Best 1-4x Scopes for the Money – The 4 Top Optics

The 1-4x scope sits in an awkward spot. It’s not a red dot, not a precision optic—somewhere in between, trying to do both jobs without excelling at either. Or that’s the theory, anyway. What I’ve found after years of running these scopes on AR-15s is that the good ones don’t compromise. They give you true 1x speed for close work and enough magnification to make solid hits out to 300 yards, sometimes further.

The challenge is finding which scopes actually deliver. A lot of 1-4x optics claim true 1x magnification but sit closer to 1.1x or 1.3x, which kills the both-eyes-open shooting that makes these scopes valuable for tactical work. Others nail the low end but have eyebox issues at 4x that make precision shots frustrating. I tested four scopes specifically to find which ones handle the transition between close-range speed and medium-range accuracy without the usual compromises. The Vortex Viper PST 1-4x24mm came out ahead – it delivers premium performance at a price point that makes sense for most shooters.

My Top 4 1-4x Picks

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Why You Can Trust My Recommendations

I learned what matters in a 1-4x scope the hard way—through a 3-gun match in East Texas back in 2011 where my optic’s eyebox turned unforgiving at max magnification right when I needed to make steel hits at 250 yards. I’d bought that scope based on specs and reviews without understanding how critical the transition between 1x and 4x really is for this magnification class. Dropped placements in that match because I was fighting the scope instead of just shooting.

That experience, combined with five years helping customers at Bass Pro Shops choose optics for AR-15s and other tactical rifles, taught me which features actually matter versus which ones just look good in marketing copy. I’ve been testing and reviewing rifle scopes for over 15 years now, and I’ve put more than 200 optics through evaluation on everything from precision bolt guns to AR platforms. I’m an NRA-certified Range Safety Officer and Firearms Instructor, which means I’ve watched hundreds of shooters work with different optics and seen which problems show up consistently.

For this guide, I tested these four 1-4x scopes on my Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport II over several weeks at distances from 25 to 350 yards. The testing wasn’t about collecting data for a spreadsheet—it was about finding which scopes actually work when you’re transitioning between close targets and medium-range shots without giving you a headache in the process.

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Side-by-Side Specs

The specs tell part of the story, but field of view and eye relief matter more than most shooters realize for 1-4x scopes. Those numbers determine how forgiving the scope is when you’re shooting fast.

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The 4 Best 1-4x Scopes

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1. Vortex Viper PST 1-4x24mm – Best Overall Value

The TMCQ Reticle Works When You Need It To

I mounted the Viper PST on my M&P15 expecting another scope with compromises. First mag through it at 25 yards, I noticed the TMCQ reticle didn’t fight me. The center circle caught my eye immediately at 1x without cluttering the sight picture. Moved to 100 yards and cranked up to 4x—the reticle stayed clean enough to use while giving me the holdover marks I’d actually reference. The windage hash marks on the horizontal crosshair sit at 2 MOA intervals, which meant I could make corrections without dialing turrets during transitions between steel targets.

What separated this reticle from cheaper options became obvious when I was shooting during that late afternoon session in October. Light was fading, not quite dark but getting there. The illumination dial sits on the left side of the ocular housing, easy to reach without breaking my cheek weld. I clicked it up three settings and the center of the reticle lit up enough to stay visible against the shadowed backstop at 200 yards. It’s not the brightest illumination I’ve tested, but it delivered when the Crossfire II’s illumination would’ve been borderline useless.

CRS Zero Stop Prevented the Usual Mistake

The Customizable Rotational Stop is one of those features I didn’t appreciate until I used it. After zeroing at 100 yards, I used the included hex key to set the zero stop on the elevation turret. A week later, I dialed up 3 MOA to compensate for a 250‑yard shot, then spun the turret back down. The stop kept me from going past zero. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve blown past my zero on other scopes and had to recount clicks or re-zero. The CRS eliminated that problem entirely.

The turrets themselves have positive, audible clicks—half MOA per click, so four clicks equaled 2 MOA of adjustment. The radius bar (a fiber optic indicator on the turret) showed me which rotation I was on, though honestly I rarely needed it for the distances I was shooting. But the fact it’s there shows Vortex was thinking about shooters who’d push this scope past 300 yards.

