Optical glass shortage looming

[GunnyGene]

Ran across this this morning. Apparently due to Covid shutdowns the supply of optical glass for scopes, and similar is being interrupted. The vast majority of this kind of glass comes from China, and from what I read the entire Chinese production of it is shut down. We're not talking finished lenses here, but the basic glass. So whatever quantity of raw material the scope manufacturers have in existing inventory is used up, that's it for a while. Prices of optics will go up. So if you're looking for a new scope or bino's or whatever, the advice is to get it now.

Y'all can verify this by searching for " rifle scope glass shortage "

The hits just keep coming.

[Hatchdog]

Criminy what’s next!

And I just sold one of my precious Leupold 2-7X33 mounted on a 10-22 to fund a Single Seven purchase. Kinda wish now I hadn’t done that.

[brm4450]

Yikes, I’m in the hunt for a new Leupold

[Rifletom]

brm, check cameralandny.com. Ask for Doug. They'll get you fixed up.

[brm4450]

brm, check cameralandny.com. Ask for Doug. They'll get you fixed up.

Gracias, will do

[Shakey Jake]

brm, check cameralandny.com. Ask for Doug. They'll get you fixed up.

Gracias, will do

I picked up one of these at Midway. It was a one time run. I don't have a rifle to put it on but always like having an extra scope "just in case". Seems to be a pretty good scope. I also have a friend wanting to sell a Leupold. I think it's a VARIX-II 3X9 but not absolutely sure. He said he had it on a rifle he sold and it wasn't on it very long. PM me if you want his phone #.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2420373744?pid=373744
Jake

[Sir Henry]

Last November I ordered seven Nikon and Leupold scopes just to have around. All but two are on rifles and the five that came off were El Paso built Weavers from the 50’s to 70’s that are now in the junk drawer.

Glad I bought them now.

[Rifletom]

Last November I ordered seven Nikon and Leupold scopes just to have around. All but two are on rifles and the five that came off were El Paso built Weavers from the 50’s to 70’s that are now in the junk drawer.

Glad I bought them now.

Gene, those old El Paso Weaver's have a collectors value to some. Might want to hang on to them. Like most here, I have extra scopes in a cabinet for something I might buy. Glad I have 'em.

[brm4450]

Used to have extra scopes also but then I bought several Henry’s and then I didn’t have extras. Jake thanks for the offer but today went to a sporting goods store and they had what I was looking for. I appreciate the gesture, thanks!

[Rifletom]

What did you get?

[GFK]

Well, at least there is plenty of toilet paper, for now. COVID hit in more ways than just one.

[Sir Henry]

Last November I ordered seven Nikon and Leupold scopes just to have around. All but two are on rifles and the five that came off were El Paso built Weavers from the 50’s to 70’s that are now in the junk drawer.

Glad I bought them now.

Gene, those old El Paso Weaver's have a collectors value to some. Might want to hang on to them. Like most here, I have extra scopes in a cabinet for something I might buy. Glad I have 'em.

Yes I’m a collector. I have most of the Weaver catalogs since WWII. Or at least one version of it. I never got into first printings. I also have a fair amount of sales brochures. And boxes and instructions.

I absolutely loved the old El Paso Weavers. Then I slowly came to the realization I can’t see through them like a modern Leupold or Nikon.

[Sir Henry]

What did you get?

Me? Natchez.

[brm4450]

What did you get?

Leupold, VX-Freedom Riflescope, 3-9x40mm Rimfire

[Rifletom]

What did you get?

Leupold, VX-Freedom Riflescope, 3-9x40mm Rimfire

Nice one!

[MuddyWaters62]

There is this outfit that refurbishes old vintage scopes. They are called Vintage Scopes, I would contact them to see if they would buy your old Weavers. They sell them for around $299. It's worth a try.

Muddy Waters 67

[The Happy Kaboomer]

I for one don't believe that the "Big Boys" use chinese glass. Meopta/Swarovaski/Zeiss/Schmit Bender all use quality European glass. So I don't believe there is any shortage for those manufacturers...........Cheap scopes......You may be right.

[Bill.68]

The 4-16 DB is a regular production item, I have one but with a different reticle. The listing says one time "offer", Im assuming at that price with that reticle, their v-plex(which is quite thick).
For that price though its definitely worth it.

[North Country Gal]

Nothing sells quicker in the used scope market than Leupolds. I've actually sold old Leupolds to the folks at the ticket counter before even getting out to the floor when attending gun shows.

When selling off some of our air guns and powder burning guns, I've found it to be a good investment to use the money to buy Leupolds and other good scopes, but especially Leupolds, now that I can no longer find replacements for my Nikons.