Nikon m-223 - AR15.COM

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Posted: 12/12/2010 6:45:56 AM EDT

Has anyone had any trouble with the Nikon M-223? I have had one mounted on my AR for around 3 months. It has been out of the safe maybe 6 times since then on range trips etc... Anyway it was standing upright and fell over on my basement concrete floor and the top adjuster bent and is in-op in addition to the front flipping scope scope cover breaking off. It literally fell over (2 feet max) and its all broken. I cant believe how fragile this thing is... Has anyone had any similar problems?

Should Nikon repair or replace it for me or is it my fault?

Thanks for the help / advice..

Posted: 12/12/2010 7:02:15 AM EDT

[#1]

Most stories I have heard about scope companies really do honor their lifetime warranties. So, call the service department and send it back.

Posted: 12/12/2010 11:59:33 AM EDT

[#2]

What do you mean is it your fault? I didn't see where there was anyone from Nikon there to push it over. That is not a scope quality issue, it is an issue of an item getting knocked onto a concrete floor. Concrete is hard, and things break when they fall on it. I would call and ask about the warranty, but you may have to replace it via Hip National Bank.

Posted: 12/13/2010 4:10:09 AM EDT

[#3]

I was under the impression this scope was going to be dourable.. I wasnt expecting for it to fall over but at the same time it should be somewhat durable right? I am goign to have to call Nikon and see what they say.. I will keep this updated..

Thanks for the advice.

Posted: 12/13/2010 4:15:35 AM EDT

[#4]

The scope is very durable, it will last and preform as expected as long as you do not abuse it. But were does it say it is fall proof? Why do you think that it is their fault and not yours?

Posted: 12/13/2010 5:14:44 AM EDT

[#5]

Give them a call, they may not cover it under warrenty, but they may replace it for a discounted price. I do a lot of mountain biking and many companies have accident/crash replacement programs so your not stuck having to pay full price to replace. Better to replace your item at a discounted price then let you spend your money on another brand.

Posted: 12/13/2010 9:13:48 AM EDT

[#6]

Thanks for the input. I never said I wanted anything for free or anything like that. All I wanted was a couple opinions from people before I called Nikon to see what was reasonable. I dont expect or need handouts from anyone. If I ran the scope over with my truck or dropped it off a 6 foot porch on a sidewalk or something I would obviously be at fault.. My AR isnt super heavy nor would I have expected a scope to have broken with falling over 2' tops.. I will be calling Nikon and I will keep this thread updated accordingly.

Posted: 12/13/2010 12:22:24 PM EDT

[#7]

i was not impressed with the 1-4 power the glass was not as clear as others that i have seen .

Posted: 12/13/2010 12:22:39 PM EDT

[#8]

2 feet with 7lbs+ behind it equals a lot of force.
Don't believe me, drop your setup on your bare foot, scope turret down and see how your foot holds up. I would bet not too well! Not being a smart ass here (well maybe a lttile) but the added weight of the rifle adds a new variable to the mix. If you said you dropped the scope alone 2 feet and you had that kind of damage I would be surprised, but on the rifle, a non-battle optic will take damage. Sorry. Hopefully Nikon will help you out!!
I will keep my fingers crossed for ya!!!

Posted: 12/13/2010 1:30:21 PM EDT

[#9]

Nikon will only cover Manufacture Defects... They said I can ship it to them and hope they can fix it (for a fee)....

I dont know what I should do at this point..

Posted: 12/13/2010 7:21:27 PM EDT

[#10]

A lot of companies offer a lifetime warranty but do not stand behind it. For instance a whole lot of china products have lifetime warranties, however the cost of replacement usually exceeds the actual cost of the product.
Some companies have a real warranty, I know of a few companies I have had to deal with that fall into this boat.
Leupold for example will replace a scope that is 30 yrs old, has seen 45 different owners, and got ran over by a propane truck no questions asked, for free, and pay return shipping.
Millet/Bushnell will repair a defective scope for $45, and then send a completely different scope back.
Just my experiences.

Posted: 12/14/2010 4:01:39 AM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
Nikon will only cover Manufacture Defects... They said I can ship it to them and hope they can fix it (for a fee)....

I dont know what I should do at this point..

Simple solution send in the scope have them repair it and pay the bill. This will be a good lesson that you have to treat you equipment well.

Posted: 12/14/2010 7:12:47 AM EDT

[#12]

Don't mean to sound like an ass, but it's on your dime since it's not a manufacturing defect. Though it was only a short drop, it still hit concrete and there's a good bit of force behind it. I can see how it messed up the adjustment turrets. As far as the flip-up lens covers, they are flimsy anyway and I am going to replace mine with Butler Creek covers. I broke my front lens cover a couple of weeks ago while I was hunting. Got back to my truck and started to close the cover but the flip part of the cover wasn't there. It's laying in the grass somewhere in a field where I hunt.

I've never read anything bad about Nikon optics. Not saying that there aren't lemons out there, but I do believe that with Nikon you get more than what you paid for. Too bad you have to be without an optic for a while but they probably can repair it for a reasonable amount.

Posted: 12/14/2010 1:31:16 PM EDT

[#13]

Sorry to hear about the issue....but I am glad to see this thread...have been considering one....maybe not now....
I don't care whether it was his fault or not...it should stand up to more than that for the price of them....if it was 100 or less then I could see it, but Nikon designed this to be a TACTICAL SCOPE....so if a little drop screw it up...well might as well just buy a cheap one to start....If it is going to say tactical in the description..then short of running it over or dropping it off a building...it better be tough.....I think you TACTICAL GUYS would agree...right..
BMS

Posted: 12/14/2010 1:51:09 PM EDT

[#14]

Damn, what do you expect for an optic in that price range?

