View Full Version : NC Star - really junk or worth checking out?
Like most everyone else, I’ve “poo poo” these cheap scopes. My old man was down for the weekend, however, and brought his SKS with NC Star scope on it. It was the rubber armored 3-9x compact illuminated model. I have to admit it was pretty cool for an $80 scope (Sportsman Guide). Had a decent sight pic (not a Leupold grade, but not bad either) and a nice illuminated reticule. I didn’t shoot it enough to determine reliability etc. They did include a warranty with the scope – mail it back w/$10 for a replacement. Anyway, has anyone used one of these much? Good deal or rip off that will fall apart? I’m temped to buy one just to mess around with.
5L
I have two one is good and the other one was junk. I sent it back and they sent me a new one no problem. But it cost me 20.00 in shipping fees. I have not put it on yet hope it's good. Mike
I tried one once.. First one I recieved had a bent tube.. how does that slip though. I called them up, their reply was " Oh that happens every so often!" Paid my ten dollar "warrenty fee" and recieved another one in about three weeks... Every time I looked though it it looked hazy. This one had LUBE on the inside lens. I know, I took it apart and found it. I WILL NOT WASTE any more of my money on NC STAR products!
The worst gun related product I ever bought. I`ve learned a lesson: There`s no such thing as a free lunch. Won`t ever buy cheap again.
The worst gun related product I ever bought. I`ve learned a lesson: There`s no such thing as a free lunch. Won`t ever buy cheap again.
It couldn't be the worse because I'm sure I bought the worst ever made in a Leapers scope($125 wasted). In fact, to prove it I challenge you to a inaccuracy test at 35yds and I guarantee my Leapers is less accurate than your NC Star. You don't stand a prayer.
It couldn't be the worse because I'm sure I bought the worst ever made in a Leapers scope($125 wasted). In fact, to prove it I challenge you to a inaccuracy test at 35yds and I guarantee my Leapers is less accurate than your NC Star. You don't stand a prayer.
I would not be so sure. Never bought a Leapers scope but this one was not just bad, it was absolutely worthless. I got rid of it.
Even at $10, they're still profiting. They can replace them all day long for $10 a piece and never lose a penny! After you've went through countless $10 scopes, you could have had a quality product from the start.
Boogyman
09-04-2006, 12:01
For $80 you can get a good Bushnell. They have half-a-dozen scope models in that price range or less, a far superior scope to those cheap-ass Leapers, NC Star, or even Tasco.(probly catch flak for that one!) :)
Let's put it this way, My Bushnell 3X9 Sportsman was around that price and it has stood up under the beating my buffer-less Mini-14 has given it for years.
Just my 2 cents... ;)
Guys - Its seems the resounding word is ... junk! Thanks for the tips. I will save my $ for something else. Maybe another Rifleman - I just saw one for $180 at Wally World this weekend. I have one on my 580 right now and love it, although the friction adjustments take a little getting used to instead of clicks. I see Burris has a new 1 inch tube 2-7x Tactical that I might try. Supposedly they give a good discount for active duty/LEO.
5L
gunrun45
09-04-2006, 23:35
I like my NCstar scopes. I have a variable lighted one on a mosin nagant and a holo sight that I have swapped around on some shotguns beating it up. Both have held up fine.
I don't like the Leapers line AT ALL though. Junk. My mini tore one up in about 20 rounds.
Rmitch223
12-04-2006, 19:15
I have a NCstar scope that only lasted about two 30rounds mags before it wouldnt sight in anymore. I even had it professionally bore sighted and it wouldnt even hit paper at 25 yards! You get what you pay for. just save up and get a leupold and forget about scope failing. NCstar is a sorry excuse for a scope.
I'll never buy one agian, thats for sure!
i concur! if you are serious about shooting your optics should cost at least 1/2 of what your rifle did. leupold makes a fine scope that will hold up to the beating a mini can give it. jmo but i love my vxii 3x9.
my dad had a nc star scope on his mini 30. it was a decent scope while it lasted. nice and clear optics, but his mini killed it after about 1,000 rounds. in my opinion i would not mount anything other than a burris or leupold on a mini. any other gun i'd probably get a bsa, i have a few and like them alot for the money. i wouldnt dream of putting one on a mini though. i have a burris fulfield 2 on my mini and i havent had any problems. i do find to have a slightly darker sight picture though. but i think thats a burris thing, thats my only complaint. other than that, it has been great.
