Anyone know anything about the rumor that Nikon is out of the scope business? I liked their products.

At this point, that‘s all it is, rumors. All talk is limited to gun blogs and internet forums, some of which claim to have either heard it from their supplier or confirmed it with someone from Nikon who told them that ....

Until serious media quote an official statement from Nikon, I wouldn‘t bet money on it. On the other hand, where there‘s smoke, there may be fire, so if there are Nikon scopes you can‘t live without, maybe try to stock up now. They are excellent quality, I‘ve had a few, and it‘s not a risky investment

It's not a rumor. Nikon will no longer produce weapon mounted optics(scopes/red dots/prisms) but will continue to produce rangefinders and binoculars. They discontinued their warranty 3(ish) months ago and will sell only their remaining stock. Nikon wants dealers to hold their MAP policy but I think you'll start seeing many retailers blow out their remaining stock pretty soon. This leaves a pretty sizable gap in the low-mid priced optic category I expect Bushnell to pickup a good chunk of the business but other less widely recognized companies like Riton, Athlon & Swampfox should get a decent boost in sales. Burris might grab some of the pie also.

They're out of the game. Although they haven't been in the game for awhile. Vortex and Primary Arms pushed them in the mud and stole their lunch money.

About the only market segment they did well in was "Cheap Big-Box Rifle/Scope Combos".

If you're looking to fill the void, Vortex products are excellent, with many in the same price range as popular Nikon offerings. And Vortex's warranty is literally "If you can break it, we'll fix/replace it".

Vortex is a very good product and they actually took a very large amount of business from Leupold. Nikon was probably the number 3 brand in the US behind Vortex and Leupold.

I have a LER Nikon with Japanese glass that I searched long and hard for a number of years ago on my 7.5 inch 629-6 competitor, and it ain't going anywhere.

Nikon has good products BUT for my money I never liked their limited internal adjustment range compared to other similar priced products.
They were in their hey day when they were totally made in Japan - IMO.

Sources (other than internet gun blogs) or explained first-hand knowledge please.

Leupold makes a pretty okay product, but they've fallen way behind on innovation. They're basically the "Old Guy Hunting Scope".

Go find it yourself.

No interest. But I thought so.

I tried to find a press release from Nikon or even a confirmation of this story the last time it was brought up and found nothing, zip, zero nada. If Nikon is leaving this market, there would be a press release or at least a letter to dealers stating their intentions.
I will be like Absalom, until I see verified confirmation, it is just internet rumblings.

I had a 6-20x44 that had crystal clear glass. Was primary scope on prairie dog 22-250 and I only parted with it because they couldn't furnish custom elevation knob like Leupold does.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Believe what you'd like to but let's revisit this thread in 6 months. Why would they release a statement to the general public when they still have inventory to move? I can tell you from first hand knowledge, Nikon has stated they are leaving the weapon mounted optic business.

So why are you crying about it?

And their advertising agency confirmed it...and their PRS product manager quit the tour and rediscovered a love of fly fishing...