Primary Arms (PA) is a company that wears many hats. As proof, Primary Arms carries more than 200 of the most trusted brands of firearms, ammunition, lasers and other assorted firearms accessories. Primary Arms is equally well known for optics. While they do carry other brands, PA offers an entire line of their own high-quality glass. Their optics have developed a solid reputation for performance, and as a result Primary Arms recently expanded their line.
7 Primary Arms Optics for 2021
GLx 2.5-10×44 FFP
This new riflescope features PA’s newly designed turrets, offering not just a new look but a host of solid features. Each movement of the turret provides a crisp, audible, and tactile 0.1 mil click that will never wear out, thanks to the tough steel-on-steel construction. Externally, these locking turrets also feature a high-speed return to zero.
The GLx also has other great features. The smooth magnification ring hosts an innovative swappable adjustment fin. The fin can be easily positioned anywhere around the magnification ring to meet the shooter’s needs. Additionally, optional upgrades and alternatives are on the way as well, allowing users to customize their scopes. The GLx 2.5-10x44mm scope is equipped with the first-focal-plane ACSS Raptor M2 reticle. As a result, at low magnifications, the large horseshoe draws the eye for incredible engagement speed at close quarters.
CLICK VALUE: 0.1 mil
EXIT PUPIL DIAMETER: Low: 16.70mm/high: 4.40mm
EYE RELIEF: Low: 2.80 inches/high: 2.70 inches
FIELD OF VIEW 100: Low: 35.80 feet/high: 10.00 feet
FOCAL PLANE: First focal plane
ILLUMINATED: Partial illumination
MAXIMUM MAGNIFICATION: 10
MINIMUM MAGNIFICATION: 2.5
NIGHT VISION: Compatible with night vision
OBJECTIVE DIAMETER: 44mm
RETICLE: ACSS Raptor M2 5.56
RETICLE TYPE: BDC
TOTAL ELEVATION: 37 mil
TOTAL WINDAGE: 37 mil
TUBE DIAMETER: 30mm
OVERALL WEIGHT: 22.5 ounces
HS507C-X2-ACSS
Next up is a collaborative optics effort between Primary Arms and Holosun. The HS507C-X2 is a mini red-dot reflex sight packed full of features. They include Holosun’s Multiple Reticle System (MRS), Solar Failsafe and Shake Awake technology to ensure your reflex sight is always operational when you need it.
On top of the two battery-saving techniques, the HS507C-X2 reflex sight features a 50,000-hour battery life on setting 6 with the CR1632 battery. This battery is located in a convenient tray that slides out and allows you to change it easily without removing the optic from your pistol. This model features a red reticle that can be switched among a 2-MOA dot, a 32-MOA circle, or a circle-dot configuration. It features 7075-T6 aluminum construction with an anodized black finish and fully multi-coated glass for long-term durability.
BASE: Picatinny
BATTERY LIFE: 50,000 hours
BATTERY TYPE: CR1632 3V lithium coin
BRAND: Holosun
BRIGHTNESS: 12 settings
CLICK VALUE: 1 MOA
FINISH: Hardcoat anodized
MATERIAL: 7075-T6 aluminum
NIGHT VISION: Night-vision compatible
RETICLE: ACSS Vulcan
RETICLE COLOR: Red
OVERALL SIZE: Mini reflex
WARRANTY: Limited lifetime
OVERALL WEIGHT: 1.5 ounces
SLX 1-5×24 FFP
Primary Arms has a good reputation with law enforcement agencies, particularly because of optics like the SLX 1-5×24 riflescope. This first-focal-plane optic takes the proven performance of PA’s Gen III scope body and upgrades the internals to provide first-focal-plane functionality. This scope features full red reticle illumination, a quick focus eyepiece and finger adjustable turrets covered by turret caps.
The ACSS Raptor 5.56 first-focal-plane reticle has been calibrated to be true at every magnification. Additionally, the reticle’s features include automatic ranging out to 600 yards, moving target leads and a large, fast horseshoe that easily draws your eye to the target. This caliber-specific reticle is tuned for 5.56mm NATO, 5.45x39mm and .308 Win. Full red reticle illumination is provided by a single CR2032 battery. Also, a total of 11 settings take the reticle all the way up to daylight bright. All lenses are fully multi-coated for maximum light transmission, and the 6063 aluminum body is Type II hardcoat anodized in matte black.
BATTERY TYPE: CR2032 3V lithium coin
CLICK VALUE: 1/4 MOA
EXIT PUPIL DIAMETER: Low: 9.00mm/high: 4.00mm
EYE RELIEF: Low: 4.30 inches/high: 4.00 inches
FIELD OF VIEW 100: Low: 110.00 feet/high: 23.80 feet
FOCAL PLANE: First focal plane
OVERALL LENGTH: 10.6 inches
MAXIMUM MAGNIFICATION: 5X
MINIMUM MAGNIFICATION: 1X
NIGHT VISION: Non-compatible
OBJECTIVE DIAMETER: 24mm
RETICLE: ACSS Raptor M2 5.56
RETICLE TYPE: BDC
TOTAL ELEVATION: 50 MOA
TOTAL WINDAGE: 50 MOA
TUBE DIAMETER: 30mm
OVERALL WEIGHT: 17.6 ounces
SLx 1X MicroPrism
One of the optics I am most excited about is this one since it is a new advanced optical system designed in a super-compact housing. It is compatible with optic magnifiers and co-witnessed with the user’s iron sights. The SLx 1X MicroPrism uses LED technology to provide 13 illumination settings with AutoLive motion-sensing on/off technology and three night-vision settings.
