Leupold turn in base cracked

FatCatsDad

FatCatsDad

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
204   0   0
This front Leupold base cracked while turning in a standard ring.
Korth is replacing it.
Is this a one off event or has it happens to others.
This is my first time using STD bases and rings.
Base was installed to 18 inch pounds.
I used a 12" long 1 inch wooden dowel to turn in the ring.
It was a brand new base





 
I have never seen this. I have used and installed a lot of Leupold mounts over 50 years. Definitely a rare manufacturing flaw.
 
FatCatsDad said:
This front Leupold base cracked while turning in a standard ring.
Korth is replacing it.

...
Click to expand...

I suspect the potential for that has been known for decades? Likely Leupold saved a couple cents per unit - saved on their heat treat or casting or machining - on their base or on that ring - and OP got "lucky".

Here is a picture of an elderly Buehler front base that uses a small cross screw to accomplish similar thing - has a slot cut from front edge to that circle part - loosen that screw, adjust that swivel, then tighten that screw to clamp tightly to that swivel. Seems to work fine - likely dollars more to make today, versus Leupold's current STD version. That happens to be a ring for a 26 mm diameter scope - not likely seeing too many of them anymore, either.

A7529510-3AFF-4165-A395-1263590DF7B6_1_201_a.jpg
 

Attachments

  • A7529510-3AFF-4165-A395-1263590DF7B6_1_201_a.jpg
    A7529510-3AFF-4165-A395-1263590DF7B6_1_201_a.jpg
    28.8 KB · Views: 351
Last edited:
Modern "low cost" junk. Anybody wonder why some modern products seem cheaper relative to the time it takes to earn the money to buy them.

From a pro-impacted metal site:

"The metal impact extrusion process produces components at a cost lower than other metal-forming technologies. Impacting produces near-net-shape components with less waste than other metal-fabrication processes. Compared to casting and machining, metal savings alone justify the adoption of impact extrusion. In addition, a one-time tooling investment and longer tool life lower overall cost."
 
bc308 said:
Modern "low cost" junk. Anybody wonder why some modern products seem cheaper relative to the time it takes to earn the money to buy them.

From a pro-impacted metal site:

"The metal impact extrusion process produces components at a cost lower than other metal-forming technologies. Impacting produces near-net-shape components with less waste than other metal-fabrication processes. Compared to casting and machining, metal savings alone justify the adoption of impact extrusion. In addition, a one-time tooling investment and longer tool life lower overall cost."
Click to expand...

Some might refer to that as a "race to the bottom" - when I was apprentice in 1980's, at the mine that I worked at, most Tradesmen advised that I wanted Nicholson brand files - were considered to be good quality versus the cost of them - were made in USA. So when I retired, I "splurged" and bought a set of Nicholson files to use here in my work-shop - stamped on them is "Made in Mexico", "Made in Brazil" - in the same set - visually can see wavy edges on some teeth - are really no better or worse than what I was getting at Home Hardware store "made-in-China" house brand - as if some management today is "mining" the value / reputation created by that brand name - forty odd years ago. I hope they choke on the profit they made off of my purchase - not going to be happening again, but might be their plan - hit up every sucker like me, once, and then collect their bonus / stock options and retire ...
 
Potashminer said:
Some might refer to that as a "race to the bottom" - when I was apprentice in 1980's, at the mine that I worked at, most Tradesmen advised that I wanted Nicholson brand files - were considered to be good quality versus the cost of them - were made in USA. So when I retired, I "splurged" and bought a set of Nicholson files to use here in my work-shop - stamped on them is "Made in Mexico", "Made in Brazil" - in the same set - visually can see wavy edges on some teeth - are really no better or worse than what I was getting at Home Hardware store "made-in-China" house brand - as if some management today is "mining" the value / reputation created by that brand name - forty odd years ago. I hope they choke on the profit they made off of my purchase - not going to be happening again, but might be their plan - hit up every sucker like me, once, and then collect their bonus / stock options and retire ...
Click to expand...

The race to the bottom, aka late stage capitalism where profits for shareholders and the c-suite mean more than the quality of your product, the reputation of your company, or the jobs of your employees...
 
bc308 said:
Modern "low cost" junk. Anybody wonder why some modern products seem cheaper relative to the time it takes to earn the money to buy them.

From a pro-impacted metal site:

"The metal impact extrusion process produces components at a cost lower than other metal-forming technologies. Impacting produces near-net-shape components with less waste than other metal-fabrication processes. Compared to casting and machining, metal savings alone justify the adoption of impact extrusion. In addition, a one-time tooling investment and longer tool life lower overall cost."
Click to expand...

Genuine Leopold rings are far from junk. This type of rings have been in production since the 50’s if not before that. Their manufacturing process is as good as any out here. They are good ring.

Some guy can break anything…on another hand Chinese copy everything including Leopold..won’t be surprised those are a copy..won’t surprise me a bit.
 
Last edited:
Potashminer said:
I suspect the potential for that has been known for decades? Likely Leupold saved a couple cents per unit - saved on their heat treat or casting or machining - on their base or on that ring - and OP got "lucky".

Here is a picture of an elderly Buehler front base that uses a small cross screw to accomplish similar thing - has a slot cut from front edge to that circle part - loosen that screw, adjust that swivel, then tighten that screw to clamp tightly to that swivel. Seems to work fine - likely dollars more to make today, versus Leupold's current STD version. That happens to be a ring for a 26 mm diameter scope - not likely seeing too many of them anymore, either.

View attachment 660460
Click to expand...

Have you driven a Ford lately ?
There is always the chance that the one in a hundred "lot" contained a flaw and made it past qc.
Happens to the best of them and it wont stop me from buying Leupold...Ford on the other hand not so much.
Rob
 
Package claims US Carbon Steel, and CNC Machined, so my buck says there was a mill flaw in the end of the bar that was the parent material. Not common, but not so rare that It never happens.
Or you got the 'just wrong' set of max tolerance ring base on min tolerance socket in the base...

Meh. Been an awful lot of those mounts made and used. Gonna say you just got the unlucky draw.
 
Reading a lot of good about Korth, but I can't throw my hat into that particular ring yet.
Maybe I don't get how business works but to me tossing a set of replacement bases in the mail shouldn't take this long.

I picked up a used set on the EE so I could still use the gun, but I'd really like my glossy blue bases replaced so I can take the ugly silver ones off.
 
Canada Post is sometimes slow... they even ship things to the wrong city on occasion... and it sits for two weeks because they can't deliver it...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom