Optic Review: Riton RT-S Mod 3 Gen2 1-4x24IR Scope

Riton Optics is a family-owned, Veteran-founded and operated optics manufacturer that has been getting a lot of looks since their inception in 2013. More and more retailers are stocking their products; then watching them fly out the door. And for good reason…

In short; Riton has struck a nice balance between high-quality HD Japanese glass, crisp reticles, thicker-walled (by 20-30%) CNC-machined one-piece aluminum tubes, and exacting testing standards to deliver scopes at prices that you may not believe once you look through the glass.

Dollar for dollar, Riton seems to deliver a better-quality, but slightly sturdier scope than comparable models.

Do you remember the much-talked-about recent XTech world record-setting 650-pound binary explosion that neutralized 8,400 AK magazines? Veteran Navy Seal Charlie Melton made that 800-yard shot using a custom .22 Tejas rifle which just happened to be outfitted with a Riton RT-S Mod 7 5-25x56IR (above). That’s one heck of a nice setup, especially with the added Thunderbeast silencer and AccuTac bipod.

Having seen other great shots and after examining most of Riton’s scopes, red dot sights, and binoculars in stores, I was excited when I got my hands on the RT-S-MOD 3 Gen2 1-4×24/IR second focal plane scope and accompanying RT-M Precision QD Mount.

Box in-hand, I noticed how well the RT-S Mod 3 scope is packaged; free-floated in high-density foam inside a cardboard box with small magnetic closures. The scope’s two flip-up caps come pre-installed, providing an additional layer of protection during its journey to the end customer.

Within the package you’ll also find an owner’s manual, cleaning cloth, and hex keys. Everything is notably clean and dust-free.

Breaking-down the optic’s mouthful of a name, “RT-S Mod 3 Gen2 1-4×24/IR“, you’ll find it conveys quite a bit of information about the unit:

“RT” = Riton

“-S” = Scope (versus “-R” for red dot sight or “-B” for binoculars)

“Mod 3” = Optics designed specifically for MSR / AR-15 platform tactical and target shooting

“Gen2” = Gen2 features push/pull locking zero reset turrets

“1-4×24” = 1 to 4 magnification range with 24mm ocular lens

“IR” = Illuminated reticle

Riton takes great care in producing all of their products, most (if not all) of which are assembled in an EP-level clean room and nitrogen purged and sealed. As a result, it is 100-percent waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof up to 1200 G’s.

Out of the box and sans mount, the RT-S Mod 3 Gen2 scope looks and feels impressive, but is also on the weighty side at 19.2-ounces. The optic’s Type III Hard Coat Anodize finish is consistent across all parts of the scope and reflects minimal light. A solid, robust aesthetic flows through each dial and turret cap and is a reflection of how rugged the scope feels in-hand.

The scope’s push-pull locking zero reset turrets are well-designed and easy to operate. Unlocking the turret by pulling outward is an extremely smooth and quiet operation, as is adjusting for windage and elevation, which has a lightly tactile and audible indexing of each 1/2 MOA adjustment click.

Outfitted with rugged caps that display crisp laser-engraved elevation and windage hash marks, as well as scallops for super-easy gripping and rotation of the turrets, Riton’s 1-4×24 Mod 3 Gen2 scope allows for +/- 40-inches at 100-yards.

The magnification ring is also easy to grip and rotates smoothly. However, it’s extremely tight and I’d recommend using Riton’s optional RTL-135 Throw Lever if you want quicker manipulation of the magnification ring.

The bevel on the front of the ring is a nice transition from the 30mm tube to the fast-focus eyepiece. Etched magnification indications are somewhat small, but clearly and crisply etched into the ring. Parallax is fixed at 100-yards.

The RT-S 1-4×24 Mod 3 Gen2 scope’s illumination dial falls right in line with the other adjustment rings; laser-etched illumination indicators range from 0 to 11 and when rotating through the positions, while nearly silent mechanically, each position is solid and tactile.

At the beginning of the fast-focus eyepiece is a diopter adjustment ring with indexing slots for the provided flip-up cap. The diopter functions in a standard fashion, twisting to increase or decrease focus. The ring is, once again, very fluid; borderline too easy to adjust.

As is fairly standard, the illumination dial doubles as a battery compartment. One CR2032 battery powers the RT-S 1-4×24’s BDC reticle.

The compartment’s cap features an O-ring seal to prevent moisture and dust from penetrating the unit. And with no texturing on the battery cap’s rim, you’ll need an item like a quarter to unscrew or replace it.

The scope’s BDC reticle (above) is specifically designed for 5.56 NATO 55-grain ammunition (100-yard zero). Riton advertises the reticle will allow for hits out to 600 yards using the BDC reticle holdover alone (assuming the shooter can read and compensate for environmental conditions).

Riton’s BDC reticle, designed for quick target acquisition, is impressively sharp and un-cluttered. The center cross-hairs are thin and spaced away from their extensions, allowing the shooter to see more of the target. Each dot/hash mark below the thin crosshair is a 100-yard increment for holdover.

The RT-S 1-4×24’s illuminated reticle is very crisp. Even at its max setting of 11 the red light does not bleed outside of the crosshairs. Frankly, the above photo doesn’t do the illuminated reticle justice – it’s much sharper in person.

The included flip-up lens covers are fitted for the RT-S Mod 3 scope and perform well. They are not generic covers; the ocular cover indexes over the diopter’s scalloped adjustment ring and the objective cover has a tight, firm fit, keeping each from spinning.

The caps feature release tabs on each side that take direct pressure to activate. And when it’s time to remove the caps, they come off with minimal effort. Likewise, re-installation is a breeze.

Using The Device to cross-deck the optic, the RT-S Mod 3 Gen2 1-4x24IR was easily paired with Riton’s RT-M 30mm/1″ Precision QD Scope Mount.

Properly mounted and ready to be paired with its host carbine, it was tough not to take notice of the scope/mount package’s weight of over 26-ounces.

However, it didn’t necessarily feel heavy; it felt solid and well-built. It gave me the same good feeling I get when I shoot a stainless steel-framed pistol after shooting a polymer-framed model.

At the range and on the firing line, I mounted the scoped 16″ 5.56 NATO carbine in a Caldwell Stinger bench rest. Using the 100-yard berm I had the Riton scope dialed-in in six shots at 4x magnification.

The RT-S Mod 3 Gen2 1-4×24/IR passed the box test with flying colors. From there it was off to the races.

Admiring the remarkably clear glass of the optic, at 1x power I panned over and up to a line of steel plates at 200-yards (above). The four hanging plates of various sizes were easily distinguishable and the thin crosshair allowed me to get on target without completely covering even the smallest plate.

I set the first dot below the crosshairs to rest on the steel silhouette before releasing the hammer. Moving from the largest plate to the smallest, I took one shot on each, in sequence. I could hear each of the four hits, but I sure couldn’t see them! I dialed-in for a closer look.

At 4x magnification I was impressed by how much detail the Japanese HD glass delivered. Riton’s BDC reticle made it incredibly easy to quickly move between and acquire each steel plate. I could see the bullet splash in the dirt below each plate at 200-yards and could plainly see the few misses as they impacted the backstop beyond.

With its excellent light transmission the Riton RT-S Mod3 scope performed well even in low light transmissions, providing clarity I haven’t seen in any other scope in this price range. As the sun set behind the hill at the range and the then paint-less steel targets began to fade into the background I found I was able to extend my anticipated shooting time because I could still clearly see each plate – and the reticle.

After nearly a thousand rounds downrange this summer from behind the RT-S Mod 3 Gen2 1-4x24IR, shooting in a variety of bright and low-light conditions, I found the illuminated reticle to be quite helpful for both contrast against a dark target, and also for close range target acquisition at 1x magnification.