Glass Quality That Exceeds the Price Point

I’ve tested scopes in this price range that claim premium glass but deliver mediocre edge-to-edge clarity. The Viper PST uses extra-low dispersion glass and it shows. Looking through it at 4x magnification from 250 yards, I could clearly see the edge of my 8-inch steel plate against the Texas dirt behind it. No noticeable chromatic aberration around high-contrast edges, no mushiness at the periphery of the image. The glass stayed crisp all the way to the edge of the sight picture.

The fast-focus eyepiece let me get the reticle sharp in about two seconds of adjustment. Some shooters I know struggle with getting the reticle focus dialed in, but the Viper PST’s eyepiece has enough range and is smooth enough that you can nail it quickly even if your eyesight isn’t perfect.

The 98-Foot Field of View Makes Transitions Faster

Field of view at 1x doesn’t sound like a critical spec until you’re shooting a stage with multiple close-range targets. The Viper PST gives you 98 feet at 100 yards when dialed down to 1x. During a drill where I had to engage three targets at 15, 25, and 35 yards in rapid sequence, that extra width meant I could see all three targets without moving the rifle much. I’ve shot 1-4x scopes with narrower fields of view that force you to hunt for the next target. This one didn’t.

The MagView fiber optic indicator on top of the magnification ring is another small detail that works. A little orange line shows you exactly what power you’re on without having to tilt the scope to read numbers. When you’re moving fast between close and medium-range targets, knowing whether you’re at 1x or 3x without checking saves a fraction of a second.

Where the Viper PST Stumbled

The magnification ring was stiff out of the box. Not unusably stiff, but noticeably tighter than it should be for quick adjustments. After about 150 rounds of shooting where I was constantly changing magnification, it loosened up to an acceptable level.

The other issue is weight. At 16.2 ounces, this scope isn’t heavy for what you’re getting, but it’s definitely not the lightest option in this test. On my 16-inch AR, the added weight pushed the balance point forward slightly. Not a dealbreaker, but worth noting if you’re building a lightweight carbine.

Field Test Data

Test Parameter	Result
100-Yard Zero Retention	Held zero through 280 rounds, no shift detected
Low-Light Usability	Reticle visible at dusk (7:15 PM) with illumination at setting 5/11
Best 5-Shot Group at 100 Yards	1.1 inches from bench, bipod support
Transition Speed (1x to 4x)	2.1 seconds average with throw lever
Field of View Accuracy Check	Measured 96 feet at 100 yards on 1x (within spec tolerance)

Tested with: Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport II | Federal American Eagle 55gr FMJ

Pros and Cons

PROS CRS zero stop works flawlessly and prevents common dialing mistakes TMCQ reticle balances speed and precision without visual clutter Extra-low dispersion glass delivers edge-to-edge clarity that rivals pricier scopes 98-foot field of view at 1x makes target transitions notably faster 220 MOA adjustment range provides more than enough elevation for this magnification class

CONS Magnification ring comes stiff from factory, requires break-in period At 16.2 oz, it’s heavier than budget options and shifts rifle balance forward Illumination, while functional, isn’t daylight-bright in full sun

Performance Ratings

Learn more about how I test and rate scopes.

The Viper PST delivers where it matters. The CRS zero stop, usable reticle, and glass quality make it the scope I’d recommend to most shooters looking at 1-4x optics. It’s not perfect—the weight and stiff magnification ring are legitimate criticisms—but for the money, nothing else in this test offers the same combination of features and performance.

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2. Steiner P4Xi 1-4x24mm – Best Glass Quality

German Glass That Actually Justifies the Reputation

I’ve heard the “German engineering” sales pitch enough times to be skeptical. The Steiner P4Xi made me reconsider that skepticism. First time I looked through it at the 200-yard berm, the difference in glass quality compared to the Crossfire II was immediately obvious. Higher contrast, sharper detail in the image, better color fidelity. Not a subtle improvement—noticeable enough that I had to check the scope again to make sure I was actually looking through the same 24mm objective as the other scopes in this test.

The high-contrast optics Steiner advertises aren’t marketing fluff. During an overcast morning session where everything looked flat and gray to the naked eye, the P4Xi’s image had more pop to it. I could distinguish my steel targets from the background dirt more easily than with any other scope I tested. That contrast advantage would matter even more during low-light conditions at dawn or dusk.

