 

[Elite_KG]

Thanks for the polite and point full response, "Early". I have heard Seekins was a great product and gave little reservation in trying them. I won't baby them and will be curious to see how they look after a year or so. I am pretty anal, hence precision shooting, so the fact that the finish is unlike a parkerized, blued or epoxy coated it doesn't compliment all the other components; just odd.
With that said, I am still satisfied thus far and will try them out. Glad to hear they have a great following.
I don't have any first hand issue with Seekins and didn't reference any. It was mentioned earlier that some reports exists.

 

[Mike]

Well chief, everyone is entitled to their opinions. No safe queen, but if the finish looks like its been dragged through gravel from normal use, the I believe there are better finish options. Time will tell in that regard.

Chief is usually capitalized, and how did you know I am a former Chief, did you peek at my DD214? Again, if your finish looks like shit and you're unhappy with them (assuming you bought them new) then maybe swap them out. I am still at a lost as to what the finish has to do with anything except vanity.

So what are your personal major problems using TPS rings? And better have some good ones because there's no way to tell from a side by side visual comparison. I think the fact you know "Glen" by name (or at least portray a first hand connection) may impose some bias.

You're setting a fine example by ASSuming. I call Glen by his first name because that's his first name. In fact, to show how I am not bias (and Mr. Seekins) will be the first to back this up is I was a MAJOR detractor of Seekins rings from previous experience however Mr. Seekins and I discussed it and he went above and beyond what he needed to do to resolve it. But to think we're off holding hands behind the woodshed because I called him "Glen" is ignorant at best. My "major" problems are they are prone to breakage, or rather have broke more than what an acceptable failure rate should be for a metal product. They seem to be machined by either a idiot or a chimpanzee as I've never seen a set that hasn't needed a copious amount of lapping. There's no way to tell side by side? That makes sense...NOT. Just like there's no way to tell a Yugo is a POS by looking at it the negative remarks comes from EXPERIENCE not what I read on the internet.

Again, I could care less about some spouts of negativity on both products as I'm sure they exist on just about any product on the web. Both have positive reviews as well. I mean they are always sold out; bunch of long range shooting drug users out there by your account.

YOU may not care but there may be others who see the "warnings" and rethink their decision. This isn't about you, it's about learning from others. You know what else are always sold out? Countersniper scopes. I guess they must be top of the line because they're always sold out too? I didn't say every pair was a POS but as I previously stated there issues seem to occur more frequently than other manufacturers of like products. News Flash, not everyone knows what they're doing or dealing with. I will say this. I have yet to see a top tier shooter (either civilian or military) that are using TPS rings. Hmm, what does THAT tell you?

I will be judging them first hand for myself. Remember, each has an opinion, but if you want to rant on about your shitty opinion of TPS rings start your own bashing thread. I would be interested in hearing your first hand experiences with TPS if you have those.

Good for you, judge for yourself, I hope they last you a long time. But remember this, I will rant wherever and whenever I want as long as it's pertinent to the subject matter. If you don't like hearing a disparaging opinion, you're more than welcome not to post.

Again, when I speak it's from experience not what all the cool kids on the internet parroted.

 

[Early Cuyler]

Well whenever you mix/match parts like rings, scopes, scope bases, actions, etc. each item is gonna have a slightly different shade/hue even if they're all black/fde/odg. I had a buddy buy a FDE 5-25x56 S&B, FDE rings (don't remember which make), and FDE Barrett. None of the colors matched exactly and the only way to do so is to have the whole package coated.

If it matters that much to you (I want my stuff to look as good as it shoots too), get it coated. It'll only be the way to get everything the exact same.

 

[Artifact]

OP, both companies make good products, you wont go wrong with either.

 

[Rob01]

I don't have Seekins rings but I have other AR parts, not really impressed for what you pay for them. People need to justify their purchases having a herd like mentality with most people claiming to have a particular favorite product that they have never physically touched.

However have two TPS mounts, both alloy steel and aircraft aluminum and I am impressed by their quality. Again this is my opinion and experience.

Not justifying anything as i don't need to and I was using them before people even heard of them so no herd mentality. Could the same be said for your justifying your TPS purchase? Just joining the herd?

 

[bhoges]

I have a few sets of TPS rings going back a few years now. Ive heard about their poor customer service thats true. At the same time I think for the price they are a great buy. Sure their not Mil Spec but you get what you pay for.

