Leupold 1.5-4.5 Pig Plex?

MW65

Wetside, Oregon
Looking at some options for an 70's build Marlin 444. Currently has a Weaver k2.5 which needs some cleanup/rebuild (besides a set of williams peeps on it). I really like the Weaver, but have thrown around the idea of looking at a Leupold made 1-4... thoughts? Use: timber elk/deer/bear gun...

Thanks!
-Andy
 

Rick H

Well-Known Member
I own 3 Leupold 1-4 Muzzleloader/Shotgun scopes with the Heavy duplex reticle. They are terrific big game hunting scopes. The reticle is easy to make out early and late in the day. I have them on two inline muzzleloaders and a 44 magnum rifle. I'm not sure what the reticle is like on the "Pig Plex" but they are the same basic riflescopes. I have been very pleased with mine. They are lightweight and have a very generous eye relief.
 

david s

Well-Known Member
I use a trio of Leupold 1-4X scope on CZ Full Stock rifles (22 Hornet 222 and 223 Rem) and a pair of 1.5-5X Leupolds on a couple of rifles ( CZ Carbine 7.62X39 and a Winchester 70 375 H&H) all with the Duplex reticles. I like this power range a lot. Leupold still makes a 2.5X compact scope I'm pretty sure. I used an earlier version (early 80's) on a 10/22. I liked this one also. The CZ Carbine has the 1.5-5X because it was moved from another rifle other wise it would have had the 2.5X Leupold.
 

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
I use a trio of Leupold 1-4X scope on CZ Full Stock rifles (22 Hornet 222 and 223 Rem) and a pair of 1.5-5X Leupolds on a couple of rifles ( CZ Carbine 7.62X39 and a Winchester 70 375 H&H) all with the Duplex reticles. I like this power range a lot. Leupold still makes a 2.5X compact scope I'm pretty sure. I used an earlier version (early 80's) on a 10/22. I liked this one also. The CZ Carbine has the 1.5-5X because it was moved from another rifle other wise it would have had the 2.5X Leupold.
100%!!

I also have a few 1-4 and one 1.5-5 as well as two 2 & 3/4 x M8 scopes. Also a M8 3X scopes too. I have German reticules installed in about 1/2 of those others have heavy duplex. The 1-4's are all "Shotgun" scopes.
100% hands down my go to scope. Only one I like better is the VXII 2-7x33 Matte. But its not as good as that 2 & 3/4 when ya need small light and durable!! I have one on a 458 2" Bolt and other on a 45 Colt Lo wall.The 3x is on my 450 BM Ruger. Awesome optics!!



Well I did before that aweful day when they fell off the boat!! :(
CW
 

Winelover

North Central Arkansas
I own several Leupold's, all gold ring, including my spotter. The only issues I ever had were with the aforementioned lighted reticle. There wasn't any positive detents. Sent it back to Leupold and it was taken care of.

I wouldn't purchase from any of the makers scopes that sell refurbished optics. Those include Burris, Nikon and a few others. Never seen a refurbished Leupold offered for sale by the distributers.

I was told many years ago to avoid Nikon riflescopes. This was related to me, by the owner of a LGS, that I frequented. He sold that brand and others. I guess he was right, Nikon is out of the riflescope business. I'll stick with Luepold's and Trijicon's on my hunting rifles. The other brands are just OK , for my plinkers. YMMV
 

Rick H

Well-Known Member
I have had stellar service from Leupold. My only issue was when I glass bedded a scoped barreled action and, with a massive brain fart, got a mechanical lock. I literally beat the action out of that stock with a 2 lb. hammer, when it came free the whole action hit the floor from about 3' up directly on the scope. The scope functioned just fine, but when you shook it you could hear a rattle.

I sent the scope back to Leupold with a letter explaining exactly what had happened and asked them to check it out and give me an estimate of the cost to repair. My thinking was if it was too expensive I would just buy another scope. 10 days after I mailed the scope to them I received a box in the mail with a brand new Leupold M8 4x scope and a letter explaining that an element had come loose from the lens and it shouldn't have. They replaced the scope, total turnaround time 10 days, and the damage was clearly my fault. I don't know how any company could stand behind their product any better than that.

I have heard of fake Leupolds being cloned in China and passed off on unsuspecting buyers. Asking a company to stand behind someone else's fake product seems to be quite a stretch.

To be sure Leupold made me a buyer of their product with that scope replacement. Off the top of my head I would guess I own close to 20 Leupold scopes, some other brands as well. That 4x that I beat with a hammer was the only one that ever needed service. The replacement still soldiers on.
 
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CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
You couldn't give me a leupold.
They do NOT stand behind their product.
I have read you say this before Rog...

I have had literally 8-10 dealings with Leupold. Not so much needed warrenty work altho I have sent in three I bought used just because they where "suspect". I sent back at least 6 for reticule changes. Every time I was more then pleased with entire arrangement. One time they actually sent my scope Back to me with a bill!!!!! I had sent my card number but either it was incorrect or not ledgable.

Being in the industry, exactly as you. I have spoken with and had many many orders with them directly. I am a life customer For sure. Thats not at all to say they are all I buy. As just this year Im two deep in Hawke RF ir Scopes! But aside from there growing costs I really like
Leupold as a whole.

Sorry yours was not as happy.

CW
 

Walks

Well-Known Member
I bought a Vari-X II in 1974, 30yrs later the ocular bell comes off. In the Gun Safe. Paid $120 dollars for that scope. Top of the line when I bought it. The replacement was a "Rifleman" scope, made in China, retail $199, optics NOT clear. I complained to leupold cust serv. No satisfaction, Bought a new leupold brand spotting scope at the same time. When I rcvd it it had a tiny gold "china" sticker on it. No mention of any optics made other then at their USA plant.

They are not honest people.
 

Rick H

Well-Known Member
Leupold clearly marks the McKenzie line of optics as made in China. I have a pair of McKenzie 10x42 Roof Prism Binoculars and they are clearly stamped "China" then the serial number on the frame. The box says "Made in China". The Rifleman series are advertised as: "like all Leupold's Gold Ring products are designed, machined, and assembled in the United States". I suppose that leaves some room for importing sub assemblies that were manufactured overseas to Leupold specs. I own three Leupold manufactured 2-7x riflescopes, a newish 2-7 VX-1, a late 70's early 80's 2-7 VX-2, and a recent Redfield 2-7x Revolution both new scopes carry the "designed, machined, and assembled in the USA" markings, the older one simply "made in the USA".

I was concerned after reading the above experience so I checked mine out. The two newer ones new in the box and the older one on my Remington 700 7mm Rem Mag where it has been for the better part of 40 years. I compared them side by side looking out my picture window. Not surprisingly the newer scopes were brighter and clearer edge to edge than the older model. Not surprisingly because modern lens designs and multicoatings have come a long way in 40+ years. The newer scopes have click windage and elevation adjustments as well. The older one has friction adjustments. To my 70+ yr. old eyes even the Redfield Revolution economy model was superior to my old VX-II.

I admit I am a Leupold fan boy. MY experience with their products and their service policy has been first rate. They EARNED my respect over the past 50 years.
 

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
I also like Leups. Some of mine are 40 years old, and have been trouble-free that entire time.

A 1x-4x variable-power scope is a very useful sighting system for larger targets. The first scope I installed on my CZ-550 in 9.3 x 62 was of that magnification, an El Paso Weaver clearly made for export. Its reticle is a German post & crosshair, and click adjustments are 1 cm @ 100 meters. I still own this scope, and as much as I loathe glass sights on leverguns it might still find a home on my Marlin 1895.
 

Walks

Well-Known Member
My newer scope, when compared side by side with one from 30yrs before; was no where near as bright.
The new one, it was a much CHEAPER scope.
 

Missionary

Well-Known Member
For 50 yards and under our heavy thwapers (50 Alaskan, 375 H&H) with scopes have Miro-Dots. No magnifiation.
Use the same Micros on our 475 Linebaugh BFR and the 454 BFR and never have had an issue..