The 110-Foot Field of View Changes the Experience

At 1x magnification, the Steiner gives you 110 feet of field of view at 100 yards. That’s the widest in this entire test—12 feet wider than the Viper PST and about 14 feet wider than the Crossfire II. Numbers on a spec sheet don’t convey what that feels like when you’re behind the rifle. The sight picture at 1x feels genuinely open, almost like you’re not looking through an optic at all.

I ran a drill with three targets at 20, 30, and 50 yards. With the Steiner, I could see all three in my peripheral vision without moving the rifle. Transitions felt faster because I wasn’t hunting for the next target in a narrow tunnel. That extra width is the difference between this scope feeling like a magnified optic and feeling like an unmagnified red dot with zoom capability.

P3TR Reticle: Simple but Effective

The P3TR reticle is calibrated for both 5.56 and 7.62 NATO and includes stadia lines below the crosshair for holdovers out to 600 yards with a 200-yard zero. The illuminated reticle offers true 1x magnification with a daylight-viewable center section that provides fast target acquisition in CQB situations. Since the P3TR is a second focal plane reticle, all elements remain the same apparent size throughout the magnification range – both the center crosshair and the stadia marks are visible and usable at any magnification from 1x to 4x.

I tested the holdover marks at 300 yards using the first stadia line down from center. The holds were reasonably accurate for Federal 55-grain ammunition—not match-grade precision, but close enough for hitting a 10-inch plate. For this magnification range, that’s all you need. The reticle doesn’t clutter the sight picture with information you won’t use at distances under 400 yards.

Illumination System with More Flexibility

The P4Xi offers 11 brightness settings: five for daylight, four for low light, and two specifically for use with night vision. The dial has an off position between each setting, which completely disconnects the battery when you’re not using illumination. That’s a smart design choice that extends battery life—I’ve had scopes where the illumination drained the battery even when “off” because the circuit never fully disconnected.

At the highest daylight setting, the illuminated dot was visible even in direct Texas sunlight at 2 PM. That’s genuinely useful. The Crossfire II’s illumination disappears in bright conditions. The Viper PST’s is better but still not what I’d call daylight-bright. The Steiner actually works when the sun is out, which is when you’d most want illumination to make the reticle pop against a dark background.

Weight and Balance Become Noticeable

At 17.3 ounces and 10.3 inches long, the P4Xi is both the heaviest and longest scope in this comparison. On my M&P15, the extra weight pushed the rifle’s balance point noticeably forward. Not enough to ruin the handling, but enough that you feel it after holding the rifle for an extended period. If you’re building a lightweight carbine or patrol rifle where every ounce matters, this weight penalty is worth considering.

The throw lever Steiner includes helps with the magnification ring, which is smooth but requires a deliberate push to change power settings. The lever gives you mechanical advantage to adjust magnification quickly, though the ring itself would benefit from being slightly looser.

The Turrets Work, But Nothing Special

The capped turrets are low-profile, which makes sense for a tactical scope where you don’t want anything snagging on gear. The clicks are positive and audible at half MOA per click, same as the Viper PST. But there’s no zero stop, no tool-less reset, no special features. They’re functional turrets that do the job without any refinement.

For a scope at this price point, I expected something more than basic capped turrets. The Viper PST costs less and includes the CRS zero stop system. Steiner clearly put their engineering effort into the glass and left the turrets as straightforward as possible.

Field Test Data

Test Parameter	Result
100-Yard Zero Retention	Zero held through 260 rounds, no adjustments needed
Daylight Illumination Test	Visible in full sun (2:30 PM) at maximum brightness setting
Best 5-Shot Group at 100 Yards	0.9 inches from bench, bipod support
Field of View Measurement	Confirmed 108 feet at 100 yards on 1x (within manufacturing tolerance)
Low-Light Contrast Test	Target edges clearly visible 15 minutes after sunset

Tested with: Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport II | Federal American Eagle 55gr FMJ

Pros and Cons

PROS Genuinely superior glass quality with high-contrast optics that perform in poor light 110-foot field of view at 1x is widest in test; makes transitions significantly faster Illumination works in full daylight at maximum setting, not just low light 11 brightness levels with off positions between settings maximize battery life P3TR reticle balances speed at close range with usable holdovers at distance

CONS At 17.3 oz, it’s the heaviest scope tested and affects rifle balance noticeably Turrets lack zero stop or advanced features found on cheaper competitors Higher price point demands more from the feature set than what’s delivered

Performance Ratings

Learn more about how I test and rate scopes.

