Total Rumor Control - Leupold scopes....

[RainDodger]

Warning, Will Robinson.... this is an unconfirmed rumor!!

Yesterday I visited a large local shop that has maybe a bazillion (slight exaggeration) Leupold scopes on display. I was in the market for a Leupold Mark AR scope with a FireDot. They didn't have any. And they said they cannot order anymore Mark AR scopes. They told me that they thought all the Mark AR scopes, and many of the "tactical" model scopes for ARs were going to be discontinued, with new models replacing all of them after the first of the year.

Additionally, they said they heard that the Mark 4 line is going to be aimed only at military and L.E. sales, and offered by special order only. I'm sure they'll have something similar for normal civilian sales, but they had no further information.

Anyway... it's all rumor, but I thought it was interesting. I have a safe full of Leupold scopes and I'm really curious to see what they come up with.

Remember - rumors are likely worth what you paid for them!

 

[strambo]

This makes sense to me. A few years ago Leupold was hurtin' (at least in the tactical market), resting on their laurels and the competition was leaving them behind.

They righted the ship with the release of the Mk6 and Mk8 lines with features such as mil/mil, FFP, 1-6 and 1-8 models along with the lower priced MK AR models.

Making the dated Mk4 line Mil/LE only makes sense, only bureaucracies locked into fixed spec contracts would want them now speaking in general terms. The special order option makes sense for collectors who want to do clone builds to still be able to access them. I bet they'll have a solid product line coming out for civilians. Just my guess...

 

[bullzeye8]

Sounds like they might be preparing for a BIG release at the Shot Show. They have been offering the $50 rebate on the already cheap Mark AR's and VX-1's which would make sense if they wanted to get rid of excess inventory before a new launch. Also the VX-6's were at a major discount everywhere (couple hundred dollars) and I was told it was to make room for a new model, which maybe is also going to fill the Mark 4's spot as well.

 

[Gtscotty]

I don't know if it has been confirmed, but there was a TFB article on this a few months ago.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/06/06/leupold-to-discontinue-mark-4-sales-to-civilians-will-only-sell-to-military-law-enforcement/

There are some interesting theories as to Leupold reasoning in the comments.

 

[Averageman]

What a shame, the Mark 4 Line was a great scope for the money and mine have served me well.
I think this is a mistake and trust me, time will tell.

 

[RainDodger]

I suspect they'll come up with a "civilian" version of whatever replaces the Mark 4. I have a Mark 4 8.5-25X. What a great scope. Yep, as expensive as the rifle. Yep, you get what you pay for.

 

[IMtheNRA]

While I understand the reason behind keeping an older model to fill long term government contracts, I don't get why they would refuse to sell the scope to civilians. What's wrong with selling more rather than less?

Unless their warranty repair costs are getting out of hand.

 

[bullzeye8]

"While I understand the reason behind keeping an older model to fill long term government contracts, I don't get why they would refuse to sell the scope to civilians. What's wrong with selling more rather than less?

Unless their warranty repair costs are getting out of hand."

It is very possible that they are going to be releasing an updated version since they haven't updated the mark 4 in a while. Most people would rather buy the new version when/if it comes out than the old one so continuing to stock it for civilian sales doesn't make sense. At least with government contracts they know they will sell x amount.