It isn't going to be Nightforce tough but it didn't cost Nightforce bucks either.
It was a few hundred dollars, not a few thousand dollars. Big difference.

I had a Leupold scope get royally fucked up by FedEx and Leupold would not fix it for free.
I pitched it. So don't start going on about Leupold's warranty.

In that price range you can expect a decent quality reasonably tough optic.
Not some military grade "to-hell-and-back" optic. If that is what you want better get up off the wallet.

Bill

Posted: 12/14/2010 2:32:49 PM EDT

[#15]

I ran over a mailbox on the way home tonight and punched out a headlight. Do you think Dodge will replace my headlight assembly for free? I mean a headlight is suposed to be durable right?

Posted: 12/14/2010 2:35:18 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
I ran over a mailbox on the way home tonight and punched out a headlight. Do you think Dodge will replace my headlight assembly for free? I mean a headlight is suposed to be durable right?

Was it a tactical head light?

Posted: 12/14/2010 6:04:08 PM EDT

[#17]

the problem is your driving a Dodge... LMAO

Posted: 12/15/2010 10:55:42 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
the problem is your driving a Dodge... LMAO

+1

SASS

Posted: 12/18/2010 2:12:20 AM EDT

[#19]

OK, I went and looked at the Nikon M-223 in person yesterday.

I went home with the 1-4x20 in the Nikon mount. I was impressed.

The 1x was, well, 1x!
Super clear, IMO well built, even stout. Quite impressed, almost got the 2-8.
GREAT deal on quality optic.

Bill

Posted: 12/18/2010 3:20:32 AM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I ran over a mailbox on the way home tonight and punched out a headlight. Do you think Dodge will replace my headlight assembly for free? I mean a headlight is suposed to be durable right?

Was it a tactical head light?

Yes dual mode, very high speed as well as low drag. I'm pissed.

Posted: 12/18/2010 3:23:22 AM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
the problem is your driving a Dodge... LMAO

No doubt. Had it been a Ford or Chevrolet I'd have been home working on it instead of out driving around hitting mailboxes. You're smarter than your original post would have lead me to believe

Posted: 12/18/2010 4:26:50 AM EDT

[#22]

I dropped my Millett Trs1 on a12lb AR turret down and I'm ticked too. It cracked my concrete basement floor!

Its as big and heavy as a tank, but roughly as durable.

Also, my rusted out Ford is at 370,296.3 mi, and I just had to tow a dodge home for a friend. His transmission died AGAIN, with only 150ish K on it. If yours is still going on its own power, you're doing it wrong!

Posted: 12/18/2010 5:53:15 AM EDT

[#23]

Optics and concrete don't go well together. For the price the scope you have is a great deal and hard to beat. That being said you get what you pay for.
My Leopold MK2 was about $479.00 it is a great scope and worth the money. It how ever is not as durable as my MK4 that cost $1400.00. Set the 2 side by side and the MK4 is noticeably thicker and more robust. If you want something extra durable than Ziess, Swarovski, Leopold make a Mil / LEO line made to take heavier abuse. The scope you purchased was not.
Even the above mentioned makers make hunting scopes that are excellent in there own right but again are not as durable.
To answer your question your dilema is simple. You broke it you pay for it. If not get a scope designed for heavy abuse and be a little more careful.

Posted: 12/18/2010 6:34:58 AM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:
Optics and concrete don't go well together. For the price the scope you have is a great deal and hard to beat. That being said you get what you pay for.
My Leopold MK2 was about $479.00 it is a great scope and worth the money. It how ever is not as durable as my MK4 that cost $1400.00. Set the 2 side by side and the MK4 is noticeably thicker and more robust. If you want something extra durable than Ziess, Swarovski, Leopold make a Mil / LEO line made to take heavier abuse. The scope you purchased was not.
Even the above mentioned makers make hunting scopes that are excellent in there own right but again are not as durable.
To answer your question your dilema is simple. You broke it you pay for it. If not get a scope designed for heavy abuse and be a little more careful.

Wow...another Mark 2 owner...I thought every one has the Mark AR....well now...but you got a better price on yours...mine was 650.00 about three years ago....the last year they made them...before the Mark AR.....I am planning, someday, to put that on my M-15 and have a bigger scope for my AR-10...but all in the well of dreams...most likely I still might give Nikon a shot....I like the Monarch 8x32x50 or the Bushnell 6500 Elite Tactical...both about the same price.....but again, DREAMS......LOL
But all that said...You Get What You Pay For.....That is a True statement...but at least it should take a couple of bumps....or drops...

SASS

Posted: 12/18/2010 7:09:39 AM EDT

[#25]

Good idea. Here is the Mk on my M-15 SPR.. I agree with taking some bumps but even a more durable scope can break with a good hit or 2.
I compare scopes to drinking glasses. I have seen glasses drop and bounce on tile floors 3-4 times or more before breaking. It just has to hit right once.
Scopes are no different. you can rubber armor them like binocs but then there is the ring issue and they look cheap.

Posted: 12/18/2010 11:07:23 AM EDT

[#26]

Well first off...Now you went and did it.....I feel a HI-Jack coming on.

...Sorry to OP....
Dude....you have to post some pics of that in the M-15 Pic thread in the ArmaLite Forum.....
But back to the Jack...
It is of course sitting atop my AR-10 A4 CB....in a LaRue LT-135.
SASS