The Steiner P4Xi excels at what Steiner does best: optical performance. If glass quality matters more to you than features or weight, this scope delivers. The field of view advantage is real and makes a practical difference when shooting. But at this price point, the lack of advanced turret features and the weight penalty mean it’s not the best value—just the best glass.

You can also check my guides on which are the best .450 Bushmaster scopes and the best FFP scopes.

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3. Trijicon AccuPoint TR-24 1-4x24mm – Best Battery-Free Illumination

The Fiber Optic System Actually Works

The first thing that strikes you about the Trijicon is the illumination. No battery, no brightness dial, no settings to fidget with. A fiber optic cable runs along the top of the scope, gathering ambient light and piping it to the reticle. During that same 2 PM session where the Crossfire II’s battery-powered illumination disappeared in direct sunlight, the AccuPoint’s triangle was glowing bright amber. Not “visible if you squint” bright—genuinely bright enough to be useful.

I tested it again at dusk, around 7:30 when natural light was fading. The fiber optic stopped working as the ambient light dropped, but the tritium vial embedded in the reticle kicked in. The triangle glowed dimly in low light—not as bright as a battery-powered system at maximum setting, but bright enough to see against a dark backstop at 100 yards. The tritium has a half-life of about 12 years, and Trijicon warrants it for 15 years, which means this scope will be providing some level of illumination well beyond a decade without needing batteries.

The Eye Relief Problem Is Real

At 3.2 inches, the AccuPoint has the shortest eye relief in this test. That’s nearly an inch less than the Vortex scopes. The difference is noticeable from the moment you shoulder the rifle. I had to position my head further forward than usual to get a full sight picture, and the eyebox felt tight—especially at 4x magnification where any deviation from perfect head position resulted in scope shadow creeping into the edges of my view.

During a rapid transition drill where I moved between three targets at different distances, I lost the full sight picture twice because my head position shifted slightly as I moved the rifle. With the Viper PST or Crossfire II, that same head movement wouldn’t have mattered. The 4-inch eye relief on those scopes is forgiving enough that small position changes don’t cost you the image. The AccuPoint demands more precise positioning, which slows you down when shooting fast.

For a defensive rifle where the scope might be used under stress with an inconsistent shooting position, this eye relief limitation is a legitimate concern. If you’re building a precision rifle that’ll primarily be shot from a bench or bipod with a consistent cheek weld, it matters less. But for the tactical applications Trijicon markets this scope toward, the short eye relief is a handicap.

Triangle Post Reticle: Fast but Limited

The Triangle Post reticle uses Trijicon’s Bindon Aiming Concept—the idea that you can aim with both eyes open and your dominant eye will naturally focus on the illuminated aiming point. At 1x magnification shooting targets at 35 yards, the bright amber triangle did catch my eye quickly. The post below it provided a vertical reference without cluttering the sight picture.

Where the reticle struggles is at distance with precision work. There are no holdover marks, no stadia lines, no MOA references. Just the triangle and the post. At 4x magnification trying to hit a 10-inch plate at 250 yards, I found myself wishing for some kind of reference point beyond the triangle tip. With the TMCQ or P3TR reticles, I had hashmarks I could use for windage corrections or elevation holds. The Triangle Post gave me nothing but an aiming point.

This reticle is clearly optimized for point-blank to 200-yard engagements where you’re using a zero that keeps you within a few inches of point of aim. If that describes your use case, the simplicity works. If you need to stretch this scope to 300 or 400 yards, you’ll be guessing at holds.

Lightest in Test Despite the Length

At 14.4 ounces, the AccuPoint is the lightest scope I tested. That weight advantage is noticeable on the rifle—the M&P15 balanced better with the Trijicon than with the heavier Viper PST or Steiner. But the scope is also 10.3 inches long, same length as the Steiner, which means it takes up most of the rail space on a carbine-length AR.

