Counterfeit Leupold Scopes

email or call them with the serial number on the scope.

They will send you a confirmation that the scope is legitimate or not.

Look it up online as well, usually the knock offs don't have a suffix or prefix letter.
 
Jay said:
A buddy of mine bought one of the Leupold 1.5-5x20 scopes directly from China.

I honestly did not know they copied this particular scope, I thought it was just the higher power 'tactical' style ones... Anyhow, the scope my buddy bought is such a good copy, that I became concerned about a couple of my 1.5x20 Leupolds which I bought used. So I called in the serial numbers & had them verified.

Thankfully, all my Leupold 1.5-5x20 scopes are genuine.

If I was to buy another used Leupold, I'd want the serial number to call in before finalizing the deal. Hell, even the ones in sealed packaging are questionable (think gun shows) unless it's from a reputable dealer!

Cheers
Jay
Click to expand...

I have a 1.5x to 4.5x counterfeit Leopold. and a real Leupold vx 3 1.5 x5x20
differences - the counterfeit has the serial numbers painted on. Real Leupold scope serial numbers are stamped
the gold ring is not at all like real Leupold
Light transmission in low light, counterfeit beside the real Leupold seems to be the same.
Parallax is the same in both real and counterfeit.
the reticule is mil dot. - not found in the VXIII i.5X-4.5x variable

When compared to a real Leupold (low light) the contrast and colour in both scopes is comparable
When mounted on a 9.3x62 with 286 grain bullets the counterfeit has held zero through hundreds of shots.
A box test with the counterfeit scope. 16 click up, -6 shots, 16 clicks right 6 shots, 16 clicks down 6 shots, and then 16 clicks left 6 shots puts the last 6 shots into the initial 6 shot group.
I have no idea of how durable the counterfeit would be, or how the internal lens elements and adjustments are put together.
I have had quality Bushnell scopes fail and weaver scopes fail, as well as off brand discount scopes that failed.
the counterfeit Leupold will stay on the 9.3x62 until it fails,

The only real Leupold scopes are made in the USA - anything imported is going to be a counterfeit.

The very best hunting scope I have found is the Leupold VXIII 2.5 - 8x X36 - They sell for more used than they did new.

https://www.leupold.com/counterfeit...flescopes are given,if the scope is authentic.
 
10x said:
Thank you for your kind words It remains to be seen if the scope stands up.
Click to expand...

Export restrictions can be pretty tough for some countries, so the market for Chinese scopes and counterfeit ones is pretty big. There are enough reviews from those guys to get a general idea. I have a cheap Chinese scope on a rimfire. So far, so good. For $74 I sure won't complain.

You can see many videos online about the counterfeit Rolex watches. Crazy, even many dealers now can't tell the difference, even when they open the watches. Boxes, sales copies, everything can be faked. The quality is right up there. My partner wears a fake Breitling I bought many years ago for $50 in HK. She loves it and most if not all people are thinking it is real. I cannot imagine how those are today.
 
I have two of these fake Leupold scopes and they ride on 9MM carbines and work. They have stood up well. For $100 they are good value. If I needed a better scope I would buy one but I don't. Anyone who wants to scope their 9MM carbine and doesn't want to spend for an original should consider this fake as a viable option It isnt like you are costing Canadian jobs. As to buying Chinese, low end Bushnells and others are made in China so why not fake Leupolds. If you are buying used I would definitely check serial numbers cuz you won't be able to tell by looking at them. I should note I don't think Leupold makes a 1.5x x 5x. Their equivalent is a 1x x 5 I believe.


Take Care
Bob
 
I generally avoid purchasing counterfeit products, especially those from China, on principal. In the specific case of Leupold, I like their product, I like the company, and I like their distributor here in Canada (Korth). I don't see how a flourishing counterfeit market benefits the legitimate entities that I want to support.

While I won't begrudge anyone for their purchase choices, I do have concern over the effect it has on those participating in the resale/used market. While the original purchaser knows the providence of the product, and would no doubt be up front about it, that trail is easily lost once the item changes hands. Checking serial numbers with Korth/Leupold is all well-and-good, but that delay can mean losing out on some excellent deals on legitimate used Leupold scopes.

I've been victim twice to purchasing what turned out to be counterfeit scopes, both times from dealer's online used catalogues where they were not identified as such. It was no problem getting a full refund (or in the case of Vortex, they exchanged for an original), but it was annoying none-the-less. I was also aware enough about the issue to notice the discrepancies between real and counterfeit once I had the products in hand, but a less savvy purchaser may have ended up not noticing until it was too late for any recourse.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: DGY
I am of two minds about "counterfeit" - a co-worker was in China at a golf club factory - contract with PING was done, but the line just kept churning them out - what he bought did not have the PING label - but is a golf club set, that is otherwise exactly the same. Another friend on an MBA trip to China bought a whole slug of white linen shirts - for like 10 cents on the dollar, compared to what they sell for here.

A neighbour bought a Zeiss scope from a mutual friend - neither that neighbour nor I are the types to get $500 scopes for $50 - some rudimentary investigation showed about 4 major indicators that the Zeiss scope was a fake - however, it worked so well, for him, on his 22-250, that he bought another one, for his other 22-250 rifle.

I think in the end, the buyer has to decide what he is willing to pay for - does it work, versus what is the brand name on the logo. If the $50 Zeiss dies, it will likely end up in the trash - there won't be a warranty claim - he has used the scope for 3 years now - seems cheap enough, and still works to his expectations.
 
Thanks for all the info! This sure helps when looking at purchasing a used scope. Some added due diligence on our part could save someone from a big mistake.
 
Personally I don't care what optics they build in China or anywhere else. Just don't put a famous brand name on it. Blatantly dishonest and bad business practice imo.
 
Their quality/control is so shiiity, now they claim is "counterfeit", Lol... I put a brass snare wire on a Tasco and get thumbs up !
 
Buying a cheap scope is understandable for certain applications but I don't understand the thought process of specifically seeking out a fake Leupold when low priced reviewed scope options exist.

I don't understand pretending you've got a $600 scope, is it to fool others for some weird reason in the shooting positions on either side of you ?

There's plenty of cheap Simmons, Bushnell etc available that are likely better.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom