Best Prism Scope – { Top 10 } Best Rated Prism Scopes Review

There’s no doubt that a traditional riflescope can help you make more accurate shots at longer ranges. However, sometimes the size and weight of a regular scope can slow you down and hinder your maneuverability. Prism scopes are much lighter and more compact than traditional riflescopes, making them great options for close to medium-range tactical, hunting, and home defense applications.

If you’re considering a prism scope but aren’t sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put in the time and research to help you narrow down your options and find the best prism scope for your shooting needs.

What is a Prism Scope?

Traditional riflescopes use a series of ocular and objective lenses to focus and magnify distant targets. The design of lining up lenses makes these scopes relatively long and sometimes heavy. 

In place of the lenses used in a traditional scope, a prismatic scope uses a prism to magnify images. Because prism scopes do not rely on multiple lenses, they are able to magnify targets in a shorter, more compact unit. The design limits the magnification power. Most prism scopes have only 6x or lower fixed magnification.

The lightweight, compact design and lower magnification make prism scopes particularly well-suited for close to medium-range shooting. Prism scopes are most commonly seen on tactical rifles like the AR-15 or AR-10. However, they also work well on shotguns and other rifle styles.

Prism Scopes and Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a fairly common vision condition that occurs when the cornea in the eye is irregularly shaped. If the surface of the cornea is uneven, it can prevent light from focusing properly on the retina. When the light is unfocused it causes blurred vision. 

Astigmatism can cause some serious issues for shooters, especially when using a red dot or holographic sight. This common eye issue can make it difficult for shooters to see the reflected light of a red dot reticle properly. Often the reticle will appear blurred, smeared, or like a starburst, which can make consistent aiming nearly impossible. In some cases, a shooter with astigmatism may not be able to see the reticle at all. 

Because prism scopes have illuminated reticles etched in glass, they are a much better option for shooters with astigmatism. Instead of a blurred or missing red dot, a prism scope provides shooters with astigmatism a clear sight picture and a crisp reticle. 

Best Prism Scope on the Market Reviews

We’ve tried to include models on our list to fit every shooter’s budget. However, quality isn’t cheap, especially when it comes to prism scopes. If you want top-quality performance, be prepared to drop some cash. However, if you don’t have a ton of money to invest, some of the more affordable options on our list are sufficient for most shooting applications. Just don’t expect the image clarity or functionality of a high-end scope from a budget optic. 

The Trijicon ACOG sets the standard for fixed power prism scopes, and that standard is incredibly high. Trijicon claims their ACOG (Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight) is literally bombproof, and we can’t help but believe them. The housing of the ACOG is forged from 7075-T6 aircraft-aluminum-alloy. That tough housing is then o-ring sealed to prevent internal fogging, even in the wettest weather conditions. 

These “indestructible” prism scopes have rushed into battle mounted on U.S. military  rifles since 1987. They have definitely proven their value in real-life war zones around the globe.

The ACOG is designed for use with the “both eyes open” Bindon Aiming Concept. This allows the shooter to maintain their peripheral vision and situational awareness in high-stress shooting environments. 

The ACOG is designed for effective shooting in any light condition. Not only does this scope have superb optics, it also comes with a dual illuminated reticle. It uses advanced fiber optics to power illumination during the day, After the sun goes down, the ACOG uses tritium radiance for reticle visibility in total darkness. Then battery-free illumination means you never need to worry about your scope losing power when you need it most.  

The only major drawback to the ACOG is the price tag. Although we believe it is well worth the investment, the ACOG is by far the most expensive optic on our list. 

The Sig Sauer Bravo3 is designed specifically for AR-15 and other modern sporting rifles. This radically different battle sight features a 42 percent wider field of view (FOV) than other comparable optics. 

In addition to its massive FOV, the Bravo3 is engineered to provide a flat, distortion-free image with crisp edge-to-edge clarity. Sig accomplishes this by using low dispersion (LD) glass and aspherical lenses.

Weighing a mere 22 ounces, the Bravo3 definitely won’t weigh you down. Don’t let its compact, lightweight design fool you, however. The Bravo3 is one tough cookie. It is made with a durable magnesium housing that is o-ring sealed for fogproof performance. The optic is also IPX-8 waterproof, which means it can survive a 13-foot plunge without skipping a beat.  

The Bravo3 is available with either a 5.56/7.62 horseshoe dot reticle or a reticle optimized for .300 Blackout. 

This compact, lightweight prism scope from C&C Outdoor Products measures only 4.6 inches long. This makes it a smart choice for mounting on an AK-47 or other modern rifle where rail space may be limited. The scope also comes with two removable Picatinny rails located on each side. You can use these to add a flashlight or laser sight without cluttering up your top rail. 

The main housing on the C&C Tactical Prism Scope is machined from a single piece of aircraft grade aluminum alloy. The body is then completely sealed, making it both fogproof and waterproof. 

Other quality features include a red/green illuminated, etched glass reticle and handy zero-locking target turrets. 

Final Thoughts

If you need a lightweight, compact, low magnification optic, a prism scope is the way to go. If you are looking for the best prism scope for your shooting needs, any of the options on our list will provide solid, reliable performance. No matter which optic you choose, be sure to spend some time at the gun range practicing with your new set-up. Proficiency with your weapon and your scope is crucial whether you plan to use it for hunting, competition, or home defense.