S&W rifle scope

growr · Nov 16, 2023

A local pawn shop has a 3x9-40 S&W scope for 150.00....seems like a quality scope. Lens are perfect, very bright and clear.....think it was made by Hakko for S&W.

Anyone have or use one of these?

Seems like it would be a perfect match to my newly acquired S&W 1500 .270 Win. rifle.

Randy

Drm50 · Nov 16, 2023

I had one on a S&W 30/06 I got on trade. I sold gun and scope separately and only checked to make sure it worked. I would put quality about same as Tasco. In other words I wouldn’t spend $150 on it, unless you wanted matched gun & scope for collection purposes. Nothing wrong with it, just my 2 cent.

lihpster · Nov 16, 2023

For $150 I would go with Vortex. But if a S&W scope on a S&W gun is what you want, go for it. Just remember, not everyone is gonna see the value in that.

rockquarry · Nov 16, 2023

I've found through experience many years ago that cheap scopes have virtually no dollar value.

growr · Nov 16, 2023

I bought an older Burris 6x scope for this rifle for 75.00
Still same vintage..the Burris is stunning in clarity and brightness!!

Randy

rockquarry · Nov 16, 2023

growr said:
I bought an older Burris 6x scope for this rifle for 75.00
Still same vintage..the Burris is stunning in clarity and brightness!!

Randy

Most Burris scope are good ones especially the early ones built in Colorado. I've returned them for factory service just like most other brands, but for the dollar, they are good buys.

I'd avoid their cheapest line, but that's a good idea with most scope manufacturers' products.

AJ · Nov 16, 2023

Drm50 said:
I had one on a S&W 30/06 I got on trade. I sold gun and scope separately and only checked to make sure it worked. I would put quality about same as Tasco. In other words I wouldn’t spend $150 on it, unless you wanted matched gun & scope for collection purposes. Nothing wrong with it, just my 2 cent.

If the Hakko is on par with a Tasco then it maybe worth a $100 or so. If they are Japanese made scopes, the Japanese Tasco's are very good scopes. The Chinese ones are junk, just like a Simmons. Will check my "Old Scopes Guide".

rockquarry · Nov 16, 2023

AJ said:
If the Hakko is on par with a Tasco then it maybe worth a $100 or so. If they are Japanese made scopes, the Japanese Tasco's are very good scopes. The Chinese ones are junk, just like a Simmons. Will check my "Old Scopes Guide".

I had some Tascos thirty years ago that were actually decent scopes as you mention, but I'd never buy a used one. Even seemingly good ones have the Tasco stigma and most people stay away from them. I used to do a lot trading and selling at gun shows. Hard to get money for Tascos of any kind, even the better ones.

AJ · Nov 16, 2023

rockquarry said:
I had some Tascos thirty years ago that were actually decent scopes as you mention, but I'd never buy a used one. Even seemingly good ones have the Tasco stigma and most people stay away from them. I used to do a lot trading and selling at gun shows. Hard to get money for Tascos of any kind, even the better ones.

If you are not looking to turn them, but to use them the Japanese Tasco's are a good deal for just that reason. I have a couple of Tasco 36X50's that are great scopes. But folks look down on them so you can usually get them for a good price.

I looked in "Old Gunsights & Rifle Scopes" by Nick Stroebel and the Hakko Scopes are not listed. There is however, a lot of info on line about them, both good and not so good.

Drm50 · Nov 16, 2023

AJ said:
If the Hakko is on par with a Tasco then it maybe worth a $100 or so. If they are Japanese made scopes, the Japanese Tasco's are very good scopes. The Chinese ones are junk, just like a Simmons. Will check my "Old Scopes Guide".

It’s not really a question of dollar value. If you are involved in large game hunting you have considerable money involved in trips. Actually more expensive is the “ time “ you have to engage in such pursuits. If you want to collect old optics because they look good on your “ period “ piece, have at it. Not me, I don’t need a thousand dollar scope but ain’t going to spend $100 on old scope that may give up the ghost anytime and ruin a trip.

AJ · Nov 16, 2023

Drm50 said:
It’s not really a question of dollar value. If you are involved in large game hunting you have considerable money involved in trips. Actually more expensive is the “ time “ you have to engage in such pursuits. If you want to collect old optics because they look good on your “ period “ piece, have at it. Not me, I don’t need a thousand dollar scope but ain’t going to spend $100 on old scope that may give up the ghost anytime and ruin a trip.

I understand about the cost of about the trips for hunting. Have a friend in Spain there now with his wife hunting. He uses Swarovski scopes usually. Even a $1000 scope can give up the ghost and ruin a trip. My friend has had this happen. Luckily the guides had rifles with scopes to fill in.

I don't just collect "old optics", I use them. In the pictures below you will see a Lyman 25X SuperTargetSpot mounted on a Winchester 52D. The scope costs about $1K and the rifle is north of that. Just to shoot small holes in paper. Ammo to feed it is about $20 a box for .22 LR.