The magnification ring is smooth and has positive detents at 1x and 4x, so you can feel when you’re at the extremes of the zoom range without looking. The adjustment clicks are quarter MOA, finer than the half-MOA clicks on the other scopes in this test. That precision is nice if you’re making small adjustments, but it also means you’re turning the turrets eight times per 2 MOA instead of four times. For the distances and applications where 1-4x scopes typically get used, the finer adjustment is more resolution than you need.

Build Quality That Feels Overengineered

Trijicon builds optics for military contracts, and that engineering shows in the AccuPoint. The scope feels dense and solid, with zero play in any of the moving parts. The adjustment caps are tight and require deliberate effort to remove. The diopter adjustment has more range than most scopes, accommodating a wider range of prescriptions. These are small details that add up to a scope that feels like it was built to survive harder use than most civilian applications will ever demand.

The finish is a low-glare matte black that doesn’t show handling marks easily. After several range sessions where I was constantly adjusting the scope and handling it with sweaty hands, it looked nearly as clean as when I first mounted it. The build quality is not where the AccuPoint compromises.

Field Test Data

Test Parameter	Result
100-Yard Zero Retention	Held zero through 220 rounds
Fiber Optic Brightness Test	Clearly visible in direct sun; tritium functional after dark
Best 5-Shot Group at 100 Yards	1.2 inches from bench, bipod support
Eye Relief Tolerance Test	Scope shadow appeared with 0.4″ head position shift at 4x
Reticle Acquisition Speed	1.8 seconds average at 25 yards (1x, illuminated)

Tested with: Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport II | Federal American Eagle 55gr FMJ

Pros and Cons

PROS Fiber optic/tritium illumination works in full daylight and complete darkness without batteries Lightest scope tested at 14.4 oz; doesn’t add significant weight to rifle Military-grade build quality with overengineered construction and durability Triangle Post reticle acquires quickly at close range with both eyes open 1/4 MOA clicks provide precise adjustment capability

CONS 3.2″ eye relief is shortest in test and creates tight eyebox at 4x magnification Triangle Post reticle lacks holdover references for precision work beyond 200 yards Premium price demands more features than what’s delivered relative to competition 90 MOA adjustment range is adequate but least generous in this comparison

Performance Ratings

Learn more about how I test and rate scopes.

The Trijicon AccuPoint solves one problem brilliantly—battery-free illumination that actually works in all light conditions—but creates another problem with its short eye relief. If you’re building a defensive rifle where dead batteries aren’t acceptable and you can work within the eye relief constraints, this scope makes sense. For most shooters, the Viper PST delivers more usability at less cost.

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4. Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x24mm – Best Budget Value

Simplicity That Works Within Its Limits

The Crossfire II doesn’t try to be something it’s not. I mounted it on my AR expecting budget-scope compromises and found exactly that—but compromises I could work with. The V-Brite reticle is based on Vortex’s V-Plex hunting crosshair: thick outer posts tapering to thin crosshairs at center, with an illuminated dot right in the middle. At 1x magnification, my eye went straight to that center dot, which is the whole point of this reticle design.

At a 50-yard stage where I had to engage three targets in under five seconds, the reticle worked. The tapered posts drew my focus to the center without cluttering my view of the targets. In low light or deep shade, the illuminated dot made acquisition marginally faster. I say marginally because in outdoor daylight, the illumination effectively doesn’t exist.

The Illumination Problem Everyone Mentions

Here’s what every review of this scope eventually addresses: the illumination isn’t daylight-visible. At all. I tested it at 1 PM in direct Texas sunlight with the brightness cranked to maximum. The center dot was invisible unless I shaded the objective lens with my hand. The 11 brightness settings give you plenty of adjustment range, but none of them are bright enough to compete with daylight.

Where the illumination actually works is in low light. During an evening session as the sun was setting, I clicked the brightness up to setting 7 and the dot became clearly visible. Indoors or in heavy shade, the illumination functions as intended. If your use case is primarily indoor or dawn/dusk shooting, the illumination is functional. If you’re shooting in the middle of the day and want an illuminated reticle to pop against shadowed targets, look elsewhere.

