Strike Systems Optics

I have an exceptionally good relationship with the team from ActionSportGames (ASG), both with Paul and Jake here in the UK and these days with the guys based in their native Denmark. I’ve got a huge amount of time for them, as they not only have been at the forefront of exceptional licencing agreements (which of course means more than favourable relationships with the ‘real steel’ manufacturers!) but are also hard at work behind the scenes, to see that airsoft is dealt with sensibly when it comes to legality throughout Europe.

They are great people to work with, so when Paul, the ASG UK and ROI Sales Manager, asked me if I would like to check out their ‘in house’ brand of optics, I was keen to make the most of the chance. Unlike some manufacturers and distributors, ASG are always ready to put “their money where their mouth is”, and soon I had confirmation that a selection of STRIKE SYSTEMS optics would be winging their way to me direct from Denmark, to test and evaluate; ASG take the onus off their retail partners by supplying test samples direct, so they’re not having to come out of anyone’s stock, other than their own!

Boxes of goodness!

What arrived with me was a range of optics, both magnified, red-dot, and holo, each very stylishly packaged in their individual boxes with full instruction in English, batteries where required, accessories and even a lens cleaning cloth!

The ‘Dot sight, Red’ (around £40) is a classic micro sight; it’s perfect for low profile configurations. The bright red dot allows for fast target acquisition. The Micro Dot is perfect for fast handgun action, steady shotgun aiming and compact rifles, and mounts easily on any Picatinny rail, using the included hex tool. It can be turned on/off easily with one hand.

The ‘Advanced 551 and 552 red/green dot sights’ (around £80) are designed to resemble the holographic sights offered worldwide. Both models are well put together, using metal and hard plastic, and feature a rear-facing keypad, with on/off and controls for changing the colour of the reticle, red or green, as well as adjusting the brightness. They are fully adjustable for windage and elevation. Two AAA batteries are stored in an easily accessible compartment that is securely locked by a lever mechanism, allowing fast and easy change of batteries, should it be necessary. The sights have a simple screw-on locking system that enables you to mount it on any standard Picatinny/Weaver rail.

The ‘Red/green dot sight w.21mm mount’ (around £65) is a rugged 30-metre red-dot sight constructed from anodised aluminium with a black rubberised coating, featuring a highly visible dual colour ‘Dot in Circle’ reticle with 5-level adjustable brightness, as well as fully adjustable windage and elevation. It can be used on any Airsoft gun with a 21mm standard rail, and if mounted on a M4/AR15 its height, is perfectly centred to allow unobstructed use of the fixed sights. The button type battery is stored in an easily accessible compartment, and there are screw-off caps that protect the windage and elevation dials.

Adding as bit more of a ‘classic’ look to the line-up, the ‘30mm Dot sight, red/green, w. mount’ (around £50) is a sleek, lowprofile 30mm dot sight made from anodised aluminium, with a sun visor that reduces glare for a clear sight picture in bright conditions. It features a highly visible red/green illuminated dot with a variable intensity brightness dial, as well as fully adjustable windage and elevation. It can be used on any Airsoft gun with a 21mm standard rail, and I have to say make the perfect ‘DMR’ accessory!

Pick of the crop

I have to admit that the ‘Tactical 3x32 scope w. rail’ (around £140) is probably my favourite of the samples that were sent over; built to withstand the recoil from most real weapons, this is a durable and tough scope with a professional appearance. The 3x magnification is ideal for any style of airsoft gun, providing pinpoint accuracy on targets. The multi-coated lenses allow optimal light transmission for a crystal-clear image. This STRIKE SYSTEMS ‘Pro Optics’ scope has a crosshair-shaped reticle with a choice of red/ green illumination. The intensity of the red/ green illuminated crosshair can easily be adjusted to five different levels. The scope has a 3x32 magnification and features two standard size rails on the tube, for mounting accessories like flashlight, laser or a small red-dot; I mounted one of the ‘Dot sight, Red’ micro sights to use for ‘close in’ engagements, which works very well indeed. The scope has integrated Picatinny/Weaver rail mount.

Conclusion

I have to admit that I’m very impressed with the STRIKE SYSTEMS optics that I’ve tried thus far, and there are other magnified and red-dot scopes in the range that I am certain will be every bit as good. I expected no less than excellence from ASG, and yet again I am pleased that they have proved that their non-licenced products are every bit as good as those that are!