The Sniper GII PM3.5x40 Prism Scope Review

I set my sights on a close to mid-range tactical scope to use and came across this little gem - The Sniper GII PM3.5X40 Prism Scope. It is a compact and lightweight optic designed for precision shooting and is made by Texas Precision Optics. It offers a fixed 3.5x magnification and a wide field of view, making it ideal for my desire for close- to medium-range engagements. This scope is particularly popular among hunters and tactical shooters due to its long eye relief, which allows for safe shooting with higher-powered cartridges and decided to buy one and try it out. This scope has an MSRP around $200 but I was able to find mine for $150 (with free shipping 😊).

Brief Overview:

• Magnification: Fixed 3.5x
• Objective Lens: 40mm
• Reticle: Illuminated Mil-Dot with red, green, and blue options with 3 brightness levels. The one that I purchased uses a Horseshoe reticle, but they are available with Chevron or Crosshair reticles as well. 
• Eye Relief: 4.2 inches
• Field of View: 32 feet at 100 yards
• Weight: 17.6 oz (1.1 lbs.) – slightly above the 16 oz mid-range average.
• Construction: Aluminum alloy with a matte black finish. Adjustment knobs turned stiffly but easily.
• Mounting: Picatinny rail (2-bolt) that sets the scope a little too low for my liking.
• Nice Feature: The top of the scope has a manual sight set-up (if ever needed).

My Initial Impressions:

The scope felt solid and well-constructed. The eye relief was generous, providing a comfortable shooting experience. The illuminated reticle was easy to adjust and offered good visibility in various lighting conditions.

• Performance: The scope delivered clear and sharp images across the entire field of view. The Mil-Dot reticle was accurate and helpful for estimating holdover and windage. I liked the long eye relief and field of view.
• Limitations: The fixed magnification might limit its versatility for some longer distance shooters. The scope's compact size and weight could be a disadvantage for those who prefer larger optics.

My Set-up and Actual Test Case:

I mounted this prism scope on one of my AR rifles with a 16” barrel and a bipod using the recommended set-up and torque specifications on a 1” picatinny rail riser that was also set to the recommended torque values. This is the same rail riser that I typically use to get the proper scope height for my shooting style.

I tested the scope using 55gr 5.56 NATO ammo that I primarily use for target shooting (10-inch circle target with 5- and 2-inch inner circles) at distances ranging from 50 to 200 yards.

I laser bore-sighted at 25 yards and after a 3-shot confirmation, live fire sighted at 100 yards (the standard stuff) and then tested by firing 5-shot groups from the prone position at 50, 100, 150 and 200 yards twice each. These 5-shot groups at each different distance is a semi-rapid fire drill meaning I am not taking a long period of time between shots – roughly about 3 to 5 seconds between each trigger squeeze.

My Results:

From the prone position at 50 yards, both 5-round groupings were as expected and on the mark that I established using the scope (no surprise) and I got pretty much the same result at 100 yards, although the groupings were slightly wider ☹.

Still at the prone for 150 and 200 yards, using the mark established by the scope the groupings were wider than my typical, but this does not come as a surprise based on the magnification of the scope.

Next, I dropped my unloaded and cleared (safety first) rifle a half dozen times on the ground (butt end first from about 2 and a half feet – and yes, I caught the rifle before the rest of it hit the ground) and then repeated the same 50-, 100-, 150- and 200-yard firing tests. I did this to simulate the firing (recoil), running around in the woods, slinging / unslinging abuse that a typical AR would take to. 

The results were essentially the same, although my 150-yard grouping was a little more in line with my normal result. This means that the scope, based on my simple tests, is robust enough to handle a day at the range or in the woods and not loosen or loose the accuracy that it originally held.

My Pros

• Long Eye Relief: Provides a safe shooting experience.
• Clear and Sharp Optics: Delivers excellent image quality.
• Illuminated Reticle: Offers multiple color options for versatile shooting conditions. If you choose not to use the illumination, you still get a good clear reticle image.
• Compact and Lightweight: Ideal for rifles with limited space and manageable weight.
• Durable Construction: Built to withstand recoil and harsh conditions.

My Cons

• Fixed Magnification: Limits versatility for longer-range shooting. 100 to the 150-yard range maximum would be my recommendation.
• Limited Eye Relief Adjustment: The eye relief is fixed, which might not be ideal for everyone.
• Price: The scope is relatively expensive compared to other prism scopes of this configuration – shop around.

My Verdict (My Final Impression):

The Sniper GII PM3.5X40 Prism Scope is an excellent choice for shooters who prioritize long eye relief, clear optics, and a compact and lightweight, yet robust design. It is particularly well-suited for hunters and tactical shooters who need a reliable optic for close- to medium-range target engagement. However, the fixed magnification and higher price point compared to some others in this category might be a drawback for some.

For my use, it worked well because I am typically moving around and engaging at 100 yards or less, the optics were clear, the larger lens and eye relief distance allow for quick re-acquisition of my target and the price point that I purchased mine for was ok for me (with the free shipping of course).

There are other options out there to choose from that can add variable and higher magnification and a few other features, so I encourage you to do your research and find what works for your needs and your budget and then go scope it out!