Is this scope broken?

[hometheaterman]

So, I have a really stupid question. I know most of you are going to probably bash me for this scope, but it's on a stock 10/22 and has always worked fine for what it is. I don't need a high dollar scope for a 10/22 that I sometimes shoot. Anyway, this is a Simmons Deerfield 3x9x32 and I noticed a few times this piece at the end has come loose. I've just tightened it back down. It unscrews and once unscrewed you can see threads under it. I'm not sure if it's for you to attach a sun shape or what. Anyway, I just tightened this little cover thing back down and didn't look into it much. Today I noticed it was loose again and when I got to looking the threads it screw onto also turn. When you turn those it turns the outside lens with it. I tried to tighten it up but it didn't tighten. I then noticed it was way out of focus. So I turn it back to where it was and just screwed the cap back on. When I screwed it back to where it was it got focused again. Is there a way to tell if the nitrogen has leaked out? Does this mean something is wrong with it or is it fine and supposed to do this? I can't figure out if it's not supposed to do this or if that cap the screws on is just supposed to act as a locking nut or something. Here are pictures. You can see the piece the screws on and off. You can also see the threads where turn and turn the lens once the piece is removed.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v445/hometheaterman/SimmonsDeerfieldScopepiecethatmo-3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v445/hometheaterman/SimmonsDeerfieldScopepiecethatmo-2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v445/hometheaterman/SimmonsDeerfieldScopepiecethatmo-1.jpg

[10-96]

It would be hard to say for sure if your nitrogen leaked out without going through a bunch of hassle of putting it in the freezer and getting it out to a warm spot to see if condensation builds up.

I don't guess there's much sense in telling you that Simmons is far from top of the line. They work while they work.

Recently, there was a thread on here about 10/22's eating scopes. There were a couple of different culprits there. Do a search or two and see if you can narrow it down.

Is your scope terminal? It probably would be if it was mine- but if it's all ya got and can't afford another one, and it still keeps it's zero... well, it's up to you.

[blume357]

anyway.... I would not fret it....

either get some lock tight for the threads or put some clear nail polish on them and tighten it up.

The good news (and there is more than one) is because this is a cheap scope you really don't need to worry about it... if it fogs up then it's time to replace... I like these 'cheap' scopes for the 10/22 they seems to work great.