 

[lazy21]

Rob, thats a nice SAFE queen

 

[lazy21]

I'll take a set of Seekins any day

 

[Longshot38]

I have both TPS and Seekins rings. Of the two I find the Seekins a better product. But that is not to say the TPS is inadequate. Hell my TPS rings sit on my 338 and hold my Premier and have done so without any issue since the day I took possession of the rifle. So for those that enjoy their Seekins products, I say good, you have a fine product that is fully supported by the manufacturer. And for the TPS haters out there I am sorry for your past difficulties that have caused such an opinion but I have no issue with TPS and would trust them to do their job on any optic.

And Rob that is a nice safe queen. Which S&B is that, the 5-25?

 

[Elite_KG]

Well "Chief Mikey", didn't come for an English lesson nor did I think the likes of such had its place in informal written communication of an Internet forum. Thanks nonetheless.
I figured as much. You must be some wanna-be hard ass that jacks his shit all around caring singlely about the end result by any means. I will not concede this is an affair of vanity, but rather pride as I take pride in projects and practices that I labor countless hours on by my own hand. If you and others don't give a damn about well kept equipment, overall appearance included to some extent, that's fine. Critical of what others that do is more indication of "herd" behavior anyway. I am somewhat annoyed by the level of immaturity lack of decency; yet not surprised the least. It is borderline amusing and laughable to read the original post and watch the immediate transgression. Some yet will always show their "ASS" so to speak. Intent only to reproach a posting instead of bringing experience base content in a manner that doesn't pass as offensive or critical.
Big bad guy so self confident and self assured to "say whatever, whenever he wants", with a keen micrometer eye that can dissern measurment to the fractional thousanth of and inch at a passing glance. A regular tactical super hero who looks to other to dictate what he should so or equpment he should use. I'm quite impressed.
One thing you mentioned has some good founded truth, " you're more than welcome not to post." And believe me after this pitiful and pathetic experience offering up my first hand impressions I am likely not to waste my fucking time.
There's a lot of good information once you sift thorough the bullshit, but with responders such as Chief Jackass, a true treasure i might add, I will limit my future forward participation, if at all.

 

[kala_azar]

Still waiting patiently for some pics of these terrible Seekins rings, or at least a better description.

I have both TPS and Seekins. Never had a problem with either, but for my money the Seekins are far superior.

 

[oldfatguy]

Have one pair of TPS and a few pairs of Badger rings. Never had a problem with any of them. I'm sure Seekins are gtg as well and seem to enjoy an excellent reputation for product and CS.

OFG

 

[Mike]

Well "Chief Mikey", didn't come for an English lesson nor did I think the likes of such had its place in informal written communication of an Internet forum. Thanks nonetheless.

Of course Special Ed, you didn't come here for an English lesson. Nor did you come here for any joviality as it's obvious you're wound up tighter than a snare drum. I guess when you make a bad decision and feel you have to defend your poor choice, one tends to stress to the point completely slipping into a total jack ass.

I figured as much. You must be some wanna-be hard ass that jacks his shit all around caring singlely about the end result by any means. I will not concede this is an affair of vanity, but rather pride as I take pride in projects and practices that I labor countless hours on by my own hand. If you and others don't give a damn about well kept equipment, overall appearance included to some extent, that's fine. Critical of what others that do is more indication of "herd" behavior anyway.

it's obvious here you don't have the first clue as to what you're talking about and this is apparent by another erroneous ASSumption that anyone who uses their equipment as the tools they're designed for yearns for nothing more than to "jack his shit all around". Taking care of one's equipment has ZERO to do with whether the rings have an acceptable texture or finish. My only concern is do they hold the scope well and do their job. The appearance of the rings have NOTHING to do with your labor of countless hours, it's the finish on a scope ring. So yes, you're little whining about the finish of the ring betrays that looks are important to you and on your safe queen.

I am somewhat annoyed by the level of immaturity lack of decency; yet not surprised the least. It is borderline amusing and laughable to read the original post and watch the immediate transgression. Some yet will always show their "ASS" so to speak. Intent only to reproach a posting instead of bringing experience base content in a manner that doesn't pass as offensive or critical.

You're idiocy makes me laugh "Experience base content". Everything I share on this forum comes from experience. Having TPS rings break on me is my experience. What is yours? It sounds like nothing. We are still waiting on pictures showing us the differences.

Big bad guy so self confident and self assured to "say whatever, whenever he wants", with a keen micrometer eye that can dissern measurment to the fractional thousanth of and inch at a passing glance. A regular tactical super hero who looks to other to dictate what he should so or equpment he should use. I'm quite impressed.

The fact that you even make this statement exposes that you do not know why one would lap a scope ring. The discovery of a ring in need of lapping is not presented by holding it up to the light with a critical eye, it comes from using a tool correctly.

