Bushnell First Strike Reflex RDS (Hi-Rise) Unboxing

st1264

st1264

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Paid $159 from Wanstall's. Opened up the box and took it out, took off the cover (supposed to come on when the sensor sees light)... didn't work. After a few swear words I read the instructions to see where the battery compartment was, opened it up and this brand new rds had a dead battery. Probably been sitting around for a long time. Luckily, I had some new CR2032 batteries in the drawer.

Build quality is suspect, I can see a glue or resin holding the glass intact, I do believe that this thing might disintegrate under my measly TDC's 40 S&W recoil. Another negative is that the dot brightness fluctuates a lot inside the house, disappearing for a split second and reappearing. Unsure if this is normal for the unit or if it's stable outdoors, but my initial unboxing is totally negative compared to my positive initial review of my Vortex Venom ($329).
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My last point on my unboxing is that the riser is too tall, it doesn't co-witness with my back up iron sights. I don't know why anyone would want a riser that tall, but I thought it was an "AR15" ready reflex rds.
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So far I'm very disappointed in this sight, without even shooting it. Oh well, if it breaks, it'll be sent back to Bushnell and they can send me another. With that said, I'm going to run this at the range to see if it holds up. If it holds zero and survives the .40, I may slap it on my 12G and see if it continues. I'll keep you guys posted, if anyone is interested.
 
I had limited time today so I brought it to the range just to sight it in. Took a few rounds to do so and the FS held up. Easy to sight in and it held zero. Only shot a box of 40 S&W but it did the job. Will try to shoot some more with it and see what it does. The tall riser seemed to be a natural hold/sight picture for me, so I don't think the 'no co-witnessing' is that big of a deal. That may be a deal breaker for some.

It's early, but the sight does what it's supposed to do.
 
st1264 said:
I had limited time today so I brought it to the range just to sight it in. Took a few rounds to do so and the FS held up. Easy to sight in and it held zero. Only shot a box of 40 S&W but it did the job. Will try to shoot some more with it and see what it does. The tall riser seemed to be a natural hold/sight picture for me, so I don't think the 'no co-witnessing' is that big of a deal. That may be a deal breaker for some.

It's early, but the sight does what it's supposed to do.
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I've never used that cartridge so Im not sure how it's recoil compares to 762x39. So far so good, I won't get a chance to shoot till the weekend to test my FS replacement but I have it installed and bore-sighted. I shook my rifle and banged it around a bit to see if I could knock it out of zero and I couldn't so I'm hopeful. That high riser you have would be excellent with a cheek riser.
 
40 S&W pistol round has little recoil in a carbine, not worried too much about it. Don't feel any more of a cheek weld is needed, but I was thinking about getting a beefier stock, don't like the cheap factory ones they put on them. I have the top one (but with a full rail):
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I was about to purchase one but read too many bad comments that steered me away from it. I ended up getting the red dot 1-25, hope I made the right choice.
 
I just returned my second First Strike. So I guess that makes it a second strike.... same thing happened. ####ty windage screws could not hold position under fire and the dot kept moving to the right. You pistol cabine may not cause his right away but it might eventually after so many rounds. Its just a bad adjustment screw design altogether I think. So today I exchanged it for a Trs - 25. It seems like a better one. I hope the 3rd time will be the charm.
 
Maybe I'll eat crow someday...... all of my optics, 3- 1x red dot, 1- 3X red dot and a strike eagle....... are Vortex. Wouldn't trade them for anything
 
DILLIGAF said:
I just purchased one, 30$ mail in rebate helped with my decision.

Hopefully it won't have any issues on my GSG STG44 :p
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You might get a good one. A bad one might work on a 22 lr. The guy at the store saie he had one mounted to a 12 gauge with no issues and I told him to try it on a sks because a shotgun doesn't have the range or need the presicion out of a sight that any rifle does. A 22 has no recoil though so you might be good to go.
 
Finally got my Thureon Defense w/First Strike RDS to an outdoor range... shot 100rds of 180g 40 S&W = it held zero and the sight performed well in sunlight. So far, I'm happy with my purchase. A budget sight which seems to work well.
 
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