The Top 8 Choices for a 1-4x Scope – Ultimate Buyer’s Guide 2022

Shooting is one of the increasingly popular past-time of the generation. And just like how there are hundreds of options for guns that you can choose from – the best scope is also one of the hardest to find. 

A scope has many different types, models, and versions, but a 1-4x is one of the most popular among shooters. It comes with a lot of fantastic features that can make a huge difference once you’re out in the field. However, these features also distinguish the difference between a great and high-powered scope to an average or low-quality scope.

If you’re a beginner, you might have a harder time finding the best 1-4x scope. But that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible. Even experienced shooters may also find themselves in a bind when it comes to finding the best with all the great scopes available on the market. So save yourself from all the hassle by reading through this guide. 

By continuing to read through this article, you’ll find yourself learning more about scopes and knowing what you should look for to be able to find the best 1-4x scope for you.

What is a 1-4x Scope?

Scopes will make it much simpler to hit your target if used properly. The above scopes will work great on rifles and other guns, as long as you purchase one that would be the correct size for your gun. You may verify these specs by reviewing the product description and checking if it matches the gun you currently own.

And with 1-4x scopes, you get a great range of magnification which ranges from 1x to 4x, which allows you to focus as much as you have to shoot your target. Also, take note that 1-4x scopes include a diameter connected to them as well. For example, 1-4x24mm denotes a scope with a lens diameter of 24mm that can enlarge your subject from 1x to 4x.

The Best 1-4x Scopes

Vortex is one of the most popular manufacturers of scopes, especially regarding pricing and quality. They are the go-to of most shooters. And the Vortex Optics Crossfire II is one of Vortex’s most affordable scopes, yet is still jam-packed with great features and high-quality materials. 

The Vortex Crossfire II lenses are completely multi-coated to improve vision by increasing light transmission and reducing glare. The turrets are capped, which is not ideal for dynamic firing, but they do give a zero-reset stop once zeroed, and locked in.

The Vortex Crossfire II 1-4×24 scope is waterproof, fog-proof, and shock-proof, thanks to its one-piece 30mm aircraft-grade aluminum tube. Waterproofing is achieved via O-rings, while nitrogen gas purging avoids fogging across a wide temperature range. The Crossfire II’s exterior is hard-anodized, coated to protect it against corrosion, the weather, and minor scratches. Because of its lighting mechanism, you may use this scope in harsh weather conditions and low light, even at night. 

On the Crossfire II 1-4×24 scope, Vortex utilizes a second focal plane (SFP) reticle, which means the reticle will stay constant size when magnification is adjusted. This is a well-liked option among shooters and hunters. In this scope, Vortex features the illuminated V-Brite reticle. The eye relief is sufficient to provide you with a realistic view of your target while also making your shooting work easier. Plus, you’ll be able to quickly get a sight picture and acquire your target. Lastly, the fast focus eyepiece allows quick and easy reticle focusing.

Pros

• Waterproof
• Shockproof
• Second Focal Plane (SFP) reticle
• One-piece Aircraft-grade aluminum construction
• Accurate
• Great value for your money

Cons

• The illuminated red dot center will struggle under bright or sunny conditions.

Bushnell, another brand that has been recognized as one of the top scope makers. The Drop Zone Reticle Riflescope is specifically targeting the fastest-growing area of the rifle market, which is the AR-15.

The Bushnell AR Optics 1-42×4 scope has a one-piece 30mm aluminum tube that provides better light transmission than 1-inch tubes. For this sight, Bushnell employs a second focal plane (SFP), which ensures that the reticle remains the same size regardless of the magnification setting. However, for long-range, using the first focal plane (FFP) would be better.

Not to mention, the AR Optics 1-42×4 lenses are completely multi-coated to improve light transmission and reduce glare. This scope is waterproof, but it lacks the more sophisticated RainGuard HD technology found on higher-end lenses from Bushnell. 

The AR Optics 1-424 scope’s base model features the Drop Zone-223 non-illuminated reticle. This reticle features relatively tiny cross-hairs, allowing for a better perspective of the specific location. For accurate shooting out to 600 yards, there are six aiming positions. 

This scope has excellent quality glass, enough glare reduction, and a BDC reticle that every shooter will enjoy. The reticle includes precise duplex crosshairs and BDC dots that are simple to pick up for long-range targeting while staying tiny enough to not obscure the entire view. An element that Bushnell should have used for this scope to make it better is an illuminated center dot.

