Rifle scope

[lscocoa]

A friend of mine has a 3-9 power S&W rifle scope. New- never been mounted and in the box. He wants 200.00 for it. What do you think?

 

[Phenix]

A friend of mine has a 3-9 power S&W rifle scope. New- never been mounted and in the box. He wants 200.00 for it. What do you think?

See if you can find out who made it for them.
It is probably a halfway decent model made by Tasco or Bushnell.
I have several good-quality rifle scopes I bought 20 40 years ago. Leupold, Burris, Weaver. Had not paid any attention to current prices for almost 20 years. About 3 years ago I needed to pick up a couple more to put on rifles I had bought recently, so started looking at price tags at Academy, Natchez, Midway, etc.
Boy did I get a shock!
I absolutely cannot believe the prices asked for Leupold hunting scopes nowadays. They have at least doubled if not tripled. They have gone up more than rifles, have fewer parts, and are easier to make. Even plain-Jane 1.5-4 power or 3-9 power scopes cost as much as a decent centerfire rifle. What’s especially irritating is that I found out that much of Leupold’s internal parts like lenses and adjustment gizmos are made in the Phillipines. Some of their scopes may be made entirely there too.

 

[ko41]

Maybe around $150. I don't recall what I sold a NIB S&W 3-9 for a few years ago.
The scopes were made in Japan by Hakko for S&W for a couple years starting around 2003.
I purchased several of the S&W scopes from Cheaper Than Dirt at clearance prices just because I accumulate S&W stuff.
S&W refunded my purchase price for a defective 6-24 in 2006 as they were already discontinued.
I have a 3.5-10 on my S&W i-Bolt.

KO

 

[chief38]

The issue with buying a scope that is no longer supported with customer service is if it ever requires repairs or parts what do you do? Yes, if you buy it and never have any issues that's fine - but the problem is we never know. Personally I'd say you would be better off buying something like a Leupold, Burris, Nikon, Redfield, etc. At least if you ever need something repaired, adjusted or parts for it - you have a comeback. Unless a discontinued item is something I can service myself with parts I either have or can easily get - I usually pass. This scope does not sound like that is something that fits into that category.

 

[4896worker]

Midway has Vortex scopes on sale now at and below the 200.00 level. I have several of them and they seem to be quality scopes

 

[chief38]

I like Leupold scopes and that is my brand of choice. I will say for the money I think Nikon is a great choice. Not the best but for what you pay they are pretty good quality!

 

[gwpercle]

The scope can no longer be "serviced" and it wasn.t a known brand to start with ... my offer would be $50 .
If you like the guy ... $75 !
Gary

 

[Oldsalt66]

Midway has Vortex scopes on sale now at and below the 200.00 level. I have several of them and they seem to be quality scopes

I bought 2 Vortex 1-3X Crossfire 2 LPVOs for $200 each, which I mounted on AKs.

After firing over 5000 rounds through each of the rifles, one of the optics failed due to a loosened reticle that was rotating in the tube.

I e-mailed Vortex and recieved a replacement virtually immediately with no questions asked.

I usually buy Steiner, but I was floored by the customer service Vortex provided on a cheap Chinese optic.

 

[OutAtTheEdge]

I like Leupold scopes and that is my brand of choice. I will say for the money I think Nikon is a great choice. Not the best but for what you pay they are pretty good quality!

FYI, Nikon got out of the riflescope business in 2020. You might still find a NOS for sale somewhere, but it's unlikely.

 

[BenTolson]

Leupold discontinued their "gloss" finish & "silver" finish... as a result, they have gone up in price. If you send in a scope with either finish for repair, most likely you will get an email saying pick out a replacement (it will be matte). As far as where they are made, Leupold scopes are still made in the USA... some parts do come from overseas. They still have the best warranty in the business.

 

[GypsmJim]

Call me a cheapskate. I have used nothing but Tasco and Bushnell scopes for many years. Never had a problem with any of them.

A quick look on EBAY showed a 3-9 Bushnell for $69 with free shipping.

I would prefer to buy a Leopold that was made in the USA, but I simply cannot afford an attachment that cost more than the gun.

 

[smithman 10]

Maybe around $150. I don't recall what I sold a NIB S&W 3-9 for a few years ago.
The scopes were made in Japan by Hakko for S&W for a couple years starting around 2003.
I purchased several of the S&W scopes from Cheaper Than Dirt at clearance prices just because I accumulate S&W stuff.
S&W refunded my purchase price for a defective 6-24 in 2006 as they were already discontinued.
I have a 3.5-10 on my S&W i-Bolt.

KO

Was that I-bolt rifle any good?

 

[ko41]

Was that I-bolt rifle any good?

I'd say it's as good as any budget to mid-priced hunting rifle in .30-06. But I've only sighted it in after mounting the S&W scope, then put it away and haven't shot it again. The only reasons I have it is that it is a S&W, it was languishing in the dealer's gun rack for years, and the dealer gave me store credit for 50% of the excess profit he realized on the .22 Magnum rifle I had traded in on a Henry .41 Magnum rifle.

KO