Primary Arms SLx 3x MicroPrism: A Feature Rich Optic

Optic choices abound for modern rifles. If you can envision it, chances are that someone makes it. I especially appreciate the optics that fill in the gaps between traditional rifle scopes and no magnification red dots. The Primary Arms SLx MicroPrism fits that description. What’s more, Primary Arms has tailored that line to fit shooters’ specific needs, with products optimized for 7.62×39/300 Blackout and 5.56 NATO/.308 Winchester. Mine is the 7.62×39 version, so I’ll focus on that from here on.

Kalashnikov rifles, with their top dust cover, have lagged behind modern optic trends. My Saiga AK-103 is among them, using the side-mounted rail. And the mounts themselves can be heavy and clunky. Honestly, a quality mount almost has to be. I broke more than one cheap mount before learning that lesson. I always wanted a low-power magnified optic, but I didn’t want the extra weight added to the rifle and the mount. So, I used a 1x red dot or no optic at all.

But the SLx 3x MicroPrism changed my situation for the better. It gives me a lightweight, compact unit with just enough magnification, with the added bonus of an etched, illuminated reticle. And the bullet drop and windage marks are optimized for my rifle’s 7.62×39 cartridge. Perfecto. So, let’s take a look at how this optic works and why I like it.

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SLx 3x MicroPrism: A Feature Rich Optic

Primary Arms packs a lot into the compact SLx MicroPrism. The aircraft grade aluminum housing is light but strong. The exposed elevation and windage turrets are low-profile and easily reached. Adjustment requires a tool, which translates to a Phillips head screwdriver or a coin. No big deal. The dials are tactile and the .25 MOA clicks are audible if there’s not too much ambient noise. The dials have a generous 80 MOA adjustment range.

The glass is very clear and I’ve been pleased by how much light the unit gathers. The rear diopter ring provides maximum focus for the etched reticle, even for shooters with an astigmatism. I don’t have that particular problem, but my vision isn’t exactly stellar, so I like the extra focus ability.

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Mounting can be adventurous with some optics, but not with this one. The SLx MicroPrism includes a solid Picatinny base with seven additional options combining height and cantilever. It just happens that my preference for my rifle is the base mount with no other additions. But I like having those options, especially considering the Kalashnikov’s inherent challenges. And if I ever decide to change my rifle’s length of pull for some reason, which its Magpul Zhukov stock allows me to do, I may need the cantilever capability. The mounting system alone makes the SLx MicroPrism a very versatile optic.

The optic’s AutoLive motion-sensing feature automatically shuts off the illumination after 2 minutes of inactivity. Motion immediately reactivates it at the previous brightness setting. This feature engages automatically when you turn on the illumination. Great way to save your CR2032 battery. The battery compartment is easily accessed as part of the brightness dial.

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The ACSS Raptor Reticle

Primary Arms equips the SLx MicroPrism with their Advanced Combined Sighting System (ACSS) Raptor reticle. The etched, illuminated reticle has 13 daylight brightness and 3 night vision-compatible settings. 

The reticle itself is a chevron inside a horseshoe-shaped outer ring. The chevron and ring provide windage and bullet drop reference for targets out to 300 yards. A “Christmas tree” below the chevron extends those adjustments in 100-yard increments out to 600 yards with accompanying 5 and 10 mph wind holds.

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The holds are optimized for 7.62×39 and 300 Blackout cartridge ballistics. Different loads, including subsonic 300 BLK, will obviously affect those holds, so you’ll need to fine-tune for what you’re shooting. And let’s face it, shooting those longer distances with an AK is extremely optimistic, to say the least. But trying a few shots could be fun.

First Impressions

First, I like the SLx MicroPrism’s compactness and that it doesn’t noticeably add weight to what is already a fairly heavy rifle in my AK-103. Once I got the eye relief right, the reticle is large and easily picked up, illuminated or not. The daylight settings work well, especially with the chevron and horseshoe ring. It’s bright near the top of the scale and I have no problem seeing the illumination on sunny days.

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But I use the illumination selectively in daylight thanks to the etched reticle. I use it against dark backgrounds that wash out the etching or perhaps when the target is in the shadows. It’s invaluable at dusk, which can come early in the mountains. And my outdoor club’s rifle range sits in the lee of a high wooded ridge that blocks the westering sun.

Running The SLx 3x MicroPrism

The 3x magnification is perfect for what I do with my Kalashnikov, i.e. defensive drills from 10 to 50 yards, with occasional shots out to 100, perhaps 150. AKs are more accurate than some people would have you believe, but transitioning from 10 to 50 yards on the move is a lot easier with a low power optic. My 50-yard groups with iron sights averaged anywhere from 4 to 6 inches. Better accuracy required stopping to aim carefully. The SLx 3x MicroPrism consistently delivers 3-inch groups while maintaining the pace I want, provided I do my part.

I don’t like shooting my AK from the bench. It seems unnatural. But in the interest of science, I did so to test the reticle’s holds. Being in a mountain draw, my range has a long shot of 260 yards. I reliably rang 12-inch steel plates at 100, 150, 200, 225, and 260 yards using the reticle’s holds. That’s good enough for me with an AK rifle. There wasn’t much wind, though I’m confident those holds are accurate as well. 

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The optic held zero through all our drills and the general beating my AK takes. I love that rifle so much, but I knock it around like no other gun in my arsenal. The optic has held up right along with the rifle, including having the mount regularly pulled off and tossed aside. Literally tossed aside. I guess that’s just the Kalash life.

I almost always use 122-grain Wolf steel-cased ammo, though I may be forced to change at some point what with the import situation. But that’s what I used here. Those freedom seeds were kindly supplied by my friends at Ammo-to-Go.

Thoughts On The SLx 3x MicroPrism

I’ve cycled through several optics for my AK, never finding one that really fit. I think my search is finally over. The SLx MicroPrism is light, compact, tough, and accurate. It compliments my rifle without hindering what makes the rifle great to begin with. Somewhere between a red dot and a rifle scope. It’s what I’ve been looking for since I bought the rifle in late 2012.

I don’t currently own or have access to a .300 Blackout rifle but my tests impart confidence that the optic will work just fine with that cartridge, adjusting for the load as necessary.

I’ve often complained about AK mounting options, or lack thereof, but I don’t really mind the quick-detach side mount now that I’ve found a reliable brand in the AK Master Mount. I can take it off and put it back on as I please, with the optic still on the mount, and not lose my zero. The SLx MicroPrism holds up to that treatment.

I also love the optic’s performance. The reticle is clear, simple and optimized for the 7.62×39 cartridge. I like the Christmas tree, but I love that it isn’t overwhelming. Some people’s brains are like ballistic calculators. I am not one of those people. But I can run this optic easily. In simple terms, I shoot my AK better with this optic than I do without it. That’s the bottom line.

If that sounds good, check out the SLx MicroPrism at Primary Arms. They also make a 5x version optimized for 5.56 NATO/.308 Winchester if that’s more your speed. It might be what you’ve been looking for too.