Scope question

I don't know how to do a poll, so I'll just present the case and ask a question or two. I have access to high end used optics like Swarovski, Kahles, Schmidt-Bender, and Zeiss. Most are 10-30 years old, but have excellent glass. I have upgraded most of my rifles and sold off the other scopes I had.

Some would be factory refurbished, some would have minor handling or ring marks, but all would have the factory warranty intact. Many would have the German style hunting reticles, not the more modern "tree" style reticles. Offerings would primarily be 30mm, but some 1" might be available on request. Pricing would be significantly less than current new stock, in some cases half or less.

How many of you would be willing to buy used scopes in these brands?

Would you be interested in quality lower priced brands used as well? Asking this question primarily for people who might want to trade in their current scope.

Why or why not?

What price range and/or features would interest you most?

Thanks in advance for your time.

The short answer...absolutely. People do it everyday.

I don’t mind scopes with handling marks as long as the glass is perfect.

I think your average consumer will stay within the 300-500 ranges if given a choice. A ten year old alapha scope may fetch more, but I don’t think 20-30 models would.

The key will be proving your legitimacy as well as that of the scopes.

I would have been eager for the chance, depending upon the brand and price, if it were not for recent second-hand experiences. One of the guys I hunt with regularly has a Khales (forget the model it it's near top line) which has served him well for about 25 years on a 7mag. It has been out of commission for the last two seasons as first, the seals inside decayed
And the optic fogged up. He sent it to Kahles for a refurb and about 7 months later git it back and no the adjustments aren't true and won't hold zero. Back from refurb again and still not up to snuff.
But this is just one bad example, not indicative of all scopes of that age. Still it has too be a steep discount for me to want to roll the dice.

If they are lower to midrange power, not big ol Hubble Telescope objectives and have a woods friendly reticle , I'm in.

This

I’d be interested in a list of what you have with prices.

Huck doesn't like anything above 16x for hunting or anything else for that matter lol. I will vouch for him in saying anything he gets his hands on is top notch. I have 5 Swarovskis in the safe he helped me find.

He's an anal SOB for sure

I don't currently have an inventory. If you want to let me know what you are looking for, and a budget, I'll see what I can do. Sometimes I can get them fairly quickly. I can sell them cheaper if I know I have a buyer when I commit to them, instead of trying to speculate and have a lot of cash tied up. I have no desire for this to be a full time job, just something I dabble in.

I just got a Kahles Helia S for a friend of mine, 2.2 - 9 x 42mm, with a 30mm tube and a German #11 reticle. Price on that one would be $700, and a new equivalent would easily be $16-1800. I generally try to avoid 1" tubes unless it's part of a package, or they are just exceptional values, like some of the Swarovski units I got for Josh.

Most of what I can get will be German 1, 4, 7, or 11, with some others mixed in. This is a good time of the year to look, as most folks aren't thinking about hunting right now.

Nothing above 16 power , for hunting.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy an older Zeiss,Swarovski, or any other German glass scope or nightforce

Josh thinks he's funny. Sometimes he's right.

I do have a target rifle that dials up to 24x, but most of my hunting scopes top out in the 10-15x range. Nice to have the higher magnification for long shots.

Please don't engage 2dogs in a scope argument.

One of my favorite scope are the old Zeiss 3 x9 x 36 scopes. The ones made in Germany by Zeiss, not the Conquest models made by Meopta for Zeiss for several years. I still have 3 or 4 of these and would like to pick up a couple more if you can find them in good shape.

The older Zeiss Diavari models aren't available often, but I put them on my list. Does it matter to you whether they are regular coatings or T*?

I sent a few PM's regarding availability. My standards are simple. If I wouldn't put it on my rifle, I won't sell it to you. And I'm a picky bast@rd.

It usually takes 2-3 weeks for a shipment to get here from Germany. That's why the German reticles are more common in what I get. My guy knows what I expect, and I've never had a problem with quality, but I stay with the majors who have excellent lifetime warranty service.

Pictures are not his strong suit, so I usually FaceTime him. If you order something and are not happy, you get a full refund less my shipping costs.

I can also get you Talley Lightweight rings, and will add them to the shipment for no additional freight. Most of them are $51 per set.

I would prefer the T* coatings. Great little hunting scopes.

pm sent.