Thread: Why I wouldn't buy Weaver or Nikon scopes...

Simple...They are both out of the scope business.

That means NO warranty, NO parts, and NO service centers.

Therefore if I was to buy a second-hand one it would be a gamble.
And with any gamble, you have to ask yourself: "Can I absorb the loss if my gamble doesn’t pay off?"

However, now that I have said all of the above...one's gamble is dependent on the entry price. For me, the lower the cost of the bet the more likely I am to throw the dice.

Therefore it would have to be one hell of a cheap deal for me to buy one of their scopes these days...no matter how good they once were (are).

Weaver were absolutely shit house with there warranties anyway , you were pretty much on your own if you brought if them brand new. That said the grand slam and super slam series of scopes have great glass for the money and are very reliable.

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by Cartman

That said the grand slam and super slam... are very reliable.

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

Until they are not...and then where are you...a door stop?

Have owned several Nikon Monarch scopes and have not had a problem with any, mounted on everything from 22lr right up to 7mm rem mag.
But you are right, I bought them knowing the risk and at a price point dictated by this, I would not pay top dollar for one. That however doesn't mean they are rubbish, it is just a reflection that I accept the risk that if it breaks thats the end of it.

Is what it is. Not all scope makers offer life time multiple owner warranties.

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by Hermitage

Simple...They are both out of the scope business.

That means NO warranty, NO parts, and NO service centers.

Therefore if I was to buy a second-hand one it would be a gamble.
And with any gamble, you have to ask yourself: "Can I absorb the loss if my gamble doesn’t pay off?"

However, now that I have said all of the above...one's gamble is dependent on the entry price. For me, the lower the cost of the bet the more likely I am to throw the dice.

Therefore it would have to be one hell of a cheap deal for me to buy one of their scopes these days...no matter how good they once were (are).

...with the minimal respect applicable - do you even go hunting? Or do you just bag products you perceive as overpriced or inconsistent with your stay at home and bag everything mentality?
My father has had a warrantee claim on an old Weaver classic he brought ~15 years ago - and the store replaced it with a new Bushnell of greater value - even though the Weaver was beaten to beyond what anyone could expect to claim on any warrantee (it fogged in the end).

Genuinely interested to hear or see some of your mishaps in the hills - they must be plenty because you only ever seem to moan about products and service with no reference to the "why."

Originally Posted by Nickoli

Genuinely interested to hear or see some of your mishaps in the hills - they must be plenty because you only ever seem to moan about products and service with no reference to the "why."

I gave the "why" for Weaver and Nikon scopes = great scopes but no warranty.
I gave the "why" for Leupold scopes = great scopes but poor tracking

My write ups are from my experiences and my reading. It seems as if you don't want to hear about them...is that correct?

The grand slam is one of the best rimfire target scopes ever made
I have had a fair few of them and never had an issue with one that would require fixing
So yes while you are right about them being out of business it’s certainly a calculated risk
Remember a grand slam in good condition goes for 4-600
Another scope with the same specs and a warranty 1600+
So yeah let’s agree to disagree on this one
Same goes for Nikon very solid reliable scopes so you can save alot of money but yes there is a slight risk

Like he's got a point I just don't know if it needs to be said. Everyone with half a clue knows what they're getting into buying 2nd hand optics. As for me I'd happily buy either brand for the right money. nikon especially fly under the radar in this country.

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

I have owned a couple of the Weaver T series target scopes in the past. A T6 and a T16. The glass was good and the tracking was perfect. They were great value for the money and never gave any grief. I have also owned a Weaver 2.5 fixed power that got ragged, bagged and arsholed on a bush gun. it never failed me.

Originally Posted by Cartman

Everyone with half a clue knows what they're getting into buying 2nd hand optics.
Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

Although I'm not a fan of Leupold tracking, one just has to be a fan of their warranty...same with Vortex. So buying 2nd hand scopes from some brands is no gamble whatsoever....in fact buying a 2nd hand leupold is nearly as good as buying new.

Originally Posted by zeropak

I have owned a couple of the Weaver T series target scopes in the past. A T6 and a T16. The glass was good and the tracking was perfect. They were great value for the money and never gave any grief. I have also owned a Weaver 2.5 fixed power that got ragged, bagged and arsholed on a bush gun. it never failed me.

I had a T16 Weaver. The micro trac seized and the glass fogged up internally.

I also had a Weaver K4 fixed power and that scope went through hell and never gave up...it was bombproof.

Originally Posted by Hermitage

Although I'm not a fan of Leupold tracking, one just has to be a fan of their warranty...same with Vortex. So buying 2nd hand scopes from some brands is no gamble whatsoever....in fact buying a 2nd hand leupold is nearly as good as buying new.

And most people know that. And you pay for it when buying new or 2nd hand. Like I said is what it is. Vortex though , they just had to do it or they would be out of business. Replacing scopes was probably easier than fixing production.

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by Hermitage

Although I'm not a fan of Leupold tracking, one just has to be a fan of their warranty...same with Vortex. So buying 2nd hand scopes from some brands is no gamble whatsoever....in fact buying a 2nd hand leupold is nearly as good as buying new.

Well this just isn’t true.

Vortex (Aus/NZ) has a very well documented history of declining warranty claims on the basis of no proof of purchase, contrary to what it says on the American website that everyone assumes applies to all international markets.

The Australian and New Zealand market is controlled by ExtraVision, who have in the past have been very sniffy about scopes potentially acquired in the grey market or imported directly from overseas. Several members on this forum have had problems along these lines. The Broncos situation is also one for the annals, being that they buy direct from the US and circumvent ExtraVision, annoying the Vortex distributor and their retailers immensely!

Buying a secondhand Vortex without proof of purchase in NZ/Aus and then trying on a warranty claim is therefore a risk with an uncertain outcome. Some guys have been successful sending their un-receipted scopes back to ExtraVision, or direct to Vortex in the USA, whereas other guys have been unsuccessful. Lots written about this that I guess if you had read and digested you would be aware of.

That said, I am in awe of your ability to start a largely pointless thread on a Sunday arvo!

I have a Weaver 3x on my .300 Blk and a P223 Nikon on my .223 and am very happy with them. So long as I don't do anything stupid they should see me out, and I don't have a warranty either!