Pros

• Waterproof
• Accurate
• Durable
• Features both first and second focal planes
• High-quality glass

Cons

• Lacks RainGuard HD technology that is found in pricier Bushnell scopes.
• Lacks an illuminated center dot

A scope that is both great on the field and is very affordable, the Primary Arms 1-4×24 SFP Riflescope. It has an illuminated duplex dot reticle that can be adjusted to 12 different brightness levels. Its reticle is ideal for plinking and small game hunting. Its illumination enables it to be useful in a variety of lighting settings.

The reticle on this Primary Arms 1-4×24 scope is an illuminated duplex dot. This gives the shooter a good crosshair for pulling in long shots, as well as the benefit of a red dot center for reflex shooting and pinpoint precision. 

Fortunately, the reticle’s top crosshair has a finer line that helps to clarify the overall sight image. The control for the lighting rheostat is positioned on the left side of the turret tower, which I believe is more natural than on the eye bell.

The PA14x is waterproof and fog-resistant, thanks to its one-piece 30mm aluminum tube construction. The external surfaces have a matte black finish. The scope’s non-exposed turrets and relatively big duplex pillars put it at risk, but its quality and pricing place it in the good mid-range bracket.

The Primary Arms  1-4×24 scope is an excellent value, with extremely comfortable eye relief, fully multi-coated lenses for waterproof and fog-proof performance, and capped adjustment knobs.

Pros

• Generous eye-relief
• Waterproof
• Fog-resistant
• Can be used both during night and day
• Features 12 light settings

Cons

• The red dot might be harder to see under bright or sunny conditions.

The Firefield Close Combat 1-4×24 Riflescope features a red, or green illuminated Mil-Dot reticle, as well as a normal black reticle when not lit. Turret adjustments are made at a rate of 0.5 inches MOA each click. Close Combat is a second focal plane (SFP) system. A tiny tactile ridge on the magnification adjustment lever improves the adjustment system of the scope. There is a wide range of elevation and windage adjustments available, with each adjustment covering a complete 120 MOA.

It is made of a single piece of hard-anodized aluminum 30mm tube. The scope is water-resistant to IPX6 standards, which means it can withstand strong sprays or drops of water but would not sustain if submerged underwater. The scope glass is fully multi-coated for light transmission, and glare reduction, as well as Firefield’s AR-blue coating. Additionally, the Close Combat tube is filled with Nitrogen to make it fog-proof.

Pros

• Water-resistant
• Fog-proof
• Multi-coated 
• Features a tiny tactile ridge to improve the adjustment system
• Has a fast-focus eyepiece
• Affordable

Cons

• Mil-Dot reticle plus MOA together is not ideal

The Centerpoint Optics 1-4×20 is another excellent 1-4x scope on the market and is highly rated on numerous pages. This is a high-quality 1-4x scope for the AR-15, which is the fastest-growing area in the rifle market. However,  it may also be used for other rifles too. With its weighing about 1.2 pounds, it is undeniably light, which you will be able to utilize in a variety of circumstances and bring with you as needed without the hassle of carrying it.

A fast aim reticle with a 3 MOA center dot is used in this scope. If velocity is needed, the scope additionally prints a 65 MOA ring for enhanced quick entrance into the target area. It is also a scope that will control recoil with excellent accuracy, so you won’t have to worry about any safety issues. With this scope, you can confidently shoot targets up to 250 yards away and expect to hit them.

The eye relief is certainly excellent for all shooting circumstances, and the ring required is a 65 MOA one. When you buy this scope, you will not only receive a set of mount rings, but also a pair of lens caps. Finally, this scope is adaptable to most shooting conditions and guns. As a result, you will have no trouble customizing and adjusting it to your shooting needs.

Pros

• Budget-friendly
• Lightweight
• Can easily handle the recoil of a gun

Cons

• Not weatherproof

Vortex Optics Viper PST is yet another excellent 1-4x scope choice for shooters. This scope was designed to be very durable, with a one-piece, shock-proof 30mm tube, precision-machined from a single solid block of aircraft-grade aluminum that offers ample windage and elevation adjustment. And with its matching reticle and turret measurements, it allows accurate, fast dialing of shots.

The Vortex Optics Viper PST also features a customizable rotational stop (CRS). This will aid the scope to return to zero after dialing temporary elevation correction.

Additionally, its extra-low dispersion (XD) glass increases resolution and color fidelity, resulting in crisp, sharp images. Plus, the proprietary coatings increase light transmission with multiple anti-reflective coatings to prevent glares.

Lastly, the fiber optic turret rotation indicator provides a highly visible and tactile point of reference for turret rotations. O-ring seals and argon gas purging provide both shockproof and waterproof performance.

Pros

• Waterproof
• Shockproof
• Fog-proof
• Durable
• Uses an Illuminated Reticle
• Has anti-reflective coatings

Cons

• Quite expensive
• With the low magnification, the glass quality could be better.