I’m cautious any time there’s a new kid on the block, especially where optics are concerned. After all, reputations are earned over time and through experience. But by the second or third trip to the range with Riton’s RT-S Mod 3 Gen2 1-4x24IR scope I was a believer.

Yes, the scope weighs a couple more ounces than other similar 1-4×24 scopes (competitive models run in the 16.5 to 17.5 oz. range), but every time I looked through the glass and put the reticle on a target I completely forgot about those two ounces. It was simply a non-issue for me.

Riton’s fast focus eyepiece and super-crisp BDC illuminated reticle, in conjunction with their HD glass that delivers 99.5% light transmission, make transitioning from close range to medium range targets very efficient, even in low-light. This is a scope I really enjoy shooting and, frankly, look forward to taking to the range.

Of course, with use comes wear and, often times, accidents. The carbine and scope fell over twice and the scope took the brunt of the fall both times. Neither time did I notice any change in zero or performance of the optic…just some scratches and dings. And if anything were to go wrong with your Riton scope, they offer an outstanding lifetime transferrable warranty.

Riton’s RT-S Mod 3 Gen2 1-4×24 Illuminated Reticle scope is rugged, well-made, reliable, includes many great usable features, and with an MSRP of $399.99, the Japanese HD glass and excellent illuminated reticle make this scope an outstanding value.

Specifications: Riton RT-S Mod 3 Gen2 1-4x24IR Scope

Magnification: 1-4x
Glass: Japanese multi-coated, low light enhancement coating
Reticle: RITON Illuminated BDC Reticle (5.56 NATO)
Objective Lens: 24mm
Tube Diameter: 30mm (1-piece)
Turrets: Push/pull locking zero reset, 1/2 MOA adjustments
Field of View (ft@100yrds/m@100m): 112/34.1@1x – 27/8.23@4x
Material: 6061 Aircraft grade aluminum
Weight (oz./g): 19.2/544
Length (in/mm): 9.57/243
Eye Relief (in/mm): 3.9/100
Exit Pupil (mm): 13.4@1x – 5.4@4x
Click Value (in@100yrds/mm@100m): 0.50/6.95
Adjustment Range (in@100yrds/m@100m): +/- 40/1.3
Mounting Length (in/mm): 4.8/124
MSRP: $399.99 (about $260 retail)

Ratings (out of five stars):

Quality: * * * * *
Riton uses great quality components including top-notch Japanese glass and thicker aluminum tubes. Turrets and adjustment rings are smooth and index points are tactile and easy to find.

Durability: * * * * *
Made from 6061-T6 aircraft grade aluminum and coated with an excellent dark black Type III hard coat anodize finish, as well as being 100% waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof up to 12000 G’s, this scope can handle abuse from all weather conditions and types of terrain.

Glass: * * * *
Excellent clarity of glass from 1x through 4x. The Japanese High Density glass allows 99.5% light transmission, which is absolutely noticeable in low-light conditions.

Reticle: * * * * *
Riton’s illuminated BDC reticle is designed for 55-grain 5.56 NATO cartridges and it flat-out works. The reticle is impressively crisp and the thin crosshair and open space around it help greatly with quick target acquisition. Built-in reticle illumination is sharp and does not bleed outside the reticle.

Power Adjustment Ring: * * * *
The magnification adjustment ring is very tight, but still extremely smooth and reliable. The rugged scallops in the ring allow for a good positive grip. Power factors are clearly laser-etched into the ring.

Magnification: * * * *
The scope’s 1x is a good, true zero magnification. It’s 4x sacrifices hardly anything at all. Light transmission, particularly in low-light conditions at the higher magnifications is top-notch.

Overall: * * * * 1/2
Riton’s RT-S Mod3 Gen2 1-4x24IR scope has to be one of the best available values in close to medium-range scopes. With a 20-30% thicker aluminum one-piece tube than many similar models, this optic makes up for the added ounces in leaps and bounds through the use of excellent-quality High Density Japanese glass, an impressive reticle, and rugged durability.