Words of wisdom for buying used scopes?

bandit86

bandit86

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Ilderton, Ontario
I am looking at a nice rifle in the .308 variety for hunting and target shooting but I don't have a scope to put on it. Since the rifle already is going to chew up most of my budget I'm thinking I'll be better off with a quality used scope than a new Chinese pos scope (lesson learned the hard way). How can you test or check a used scope to see if it's any good, if it go abused, etc? Tell tale signs that something migh be amiss? I'm looking to spend about +/- $500 and don't want to waste it

I read the rifle review in the sticky already but I lack the experience to pick out a lemon from a good one
 
I check them by putting them on my work bench and lightly clamping it down with the use of heavy rubber bands so it wont move.

Then I open the door take an aim point and work the turrets at about 100 yds you can clearly see if the tracking works.

However it doesnt tell me anything else like if recoil will affect the tracking or not but so far it has never steered me wrong.
 
rotate it on a stable surface, like notches cut in a shoebox. If the crosshair moves in a circle as you turn it, don't buy it.
 
Put it up to a mirror and check the ghost crosshairs. Windage all the way left, then all the way right. Center it, and all the way up, and all the way down. This won't tell you if the scope will hold zero or shake apart, but at the very least you know it has the full range. And it will be set at the mechanical center of the scope.

I have a scope I bought that was probably pooched windage wise when I got it, and didn't discover until much later. If I had known to do this, I would have returned it asap.
 
There is always a risk buying a used scope, the look of it doesnt tell if it was treated proprely, it is very easy to damage a scope if you force the turret or hit it hard... JP.
 
Buy from someone you trust or at least has very good feedback.Also buy something that has a good warranty and make sure it is transferable.
 
buy a used Leupold made before last year when the importer changed their service policy and you're good to go as the lifetime warranty covers you as well as anything...
 
Donny Fenn1 said:
buy a used Leupold made before last year when the importer changed their service policy and you're good to go as the lifetime warranty covers you as well as anything...
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do a quick search on any brand/ model you are considering and you will get an idea of the failure rate.Just something to consider...
 
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Leupold, doesn't matter the condition just send it in to Korth and get it back a couple weeks later good as new at no cost other than shipping to them.
 
Leupold policy on NEW scopes??

Okay - I must of slept through something important - What is is their service policy on current models??? :eek:

Donny Fenn1 said:
buy a used Leupold made before last year when the importer changed their service policy and you're good to go as the lifetime warranty covers you as well as anything...
Click to expand...
 
Mudduck said:
Okay - I must of slept through something important - What is is their service policy on current models??? :eek:
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The service policy is the same on new items IF the serial number shows the scope was purchased in Canada. Korth does not honour the warranty of newer items purchased in the US, unless they were made before November 1, 2010.

You can tell by SN the date of manufacture from this (from Korth site):

Every Leupold scope produced since 1974 will have a letter included in the serial number acting as a date-code. Scopes using a letter as a prefix (the beginning of the serial number) were produced between 1974 and 1992. Scopes using a letter as a suffix (the end of the serial number) have been produced after 1992. On the chart below, you will notice the letters “I,” “O,” and “Q” have been omitted as they are easily mistaken for “1,” “0,” and “0” respectively.
Prefix: Suffix: E = 1974 A = 1993 F = 1975 B = 1994 G = 1976 C = 1995 H = 1977 D = 1996 J = 1978 E = 1997 K =1979 F = 1998 L = 1980 G = 1999 M = 1981 H = 2000 N = 1982 J = 2001 P = 1983 K = 2002 R = 1984 L = 2003 S = 1985 M = 2004 T = 1986 N = 2005 U = 1987 P = 2006 V = 1988 R = 2007 W = 1989 X = 1990 Y = 1991 Z = 1992
 
I have purchased several used scopes on the EE, most from the same seller. It comes down to looking at the persons trader rating, and asking a few questions about the condition of the scope. If I am buying a used scope in person, I look at the condition, and twist the adjustment dials to see how they feel.
 
Leupold scope warranty information

Now this is some valuable info to be stored
Thanks DMS1
DMS1 said:
The service policy is the same on new items IF the serial number shows the scope was purchased in Canada. Korth does not honour the warranty of newer items purchased in the US, unless they were made before November 1, 2010.

You can tell by SN the date of manufacture from this (from Korth site):

Every Leupold scope produced since 1974 will have a letter included in the serial number acting as a date-code. Scopes using a letter as a prefix (the beginning of the serial number) were produced between 1974 and 1992. Scopes using a letter as a suffix (the end of the serial number) have been produced after 1992. On the chart below, you will notice the letters “I,” “O,” and “Q” have been omitted as they are easily mistaken for “1,” “0,” and “0” respectively.
Prefix: Suffix: E = 1974 A = 1993 F = 1975 B = 1994 G = 1976 C = 1995 H = 1977 D = 1996 J = 1978 E = 1997 K =1979 F = 1998 L = 1980 G = 1999 M = 1981 H = 2000 N = 1982 J = 2001 P = 1983 K = 2002 R = 1984 L = 2003 S = 1985 M = 2004 T = 1986 N = 2005 U = 1987 P = 2006 V = 1988 R = 2007 W = 1989 X = 1990 Y = 1991 Z = 1992
Click to expand...
 
Canuck525 said:
Buy from someone you trust or at least has very good feedback.Also buy something that has a good warranty and make sure it is transferable.
Click to expand...

Thats the beauty of buying good scopes, if its got a lifetime transferrable warranty you have a great scope for life. If you buy a cheap scope you keep buying cheap scopes and have many hassles.
Good scopes also hold resale value for quite a few years, so you can buy used and if you need to sell it again you break even. I've bought/ sold/ upgraded several ltimes on the EE, its the only way I'll buy a scope.
 
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