Spotting a Leupold Imposter

[CobbJC]

Are there any obvious characteristics to look for when determining an authentic or fake Leupold scope?

 

[Helka]

The most common is the serial number is mostly 8's eg: 8088808

If you do come across a Leupold scope your interested in, especially a used one ask for the serial number and call Leupold (with the model, magnification etc) and confirm the details. Also if the person has a box in the picture ensure the serial number listed on the box matches the scope bottom.

 

[bassackwardzz]

I’m no expert by any means, but I have seen a few listed on GP that have spelling mistakes on the box. Matte was spelled without the “e”. Coincidentally both that I saw were LPVO’s.

 

[struff55]

you can go on line and verify the sn
google leupold serial number and it will come up

 

[Gillshot]

There’s a couple videos on YouTube on how to spot a fake one. Saw a couple fake VX-3’s at a gun show several years ago. Very close but just not quite right.

 

[45C]

Had one a couple of months back and the gold ring was really dark compared to the real ones.
Called leupold USA and they confirmed.

 

[homslice]

Had one a few years a "quabity" sticker was obviously wrong.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

I came across one listed here on the EE a few years back. Physically, it was a copy of the VariX II 3-9X40 and the geometry was good but on the side, the branding had a mistake as it was spelled, "LEOPOLD".

 

[SJAR]

I've seen fakes with the magnification ring turning CCW to increase magnification whereas Leupolds are Clockwise to increase.

 

[RRCo.]

Just try to buy a Mitituyo digital vernier that's not fake!

 

[Battlerifleelitist]

Brilliant clarity and brightness, crystal clear coatings, tougher than a two dollar steak, lightweight and with dead accurate turret tracking.

Most of those are hard to figure out before the fact, especially when online shopping

 

[I Dont Care About You]

Now that I have been suckered and have ended up with a fake Leupold VX-3, any ideas how well the fakes are made? Do they last at all?

 

[Longstud]

I know a few people with fake Leupies and Zeiss that have used them for a few years but have seen a Zeiss fake that the windage locked up after turning it six clicks, no backing up and no going forward. The glass was actually pretty good but totally useless with frozen windage. I never get fakes cuz I dont own any Leupie products. If theyre old and plum coloured your good to go!!

 

[I Dont Care About You]

I never get fakes cuz I dont own any Leupie products. If theyre old and plum coloured your good to go!!

This was the first Leupold I had ever bought. Not normally a Leupold guy.

 

[Longstud]

This was the first Leupold I had ever bought. Not normally a Leupold guy.

Well it would suck to be deceived! Was it a private sale or business or internet? I would just use it because from what I’ve been told is the newer ones are pretty well built!

 

[kamlooky]

Fake 4-12’s are common.

 

[I Dont Care About You]

Well it would suck to be deceived! Was it a private sale or business or internet? I would just use it because from what I’ve been told is the newer ones are pretty well built!

Red Deer Gun Show

 

[Bigbubba]

There used to be a guy at Orangeville gun show selling fake Leupolds.
The price was one obvious clue…the fact he had 2 models and dozens of each was another clue…