Simmons Scopes
 

Here on this coulumn I see every one saying these scopes are junk. I see on Chuckhawks.com Chuck Hawks aka Randy Wakeman saying they are are great mid price range scope. I think Ill believe you guys. I know all of you cant be working for Simmons

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

I'd advise folks to consider the sample size. I like the Chuck Hawks site because they're not beholden to advertisers. That said, you have 1 person reviewing a sample size of 1. I'm sure they're giving us they're honest opinions, but they're not generally getting to look at a representative sample of a production run.

The people on sites like this one likely don't have the experience or expertise (in the AGGREGATE, folks!) that Chuck or Randy do, but we're reporting on dozens, or even hundreds, of experiences with a product. When product failures are seen on a regular basis by many different sets of eyes, that tells you something.

In my opinion, the prices of the widely-respected scopes are coming down so rapidly, that the Simmons scopes would have to be sold at a huge discount to compete with the deals out there right now. The old model Sightrons & Nikon Monarchs spring to mind.

Just my$.02,

FC

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

Simmons scopes aren't mid-priced, they are lower tier price scopes. IMHO mid-price scopes take in the Elite 4200, Monarch and Conquest type scopes.

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

Well here is his exact words via cut and paste

Simmons Whitetail Expedition scopes come with a Lifetime Limited Warranty that says Simmons will repair or replace, without charge, any scope found to be defective in parts or workmanship. These scopes evidence a level of quality and performance well beyond their relatively modest price. They are also good looking scopes that do not seem out of place on high quality rifles. The Whitetail Expedition line deserves serious consideration from anyone purchasing a medium price riflescope

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

Like all these decisions, you'll have to let your own eyes be the judge. If your eyes prefer one scope overanother, you have'll your answer.

Lots of folks love Leupold scopes, but my eyes chose Zeiss. And since my eyes have to look throughmy scope, I don't feel badly in the least about my choice.

However, I did factor-in the customer service reports of people on sites like this, too.

FC

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

I just bought a Savage 17HMR. It came with a Simmons 3x9x40 already on it. If the scope ever fails I'll replace it with a Nikon probably, but as good as it shooting right now I'm leaving the Simmons on there.

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

I have a Simmons scope on my rifle and it does just fine.

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

I bought a rifle at a gun show and a 3x9 simmons was included.The crosshairs broke within 100 rounds.A friend bout a 3x9 simmons at the same gun show,and it went blurry after about a box of ammunition.He sent it out for repairs and it almost made two boxes before turning blurry again.That is enough to guarantee thyat I will never spend money on another simmons.

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

Both my brother and my cousin had the same experiences with the Simmons as stubble has..
On the one occasiuon, my cousin scope went blurry in the middle of hunting ..
Any scope can go at any time, but the fact remains Simmons is a questionable scope when comes ro reliability..

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

Well if you are for one mans opinion..
BUYIT....:D
But honestly dude, yourchattingwith hunters some that have decades of experience some of whom have hunted all over the world, in extereme temps and environments using many different cals, and alot of different scope brands, and all, alot of us are saying is, there is better scope alternatives out there,that will hold up to all thisbetter,and longer than a Simmons..

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

I had an 8pnt simmons on my .35 Marlin when I was just getting started and poor. it help up to about 30 rounds of Hornady before coming apart internally.

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

A Simmons scope came on my new Savage.I guess that what all the Savage package rifles have on them. Ill save and upgrade. Maybe a Nikon

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

I missed a buck that would have scored over 150 inches last fall... then another 130-140... then a small 8... then almost missed a doe at 50 yards broadside aiming in the center of her chest...So pissed. Went to sight it in and it was shooting low and left a foot then right a foot on the next shot... lucky I missed clean.Granted this was a .50 cal muzzleloader but still that made me mad. No more simmons for me

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

My Savage 30-06 came with the 3-9x40 Simmons. It is an OK scope and I can shoot tight groups with that. I just upgraded it to the Nikon. Much better! I also changed the mount and rings on the Savage, but that is another story.

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

Well I gotta know. Why did you have to change the mounts and rings?? Savage 30-06

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

I did not like the set up. It is one of those types where you have only 2 screws on each rings. Those screws tighen scope and hold the ring to the mount. I put instead the Leupold standard rings/mount. Looks a lot more secure.

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

I have a simmons scope on one of my guns and it's alright. Youve got to remember that it is not a high price gun and I believe that for the most part you get what you pay for. especially with optics. the simmons scope does ok as long as your not shooting a real long range and the weather is okay. If it's wet they kinda suck.

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

Its surprising how many people continue to purchase and use the cheap end of scopes, knowing it is higher possibility that ina short matter of time that they will fail. A $150 difference in scope value could mean the difference in a successful, enjoyable hunting season rather than all the time and money being flushed down the drain.