One thing you mentioned has some good founded truth, " you're more than welcome not to post." And believe me after this pitiful and pathetic experience offering up my first hand impressions I am likely not to waste my fucking time.
There's a lot of good information once you sift thorough the bullshit, but with responders such as Chief Jackass, a true treasure i might add, I will limit my future forward participation, if at all.

So we can count on the lack of your participation in the future? Excellent, I'll make sure to monitor your posts lest you be proven a hypocrite.

 

[cpt.creedmoor]

all I can think of is our old buddy NOBODY and his little saying..."some people shoot and others talk about shooting, never hard to cypher who's who"

 

[Willyz_54]

Well, this is one for the archives, right between the scratched NightForce thread and how to evade a sniper thread. Thanks for the wealth of knowledge OP. And just remember, "Chief Mikey" and Capt. Creedmoor cannot be heard over how awesome you are.

 

[VJJPunisher]

I wouldnt use a set of shit TPS rings to hold a toilet papet roll , this guy is running on full retard

 

[BobinNC]

I somehow don't believe our Special_Kupcake G is going to be with us much longer. Enjoy your vacation son...

 

[Jester308]

Are those shit Seekins 34mm Lows? If so cut your loses, keep the TPS and send them to me, I'll even cover the postage....

JJ

 

[ashiha]

I'll take a set of Seekins any day

You have more money in scopes than some have invested in their house. Rock on.

 

[Ultraman550]

Ok so on a brighter note are the Vortex rings made by seeking? I have a pair of Vortex rings and the machining on them is beautiful.

 

[BobinNC]

Ok so on a brighter note are the Vortex rings made by seeking? I have a pair of Vortex rings and the machining on them is beautiful.

Yes, Vortex Precision Matched Rings are made for Vortex by Seekins Precision. Specifically these Vortex Optics - Precision Matched Rings-30mm Low Also the 34mm and 35mm Precision Matched Models. There are other rings marketed by Vortex that are not made by Seekins Precison.

 

[bjay]

Couple days ago i sold here a seekins 6/4 rings.IMO bulkyness made me think its made like a tank..proboably? Got me 6screws ultralight NF.i take the nf anyday seekins too bulky for my taste.. i do use tps too theyre not crap but also not as solid as seekins

 

[redirt78]

Well, this is one for the archives, right between the scratched NightForce thread and how to evade a sniper thread. Thanks for the wealth of knowledge OP. And just remember, "Chief Mikey" and Capt. Creedmoor cannot be heard over how awesome you are.

Ah yes, the old scratched NF thread and Pvt. Snowflake... Don't forget the "Assault and Overwatch" thread with the NCStar scope mounted with one scope ring on the Mini 14. Or even better, the "Fighting Knife, wood vs steel" debacle and "Did that bush just move?"... Not to mention all the Red Jacket threads. Good times

 

[VJJPunisher]

<a href="http://s767.photobucket.com/user/jayjaypunisher/media/TAMING-Fleshlight_zps269a79b2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i767.photobucket.com/albums/xx319/jayjaypunisher/TAMING-Fleshlight_zps269a79b2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo TAMING-Fleshlight_zps269a79b2.jpg"/></a>

 

[Elite_KG]

Re-reading the original post will serve the confusion of many. I have never stated to have a problem with Seekins. I only stated a preference. As I said the both are fine. I have a preference at this time from my first impression. It's that simple.

 

[The_FNG]

<a href="http://s767.photobucket.com/user/jayjaypunisher/media/TAMING-Fleshlight_zps269a79b2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i767.photobucket.com/albums/xx319/jayjaypunisher/TAMING-Fleshlight_zps269a79b2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo TAMING-Fleshlight_zps269a79b2.jpg"/></a>

Do Seekins make rings to suit?

 

[JLR]

OP, have you tried to contact Seekins about the finish of the rings you received? Give Glen or Shiloah a call at the office and see what they have to say. It could be that you got a set that made it past inspection with a bad finish.....stuff like that happens occasionally. As far as quality and strength goes, I've used TPS, Nightforce and Seekins rings. Although most of the TPS rings have worked out fine, some were garbage, where as I've never had a bad set of Nightforce or Seekins.

 

[kombayotch]

Do Seekins make rings to suit?

Mount for the bayonet lug would be more appropriate...

 

[Philt1]

I cant say anything bad about TPS rings as they have done there job in MY experience with them BUT I AM running seekins on my NF now , I agree that seekins is a superior ring no doubt but u get what u pay for .