Weaver K4, Model 60 (Vintage 1965 or earlier)

probably 50s or 60s. compared to modern scopes, there not even close. i like the old weavers, i don;t mind there not clear like new scopes. it will be fine on the 223, use it and see how you like it.

Modern Axis? Bushnell, which will likely be superior optically to an old k4. Probably just as tough if it's a trophy or higher grade.

Vintage rifle? k4, looks right, feels right, and is "good enough".

I have an El Paso K4 on my Savage 99. It just seems right to have a vintage scope on a vintage rifle.

I just bought a new Weaver K4 Classic 4x38 scope for my 30-30. Made in Japan with great lenses. Great woods scope IMHO. hdbiker

hdwhit said:

When my father moved to an assisted living apartment, he left behind a Weaver K4 rifle scope. The box says K4, Model 60. My father (now 94) cannot remember when he bought it, but I remember seeing the box as early as 1965, so it must date from then or earlier.

Is this still a good scope by modern standards?

I have a multi-power Bushnell that I have yet to mount in my Savage Axis. If you had a choice, which would you mount on a .223 Remington rifle that is only going to be used within 200-250 yards? And why would you make that choice?

Thank you.

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I have a k4 mod 60 that was on my first gun, a 243. Could put 3 rounds on a quarter at 100 yards with it. Took many deer and varmit with it. Was always dependable. One of the crosshairs broke some years back. Just recently I decided to examine it and was surprised how easy it was to remove the crosshair mount and solder on new crosshairs.
Also have a k6, forget model. Both are dependable.
My opinion on other scopes is that you really don't have to empty your wallet to find one that is dependable. I've bought several Center Point, the ones in plastic packaging behind the counter at wally world. 69-89 bucks. One 6-12 and one 4-16 with range adjust front. The magnification, to me, is geat for spoting but i always drop back to 4-6 for the shot. Have taken deer out to 350 yards using them.

I have a K4, in an offset mount, on my Winchester 94. Whole setup was a gift, from a very good friend, several years ago.

Sistema1927 said:

I have an El Paso K4 on my Savage 99. It just seems right to have a vintage scope on a vintage rifle.

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Hey, me too!


I have two K4s , both El Paso made. Personally, I think they have quite good lense quality with nice light gathering and eye relief. I would rate them as almost as good optically as my Burris Fullfields. My only complaint with the K4 is that, being steel tubed, they are rust-prone- so keep them oiled or coated with something.

My only experience with recent Bushnell was an 18X Banner I bought new 5-6 years ago. The reticle went sidways after the first 5 rounds. I took it apart to fix it myself and found the guts were so cheesy, I threw it away in disgust. Never again.

The fixed power 4X is a great hunting scope for a walking rifle, since you want a wide field of view to spot and track moving game in the bush, but IMO, the power is too low for a .223 bench or stand rifle at 200+ yards. I highly recommend a 3-9 variable for this, such as the Fullfield, or another modern high quality scope.

I’ve looked through a number of El Paso Weavers, I’ll take modern glass.

Save the K4 for an older rifle.
I have one on the Marlin 783 that I restored.

My Weaver K2.5 has been on my Ruger 10/22 for over 40 years. Still works fine and has held up very well over the years.

I have several K's still in use. No complaints

Sistema1927 said:

have an El Paso K4 on my Savage 99. It just seems right to have a vintage scope on a vintage rifle.

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I have used several older scopes. One 3x Weaver was mounted on a Number One in 375 H&H. Retired the scope. Sometime later dropped the scope breaking the ocular lens. There is an even and earlier Weaver scope on my Remington Model 81. The scope is period correct in the Weaver side mount. This rifle is not in current use. The original owner had enough confidence in the scope to leave on the tang sight. Also, might do well to find out where and how much it cost to repair the older Weaver's. Ditto older Redfield's. I'd say stick with it if the rifle is only shot on the range. I use old Leupold's that have a lifetime warranty.

Are the Weaver scopes of that era sealed so they can be gas filled?

Full restoration for a K4 is from $299.00. For current use check out the price of what you can get for that much money. Also, check out the auction sites for Weaver K-4's. I'd go along with the guys mounting the scope on a rim fire rifle. OP's scope may be perfectly fine as is.

"Nitrogen process only. (sealed scopes post 1950): Vintage Weaver, Redfield, Lyman, Leupold".

K4 is a.solid scope!

No doubt about Weaver being a good scope. The first really good scope I had was a K6. This was when these scopes were in the stores new. The issue is what to use this scope on and reliability. How far away from home would you go with a fifty years old scope? I'd have to assume the risk of a failure.

I've got various models of K-4s on classic rifles ranging from my Bubba'd Krag to my Ted Williams Model 53. About ten are mounted up, another four are spares.
I like them. They look right on the old guns and the work pretty well.

I've gotten some real flak on using old scopes. My feeling those old scopes are as good as the day they were made-if in good repair. One of the all time great scopes was the old K-10 scope. To me, the K-4 put America into scope sights.

I have three of the old steel tube Weaver scopes I bought so long ago I can't even recall exactly when. I found them to be very fine scopes at a very fine price. A K4, paralax adjusted to 50 yards, sits atop my Kimber of Oregon Custom Classic .22LR. A K3 is at home on my ancient Marlin .44mag. Another K4 is hanging around the house somewhere. They're like the Energizer Bunny, they just keep going.

The K4 is on the top rifle, .22LR. The K3 below on the Marlin.