Not often do you see arguments against regular rifle scopes because of how well they’ve transformed the industry and improved shooting accuracy. However, there’s a big problem with this type of scope. They are usually big and cumbersome, making the whole setup heavy and difficult to carry. This is a huge drawback considering most shooters have to carry their gadgets across thick bushes and for hours.
Up steps a solution in the form of prism scopes. A prism scope is a smaller, more compact scope composed of glass prisms just like binoculars. The glass prism makes it more compact than regular rifle scopes.
Prism or prismatic scopes, as they are also called, have low-end fixed magnification ratings usually at 1x, 2.5x, 3x, 4x, or 6x. It works like a red dot sight with an option to choose between red or green illumination. When it comes to tactical prisms, the demand has continued to rise over the years with more tactical shooters embracing this low magnification prism scope with tactical features enabled.
Vortex Optics Spitfire 1×25 Prism Scope
Our Top Recommendation for Tactical Prism Scopes for Your Rifles!
At 1x magnification, this vortex spitfire scope stands tall above all the other prism scopes. It features a DRT MOA reticle, several illumination levels, and dot options with night vision compatibility.
*We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you
If you’re among the teeming shooters looking to cop one of these for their tactical shooting but don’t know the most suitable for their needs, this article will guide you.
Table of Contents
Best Tactical Prism Scopes
Now to the light of some of the best prism scopes for your tactical shooting. These scopes have been tested and trusted as the best in the business.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Vortex Optics Spitfire 1×25 Prism Scope | • Magnification of 1x • Objective lens diameter of 25 mm • DRT MOA reticle | View Price |
 | Trijicon ACOG 3.5x35mm Prism Scope | • Magnification of 3.5x • Objective lens diameter of 35mm • BAC technology for both eyes open shooting | View Price |
 | TACFUN Prismatic Series 4x32mm Scope | • Magnification of 4x • Objective lens diameter of 32 mm • Extremely affordable | View Price |
 | Monstrum S330P 3x30mm Prism Scope | • Magnification of 3x • Objective lens diameter of 30mm • Illuminated circle dot reticle | View Price |
 | Northtac Ronin P-Series Programmable Prism Micro Scope | • Magnification of 1x • Objective lens diameter of 20mm • Holds zero | View Price |
#1. Vortex Optics Spitfire 1×25 Prism Scope
Vortex is a popular brand in the optics industry, and is no surprise one of its products’ tops this list. The vortex optics Spitfire 1x prism scope has no magnification and, as such, is limited to only short-range shooting. It tops this list but surprisingly sits at an affordable price range. It sports a 25mm objective lens size.
Even though prism scopes work like red dot sights, they do not have unlimited eye relief. This vortex scope has an eye relief of 3.8 inches and would need to be mounted as far back as possible so you can position your head properly. It sports a good enough eye box that allows you to shoot at awkward angles and still see the full field of view.
The glass is made from a single prism against a collection of lenses, and this allows more light into the scope to brighten the image. You’ll notice it is easier to acquire your target with this scope. The prism is also fully multi-coated for improved image quality through light transmission.
The reticle is cut directly on the prism, so even when you run out of battery, you can still use the scope, albeit without illumination. With two illumination settings of green and red and a host of different brightness settings, you can select the most suitable at each time of the day or night.
It is fitted with a dual ring tactical (DRT) MOA reticle that instantly draws your eyes to the target. People with astigmatism will find this prismatic scope effective as the etched reticle does not look blurred for them. The double circle reticle and fast focus eyepiece improve the speed of target alignment and accuracy.
This vortex scope sports adjustable turrets for its elevation and windage control with audible turrets set at ½ MOA per click. There’s also an added BDC turret cap that adjusts for bullet drop, which you make changes to your elevation, allowing you to increase accuracy at farther distances.
With its hard-anodized finish, its body is protected from scratches and rust. It is also O-ring sealed and purged with nitrogen, so water and fog stay out of the scope. It can withstand accidental hits for a long-lasting scope that is still backed by an impressive vortex warranty.
Pros
- Magnification of 1x
- 25mm objective lens diameter
- 10 illumination levels with green and white dot options
- DRT MOA reticle that you can use even without illumination
- Fully multi-coated lenses for improved image clarity
- Shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof design
- Lower illumination is compatible with night vision
Cons
- Green illumination may not be clear enough.
