FOG HORN

2014
Twobirds Flying Publication

Primary Arms 3X Magnifier Gen III

By: Sal Palma

Late in November, of this year, I completed a

review of the Primary Arms Micro Dot Fixed
Base Gen II red dot sight; I was very much
impressed by it. You can read my review here.
So, I decided to expand the project to include
the Primary Arms 3X magnifier. I had a review
scheduled of a 1-4 Bushnell scope so presenting
a red dot + magnifier system made sense for
two reasons. First, there is a great deal of
discussion across the tactical boards on what is
the best configuration, red dot + magnifier, or a
1-4 or 1-6 magnified optic. Second, red dot +
magnifier sighting systems provide a level of
flexibility thats not available from a dedicated

fixed or variable power magnified optic that

merit discussion.
Its almost hackneyed to reiterate that a red dot
sight is a CQC / CQB accessory. The door kickers
need a way to successfully engage a target
when using iron sights is not possible or
impractical, so the reflex sight was developed.
Theyre intended for fast close up work and not
as a substitute for a precision magnified optic.
Aimpoint, the worlds leading supplier of
military grade red dot sights, like the ubiquitous
M68, deserve credit for making red dot sights a
commodity and in turn creating an industry.

Copyright 2014, Towbirds Flying Publication. All Rights Reserved.

Primary Arms 3X Magnifier Gen III

The red dot sight or more appropriately called a

reflex sight was now sitting on every soldiers
carbine, and from a practical perspective, we
found ourselves with a sight installed on a
Picatinny rail, zeroed, which we dont want to
disturb. So, it made sense for companies, like
Aimpoint, to introduce a magnifier that could sit
behind the red dot sight to provide
magnification, when needed, for observation or
target engagement at distances beyond 100
meters. If the magnifier could then be mounted
on a base that allows it to swing in or out of
play, at the operators discretion, then youve
really added value. So, it came to pass.
However, red dot + magnifier systems are
optimized for short distance rapid engagements
with a magnification option should the operator
need it. It will never achieve the same level of
precision that a dedicated magnified optic is
capable of, nor was it intended to do so.
Therefore, my review will focus on important
but mundane things like optical clarity,
robustness, ease of mounting, etc. I want to
digress for a moment to make one final point.
When discussing 3X, 4X, 6X, or what have you
magnifiers, there seems to be some confusion
on what the magnifier does. One comment that
surfaces repeatedly is it magnifies the dot and
makes its too big. So Ill address that here and
now.
A magnifier enlarges everything in front of its
lens equally, based on its specified power. For
example, in looking through a 3x magnifier the
red dot will appear three times larger, but so
does the target, and the relationship between
red dot dimensions and target dimensions
remains constant; the operator simply sees a
larger image.
Ill start with optical clarity, which Ill describe
as surprising. Candidly, I was expecting a darker

2014

image but Primary Arms 3X magnifier proved

me wrong, and to satisfy my curiosity I
compared it against an IOR 10X monocular; just
to get a feel for the difference. The IOR optic
was superior in both clarity and resolution but
not by a large margin. So, glass and coatings on
the Primary Arms product are acceptable and
doing their job. Staying on optical
characteristics for a bit longer, Id like to touch
on what some reviewers refer to as dot
streaking or comet effects, which is sometimes
presented as a magnifier deficiency not at all
the case.
I put together a simple training aid at the end of
my review that describes the operating
principles of a red dot sight and addresses
where that streaking or comet effect comes
from.
Ill summarize it here by saying that red dot
streaking comes from light scattering by the
reflective surface of the red dots front lens. It is
simply not practical or cost effective to
eliminate light scattering. No matter how highly
polished the front lens is, it would require very
specialized; ergo, expensive processes and
coatings to reduce or eliminate scattering. With
the 3X magnifier in position youre simply
seeing the magnified effects of light scattering
in the sight itself. This is a phenomenon that
youll experience with all magnifiers. There are
also focal length interactions. So, the best way
to deal with the comet factor is to reduce red
dot intensity as much as feasible; keeping in
mind that you will never achieve the same level
of precision as you get with say a Trijicon TAO1NSN. Youll be on target but a hit is the only
realistic expectation you should have.
With these qualifiers out of the way, I can say
that the Primary Arms red dot + magnifier
combination performed very well. If there is
Copyright 2014, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved

Primary Arms 3X Magnifier Gen III

anything to complain about its the miserly 1.9

eye relief, but Primary Arms also offers a
version with extended eye relief, and I suggest
you consider that option.
I used an AK as the test platform and its shorter
length of pull played well with the magnifiers
limited eye relief so its a nonissue for me.
Mounting options are numerous but I would
completely forget using a fixed mount. If you
want the system to work efficiently for you,
youll want a mount that allows you to swing
the magnifier out of the primary sights line of
sight. You can go with a cross bolt or quick
detach rail mount, at your discretion, but youll
need to swing if you want to be in.
Having said that, you dont need to go out and
purchase something made of Kryptonite,
aluminum construction is just fine, magnifiers
dont influence sight zero.
Primary Arms included two adjustment points,
which they refer to as windage and elevation
adjustments. Thats a misleading statement as
the adjustments have zero effect on point of
impact (POI). They simply optically center the
red dot in the magnifiers field of view.
Installation of the magnifier is very simple and
does not require re-zeroing of the primary
optic. First, hold the magnifier up to your eye
and adjust the diopter until you have a clear
image. Next, attach your mount to the rail; you
are positioning the magnifier behind the red dot
sight from the shooters perspective. Mount the
magnifier on the 30mm ring and align it so that
the up and down adjustment turret is
perpendicular to your rail. Lastly, using the
magnifiers up and down and left to right
adjustments, position the red dot so that its
centered in the magnifiers field of view. Youre
now done. For best performance, your
magnifier will be between 1 to 2 inches behind
your red dot sight.

2014

In deciding whether to run with a red dot +

magnifier system or a dedicated magnified
optic, consider principal application of the
weapon system. If your driving objective is
precision at longer ranges, your best solution is
a dedicated 1-4 or an ACOG style optic. If you
need to make fast short range shots, the red
dot + magnifier combination is extremely
flexible. However, adding a magnifier will not
increase system precision. That is limited by the
primary optics inherent limitations.
Magnifiers come in very handy when you are
working potential targets in say a tree line, or
when trying to differentiate a blue force from
an actual threat.
In closing, the Primary Arms magnifier is a
viable and effective tool that can be put in play
on those occasions when you need it. The build
quality and its performance characteristics
make it a bargain at its M.S.R.P. of $69.95
excluding the mount. Theres an overused clich
that says better to have and not need than to
need and not have; the Primary Arms 3X
magnifiers serves that philosophy exceptionally
well. Whether it sits behind an EOTech or
Aimpoint primary optic, this magnifier is quite
capable.
-SP
Features and Manufacturer Specifications:

Water proof and fog resistant (Nitrogen

purged)
Focus ring for a super clear image
One Year Manufacturer Warranty
Eye Relief - 1.9"
Length - 5 1/4"
Weight - 8 1/8 oz
Weight in Screw Mount - 11 7/8 oz
Weight in QD Mount - 11 1/8 oz
Weight in Flip tio Side Mount - 13 1/4 oz.
Field of View: 39.37 feet at 100 yards.

Copyright 2014, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved

Primary Arms 3X Magnifier Gen III

2014

Copyright 2014, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved