BSA TW30RDLL Sight Review

by
posted on April 9, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
bsa.jpg

Whether a high-powered optic for precision shooting, or a light, laser or reflex sight, the gear often added to an AR or other semi-automatic rifle can quickly become more expensive than the firearm itself. Getting rigged up can be a daunting task for shooters on a tight budget, but there are some value-conscious alternatives available today-such as those from BSA Optics.

The company’s TW30RDLL is a good example. It combines a 1X sight with a laser, light and pressure pad for only $140. The integral 5/8-inch Weaver-rail mount saves more cash and proved easy to use and effective for securing the sight onto several ARs.

The 1X scope has a 30 mm body with an identically sized objective. Parallax is set at 100 yards, although during testing objects as close as 10 feet seemed in focus. Light loss was slight, but noticeable, particularly after sunset. The field of view at 100 yards is just more than 19 feet.

A 1.2-inch diameter rheostat on the left side of the scope’s body activates the five-m.o.a. red-dot reticle. There are no “off” positions between each of the nine intensity settings. One position illuminates the integral laser, which cannot run concurrently with the reticle. A single CR2032 battery in the knob powers both sights.

Small (0.640 inch), captive caps at the right rear and top rear protect the reticle’s windage and elevation turrets, respectively. Adjustments are 1/4-m.o.a. per click and were positive, if gently turned, during testing. The scope walked the box well, responding to adjustments and coming back to zero predictably.

A knurled knob found up front and below the scope body adjusts laser elevation. Windage is altered using a small Allen wrench to adjust a screw housed in the same vicinity. There are no clicks to count, and no locking mechanism-but there were no problems during testing. The laser, however, is low enough that a folded front sight blocked it from painting the target, forcing the sight's temporary removal from the test rifle.

The scope body has a 3.3-inch section of rail on its top used to affix the flashlight. A provided mount is reversible for use on 3/8- or 5/8-inch rails, allowing it to mount elsewhere on railed rifles. An included hook-and-loop-fastened pressure switch can replace the flashlight’s tailcap for momentary activation.

The flashlight produces 140 lumens from a pair of CR123 batteries. Turning its LED housing changes beam diameter. After 12 hours in a freezer the scope and laser operated flawlessly, and it survived a lengthy water bath-despite no water-resistant or waterproof claims by BSA. It didn’t fog internally, either.

With the shorter of the two eyecups attached, the scope measures 6¾-inches long. The longer, bellows-like version increases that number to 8½ inches. Height above the rail mount is 2¾ inches. The optic weighs 12.75 ounces without the flashlight and with it 17.25 ounces.

Sure there are compromises, like the limited field of view for a 1X. But, if you’re looking for an optic that will survive routine range rigors, keep some coin in your pocket and fulfill the task-while offering the piece of mind of a one-year-limited warranty-the BSA Optics TW30RDLL is worthy of consideration.

BSA TW30RDLL

Importer: BSA Optics, 3911 S.W. 47th Ave., Suite 914, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33314; (954) 581-2144

Magnification and Objective: 1X 30 mm

Finish: matte black

Eye Relief: infinite

Click Value: 1/4 m.o.a. (0.25"@ 100 yds.)

Reticle: 5-m.o.a. red dot

Field of View: 19.3 ft. @ 100 yds.

Height: 23⁄4" (3.3" including rail mount)

Length: 63⁄4" (with flush eyecup attached, 81⁄2" with longer version)

Weight: 17 ozs. (with flashlight attached)

Features: 5-mW red laser sight

Accessories: owner’s manual, pressure pad and tailcap, two eyecups, Allen wrenches, 140-lumen flashlight

Suggested Retail Price: $140

Latest

Star Model B Ihtog 1
Star Model B Ihtog 1

I Have This Old Gun: Star Model B

Of the many Spanish-made firearms to emerge throughout the 19th and 20th century, one of the most recognizable is the Star Model B, largely due to its similarity to the Colt Model 1911.

New For 2025: Kimber Next Generation 1911

For its latest M1911 offering, Kimber Mfg. borrowed design elements from its double-stack 2K11 pistol to create what it calls the Next Generation 1911.

Review: Charter Arms Double Dog

Charter Arms is an American gunmaker that has offered its own versions of compact, double-action revolvers at fair prices for more than 60 years.

Rifleman Q&A: Mysterious “Broomhandle” Bring-Back

"My favorite gun is inoperable, so I have not shot it. It is one of two weapons that my dad brought back from the Philippines after World War II, the other being a sword."

New Jersey Town Supports CCW With Fee Refund

The city of Englishtown, N.J., recently made a move to reduce that financial barrier, sparking widespread optimism that a statewide, even nationwide, trend may be on the horizon.

Review: Savage Arms Revel

Lever-action rifles have experienced a revival in recent years, and Savage Arms is getting in on the act with its Revel series rimfires. To understand it, you may have to read (backward) between the lines.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.