Opinion; this glorious article first appeared on AmmoLand Information in Could of 2024 and seems right here now with recent updates.
I wish to assume I’m an open-minded gun author. I’m possible extra open-minded than most, and I typically give odd weapons, ideas, and kit an opportunity reasonably than dismiss it outright. The identical goes for corporations that produce weapons and kit on a finances. I’ve been burned a time or two on a Taurus buy, however after a management change, I gave them one other likelihood, leading to a few of my favourite weapons. After I was provided an opportunity to evaluation a Monstrum Panzer, I stated heck yeah, let’s give it a strive.
Previous to the evaluation, my information of Monstrum was restricted. I used to be conscious of their dominance within the Amazon marketplace for optics and lights and their popularity as a finances model. Nonetheless, upon receiving the Panzer for evaluation, I took the time to delve deeper into their product vary.
I used to be pleasantly stunned to find that that they had expanded their choices, producing a wide range of optics and equipment. In actual fact, I even discovered that I had unknowingly bought a Monstrum facet saddle for a .410 up to now.
One of the vital intriguing elements of Monstrum’s foray into the LPVO world is the affordability of their merchandise. The Panzer, their first focal aircraft scope, is a first-rate instance. Funds-grade first focal planes are a comparatively new class of optics, with FFP optics historically being related to excessive worth factors.
Monstrum Panzer 1-6x First Focal Airplane LPVO
Stay Stock Value Checker
Nonetheless, the Panzer 1-6x24mm breaks this development, retailing at a wallet-friendly $ 149.95. It’s straightforward to underestimate a scope at this worth level, particularly a primary focal aircraft one, however I used to be decided to present it a good shot or just a few hundred photographs.
The Monsturm Panzer – The Fundamentals
The Panzer is 11 inches lengthy and weighs 17 ounces, which is pretty normal for its measurement. Contained in the field, you get the optic, a set of lens covers, a scope mount, and a battery for the optic. There may be additionally an optionally available throw lever to make these dynamic magnification adjustments.
The Monstrum Panzer is obtainable in 1-6x and 1-10x codecs, with the 1-10x costing round 200 {dollars}. Each are first-focal-plane optics, which offer a reticle that grows and shrinks because the magnification will increase or decreases.
The good thing about this design comes from the reticle design. Any reticle with windage and drop indicators is all the time correct whatever the magnification setting. With second focal aircraft optics, the measurements are solely correct at one magnification setting.
One other advantage of the Panzer’s FFP design is the illuminated portion of the reticle. The LPVO’s fundamental draw is its skill to shoot at shut and reasonable ranges. When the magnification is decreased, the illuminated portion turns into smaller, and on the lowest setting, it turns into a crimson dot for close-range velocity taking pictures.
The Panzer 1-6X24mm makes use of Monstrum’s personal CM3 reticle. This can be a BDC-style reticle that’s designed for .223/5.56 and .308. Sadly, the handbook isn’t particular on barrel size, ammo weight, ballistic coefficient, or vary required to zero the optic to make the BDC work. It mentions zero at 100 yards however then follows it up with no matter vary you need.
Synchronicity and the Panzer
Ammo is dear, so while you’re a gun author like me, you attempt to mix your testing to get essentially the most out of every spherical fired. I mounted the optic to the PSA JAKL, which I’m additionally reviewing to maximise every shot fired. As a result of JAKL’s facet charging deal with, I felt it was finest to suit the cantilever mount backward. With the optic mounted, I obtained on paper at 50 yards and completed my zero at 100 yards. I can solely go so far as 200 yards in the intervening time, so I labored between 50 and 200 yards on small targets in a number of positions.
There was loads of enjoyable available at these ranges. I shot in a number of positions, used ‘cowl,’ and tried to do some ready-up drills at 100 yards. Admittedly, I used to be stunned by just a few of the Panzer’s options. When zeroing, I actually appreciated the tactile and audible nature of the turrets; that’s all the time a function that warms my soul. Nonetheless, it took me longer to zero than I’d wish to admit.
