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Sightron S III PLR 8x32x56 Issue

There is another thread on this from July 2021. But I figured I would post this and hopefully give someone a heads up.
Guys I bought a Sightron PLR 8-32 x56 SIII with illuminated reticle about a year ago and mounted it on my AR 10 - 308. Yeah it’s overkill. I should have done the 6-24 but there’s no telling what any of my scopes will end up on and I like a 56mm objective. Plus I already had that legacy model. I mounted it in a Warne one piece mount. Verified torque free with my lapping bar. I mount quite a few scopes and have the right tools to do the job. This particular rifle hasn’t seen much use and stays in a heavily padded case. Last time out I noticed a couple of much larger than normal groups. I didn’t get much time to check things over but that is very uncharacteristic of this rifle. It will flat out shoot when I do my part.
I took the rifle out today to see if I had a repeat and inspected all of the knobs while looking through the scope. When I turned the diopter, the entire ocular portion behind the power ring had play in it. To the point that the crosshair moved freely all over the target.
I called Sightron and told the lady that answered what was going on. She apologized. I told her no need for that, things happen. I asked if they had seen that issue and she said they had. That it is an issue they have addressed and corrected. To just please send it in and they would fix it and get it right back out to me. Fair enough. I met a few of the Sightron folks years ago at a dealer show. Being in North Carolina they are basically local. My dealings with them have always been with an actual person on the other end of the line. No button pressing, which is nice. They have always treated me right.
Please don’t take any of this post as a slight on Sightron. It’s not intended that way. Their PLR S3 with illumination and zero stop has definitely been a step up from my older illuminated S3. The glass on both is very good. But the enhanced, more visible controls help tremendously.
If you have one of the newer Sightrons, it might pay you to check and see if there is any play in the ocular cylinder or bell from the power ring back. Just grab the diopter adjustment ring and carefully try to wiggle it. It will be quite evident if there’s a problem as it will be loose and very easy to wiggle. If so, give them a call. It has a Lifetime Warranty.
 
There is another thread on this from July 2021. But I figured I would post this and hopefully give someone a heads up.
Guys I bought a Sightron PLR 8-32 x56 SIII with illuminated reticle about a year ago and mounted it on my AR 10 - 308. Yeah it’s overkill. I should have done the 6-24 but there’s no telling what any of my scopes will end up on and I like a 56mm objective. Plus I already had that legacy model. I mounted it in a Warne one piece mount. Verified torque free with my lapping bar. I mount quite a few scopes and have the right tools to do the job. This particular rifle hasn’t seen much use and stays in a heavily padded case. Last time out I noticed a couple of much larger than normal groups. I didn’t get much time to check things over but that is very uncharacteristic of this rifle. It will flat out shoot when I do my part.
I took the rifle out today to see if I had a repeat and inspected all of the knobs while looking through the scope. When I turned the diopter, the entire ocular portion behind the power ring had play in it. To the point that the crosshair moved freely all over the target.
I called Sightron and told the lady that answered what was going on. She apologized. I told her no need for that, things happen. I asked if they had seen that issue and she said they had. That it is an issue they have addressed and corrected. To just please send it in and they would fix it and get it right back out to me. Fair enough. I met a few of the Sightron folks years ago at a dealer show. Being in North Carolina they are basically local. My dealings with them have always been with an actual person on the other end of the line. No button pressing, which is nice. They have always treated me right.
Please don’t take any of this post as a slight on Sightron. It’s not intended that way. Their PLR S3 with illumination and zero stop has definitely been a step up from my older illuminated S3. The glass on both is very good. But the enhanced, more visible controls help tremendously.
If you have one of the newer Sightrons, it might pay you to check and see if there is any play in the ocular cylinder or bell from the power ring back. Just grab the diopter adjustment ring and carefully try to wiggle it. It will be quite evident if there’s a problem as it will be loose and very easy to wiggle. If so, give them a call. It has a Lifetime Warranty.
Thanks for the heads up!
 
I had an issue with one of mine, another model. Sent it in and they sent me a brand new one!!!. I own 4 sightrons and will buy more.
 
I had an issue with one of mine, another model. Sent it in and they sent me a brand new one!!!. I own 4 sightrons and will buy more.
I bought 1 of their S TACs 2.5 x 17.5 x 56 with mil hash reticle several years ago at a dealer show. Great reticle and power for hunting. When I would adjust parallax, the crosshair would move up and down, a lot. I called and sent it in. Meanwhile they had discontinued the model. So I get a call from them saying that and they asked what model I wanted to replace it. 8 x 32 x 56 illuminated reticle S III I said, fully prepared to pay the difference. They sent it and it didn’t cost me a dime.
I hunt with mine and it seems with many of the companies these days some of their models illuminate the entire reticle. It’ll twilight blind you. (Trigicons tritium accu point scope is very good by the way.). I have one on a 6.5 Grendel But it’s time for the tritium to be replaced. It’s Just not the best longe range option. So I use the MOA 2 with the illuminated dot. I do wish I could get their mil hash reticle where it would only light the center or put tighter hashes or marks on the MOA 2.
i like a good warranty. My 1989 Kahles straight 8 x56 has been to Austria twice. Once because a “gunsmith”, term generously applied stripped my turrets trying to bore sight it And it wouldn’t hold zero. A very Moron thing to do And I know a thing or two about moron. Kahles fixed it free of charge. 25 years later it lost its gas charge. They fixed it on their dime again. Even though it’s beat up to the point you need a Tetanus shot to handle it.
 
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Just a follow up but I called Sightron and an actual person answered the phone. She told me to send it in with a note. I sent my scope just over a week ago to them because the ocular bell was loose. It came back 2 days ago fixed and lenses clean ready to go. Not bad for turnaround time.
 
Sounds like you've had a run of bad luck.
I've owned 4 Sightron's and never had an issue with one.
 
I’ve always had the ability to find the lemon. I could probably buy a defective anvil. While I have had scope issues they have been very good with warranty issues. I’ve had an illuminated S3 moa for about 8 years and it has been flawless. The PLR was basically new. I put it on a rifle about 9 months ago and fired it vey little before the ocular bell beca loose. Hopefully she will be good now. I really liked the S Tac 2.5-17.5 for hunting with its mil hash reticle. I wish they would offer a similar package in their PLR that was 56mm objective. The glass and eye relief on that scope was really good and I really liked the reticle.
 

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