Is there sufficient demand for a custom reticle provider?

[Chris in TN]

Once upon a time there was Premiere(?) and even until a year or two ago there was a small company (target shooter optics?) that did custom reticles for a small number of scope brands.

They're both gone now. I contacted the latter a few years ago (I still have the email from 2020) and asked them about some custom reticles but they didn't do hashmarks or etched reticles. Just wires and dots.

I realize that every scope you worked on would require disassembly, reassembly, nitrogen (or whatever) purging, and scopes with etched reticles would likely require either etching over the existing reticle (the cynical part of me would find this incredibly satisfying) or more likely, installing a new lens element. You'd have to learn how to make nice with a bunch of scope makers to offer sufficient options for a customer base that would keep you afloat. You'd likely kill a lot of warranties and you'd have to be prepared to be sued for that (I guess?).

Reading the posts here makes me think there's a market for this. I guess the question is, would it be worth the investment in stuff you'd need, to be able to work on a wider swath of different scopes, and possibly even be replacing glass? Is it possible that you might pick up enough business to pay the bills doing repair work for existing makers and doing basic disassembly/clean/reassemble for older scopes? I know there's one company that does that but I don't think they really do a lot of new glass, much less reticles.

I'm probably not the person for this. I'm just thinking out loud as to whether it's even a viable business idea.

Thoughts?

 

[MuleyFever]

The fact that someone was doing it and now they are gone may be an indicator. They could be gone for many reasons but lack of demand could also be the reason. Its probably more of a viable hobby than a business. Rokslide isnt real life for 99% of hunters. I have never even met another hunter that showed any interest or concern over reticle offerings.

 

[Formidilosus]

Once upon a time there was Premiere(?) and even until a year or two ago there was a small company (target shooter optics?) that did custom reticles for a small number of scope brands.

They're both gone now. I contacted the latter a few years ago (I still have the email from 2020) and asked them about some custom reticles but they didn't do hashmarks or etched reticles. Just wires and dots.

I realize that every scope you worked on would require disassembly, reassembly, nitrogen (or whatever) purging, and scopes with etched reticles would likely require either etching over the existing reticle (the cynical part of me would find this incredibly satisfying) or more likely, installing a new lens element. You'd have to learn how to make nice with a bunch of scope makers to offer sufficient options for a customer base that would keep you afloat. You'd likely kill a lot of warranties and you'd have to be prepared to be sued for that (I guess?).

Reading the posts here makes me think there's a market for this. I guess the question is, would it be worth the investment in stuff you'd need, to be able to work on a wider swath of different scopes, and possibly even be replacing glass? Is it possible that you might pick up enough business to pay the bills doing repair work for existing makers and doing basic disassembly/clean/reassemble for older scopes? I know there's one company that does that but I don't think they really do a lot of new glass, much less reticles.

I'm probably not the person for this. I'm just thinking out loud as to whether it's even a viable business idea.

Thoughts?

I would like it. But it isn’t a viable business unless you are already doing warranty work for specific scopes.

 

[jzeblaz]

Hollandguns.com used to get his reticle (ART) put in Leupold, S&M and I think NF scopes for awhile. I don't see any mention of it on his site any longer.

 

[Axlrod]

I dont think I would let a 3rd party disassemble my scope anyway. But if I could buy the reticle and have NF install it i would trust it.
No way that's happening either. I called NF about changing a reticle, and they will only put in reticles that are offered in that scope model. They wont/can't put in other NF reticles.

 

[Rich M]

Think about the dismantling of various brand scopes and reassembling them. Can you warranty or guaranty them?

A great concept, just tough in delivery.