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

Simmons scopes are alright, i would personally never recommend them to anyone. If you want to purchase one its all up to you. My opinion i would save for a better scope and save the time and money.

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

If "alright" is good enough for a hunter, then he or she go ahead & buy one. "Alright" must be good enough for enough hunters that Simmons can continue to stay in business. Given that much better glass is now selling for but a few more sheckels than these scopes, it would be interesting to see if they can continue tooperate with their current business model.

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

I did not have good luck with the simmons scope that I bought and it will not keep the same POI. There are less-expensive (such as Nikon prostaff andBurris Fullfield II) and mid-price scopes (like the 4200 Elite andLeupold) that will perform very well and worth extra $.

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

Mine came with a package deal. I guess part of their business is to sell scopes to rifle manufacturers. I would be surprised if they sold those for more than $50.

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

Simmons scopes are junk. I had one that came on a New England Arms youth gun. It lost its zero after about 40 shots from the light recoil of a .243. If you are buying a package deal and it shoots fine, great. If you are planning to purchase the Simmons scope to put on your rifle, don't waste your money. When it comes to optics, you get what you pay for even more so than with guns.

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

I know this is of no help but here goes. I've owned a few Simmons csopes in the past. An Aetec, 44Mag and Whitetail Classic. All were fine and gave me no problems. Last year I bought an 8 Point to stick on a 336. While sighting it in the recticle started to turn. That could have happened while hunting. Thank goodness it only cost me a box and a half of ammo, not the buck of a lifetime. I sent it back and months after I forgot about it the new one came. Any scope maker can put out a bad one once in a while but I hear aboutSimmons all too often.

I wish I had the money to put a thousand dollar scope on my rifles, course I wish I were married to Shakira but thats not gonna happen either. Would I buy another Simmons scope, NO WAY!! I put a 50mm Gameseeker on my new '06 and am very happy with it. I'd rather go with a modest priced model from someone like Pentax of Nikon than take the chance again.

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

I have7 Simmons scopes. 2 shotgun &1 muzzleloader all with extra eye relief, 2high power A.O. variables for CO2 target rifles, the cheapest 3/4 inch airgun/rimfire model, andan old4X Deerfield. They all workjust fine except the very 1st Deerfield which has a bustedinternal spring, and it wasacheap$20ish dollar scope with a darker F.O.V. that was mounted on a Ruger 10/22. The Deerfield was the oldest and the worst,but I'm glad that I didn't stop buyingSimmons because of it. When shooting a deer in thick woods at 40 yards, how much of a performance difference does one expect there to be?
Iown other brands of scopes too. But depending on how many guns a person owns, the dedicated purpose that each gun is intended to be used for,and figuring intheoverall price of the entirepackage,I try tochoose my scopes accordingly. I don't expect to pay $200 or $300 to scope each gun, because that's how much some of the guns cost, and I don't intend toshoot 300 yards either.
So they work & they have a warranty, and I've seen worse scopes on the market. Each Simmons scope model isdifferentas far as when and whereeach wasmade, and in the features that each has to offer. Some scopes just happen to fitsome guns better than others, whether they happen to cost more or not.
Mine have done their job, except for that 1 Deerfield out of 7which represents a 14.28% failure rate. Conversely, that represents an over 85% satisfaction rate.

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

I've had a Simmons Aetec scope on a 338WM BAR for many years and it's always worked just fine. I haven't used any of the other Simmons scopes so can't comment on them but these are good scopes in the lower priced scope range. The question was asked about Simmons scopes but didn't ask about for what type of hunts. If you're plinking or hunting locally, a Simmons would be fine. If you're going on a once in a lifetime hunt, I'd strongly recommend upgrading to a Nikon or other mid-price/quality scope. Spending a few hundred extra $$ for a hunt likely costing a few thousand $$ or more is cheap insurance.

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

I have had a Simmons Aetec 44 mag scope on my 300 win mag for years and works great.

RE: Simmons Scopes
 

I have had a Simmons Whitetail classic on my old Ruger 30-06 for over 13 years, I have put hundreds of factory rounds as well as hot handloads through it. It has handled temperature and altitude changes from Minnesota cold to Texas heat to Colorado high-altitude. It has been wet for days on end, it has had ice and snow built up on it. NOT ONE PROBLEM. I recently purchased another Whitetail classic, 6.5 X 20 X 50mm. If it holds up as well as the other I will be happy.
I have heard enough negative about Simmons that I always check it out before I hunt and while I am in the field I am a little concerned with its reliability, But I think I would do this with any scope.
I do know one thing for sure, I will not purchase any more Simmons binoculars............