Leupold specialists, advice requested

[nueces5]

An acquaintance of the range has just changed his scope for a brand new Vortex, and is selling a suspiciously cheap Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50.
I have a friend who is starting to buy his long range equipment, and we wanted to buy it. But we know that there are very similar Chinese copies. So I'm asking for help. From the photos I saw on the internet, it doesn't seem to be a copy, I'll post the photos that the owner sent me to see what you think.

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[kungfustyle]

call Leupold and ask them. They should be able to pull the serial number that you show in one of the pictures.

[nueces5]

I live in Argentina, it´s a bit complicated...

[Winger Ed.]

If it's on the cheap---- I'd grab it.

Chinese copies are usually things that are pretty massed produced and not real rare/expensive items.
If it was the common 4 x 12 or something that sells for a couple hundred dollars- I'd be suspecious.

Part of how Chinese knock offs are so cheap is that they are items that are usually mass produced,
that really holds the 'price per each' way down.

To make knock offs of a $600. dollar high end item isn't practical for them unless they can sell several thousand of them.
If there was that big of a flood of those on the market--- we'd have heard about it by now.

[ohen cepel]

The chinese knock offs often use the same serial # on all of them they make. So, looking around you may find a pile of them with the same # which will mean it is fake.

May be able to confirm the # online with Leupold if calling isn't an option.

[M-Tecs]

If it's on the cheap---- I'd grab it.

Chinese copies are usually things that are pretty massed produced and not real rare/expensive items.
If it was the common 4 x 12 or something that sells for a couple hundred dollars- I'd be suspecious.

Part of how Chinese knock offs are so cheap is that they are items that are usually mass produced,
that really holds the 'price per each' way down.

To make knock offs of a $600. dollar high end item isn't practical for them unless they can sell several thousand of them.
If there was that big of a flood of those on the market--- we'd have heard about it by now.

This has been a big problem for at least 15 years. I've seen 3 or 4 counterfeits myself.

I will no longer purchase used Leupold unless I can check the serial numbers. Counterfeits have become very common. If you have time an email has worked for me also.

https://www.leupold.com/support/resources/counterfeit-warning

https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/zeroing-in-on-counterfeit-scopes-sights/

https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/dec/30/buyers-beware-of-counterfeit-leupold-ri/

[farmbif]

serial # check with leupold sounds like a best bet.
I got very tempted into some new sights and scopes today looking through what midway has in the clearance section, some leupold and a bunch of other brand scopes 1/2 price and they got a whole bunch of them at all the different quality levels.

[TNsailorman]

I don't think it is a real Leupold scope. In the pictures the scope finish looks cheap, like maybe sandblasted and then finish applied. Leupold at least polish even their lower line scopes before finishing. my 02 anyway, james

[Lloyd Smale]

I don't think it is a real Leupold scope. In the pictures the scope finish looks cheap, like maybe sandblasted and then finish applied. Leupold at least polish even their lower line scopes before finishing. my 02 anyway, james

the new freedoms are cheaper looking then the vx2 they replaced. Ive got a couple and am not impressed

[barnabus]

its a fake

[M-Tecs]

I just spoke to Leupold. It is NOT on the list of known fakes and the serial number is for a Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50 so it appears to be legit.

[TNsailorman]

Well then, Leupold's finish is really slipping since I last bought one (1990's). oh well, everything else is going to pot these days. james

[Winger Ed.]

I've noticed they offer both a low or high gloss finish on different scopes.
A few of the matte finish ones don't have the Gold ring either.

[nueces5]

I just spoke to Leupold. It is NOT on the list of known fakes and the serial number is for a Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50 so it appears to be legit.

Thank you very much, I appreciate you taking the time to make the call.
I'm going to contact the seller and buy it!
Regarding leupold, I made a username and asked them by email if it was real, and I still haven't heard back.

[firefly1957]

You guys gave me a bit of a fright I recently put a used Leopold on my 30-06 I could not find the serial number and all Leopold's have one . From their websight I found it is a small number on bottom of scope turret and I needed a flashlight to see it my scope has a "H" start in that number and was made in 2000 . It is a 3.5-10X Vari X III 50 mm .