Der Verge
01-03-2007, 16:58
I have had 2 NC scopes, and my brother in law has a high power NC scope on his .17. As a matter of fact, I had that 3-9x rubber coated jobby. CRAP. Not clear, crappy eye relief, and after being on my gun for about 3 weeks, the elevation knob froze. The other one is a 2-6x30 i bileve. Not bad, but I did expect a bit more. I have it on my old m48. It works fine, but I take that with a grain of salt as I know that 8mm will beat it to death in not much time at all.
I think my brother in law has a 6-24x50 illuminated. It will not zero. Not enough adjustment to get the windage right. Now, before anyone says anything about this, the gun has been taken to 2 different gunsmiths who both say the mounts were installed true and proper, so there is no problem there. It is the scope!.
My $0.02 NC Star is NC JUNK. I will not buy them again. Would not send in the scope and $10 for a new one.
Also, I have had 2 scopes from Barska. One made me think it was foggy out all the time, and the other one would not stay zeroed for more than 10 shots on a 30-30. JUNK
If you want a decent scope cheap, look for anything with the Tasco name on it if you can still find them. Right as they were bought out I purchased 3 of their 3-9x40 pronghorn scopes. Clear picture, no problems. One is on my .300 WSM, and there have been no problems. Has held it's zero for 120 rounds now......
Der Verge
01-03-2007, 17:02
Sorry to post twice but I forgot about this.
i concur! if you are serious about shooting your optics should cost at least 1/2 of what your rifle did. leupold makes a fine scope that will hold up to the beating a mini can give it. jmo but i love my vxii 3x9.
The beating a mini will give a scope? You are talking about a gas operated rifle using .223 ammo. What beating? What is the felt recoil from a 55gr .223? 4 ftlbs? You should be able to mount a scope designed for a .22lr on your mini, and as long as it is a decent brand scope you should never have a problem.
Boogyman
01-03-2007, 18:53
Sorry to post twice but I forgot about this.
The beating a mini will give a scope? You are talking about a gas operated rifle using .223 ammo. What beating? What is the felt recoil from a 55gr .223? 4 ftlbs? You should be able to mount a scope designed for a .22lr on your mini, and as long as it is a decent brand scope you should never have a problem.
Actually it's not the recoil alone that destroys scopes on Mini's, it's the bolt-slam. The operating mechanism is fairly heavy and carries a good amount of mass, which translates to scope-shock.
Some people use recoil-buffers to help with this, others just buy better scopes. I've had a Bushnell on mine with no recoils buffer for 3-4 years now no problems. Bushnell is hardly top-of-the-line, but it beats the hell out of Tasco, in my opinion. I've had Tasco's fall apart on a .243 bolt and a .30 Carbine after just a few hundred rounds. They are a step above NC Star though, which I wouldn't use on a pellet gun. ;)
Der Verge
01-05-2007, 15:25
Yes, the bolt can be harsh, I will agree. I would say though, you paid about $700 for the gun. (If you bought new, and recently, etc, etc, for arguments sake, leave it at that) WHY are you putting a $20 scope on it? I bought that little ncstar scope for my m48. $28 for the scope. $50 for the rifle. That makes sence. Break down, buy a good scope, and you will not have problems. Hell a good scope is not even that much. I bought a Nikon 3-9X40 YESTERDAY, $149. Guess what, I will never have a problem with that one.
Boogyman
01-05-2007, 15:56
Yes, the bolt can be harsh, I will agree. I would say though, you paid about $700 for the gun. (If you bought new, and recently, etc, etc, for arguments sake, leave it at that) WHY are you putting a $20 scope on it? I bought that little ncstar scope for my m48. $28 for the scope. $50 for the rifle. That makes sence. Break down, buy a good scope, and you will not have problems. Hell a good scope is not even that much. I bought a Nikon 3-9X40 YESTERDAY, $149. Guess what, I will never have a problem with that one.
Actually I paid $350 for my Mini Ranch Rifle a few years back, and the Bushnell is one of their premium models, I think they went for around $90 or so back then.
But I agree with you, I usually match quality with quality also. It's the sensible thing to do. ;)
garza1290
01-05-2007, 21:05
I bought a NC Star scope for my ranch rifle a couple of years ago. Total wast of money! You'd think you'd know better than to buy a cheap-assed scope but I guess some folks must learn the hard way. You get what you pay for! NC Star is junk.
all NC Star products are CRAP!
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