Osprey Scopes Compact 3-9x42 IRF Explained:

At Buy Osprey Global we are always excited when a new product is released. We have hundreds of products that we sell from weapon-mounted rangefinders and night vision monoculars to ten times erector set first focal planes like the Osprey Scope 4-40 elite series. It is a pleasure to be able to provide these things to our customers and be able to play with them ourselves.

In saying that we still love the classics that Osprey Global produces. Many products that Osprey makes are still around years after their release. Sure they have had a few tweaks but essentially they are still the same high-performing product.

“If It Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix It” -Thomas Bertram

The Osprey classics include Binoculars, riflescopes, and red dots. The absolute classic and best-selling compact scope of all time is easily the Osprey Global Compact 3-9x42 IRF. This unassuming little compact scope is such a heavy hitter in the arsenal of Osprey Scopes that it takes in over a third of the revenue at Buy-Osprey-Global. Today’s article is to remind you of why the Osprey Compact 3-9x42 scope is a top seller year after year. It’s super-fast, super clear, and extremely reliable and what follows is why.

Osprey Scopes Compact 3-9x42 IRF: The Nickname

It is rare that a riflescope gets a nickname from its distributors, reps, and customers. Well it goes to show you that this compact scope is a staple in the Osprey Global family. If you go into a store or gun show and talk to an Osprey Rep tell them you want to see “The Compact” and they will know what you are talking about.

Osprey Compact 3-9x42 IRF: The Reticle.

Osprey scopes Compact Scope 3-9x42 has a choice of two reticles. The IRF and the MDG. There is no difference in price or quality. The IRF stands for Image Range Finding and has hash marks and a rangefinding reticle. This is the more popular of the compact scope’s reticle choice. The other is a simple Mil-dot reticle; A more traditional hunter’s reticle. Both offer 5 MOA marks between the dots or hashes. It is also an ETCHED reticle which means this compact scope can handle fifty cal without any effort at all.

The Compact 3-9x42 IRF: The Illumination.

It comes with red green and blue illumination. All are useful for different scenarios and we go more in-depth in "Illuminated Reticles: Are They Even Necessary". Long story short the blue is best for low light and the others are good for assisting hog lights. There’s an option for any and all lighting conditions.

Ospreys Compact Scope 3-9x42 IRF: The Glass

Like all of Osprey Scopes optics, the compact 3-9x42 IRF scope comes with fully multi coated ED lenses from the HOYA glass company. It keeps the clarity even in low light due to its excellent light transitioning capabilities.

Osprey Globals Compact 3-9x42: The Objective

The other thing that helps with light transition is the objective of a scope. If you look at Osprey scopes that are reaching out to beyond a thousand yards they need all the clarity they can get so Osprey made the scopes with an extra-large objective. The same goes for this scope.

This compact scope is FAST and we will delve into why a little later. It is as fast as other compact scopes in the one power range. The 1-4/1-6 scopes are fast due to their zero magnification meaning the eye box can be very forgiving. The problem with the “one” power optics is that they have limited magnification AND they have a small objective.  The smaller the objective the less light can get in. The objective on the compact one power scopes is usually between 24mm and 28mm. This will affect clarity and low light capabilities, especially as you zoom.

The Osprey compact 3-9x42 scope has a 42mm objective which means it is fast AND clear all the way through its magnification range. A bigger objective will mean more clarity in every situation, even well lit situations.

Ospreys Compact Scope 3-9x42 IRF: The Magnification

Here is the beauty of this compact scope, it is a 3-9 magnification. Yes, it is a traditional hunting range but with extra speed and extra clarity. This compact scope can hunt, target shoot, AND be used instead of a low power variable optic.

Osprey Globals Compact Scope 3-9x42 IRF: The Eye Relief.

Saved the best for last. The eye relief on the compact 3-9x42 IRF is INSANE. It varies from person to person depending on eyesight but it has an eye relief between seven and eleven inches! This is probably the main reason the compact 3-9 scope is so popular. This huge eye relief is why it is so fast to get on target because you do not have to duck and weave to find the right spot for your eye. You throw this osprey scope up like a red dot.

This eye relief is also why it is so comfortable. No more hunching or squinting. It also lends itself to teaching beginners and letting them get better with both eyes open technique AND remove the risk of the recoil tagging their eye.

Osprey Globals Most Popular Compact Scope: The Recap

So in summary; The Osprey Global Compact 3-9x42 riflescope is very fast, very clear, and very comfortable. It has the reliability that comes as standard with any rifle scope company worth its salt. All that for under $300? It’s a no-brainer. Originally developed for the AR platform due to its speed, it has become popular on any platform with an attachment rail from carbines to fifty cal.