what should we know about PU scopes?

[RickR1100]

I know little about these PU scopes. I think they got their start in WW2 for snipers using Mosin rifles. There might have been a few mounted to SVT-40's as well. And some SKS prototype may have had a PU on it. I think they are 3.5x and also quite robust.

But beyond that I know nothing.

Are they in fact very tough as scopes go? Hold a zero even after lots of jarring abuse?

Can you only zero it to one point? Or is there a range dial for bullet drop adjustment on the fly?

I've seen a thick post with a sharpened tip style reticule... are there other styles?

Anything else you can think of?

 

[bp2626]

Based on German scope technology with a German post reticle. You can use the posts to determine distance to target with milliradians. This is the only reticle.

Elevation and windage knobs are present but they physically move the crosshair. Zeroing is done through shimming and grinding.

Robust enough to be chosen by a major military and to be used for the entirety of the Great Patriotic War.

Glass isn't as clear as modern scopes, not as durable as modern scopes, FOV isn't as good as modern scopes, etc.

 

[milsurpo]

I could be wrong but I think they were initially developed for the SVT then applied to Mosins later on. They have, of course, a bullet drop compensator built in for use with the original milspec ammo- I find it not too far off with several varieties of commercial I use in SVT's with this scope as well as my PU sniper. One thing to be aware of is that the mechanism of this vintage of scope requires that the the base/ mount be very well collimated to the bore. If it's not you may end up with a post way off at the edge of the field of view. Something to keep in mind if you're building a replica PU or SVT sniper.

milsurpo