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Falcon Optics M18 4-18x44 FFP

Falcon Optics M18 4-18x44 FFP

Falcon Optics is a name that has really gained prominence in recent years, and they now produce a range of scopes to cater for most of the shooting disciplines. The Falcon Menace was a popular model for the company, and several filtered through to the airgun HFT circuit; but with the Menace now sadly discontinued, enthusiasts need to look elsewhere in the Falcon product line-up for a suitable alternative.

However, I’m pleased to report that this isn’t a problem, as this go-ahead company still produces an exciting array of models, and the M18 4-18X44 FFP is a perfect replacement.

Open the snug, foampackaged carriage box, and first impressions are of a bold design. Fans of the old Menace will I’m sure appreciate the familiar chunky turrets, which are a signature feature for Falcon – but with Military influence leading the way in other areas of optics of late, this model also gets a 30mm body tube, and turret click values of .1 Mil Radian. While we’re perusing the spec, the M18 also comes ready supplied with nice quality flip-up lens covers, a two-part sunshade, and a lens cloth.

USP

Interestingly, Falcon have chosen to specialise in First (or Front) Focal Plane scopes, (the FFP in the model name) whereby the reticle sits in front of the magnification system, so stays in proportion to the target, as the magnification is increased. This means true Mil Radian values are maintained when using the reticle in this scope, on whatever magnification, right through, from 4x up to the maximum 18x. This is significant when compared to the much more common Second Focal Plane designs, where the reticle value is only true when used on one particular magnification setting. Not quite a unique selling point but a big pull for many, given the rarity.

Falcon offers a choice of two reticles with this model. Mine came with the B20 Mil Line Reticle fitted, but you can also specify the EMD2 design, which stands for Enhanced Mil Dot. This is the same shape, as in equidistant top and side thick posts, but has Mil Dots and then dash lines for the half Mil Dot marks.

The B20 reticle, as fitted here, is a refreshingly uncluttered design – easy on the eye, yet offering plenty of reference/aim points to get the job done. Lines show for Mil and half Mil values, but the addition of numbers on the lower vertical is a big aid to fast aim-point acquisition, as the eye can easily get confused with a multitude of options on show! Half Mil lines are ideal for my discipline of Hunter Field Target, with small kill sizes easy to range against the reticle.

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The third turret on the left hand side of this scope is the side parallax adjuster, and here there are no pre-set range marks at all. There’s nothing to stop you putting your own ranges on the dial of course, but with many factory applied marks not tallying correctly with actual distances in any case, it’s no great negative in my book. Varying eyesight obviously plays a part here- a problem that is easily highlighted if you’ve ever briefly looked through someone else’s scope!

The parallax knob is however helpfully marked to show which way increases distance, and the turret turns smoothly with just the right amount of resistance.

Zero time

Setting the zero was an opportunity to check the integrity of the turret spindle mechanism, and the usual grid test showed all was in order. In use, I found the M18 came down to a minimum of nine-yards parallax wise, where everything was crystal clear. With the dial adjusted and set by eye, to be parallax free at 28-yards, I found most other HFT distances came in acceptably clear and shootable, with the mag set to 8x incidentally. Turret adjustments are .1 Mil Radian, which equates to 1cm @ 100-metres.

Admittedly this isn’t quite as precise as ¼-inch clicks, but it’s becoming increasingly common, across the board, and serves most people’s needs equally well in real world scenarios. Image quality and resolution is super sharp to the edge of the picture with this scope, and with no discernible aberrations or distortions, I found it a really impressive tool in the field.

A two-part sunshade is supplied, and fixing this in place is a piece of cake. Just unscrew the keeper ring from the lip of the objective lens, and then screw either one or both sections of sunshade into place. Then, screw the keeper ring back onto the front of the sunshade, and push back in place the front flip-up lens cap.

Conclusion

Shockproof, waterproof and nitrogen filled, all the usual assurances are here, along with Falcon’s conditional warranty.

Not much would get me to switch from my old vintage, long-discontinued Zeiss, but this scope honestly set me thinking – which says it all about the feel and overall quality! Those chunky turrets are an irritation, and a consideration when looking at cases and gunbags that have sufficient padding. Get past that nit-pick though, and at £279 RRP including lens caps and that two-part sunshade, and you’re undoubtedly getting a whole lot of scope for your money, with pedigree.

 

  • Falcon Optics M18 4-18x44 FFP - image {image:count}

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  • Falcon Optics M18 4-18x44 FFP - image {image:count}

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  • Falcon Optics M18 4-18x44 FFP - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Falcon Optics M18 4-18x44 FFP - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Falcon Optics M18 4-18x44 FFP - image {image:count}

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gun
features

  • Model: M18 4-18X44 FFP
  • Manufacturer: Falcon Optics
  • Magnification: 4-18x variable
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 44mm
  • Reticle: B20 Mil Line
  • Illumination: No
  • Linear Field of View: 27-7ft @100-yards (variable with mag)
  • Weight: 26oz
  • Eye Relief: 3.3-inches
  • Click Values: .1 MRAD
  • Body Tube: 30mm
  • Minimum Focus: nine-yards on test model
  • Length: 14-inches
  • Turret Type: Target turrets
  • Clicks Per Rotation: 100
  • Max Windage Adjust: 2.5 revolutions
  • Max Elevation Adjust: 2.5 revolutions
  • Price: £279 inc. flip-up lens caps, two-part sunshade & cleaning cloth
  • Contact: Falcon Optics www.falconoptics.com
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