At maximum illumination, the MicroPrism offers true daylight bright performance, while the innovative low-power sleep mode safeguards battery life for reliable, “always-on” storage. Though small, this optic offers both exceptional eye relief and a generous field of view.
CLICK VALUE: 1 MOA
EXIT PUPIL DIAMETER: 15.6mm
EYE RELIEF: 3.6 inches
FIELD OF VIEW: 144 feet
RETICLE: Illuminated
OVERALL LENGTH: 2.48 inches
MAGNIFICATION: 1X
NIGHT VISION: Compatible
OBJECTIVE DIAMETER: 17mm
RETICLE TYPE: ACSS-Cyclops-G2
TOTAL ELEVATION: 120 MOA
TOTAL WINDAGE: 120 MOA
SLx 4-16×44 FFP
This is a first focal plane scope featuring an illuminated mil-dot reticle for ranging targets at 16X magnification. Locking turrets with resettable zero give audible and tactile 1/4-MOA clicks. A side-mounted parallax adjust knob keeps the reticle parallax free and the target image sharp at extended ranges. The scope has 11 brightness settings and 60-MOA windage and elevation travel. It is a lot of scope for the money and includes the Primary Arms lifetime warranty.
BATTERY TYPE: CR2032 3V lithium coin
CLICK VALUE: 1/4 MOA
EXIT PUPIL DIAMETER: Low: 11.20mm/high: 3.30mm
EYE RELIEF: Low: 3.22 inches/high: 3.14 inches
FIELD OF VIEW 100: Low: 27.20 feet/high: 7.85 feet
FOCAL PLANE: First focal plane
OVERALL LENGTH: 12.9 inches
MAXIMUM MAGNIFICATION: 16X
MINIMUM MAGNIFICATION: 4X
NIGHT VISION: Non-compatible
OBJECTIVE DIAMETER: 44mm
RETICLE: ARC-2 MOA
RETICLE TYPE: MOA
TOTAL ELEVATION: 60 MOA
TOTAL WINDAGE: 60 MOA
TUBE DIAMETER: 30mm
OVERALL WEIGHT: 25.2 ounces
SLx MD-20 MRD
In the rifle world, micro red-dots are extremely popular, and Primary Arms knows it. They have now released their SLx MD-20 Micro Red Dot Sight. This optic is a blend of advanced technology and solid features. The newly designed body is aggressively styled and features low-profile, shielded adjustment turrets to minimize the risk of snagging in rifle cases or in brush. The optic has a new high-power emitter that provides true daylight brightness on the high settings, yet retains night-vision compatibility.
It also has an incredible 50,000-hour battery life. To further boost that battery life, the SLx MD-20 is equipped with AutoLive motion activation. This feature turns off the optic when it’s not in use and immediately brings it back to life when the optic is moved, extending both the battery life and the life of the emitter. Compact, durable and powerful, the SLx MD-20 is a well-designed optic for your rifle.
BATTERY LIFE: 50,000 hours
BATTERY TYPE: CR2032 3V lithium coin
BRIGHTNESS: 12 settings
CLICK VALUE: 1/2 MOA
FINISH: Hardcoat anodized
MATERIAL: 6061-T6 aluminum
NIGHT VISION: Night-vision compatible
RETICLE: 2-MOA dot
RETICLE COLOR: Red
OVERALL SIZE: Microdots
WARRANTY: Lifetime
OVERALL WEIGHT: 3.8 ounces
SLx MD-25 Rotary Knob Microdot
This microdot is a hard-to-beat package when you want speed without adding a lot of weight to your firearm. The venerable 30mm red-dot optic is a great option for shooters who prefer to have speed and a wide field of view through their optic. The SLx MD-25 offers a good balance between the two, with a compact design that weighs barely 2 ounces more than a standard microdot yet offers the same field of view as a 30mm red-dot!
The SLx 25mm Red Dot is equipped with PA’s next generation ruggedized mounting system. They have upgraded everything about the mount, from materials and finish to the design to create a mount that will not just clamp securely to your rail but stand up to the rigors of real-world use. Integrated recoil lugs help lock your mount in place against even the heaviest recoil, while large-diameter crossbolts give you significantly improved clamping power and will hold up to significant torque.
The included riser is the perfect height for AR-15s and AR-10s, but can be easily removed for installation on AKs, shotguns and more. Add in super-bright, daytime illumination and up to 50,000-hour battery life, and their next-generation ruggedized micro-mount SLx MD-25 Microdot becomes a serious player in the red-dot game.
BATTERY LIFE: 50,000 hours
BATTERY TYPE: CR2032 3V lithium coin
BRIGHTNESS: 12 settings
CLICK VALUE: 1/2 MOA
FINISH: Hardcoat anodized
MATERIAL: Aluminum
NIGHT VISION: Night-vision compatible
RETICLE: 2-MOA dot
RETICLE COLOR: Red
OVERALL SIZE: Microdots
WARRANTY: Lifetime
OVERALL WEIGHT: 6.5 ounces
For more information, please visit PrimaryArms.com.
This article was originally published in the Personal Defense World Aug/Sept 2021 issue. Subscription is available in print and digital editions at OutdoorGroupStore.com. Or call 1-800-284-5668, or email subscriptions@athlonmediagroup.com.
