Primary Arms may have come out with the perfect 22lr scope. It’s their SLx 1-6x24 with a second focal plane ACSS 22lr reticle. Since there are so many 10/22’s and AR22’s around, the 1-6 seemed like a great all around optic for these platforms.
The SLx 1-6 has a lot of features packed into a $290 scope. First up is the 1-6x power. The 1x lets you use the scope like it was a red dot or pism, more like a circle dot style because of the ACSS reticle. Is it a true 1x like a red dot? Not really, It’s pretty darn close. Anything closer than 10 yards is ever so slightly magnified. Not enough to cause any weird problems, just a little noticeable at close ranges. The 1x didn’t cause any problems for me shooting with both eyes open. The 6x will let you see targets farther away. The 6x is fine for certain targets and gives a good magnification, especially if you aren’t looking for precision shooting. In typical 1-6x fashion, the SLx uses a 30mm tube and a 24mm objective lens. It also uses ½ MOA click adjustments for windage and elevation. The clicks are nice and audible with decent detents stopping them.
Where the SLx 1-6 really shines, is the ACSS 22lr reticle. This reticle is a horse shoe style with a center aiming dot. At 6x, the reticle has a 1 MOA dot and the outer part of the horseshoe is 8.6 MOA. The reticle also has ranging and a Bullet Drop Compensator (BDC). The BDC is calculated to work at 6x, since the SLx is a Second Focal Plane (SFP) reticle. The reticle therefore stays the same size throughout the magnification range. Just zero your 22lr at 25 or 50 yards using the center dot. Then the BDC has marks at 100, 125, 150, 175, and 200yds. It also has 5 MPH wind, or moving target, holds at the respective ranges. These holds are just an estimation and really depend on the ammunition used. I found they were a little off, even with some pretty fast 22lr ammunition. Just try them out first, so you know about where they shoot with your ammo. One can also “true” the scope to the ammo you use, which I haven’t done yet, but will be. Primary Arms can help you with this if you can’t figure it out, they have great tech support. The reticle and BDC can also be illuminated red. There is a brightness knob on the left side of the scope. This knob also houses the CR2032 battery. There are eleven brightness settings, including ones that can be seen in bright sunny daylight. The clicks on the brightness knob are pretty good, you can definitely feel each brightness setting as you turn to them. Off to the right of the reticle, is a ranging bar, which is also calibrated to the 6x magnification setting. It, however, does not illuminate, but It does let you range objects like cans, bottles, clay pigeons, and even small varmints.
I’ve found a few things I really like about the SLx 1-6, and a couple I don’t care for. The optic is really clear and bright, especially for the price. But, it also has very unforgiving eye relief. Yes the eye relief at 1x isn’t bad, but at 6x, it really gets limiting. At 6x, it can get fuzzy around the edge if you are not in the perfect eye relief spot. I like the size of the power adjustment knob. It even has a little bump to help aid in turning. But, the knob is pretty stiff, which makes it hard to use. I would like to see a larger bump, or maybe a removable lever that goes on the adjustment knob, to make turning it easier and quicker. The SLx 1-6 also weighs in at a little over a pound, which isn’t bad, but since it’s a dedicated 22lr scope, I’d like it a little lighter. One of the coolest features, in this Primary Arms optic line, is the extra battery storage in the windage adjustment cap. It even comes with an extra 2032 already in the cap!
For a plinking or fast hunting scope, the Primary Arms SLx 1-6x 22lr is great. Yes, it has a few slight downfalls, but nothing that can’t be overlooked for the price. I really liked the clarity and the ACSS 22lr reticle. The center dot and horse shoe make using the SLx 1-6 extremely fast. Also, the BDC reticle can be useful for quick target changes. The Primary Arms SLX 1-6 is a decent scope that fits my criteria for a fast 22lr optic. Go check out the SLx line of optics at Primary Arms, they are good little optic for the price.
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame:
1-6 optic with .22lr ACSS reticle
Target Market:
Those wanting a low power variable optic, with BDC drops, for a 22lr
FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):
Second focal plane ACSS reticle designed for .22LR
Red illumination with 11 brightness settings
BDC accurate at 6x magnification
1-6x total magnification
Uses one CR2032 battery
Single piece 6063 aluminum construction
Hardcoat anodized matte black finish
Fully multi coated lenses
1/2 MOA adjustments
Extra battery holder in windage cap
Eye Relief: Low: 3.50 in / High: 3.30
Field View - Low: 110.00 ft / High: 19.30 ft
Objective Diameter: 24mm
Tube Diameter: 30mm
Weight: 16.9 Oz
Comes with Flip-up lens covers
Lifetime warranty
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
None
What others are saying?:
5 out of 5 stars @PrimaryArms
MY NEW FAVORITE 22LR SCOPE
This is by far the best 22LR Scope I've put on my S&W M&P 15-22 and I've played around with some very nice Optics on my rifle including night vision. Primary Arms makes the only scope that I know of with this much Ballistic Data for a 22LR Rifle and once you have it sighted in all the hold over dots are right on the money. It really makes shooting different size targets out to 200 yards so easy. The glass in this scope is so crystal clear and it's something you normally only find in optics at a much higher price point. The # 10 - 11 power settings are very bright and it's easy to see that red reticle in the heaviest of sunlight but you really don't even need it as everything is etched in the glass when the power is off and it's just as easy to see. To put it simply, if you're like me and bought a .22lr Rifle just to have fun with and you don't have the Primary Arms SLx 1-6x24mm SFP Rifle Scope Gen III - Illuminated ACSS-22LR then you're really missing out.
Link to other reviews:
As of writing, nothing was found on the Gen III
Price point:
MSRP = $289.99
Retail = Same
I need it now! Availability:
Our Rating:
Pros:
Full illuminated reticle
Daylight bright
Clear, especially for $290
Hold over marks
Extra battery holder in elevation cap
Cons:
Battery Life, yes I left it on and it doesn’t have “AutoLive”
Second Focal Plane
Eye relief is a little limiting
Score: 7.50 Good
Favorite Link: Walker Defense
