Swift scopes

[DriftingOkie]

Was looking around at some different scopes and came across the Swift brand. Got to looking at the Swift Premier 4-12x40 priced at $170. Wondered what you all thought about them?

I know years ago our local gun shop had high marks for them. But i didnt know if the company was the same or not. Any information would be helpful.

 

[DGW]

Swift was an American optics company that's been in business of making microscopes and etc. since late 1920s. Not sure when Swift began making rifle scopes, but can remember brand available back in the 60s. Never known for making the so called high end scopes, but had a good reputation for being a decent scope.

Several years ago Swift sold off the rifle scope division of the company and maybe the binocular too. It is based in Colorado now. Swift advertises their glass is Schott Bak7 made in U.S., which leads many to think Swift scopes are made in U.S. However, Swift scopes are made/assembled in South Korea.


I own 3 of the same model 6-18x44 A.O. premier scopes. I'd bought my first one over two years ago. Optics in mine are clear and no problems with adjustments....so when I found is available for a much lower price because model was discontinued, bought 2 more of them. All are mounted on centerfire rifles and have been trouble free.

A gent I shoot with on a regular basis at range has 2 or 3 rifles with Swift scopes. He is much more picky/discriminating when it comes to a scope than I am, owning Leupolds, Sightrons, Weavers and etc. He has no complaint about his Swifts either.

 

[2muchgun]

I bought a Premier 4.5-14x44 last year. The current model. Mounted it on a CZ 527.

The gun shot great, until I increased the power and had to turn the AO. Then it would not track.

Superseal 110 was at the range with me when it happened. We both had thought maybe my BC flip ups, which were just barely touching the barrel, and I mean barely, may have been the problem at the time. However, something did not seem right to me about that theory.

When I got home, I stuck my collimator in the barrel and turned the AO. As I turned it, I watched the crosshairs wander all over the grid. I have seen this in cheaper scopes before, even a little bit on the Vortex Viper I had, but never as dramatic as on the Swift.

I only paid $90 for the scope. I also took the time to PM the guy who sold it to me, as there is no way he could not have known it did not hold zero.

I sent the scope back to Swift, and in less than 2 weeks a new one arrived, no questions asked. Excellent customer service.

I sold the new one unused for $175, as I had seen enough and did not care to see if it worked or not.

It did have excellent glass for the money IMO. USA made Schott glass.....

 

[AWS]

My hunting partner has that same model on a Tikka 22-250 and I keep it in my safe for him so he doesn't have to check it when he flies in for a hunt. I get to check zero for him befor he gets here and it is a rock solid scope and the glass is pretty nice.

AWS

 

[Ackman]

Some years back I had that same Premier 4-12. For only $105 it was worth trying. Used it once and it was the worst scope ever. Scanning an area, everything changed shape like a funhouse mirror. Bright doesn't matter when the the glass is terrible. I didn't even bother returning it, gave it to a friend who had a Swift with a broken the reticle......he agreed that this scope was complete crap. Some people like them. Maybe some Swifts are actually ok, maybe mine was the exception, maybe they're better now, who knows. I'd never waste another dime on one of those things.