I sincerely put a lot of time and research into purchasing American made products.

The optics industry is especially challenging in this endeavor.

I think we are down to Leupold and Trijicon.

Rolling through an Academy sports today there was so much gear marked “Redfield” it reminds me of how the Winchester and Remington names were pimped out.

Talking with the counter guy he confirmed the scope I was checking out was made in China.

RIP American Redfield.

Leupold + Redfield never made sense to me. Redfield competed with Leupold's own products. I couldn't readily distinguish the significant difference between a VX1 or VX2 and a Redfield. I have two of the early Leupold Redfields. Great scopes for the money, riding on Marlin 30-30s.

I honestly don't know how a scope in the price point where Redfield lives isn't made in China. It must have been costing Leupold a bit.

Redfield faded out years ago,

the new Leupold owned Redfield, while a decent scope, is a brand not a company,


Leupold must have bought out the brand years ago, since the Leupold scope mounts and bases are basically the same as the old Redfield

Unfortunately, we've come to the point where if you don't know for certain an item was not manufactured in China, we must assume that it was manufactured in China, and that's beyond sad.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Unfortunately, we've come to the point where if you don't know for certain an item was not manufactured in China, we must assume that it was manufactured in China, and that's beyond sad.

True story.

It’s heartbreaking to know America is not the industrial superpower we once were.

That's what I do whenever I want to buy something in Amazon always ask where it is made first, unfortunately 9 out of ten item are made in fucking China. In Costco other day saw people picking up mask and take a look at it made in China WTF people the fucking Wuhan virus is come from China!!!!

I remember Redfield products from my days in the USAF decades ago, in the early 1970s. The Redfield spotting scope and rifle scope I purchased through the BX were well machined, high quality optical products that people wanted. Sad that this once treasured American brand and product fell on hard times.

I have 2 Redfield 2x7 scopes that I put on a .22 Marlin 36A and a .22 Henry. I bought them 20+ years ago when they were still made by Leopold. I'm glad I did because the quality is outstanding.

Jim

It is very sad. I just bought an older US Optics scope and wanted another. I saw their TS line and prices and was suspicious. After research, I found out their TS line is made in China. Their foundation line is made in the US.

I am seriously looking at dropping $1,500 just for a Leupold MK 5, just so I can support an American company. They're only a mile from me anyway. I do have two Leupolds, so I have supported them before.

Tony.

I went into a big "army surplus" store downtown a few days ago, looking for a handful of web gear and camping stuff. I left empty handed an hour later. Everything, EVERYTHING I looked at, was made in f'ing China. One of the women who works there cornered me and just started talking. I asked how business was doing. She said they survived covid and things are going pretty good again. She also said they get like 3 truckloads of stuff delivered EVERY DAY. Probably straight off the boat. It USED to be a good place to pick up a lot of stuff, 20 years ago. Now it's all Chinesium crap. I doubt that I'll be going back again.

@benny6- I’m in the same boat. Wanted a scope for this weekend but will have to save for a Leopoldo or Trijicon since Redfield is a no go now.

I’m looking at mid- to long-range optics and just about everything below $1,000 is made in China. Some offerings from the Philippines thrown in the mix. Japanese glass is all above the $1,000 mark.

The only US made optics that are affordable are the Leupold hunting scopes.

Weaver had some made in Japan scopes for decent prices. Whether they still do, or what name the line is under, IDK. But their Grand Slam and Super Slam line were, as well as some basic scopes under their Nitrex line. I got some from Natchez, and been happy with them.

I remember the Redfield Revenge was made in Phiippines and what? Revolution made in USA? Don't know if that still is true or of those models are around, though-and no personal experience with either.

quote:

Originally posted by 2Adefender:
I’m looking at mid- to long-range optics and just about everything below $1,000 is made in China. Some offerings from the Philippines thrown in the mix. Japanese glass is all above the $1,000 mark.

The only US made optics that are affordable are the Leupold hunting scopes.

Look into a Trijicon Accupoint TR23, 5-20 x 50. The model has been discontinued but there are still some floating around and not just on Amazon. Should come out to right around 1k after tax, maybe a touch higher but right in that area depending on where you buy from.

I have one on my Bergara B14 Pro 300 WM and it’s a nice scope for the price.

Redfield has always been a mass market optics brand as long as I can remember. Whomever has owned them, its always been a price:value equation.

If you're a retailer, you need a mass marker, higher margin brand to complement the other price points; diversity of product. If all you carry is Trijicon, Schmidt & Bender, Leopold, Aimpoint, Nightforce etc... you better have a large enough customer base to support those price points or, you'll go out of business.

quote:

Originally posted by Twist:

quote:

Originally posted by 2Adefender:
I’m looking at mid- to long-range optics and just about everything below $1,000 is made in China. Some offerings from the Philippines thrown in the mix. Japanese glass is all above the $1,000 mark.

The only US made optics that are affordable are the Leupold hunting scopes.

Look into a Trijicon Accupoint TR23, 5-20 x 50. The model has been discontinued but there are still some floating around and not just on Amazon. Should come out to right around 1k after tax, maybe a touch higher but right in that area depending on where you buy from.

I have one on my Bergara B14 Pro 300 WM and it’s a nice scope for the price.

Thanks, I will take a look.