#2. Trijicon ACOG 3.5x35mm Prism Scope
Trijicon so much believes in the quality of this prism scope that it claims it is bombproof and why we cannot prove this, all indications show that they may not be farther from the truth. It is made from 7075-T6 aircraft aluminum alloy. And its body is O-ring sealed to keep fog and water out. This way, you can use it in wet conditions.
Its fixed magnification of 3.5x is ideal for medium-range shooters, while the 35mm objective lens size allows more light to enter, ensuring clearer images. Perfect for speed and fast targeting, this ACOG prism scope does not make use of batteries which means you do not have to worry about running out of battery power.
The Bindon aiming concept (BAC) technology used here helps you shoot with both eyes open. The easy-to-use controls and easy-to-zero features mean you don’t have to be an expert to understand how to use this prism scope.
Its dual illuminated reticle ensures you can shoot in any light condition, even in total darkness, through the help of the tritium radiance in its reticle.
Pros
- Magnification of 3.5x
- Objective lens diameter of 35mm
- Lightweight
- BAC technology for both eyes open shooting
- Dual illumination available
- Night shooting enabled
- Battery not necessary
Cons
- Expensive scope
#3. TACFUN Prismatic Series 4x32mm Scope
TACFUN may be a relatively new brand in this space, but it is fast building a solid reputation for producing amazing optics like this prismatic series scope. It comes with a fixed 4x magnification and 32mm objective lens to match so light gets into the scope and brightens the image.
This is our most affordable pick for those on a tight budget but still want a good enough prism scope for their tactical shooting. It has a fully adjustable rear iron sight with a backup fiber optic front sight. It is made from aircraft-grade aluminum, and its body is sealed to make it fog proof and shockproof.
When it comes to illumination, the TACFUN Prismatic scope trumps a host of other scopes, including those at a higher price range. It comes with three illumination options (blue, red, and green). There are also several brightness settings available for your needs.
It has a high target acquisition speed helping you pick up your target at distances of up to 100 meters away. Its 3.5-inch eye relief provides enough room when using a heavy recoil rifle.
Pros
- Magnification of 4x
- Objective lens diameter of 32mm
- Back up iron sight
- No need for a battery
- Three illumination reticles are available
- Affordable
Cons
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Not the most durable
#4. Monstrum S330P 3x30mm Prism Scope
At 3x magnification, this monstrum optic offers the short-range aiming ability for your tactical shooting. It sports a 30 mm objective lens diameter. With the help of the adjustable focus lens, you can hit targets around 500 yards without stress. Like all prism scopes, it is compact at only 15 ounces and 5 inches long while providing a robust working power.
It has above 3 inches of eye relief to protect your face and provide an easier shooting experience. However, this is not the ideal eye relief but is enough for a scope at its price range. This highly affordable scope sports an adjustable mounting system that you can mount easily without the use of tools or a lot of energy.
Built like a military-style ACOG, this scope is perfect for your tactical shooting in close quarters. You do not need the power to use the reticle in normal light conditions, which saves you battery power. Its mount is built into the sight, which makes mounting and detaching easy and fast. The warranty covers a single year after purchase.
Pros
- Magnification of 3x
- 30mm objective lens diameter
- Decent eye relief
- Affordable
- Illuminated circle dot reticle
- It is easy to mount
Cons
- Limited one year warranty
#5. Northtac Ronin P-Series Programmable Prism Micro Scope 1x20mm
Northtac scope has a 1x magnification and 20mm objective lens for light transmission. This is one of the best scopes in this sector, with a crosshair reticle perfect for small targets and night shooting.
The brightness settings are adjustable with auto shut-off duration to a suitable time for you. If you like to do things quickly, you’ll love the auto detach feature that enables you to quickly mount or remove the scope.
Its impressive build quality backed with a lifetime warranty gives you so much belief in this product as Northtac takes charge of repairs covered in the warranty. It holds zero well even after shooting for a prolonged period. The system is motion-activated with the battery having 50,000 hours of life. The 1 MOA dot size in this scope helps in short-range shooting ability.
Pros
- Magnification of 1x
- 20mm objective lens diameter
- Holds zero
- Quick detach feature
- Adjustable brightness settings
- Fits both handguns and rifles
- 50,000 battery life
- Auto activation system
Cons
- There’s a slight delay to the auto-activation system.
Summary
Prismatic scopes are perfect for short to medium-range shooting, especially when the user is prioritizing a lightweight and compact set up. This list covers a variety of scopes with different price points and features.