This scope features a first focal plane (FFP) illuminated reticle, a tactical design, and included mounting rings. The Monstrum G2 is a tough 1-4x scope to beat for around $200. This scope includes 1-4x magnification, a 24mm objective lens, and an eye relief of 4-4.5 inches. 

This scope is also designed with a functionality of a first focal plane rangefinder reticle that has easy-to-read, which remains constant regardless of the scopes’ magnification for faster range estimation and holdover correction. Plus, for battery reticle visibility at night or just in any low-quality light condition, the scope was made with dial-controlled reticle illumination. The dial-controlled reticle illumination is made with both red and green, which is packed with multiple brightness intensities.

Lastly, it is made with aircraft-grade aluminum construction with a 30mm sealed, nitrogen-charged tube for water-resistance and fog-proofing capabilities. Thi scope is one of the most lightweight scopes, weighing about 1.6 pounds. This makes it easier to carry during contests or hunting trips.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Water-resistant
• Fog-proof
• Features two colors for your dot options
• Can choose your illumination level

Cons

• Not great for long-range

The Feyachi Tactical Optics is one of the newest budget-friendly scopes on the market. It features a starburst center dot reticle perfect for the budget-conscious or a beginner scope user. It also included a true 1x magnification and 4x zoom with long-range aiming precision.

This scope has multiple layers of anti-reflective coating that maximizes the light transmission, brightness, and contrast. And its quick-focus eyepiece features a smooth-turning rubberized ring allowing crisp reticle focus.

It also includes a 30mm main body tube with side-mounted Illumination control and a green illumination of the center dot that can be cycled through 11 brightness settings for low-light or daylight bright situations. Additionally, it also has capped reset turrets that are finger adjustable with MOA clicks that can be reset to zero after sighting in. 

And with its generous eye relief of 3.9 inches to 4.1 inches, it will be comfortable to use. Lastly, you can use it even in unpredictable weather conditions as it is built for durability. It is waterproof, fog-proof and nitrogen-purged, and fully multi-coated lenses for optimal light transmission. 

Pros

• Waterproof
• Fog-proof
• Comfortable eye relief
• Features 11 brightness settings
• Has multiple layers of anti-reflective coating
• Clear

Cons

• Heavy
• Bulky

Why Choose a 1-4x Scope and What Makes it Great?

If you have little knowledge of buying a 1-4x scope, you may think the market to be a bit daunting. Although most scopes will perform almost the same way, which is to enlarge the picture of your target so you can shoot it more easily, there are several qualities that will distinguish a good scope from a bad one.

One of the most significant advantages of a genuine 1x scope is the power to shoot in rapid succession. This is fast shooting with both eyes open when the rifle is swiftly locked into position and the shooter utilizes the non-magnification setting. This is similar to how a red dot optic works – fast aim, dot on objective, fire.

Something to take note of is that a high-quality 1-4x scope always has an excellent reticle and lighting system. These characteristics are required to identify your subject and visually “separate” it from the rest of the surroundings. Once you’ve verified that you have a high-quality reticle that is properly lighted, you can rest assured that you have a fantastic scope in your hands.

Another non-negotiable characteristic is the lens quality. The “core” of your scope is its lenses. You would not be able to acquire a clear view if they are not of the highest quality. And this might jeopardize your entire shooting experience. Lastly, an excellent 1-4x scope will be quite durable. Not only is it composed of strong material, but it should also be waterproof and fog-proof. This allows you to utilize it in any weather condition and however you want.

Such scopes, unlike red dot scopes, provide the shooter with considerably increased precision at medium ranges. As a result, a lot of these scopes are used for home defense, police rifles, and even SWAT teams. And not to mention, they perform admirably in hunting and target shooting contests.

Characteristics You Should Look for in a 1-4x Scope

We listed the most important characteristics of a 1-4x scope below. These characteristics should not be overlooked as they are the ones that determine a scopes’ quality, whether it may be made of high or low-quality materials. 

Eye Relief

Eye relief is a crucial factor to consider when purchasing a 1-4x scope. It is especially crucial if the rifle on which the sight is to be attached has a lot of recoils. The optimal amount of eye relief will differ depending on the individual and the weapon. 

Eye relief is the distance between both the scope’s back lens and your eye that allows you to see the full view. Whenever your eye is too close to the scope’s lens, the picture gets fuzzy around the edges, but when it is too far back, the view will become a speck in the center of the lens.

In general, the larger the magnification of the scope, the less eye relief you will have. Where you place your scope on your rifle will influence your eye relief.

It can be an issue with guns that produce a lot of recoils. You may injure yourself and end up with a black eye if your scope does not provide enough eye relief.

