Vintage, gloss scopes.

[robtattoo]

I'm building a classy, blue & walnut gun & i'd really like to have a good quality, gloss scope on top of it.
Any of you older fellers able to recommend any particular makes & models? I'm not in a rush to buy & i'm happy to pay good money for perfect condition glass.
There's a guy on ebay who specializes in vintage scopes & has hundreds in stock, but I really don't know good from bad, when looking at older models.

 

[Babills]

Cerakoted brand new leupold. Gloss black. Many other models as well.

Leupold VX-3i 2.5-8x36mm Duplex Reticle Gloss Black 170678GB - Elk Co. Ammo & Arms

ammoandarmsstore.com

 

[Moose83]

What calibre and make are you building?

 

[Michael54]

Go for an old school b series bausch and lomb scope. It still takes everything in me not to throat punch my worthless cousin for taking my paps win model 70 30-06 with a bausch and lomb scope and his model 12 28 gauge to a pawn shop...

 

[Jbehredt]

Go for an old school b series bausch and lomb scope. It still takes everything in me not to throat punch my worthless cousin for taking my paps win model 70 30-06 with a bausch and lomb scope and his model 12 28 gauge to a pawn shop...

Don’t fight that feeling.

 

[robtattoo]

B & L is one that really appealed to me. I've got my eye on a Balvar 2.5-8x36.
I'm seeing a lot of Leupold M8-6x for what seem like reasonable prices.....
Any negatives?

 

[5MilesBack]

I sold a glossy 70's Leupold Vari-x II a few years ago and got top dollar for it. Then I sold my glossy 80's Redfield Widefield Illuminator w/Accu-trac for more than I paid for it. I kind of regret that one, it was always spot on with the tracking. But for just a simple scope, I'd go with one of the old glossy Leupolds.

 

[Bearlodge10]

I just put a Leupold VX III 2.5-8x36 on a vintage Remington 700. So far it looks good, glass is crisp and holds zero on a 350 Rem Mag. That is what I would suggest.

 

[theleo91386]

I'm not an older guy but I've been around a few "vintage" scopes. My recommendations, "K" series Weavers and Wide Field Redfields are great old scopes. Bonus points on class if you find them with posts.

 

[Deplorable77]

I have a few Kollmorgen Bear cub 4x and Weaver vx-7 laying around somewhere. Amazed at the quality of these older scopes compared to some of the newer vortex junk being peddled.

 

[Formidilosus]

I have a few Kollmorgen Bear cub 4x and Weaver vx-7 laying around somewhere. Amazed at the quality of these older scopes compared to some of the newer vortex junk being peddled.

You don’t have a Kollmorgan with external turrets do you...?

 

[Deplorable77]

I dont think so, I'm pretty sure they are capped. Ill take a look later

You don’t have a Kollmorgan with external turrets do you...?

 

[Deplorable77]

They are capped. Really neat history on this Company if one has the time to read up on it.

You don’t have a Kollmorgan with external turrets do you...?

 

[Wapiti1]

Depends on the era you are trying to capture. Vintage Gun Scopes in MT has a lot of old scopes that they rehab. They do a nice job and the scopes are solid when they are done. But, the glass is only as good as it was when it was made. Prices aren't bad, IMO, but YMMV on that.

Jeremy

 

[Formidilosus]

They are capped. Really neat history on this Company if one has the time to read up on it. View attachment 231214View attachment 231213

They are cool scopes. Thank you.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

That gloss vx3i 2.5-8 is pretty slick, I might need that.

 

[Zackw]

I always liked the old Redfield Widefields.

 

[5MilesBack]

I always liked the old Redfield Widefields.

The only reason I sold mine was because of the glass. Compared to all my newer scopes it was like looking through it with sunglasses on.

 

[dreamingWest]

The last gloss scope I bought (and still own) is the Leupold FX-II 6x. It's mounted on my first rifle, a walnut, gloss finished Browning BAR .243. It's a cool combo for sure.

 

[Blockcaver]

I've got a couple of glossy fixed 8X Leupold M8s with AO. Both built around '76, bought used (cheap too...$150 and $175) and so far they hold zero fine and are very clear. I've had 'em on various .22 LR s and a .17 FB Cooper. so not hard kickers Wouldn't want them for a timber rifle, but excellent in open country. They are not small with a 40mm objective and longer length, so would be good for mounting on a long action rifle. I'd rate them optically superior by a wide margin to the various Leupold 3-9 x 40 scopes I've owned, but not as versatile for timber and open country use.