First Look: Swampfox Optics Blade 1x Prism Scope

Swampfox Optics' new Blade 1x prism scope is designed with law enforcement patrol rifle and home-defense applications in mind. The sight is specifically created for the the AR-15 and features a Bullet Rise Compensating reticle which provides 5-, 10- and 15-yard holds on target, compensating automatically for the optic’s height over bore.

The need:
There is great demand from small agencies and individual officers for a “duty grade” optic that would hold up to law enforcement conditions. The Blade is the answer to this need for a tough, basic sub-$400 1x prism that is ideal for law enforcement use, and is also very usable for home defense as well.

The optic:
The glass-etched reticle and fast-focus ocular of the Blade is perfect for shooters with astigmatism or other issues which might cause problems with a red-dot sight. The Blade uses a 1913 MIL STD Picatinny mount that is built into the scope body and uses a single CR123a battery.  Windage and elevation caps are tethered to the scope body to help prevent accidental loss. A honeycomb anti-reflection device and high-quality flip caps are included.

Specifically designed for close-quarters work, the Swampfox Blade is also usable at longer distances as well. Seventy-five yards is generally considered a “sniper’s shot.” At five, 10- and even 15-yard distances, the mechanical offset of an optic’s centerline height over bore can make a big difference where your shots land on the target. The Blade's reticle is desiged to compensate for mechanical offset by giving clearly marked point-of-aim for five, 10 and 15-yard targets. Because the mount is built into the optic, your shots will be on-target with any AR-15 that has a  “flat top”-style receiver with a Picatinny-style rail.

The Blade is available with either a red or green illuminated reticle and has 10 settings for light environments ranging from night-vision to full daylight. The reticle is etched into the glass, so it appears in black when illumination is turned off, and unlike a red dot, the Blade’s reticle never “washes out” in a bright white target area or in high illumination areas.

It also includes a “Shake ‘N Wake” motion sensing feature, which automatically turns on the illumination when the rifle is picked up. This makes it ideal for home-defense situations, and a manual shutoff control on top of the sight is also included.

MSRP for the Blade 1x prism sight is $289, and more information is available at swampfoxoptics.com.