Glass Quality Reveals the Price Difference

The Crossfire II uses fully multi-coated lenses, and the glass is fine for what it is. But “fine” is the operative word. Compared to the Viper PST or Steiner, the image through the Crossfire II is noticeably softer at the edges and has less contrast overall. At 100 yards looking at steel targets, I could see them clearly enough to hit them, but fine details weren’t as sharp as through the more expensive scopes.

I also noticed some fisheye distortion at 1x magnification—straight lines at the periphery of the image appeared slightly curved. It’s not severe enough to ruin the scope’s usability, but it’s there if you’re looking for it. At 4x magnification, the distortion is less noticeable because the narrower field of view puts less of the image at the edges where the distortion occurs.

Turrets Are Functional but Unrefined

The capped turrets have 1/2 MOA clicks and include a zero-reset feature. After zeroing the scope, you can pull up the turret cap, realign it to the zero mark, and push it back down. Not as sophisticated as the Viper PST’s CRS zero stop, but it does let you return to zero after making temporary adjustments.

The turret clicks on my test scope were… inconsistent. Some clicks were crisp and audible, others felt mushy. I’ve seen enough reports of this from other Crossfire II users to think it might be a quality control issue rather than a universal design flaw. The turrets tracked correctly—I dialed 4 MOA up, shot, dialed 4 MOA down, and returned to my original point of impact. But the tactile feedback wasn’t confidence-inspiring.

Compact and Light for the Budget Tier

At 15.6 ounces and 9.6 inches long, the Crossfire II is the most compact scope I tested. Only the Trijicon is lighter at 14.4 ounces, but the Crossfire II’s shorter length—over half an inch shorter than both the Steiner and Trijicon—makes it feel more nimble on the rifle. On my M&P15, it balanced well and didn’t push the rifle’s center of gravity forward the way the heavier scopes did.

The fast-focus eyepiece works smoothly and got the reticle sharp quickly. The 4-inch eye relief matches the Viper PST and feels comfortable behind an AR. No issues with scope bite or having to hunt for the sight picture. For building a lightweight carbine or a budget AR where every dollar matters, the Crossfire II’s combination of low weight and compact size is a legitimate advantage.

Field Test Data

Test Parameter	Result
100-Yard Zero Retention	Held zero through 240 rounds
Best 5-Shot Group at 100 Yards	1.4 inches from bench, bipod support
Illumination Visibility Test	Not visible in direct sunlight; visible at dusk (setting 7/11)
Edge Distortion Assessment	Mild fisheye at 1x; minimal at 4x
Turret Tracking Test	4 MOA adjustments returned to zero accurately

Tested with: Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport II | Federal American Eagle 55gr FMJ

Pros and Cons

PROS Most compact scope in test; shortest length makes it nimble on carbine platforms V-Brite reticle is simple, uncluttered, and effective for close-range work Vortex VIP warranty covers any damage or defects for life Zero-reset turrets are basic but functional for returning to zero Price point makes it accessible for budget-conscious shooters

CONS Illumination completely unusable in daylight conditions Glass quality shows edge softness and reduced contrast vs pricier options Turret clicks feel inconsistent—possible QC issue on some units Mild fisheye distortion visible at 1x magnification

Performance Ratings

Learn more about how I test and rate scopes.

For the money, the Crossfire II is hard to beat. You’re getting a functional 1-4x scope from a reputable company with an unbeatable warranty, and you’re giving up illumination performance and glass quality to get there. If your budget is tight and you understand the trade-offs you’re making, this scope will get you on target. Just don’t expect it to perform like scopes that cost twice as much.

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How I Actually Tested These Scopes

I tested all four scopes on my Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport II over a six-week period from late September through early November at my family’s property outside Dallas. The testing wasn’t compressed into a single day—I wanted to see how these scopes performed across different lighting conditions and temperature ranges, from 90-degree afternoons to 50-degree mornings. Each scope got mounted with a Vortex cantilever mount, zeroed at 100 yards, then run through the same series of drills and shooting scenarios.

I shot approximately 1,000 rounds of Federal American Eagle 55-grain FMJ across all four scopes. That’s the Lake City-manufactured stuff in brown boxes that’s become the standard for AR testing—consistent enough for meaningful accuracy evaluation without breaking the budget. Distances ranged from 15 yards for close-range transition drills up to 350 yards to see how far I could push a 1-4x scope with usable results.