Drm50 · Nov 17, 2023

I know some guys like that older stuff. I do myself for recreational target shooting, varmits, ect. I’ve got several rifles with old Elpaso
Weaver Ks on them. I actually paid good money for them, of course it was in the 60s and Weaver was a big deal then.
I’ve had Unertil, Lyman, Stith , Kahles and other lesser known. They still work after being on rifles for 50-60yrs. Look thru a scope from that era and then look through a Burris that can be bought new for $150 range. There is no comparison in brightness.
I resisted varibles for years but have been forced into them. I’ve got 3 new scopes that I bought on sale in $150-$200 range, just because they were on sale. The old stuff I let somebody else enjoy.
Here’s a rig that I dealt off recently, giving it away for just a bit south of $2k.

ken158 · Nov 17, 2023

My theory about scopes is that scopes are not collector’s item. Why would anyone pay an inflated price for something of old technology with little chance of being repaired. A scope will not go “bad” in the gun safe, but will go “bad” at the range or on a hunting trip. I prefer up to date modern technology from a company that still exists and offers repair if needed.

AJ · Nov 17, 2023

ken158 said:
My theory about scopes is that scopes are not collector’s item. Why would anyone pay an inflated price for something of old technology with little chance of being repaired. A scope will not go “bad” in the gun safe, but will go “bad” at the range or on a hunting trip. I prefer up to date modern technology from a company that still exists and offers repair if needed.

You preference is yours as is your money. Some of the old scopes are considered collectors items. Why would you pay good money for an original 1886 Winchester?

If repair is needed for an older scope, there are folks out there that can and will repair them.

Drm50 · Nov 17, 2023

ken158 said:
My theory about scopes is that scopes are not collector’s item. Why would anyone pay an inflated price for something of old technology with little chance of being repaired. A scope will not go “bad” in the gun safe, but will go “bad” at the range or on a hunting trip. I prefer up to date modern technology from a company that still exists and offers repair if needed.

Scopes will go bad sitting in the safe. The seals dry out and gas escapes. Depending on temperature and humidity you may not notice it when getting it out. You put it in case and go hunting.
You pull it out of case and find that it’s fogged up. Stuff happens and when you least expect it.
Yes, there is someone that will repair old obsolete optics. It ain’t cheap. In most cases unless you have sentimental or collector
reasons, it’s not economical. You are going to spend in some cases enough to buy a new scope. The old Unertil, Lyman and other old target scopes are a different story. They are worth the repair and service cost.
The moral of the story is for the average guy wanting a scope for his hunting rifle there is a lot better ways to spend his scope bucks than on a $150 used 40 yr old glass.

IAM Rand · Nov 17, 2023

Offer $75. The worst is they say no. I have a feeling that it is not a hot item and would be willing to deal. As has been stated above, If you have a S&W 1500 and want a S&W scope, knock yourself out. If you are looking for a good shooter I would stick with Vortex or Bushnell. I have both. I have the Crossfire II and a Bushnell Engage 4-16X44. Have taken many animals with the Vortex and just got a buck at 250 +/- with the Engage.

rockquarry · Nov 17, 2023

Drm50 said:
Scopes will go bad sitting in the safe. The seals dry out and gas escapes. Depending on temperature and humidity you may not notice it when getting it out. You put it in case and go hunting.
You pull it out of case and find that it’s fogged up. Stuff happens and when you least expect it.
Yes, there is someone that will repair old obsolete optics. It ain’t cheap. In most cases unless you have sentimental or collector
reasons, it’s not economical. You are going to spend in some cases enough to buy a new scope. The old Unertil, Lyman and other old target scopes are a different story. They are worth the repair and service cost.
The moral of the story is for the average guy wanting a scope for his hunting rifle there is a lot better ways to spend his scope bucks than on a $150 used 40 yr old glass.

I much prefer modern high quality scopes not only because they tend to be very reliable but they have better glass than even high quality older scopes.

However, regarding the old steel Weavers...I've had many of the fixed power versions but have gradually sold most of them off over the last thirty or so years. Adjustments on the scopes are often not repeatable and probably never were, but once adjusted for the desired zero, they usually hold that zero for a long time. The glass isn't the greatest compared to newer scopes, but is more than adequate even for long shots.

It's true that repairs on older scopes can be costly and the waiting time may be lengthy if the scopes were produced by companies that are no longer around, but the Weavers are pretty rugged and continue to work well even after the steel tube has been dented. I'm down to three or four Weavers that may be well over fifty years old; they continue to work fine, but I prefer looking through the better glass of a Leupold or something similar.

I've never had a scope fail in the field except for one that was semi-crushed against a rock when I fell while elk hunting in the mountains, but Leupold replaced it at no cost even though the damage was my fault.

Drm50 · Nov 17, 2023

I’ve not had one fail either but have seen it happen a couple times. That’s why I always take two rifles when out of state. I’ve fell and busted a K4
and wife bounced a K6 of her head and actually curled edge over, 12 stitch
repair, scope didn’t make it. I don’t count those as fails, wasnt scopes fault.
I’ve seen several fog and like said them old Weavers aren’t going to take adjustment after sitting on same gun 50yrs.

S&W rifle scope

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