Focus

The power to rapidly and effectively focus the view shown by a 1-4x scope will certainly be useful for all shooters out in the field. When firing at distances that a 1-4x scope can reach, clarity and focus are two of the most critical characteristics that scope should have to show its potential as a scope. A scope with a focusing lens allows shooters to rapidly tune in their chosen focus.

Reticle

Even though there are many different types of reticles, two of them are by far the most significant. You can choose between a wired reticle and an etched reticle that is connected to the glass. Dot reticles, duplex reticles, German reticles, BDC reticles, and many other varieties are also available. However, you must finally determine which reticle is most suited to your shooting style.

Your scope’s reticle serves as the link between you and your subject. The reticles make the difference if you are able to get a bullseye or a  misfire. Consider what sort of shooting you intend to conduct with your new 1-4x scope, whether you’ll use it for target shooting, hunting, etc., and ensure that the reticle of the scope you select is appropriate with it.

We highly recommend that you use an illuminated reticle as it can make hitting the target a lot easier and with less struggle.

Turrets

The turrets on your scope are indeed the key to achieving pinpoint precision. The capability to fine-tune shot placement at 1-4x suitable ranges is priceless. A few of the factors that you should look into when looking for the best turrets for your scope is their ability to adjust in increment of the turrets if they can return to zero after adjustment if the turrets can lock or not, and lastly, the grip or texture for comfortability.

There are various turret designs to choose from, so make sure that you choose one that is best for you. 

Compatibility

Another characteristic you need to consider is the compatibility of your scope to the gun that you will use. There are many 1-4x scopes available that will suit a variety of weapons, however, there are more particular models that can be difficult to use unless you have the exact rifle or pistol for them. To get an idea, look at the tube diameter as well as the description of the product. Most manufacturers will specify which guns may be used with a certain scope model.

Quality of Lens

The quality of the scope lens is among the most vital aspects to consider when purchasing a scope. Your scope should be paired with the best lens for your shooting demands as well as your weapon. So you should set your standards and stick with them.

You should also search for lenses that can handle strong light and any harsh weather. This is because severe or unpredictable weather is one of the most difficult shooting situations. 

So when you’ve decided on the sort of lens you would like to use, you may look for a 1-4x scope that can handle it. We highly recommend multi-coated lenses because they are the best lenses available on the market today.

Resistance 

It is inevitable to use your scope outside as it is used most of the time for target shooting and hunting. So, facing different kinds of weather conditions would be highly unavoidable. And in certain situations, these weather conditions will not be usually ideal for shooting conditions. 

So, a characteristic that you should always look for when buying a scope is its resistance to unfavorable weather conditions. Most scopes are already waterproof, however, there are still some that don’t sell scopes with that feature. Why? It is because a waterproof scope and even fog-proof would be more expensive than a scope that isn’t. Nonetheless, spending a bit more to buy a weather-resistant scope will always benefit you in the end. 

Therefore, even if it rains or fogs unexpectedly, you’d still be able to use your scope without the fear of it getting damaged under the rain.

Price

You’ll observe when you look over the market of scopes that there will be 1-4x scopes available at a multitude of prices. The cheapest one can find may cost just under $100, while the priciest one can cost nearly around $1,000. This means that you’ll have to set up a budget if you have financial constraints. So, what you choose should meet your standards and at the same time, will be the best scope, that is within the constraints of cash you have set up.

However, take note that your experience as well as the sort of shooting you intend to use it for should also be taken into consideration and would make an impact as to what scope you’ll purchase.

How Far Can a 1-4x Scope See?

In general, 1X- 4X scopes are intended for point-and-shoot close-range targets. As a result, the shooters zero in at 100 yards. This is because commercial 1-4x scopes are designed for home defense and small game hunting, and other specialized hunting such as driven hunts, because they can be sighted at 50 yards.

The only downside of a 1-4x scope is that when you are shooting tiny groups with only 4X magnification, it would be difficult for target shooting.

Can a 1x Scope Magnify?

The majority of low-powered scopes are available at 1x or 1.5x magnification, allowing the shooter to identify targets at close ranges instantly. Whereas the cheaper types may not provide real 1x magnification, some of the premium-class scopes do, which means that you can aim with both eyes open.

Wrap-Up

There are hundreds of choices for scopes such as night vision scopes, thermal scopes, or just regular, yet powerful scopes. Always take note of where you will use it and what conditions will be met because you are bound to get confused and overwhelmed with the number of scopes available. 

Make sure that the scope you choose is created for the activity that you are going to use the scope. Therefore, always take the chance to research before you purchase a scope so that you don’t go around wasting your money. 

Have fun, ask around, and just find what works for you. And once you do find the scope for you, go with it.