Beyond the four scopes that made this guide, I tested and rejected two others. A Monstrum G2 1-4×24 FFP that lost zero after 60 rounds and had illumination that failed completely. A UTG 1-4.5×24 that had acceptable glass for the price but turrets that felt gritty and imprecise—the clicks weren’t consistent enough to trust for repeatable adjustments.

I tracked zero retention by shooting a three-shot group, noting the point of impact, then shooting another three-shot group after 50-80 rounds to confirm nothing shifted. Glass quality got evaluated by comparing edge-to-edge sharpness, chromatic aberration around high-contrast targets, and low-light performance as the sun set. Field of view measurements came from setting up targets at known distances and measuring how much width I could see through the scope at 1x. The testing was methodical but not clinical—I wanted to know what these scopes feel like to actually use, not just what numbers they produce on a spec sheet.

Get more information on how I test optics here.

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What Shooters Get Wrong About 1-4x Scopes

Thinking 1x Actually Means “Just Like a Red Dot”

The biggest misconception I hear is that a scope marked “1x” will perform identically to a red dot sight at close range. It won’t. Even true 1x low-power variables—and many aren’t actually 1x, they’re closer to 1.1x or 1.3x—still have eye relief and eyebox requirements that red dots don’t. A red dot lets you move your head around and maintain a sight picture. A 1-4x scope at 1x magnification still demands you position your eye correctly or you’ll see scope shadow. If your primary use is close-quarters work inside 50 yards, a red dot will always be faster. The 1-4x makes sense when you need that close-range capability but also expect shots at 150-300 yards where magnification helps.

Assuming Battery-Powered Illumination Is Equally Bright Across All Scopes

Not all illumination systems perform the same. Budget scopes often have illumination that’s only visible in low light or indoors—it disappears completely in bright conditions. I’ve seen shooters buy a scope specifically for its illuminated reticle only to discover the illumination is useless during the middle of the day when they’re actually shooting. Before buying based on illumination, find out whether it’s daylight-visible or low-light-only. The difference matters more than most marketing copy admits.

Overlooking Eye Relief When Choosing Mounts

Eye relief isn’t just a comfort issue—it determines how far forward or rearward you need to mount the scope. A 1-4x scope with 3.2 inches of eye relief needs to sit further back on the rail than one with 4 inches. If you buy a scope without checking eye relief and use a cantilever mount designed for different eye relief specs, you’ll either be too far from the scope or too close to it. Measure your preferred eye position on your rifle before selecting a mount, or you’ll spend time and money fixing a problem you could’ve avoided.

Believing More Adjustment Range Is Always Better

One scope in this test has 220 MOA of elevation adjustment. Another has 90 MOA. For a 1-4x scope used within its intended range—call it 25 to 400 yards maximum—90 MOA is plenty. The extra adjustment range sounds impressive on a spec sheet but doesn’t deliver practical value for how these scopes actually get used. If you’re shopping 1-4x scopes and comparing adjustment ranges, don’t let massive numbers sway you unless you have a specific reason to need them. Focus on the features that matter for close-to-medium range work: field of view, eye relief, and reticle design.

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Your Questions Answered

Should I get 1-4x or go straight to 1-6x or 1-8x?

Depends on your typical engagement distances. If most of your shooting happens between 25 and 250 yards, 1-4x gives you enough magnification without adding weight, length, or cost. The 1-6x and 1-8x scopes shine when you’re regularly pushing past 300 yards and need the extra magnification for target identification or precision. But that extra magnification comes with trade-offs—heavier scopes, tighter eyebox at maximum power, and higher prices. For a general-purpose AR where you’re not primarily shooting at distance, 1-4x makes more sense.

Does second focal plane vs first focal plane matter on a 1-4x?

Not nearly as much as it does on higher magnification scopes. All four scopes in this guide are second focal plane, where the reticle stays the same size regardless of magnification. With only 4x of zoom range, the difference between 1x and 4x isn’t dramatic enough to make FFP reticles necessary. First focal plane designs can work fine on 1-4x scopes, but the reticle often becomes too small to see clearly at 1x. For this magnification class, SFP is typically the better choice.

Can I use a 1-4x scope for hunting?