The glass readability is kind of good for a finances optic. There isn’t a distortion on the edges, and the view is pretty good. My goal sat within the shade, and I sat within the solar at 200 yards. I may nonetheless see the IPSC goal and place rounds proper into his chest. I received’t say it’s up there with a Steiner or Nightforce. Heck, it lags a bit behind among the Main Arms FFP optics, however for the low worth level, I’m impressed.
You may see some shade distortion at 200 yards. Issues begin to look slightly blurry, and there are blue slivers right here and there. For 150 {dollars} it’s higher than it has any proper to be. The reticle is skinny and unobtrusive so it doesn’t cowl the goal at longer ranges.
The Cracks Begin to Present
After having slightly enjoyable and having fun with myself, I assumed a resting place at 100 yards. The gun was benched on a backpack, and I popped the turrets off. I arrange a recent goal and needed to examine the turrets’ measurements. The changes per click on are ½ MOA, so two clicks at 100 yards needs to be roughly 1 inch.
I fired a three-round group as a management group. I then dialed the optic 1 inch to the correct and fired. The shot landed 1.5 inches from the group. There may be actually some room for shooter failure. I dialed the optic again to zero and fired one spherical, and it landed roughly one inch to the correct from my furthest proper shot and 1.5 inches from the middle. The zero was successfully gone.
I saved it on the ‘zero’ setting and dialed one inch to the left. The shot landed three inches from the unique group. I obtained a brand new goal and labored the left and proper measurements. Changes to the correct had been constant, however changes to the left had been all the time extreme, with a 2.5 to 3-inch ratio per two supposed ½ MOA clicks. I obtained the gun re-zeroed, but it surely once more took plenty of ammo and time.
Getting Up Shut
Whereas I zeroed in and shot at lengthy vary, I by no means engaged the illumination. I simply didn’t really feel the necessity for it. After I first acquired the optic, I attempted it out for a couple of minutes, and it labored tremendous. After enjoying at 50 to 200 yards, I moved up shut, set the magnification to 1X, and needed to begin working my up-close drills. I turned the illumination on, and it didn’t work. I attempted each setting and obtained nothing.
One new battery later and it nonetheless didn’t work. Someplace throughout the first 200 rounds, the illumination broke. I nonetheless ran just a few drills up shut, and it principally labored okay. I did miss the concept of a shiny crimson dot to catch my eye, and it confirmed on among the drills at that 25-yard line. Up shut nearer than that, the dot wasn’t missed an excessive amount of for close-range photographs.
After I unloaded and confirmed clear, I obtained the gun and the Panzer just a few quick drops. (Sorry PSA.) I let it tip over from a rested place and did two chest-high drops on all sides of the optic. I went again to 100 yards and fired 5 photographs. There was no noticeable zero shift from the falls and drops.
Price It?
A price ticket of $150 for an FFP scope is a powerful feat. The optic does give good readability, and I just like the reticle. Nonetheless, I want Mosntrum had given clearer directions on how the BDC labored, correct bullet weight, zero distance, and so on. For 150 {dollars}, it does some issues fairly effectively. Nonetheless, it additionally has some critical faults, with the illumination breaking in a short time and the not very correct turrets.
Cracks this early within the scope’s life aren’t an important signal of long-term sturdiness. I wouldn’t recommend this for a critical use of a gun. You probably have a plinker, then go proper forward. For those who’re operating and gunning with a .22LR AR as a coaching rifle and wish an optic that matches a contemporary LPVO, then right here ya go. On a enjoyable gun or a plinker, it’s tremendous, however I wouldn’t take it out of that realm.
Monstrum Panzer 1-6x First Focal Airplane LPVO — Use Coupon Code ammoland25 for 25% Off!
About Travis Pike
Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine Gunner, a lifelong firearms fanatic, and now a daily man who likes to shoot, write, and discover methods to mix the 2. He holds an NRA certification as a Primary Pistol Teacher and is the world’s Okayest firearm’s teacher.
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