Absolutely, depending on what you’re hunting and where. For whitetail in thick woods where shots are under 150 yards, a 1-4x scope is ideal—wide field of view at low power helps you find deer in cover, and 4x gives enough magnification for accurate shot placement. For open-country hunting where animals appear at 300+ yards, you’ll want more magnification. The 1-4x range works best for hunting scenarios where quick target acquisition matters as much as magnification.

How important is illumination on a 1-4x scope?

Useful but not critical. Illumination helps with fast reticle acquisition at 1x and makes the reticle visible against dark backgrounds in low light. But a well-designed reticle is visible without illumination in most conditions. If you’re using the scope for home defense or tactical applications where low-light performance matters, get illumination that’s actually daylight-bright. For hunting or range use, non-illuminated reticles work fine.

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Which Scope for Your Shooting Style?

If you’re building a do-everything AR-15 that needs to handle both close-range drills and 200-300 yard shots without breaking your budget, the Vortex Viper PST gives you the best combination of features and performance. The CRS zero stop, TMCQ reticle, and solid glass quality deliver premium capabilities at a mid-tier price. It’s the scope I’d recommend to most shooters who asked me “which 1-4x should I buy?”

If optical clarity matters more than anything else and you’re willing to accept some weight to get the best glass in this magnification class, go with the Steiner P4Xi. The 110-foot field of view and high-contrast optics genuinely improve your ability to find and engage targets quickly. Just understand you’re paying premium pricing for premium glass, and the turrets don’t match that premium feel.

If you’re on a tight budget and need a functional 1-4x scope for plinking, basic training, or an entry-level build, the Vortex Crossfire II delivers acceptable performance at a price point that won’t hurt. The limitations are real—weak illumination, softer glass, inconsistent turret feel—but Vortex’s lifetime warranty means the scope will be replaced if anything breaks. For budget-conscious shooters, that warranty adds significant value.

If you’re building a defensive rifle where battery failure isnt acceptable and you can work within the 3.2-inch eye relief constraint, the Trijicon AccuPoints fiber optic and tritium illumination system works as advertised. The scope will be providing illumination well beyond a decade from now without needing batteries, backed by Trijicon’s 15-year warranty.

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Disclosure

I purchased all four scopes in this guide with my own money from retail sources. No manufacturers provided evaluation units, and nobody paid for favorable coverage. The Amazon and OpticsPlanet links in this guide are affiliate links—if you buy through them, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. That commission helps cover the cost of buying and testing optics, but it doesn’t influence which scopes I recommend. I test what’s worth testing and recommend what actually performs.

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Final Thoughts

The 1-4x magnification range does one thing well: it bridges the gap between red dot speed and scope precision without demanding the weight, complexity, or cost of higher-magnification LPVOs. After testing these four scopes across six weeks and 1,000 rounds, the Vortex Viper PST emerged as the best overall choice. The CRS zero stop prevents mistakes, the TMCQ reticle works for both close-range speed and medium-range precision, and the glass quality exceeds what you’d expect at this price point. It’s not perfect—the stiff magnification ring and added weight are legitimate criticisms—but it delivers the most complete package for the widest range of shooters.

The Steiner P4Xi wins on pure optical performance with the widest field of view and best glass clarity in the test, but at a premium price that demands more from the feature set. The Vortex Crossfire II makes sense for budget builds where you understand and accept the compromises you’re making. And the Trijicon AccuPoint solves the battery-free illumination problem brilliantly while creating an eye relief problem that limits its usability.

What matters most is matching the scope to how you’ll actually use it. A 1-4x optic on a 16-inch AR is a practical tool for defensive use, hunting in thick cover, and shooting at the range from 25 to 300 yards. It’s not the optic you need for precision work at 600 yards, and it’s not as fast as a true red dot at close range. But within its intended envelope, a good 1-4x scope like the Viper PST handles everything from rapid target transitions at 25 yards to steady shooting at 250 yards without demanding you swap optics or compromise on either end of that spectrum.

If you’re looking at other magnification ranges, check out my guides on the best 1-6x scopes and the best 1-8x scopes for options that push the high end of the zoom range further. The extra magnification helps if you’re regularly shooting past 300 yards, but it comes with weight and eyebox trade-offs that matter for close-range work. Choose based on where you actually shoot, not where you imagine you might shoot someday.