Want to refurbish Redfield scope

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Scout21

Scout21

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I've got an old Redfield Widefield 2-7 that has a little bit of fogging on the inside. I only noticed it after I gently washed the dusty lenses in soapy water. I have no idea if that is what ultimately did it in or not, but that doesn't matter. The seals were somewhat distorted as if they melted a little bit or were squeezed out too much.

It's still plenty clear and useable, but I'd like to get an idea of how much it would cost to get refurbished with new seals and a fresh fill of nitrogen or whatever inert gas they use.

It's in good cosmetic shape overall for a used hunting scope, so I don't need any work done on the outside.

It's really pretty low on the priority list so I'm not looking to spend too much on it, but I would like it done properly. I'm mostly tire kicking, but if I can find a company to do it cheap enough I'd like to get it done.

I've looked around and there are threads on this topic, but most are a bit old and possibly out of date.
 
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The rubber seals on any optic are prone to fail after time. Anything over about 30 years old is something that I'd not want to use on a rifle where reliability was important. For a range gun or casual meat hunting where I'd not be upset over a missed opportunity sure. Not something I'd want to depend on for an expensive out of state guided trophy hunt.

Some scopes can be refurbed with new seals. Looks like about $95 according to the link above but I still think I'd just keep using it as is on a range gun and spend a little more on a new scope. A lot of $200-$300 new scopes out there that are better than anything made 30 years ago.
 
jmr40 said:
The rubber seals on any optic are prone to fail after time. Anything over about 30 years old is something that I'd not want to use on a rifle where reliability was important. For a range gun or casual meat hunting where I'd not be upset over a missed opportunity sure. Not something I'd want to depend on for an expensive out of state guided trophy hunt.

Some scopes can be refurbed with new seals. Looks like about $95 according to the link above but I still think I'd just keep using it as is on a range gun and spend a little more on a new scope. A lot of $200-$300 new scopes out there that are better than anything made 30 years ago.
Click to expand...

Scopes certainly wear out over time, which is why I like to stick to long standing companies with good warranties i.e. I generally buy Leupold. On the other hand, Redfield was around for a while, so anything can happen.

I was thinking I could put it on an older deer rifle I had, but after noticing it's current condition I figured I could put it on my favorite squirrel rifle. It's still pretty clear when looking through it, the fogging is only really noticable when looking directly at the lens. I'll probably use it until it gives out.

It's hard to spend much money on such a comparatively inferior scope. For just $200 more I can get a new Leupold with damn good glass. Much better glass than the Redfield, that's for sure. I checked one night and my Leupold Rifleman gave me at least a good 15 minutes of extra light compared to the Redfield.
 
I recently sent Iron Sight a Weaver K 2.5 that I had taken the objective off of (to mount a set of vintage Redfield vertical rings} and the post reticle was slightly tilted. The service included repurging with nitrogen. I assume they replaced the seals. They also verified the tracking with a collimator.

I was shocked that it was returned in about a month, far shorter time than they had quoted. I think it cost about $90 and the scope looks great. I haven't mounted it yet; thinking about putting it on a M88 .308 woods gun. Or maybe back on my Gibbs 1903A4.
 
Perfect info in a timely manner re: Iron Sight Inc. I just got a vintage Redfield 2-7 that does not "zoom". It concerns me that their website states "Website last updated on August 30, 2017". Has anybody used this company in 2022? Thought I would find turnaround estimate on their site, but no. Guess I'll have to call them.
 
Just talked to a nice young lady at Ironsight, Inc. They are still there. Yay. 1st phone # I called did not work. Boo. 2nd one did. Yay. She said they are looking at between 5 to 8 months turnaround time to refurbish my 2-7X Redfield. NOT YAY. But I am not in desperate need of it any time soon, so I'll mail it off with my check. Let's see how long it takes to cash my check. Can I postdate it 5 months? Thanks for the suggestion, Megawatt. Hopefully I'll be pleasantly surprised by its return like Laphroaig was.
 
Tasco says they will repair almost any scope as long as they can get parts, generic or otherwise to do the repair, based on time and materials.

Tasco USA. 9200 Cody Overland Park, KS 66214-1734. Toll free: 800-423-3537. Phone: 913-752-3400. Fax toll free: 800-548-0446. Fax: 913-752-3550
 
I had a widefield on a remington 30.06 pump. Great deer set up. loved the widefield. Gifted it to a nephew that still hunts with it.
 
Just got this from Iron Sight:
"Your scope and payment have been received.
Please stay mindful our turnaround time is approximately 5-8 months.
We will contact you when the scope is ready to return.
Thank you for your business!
Rachael Miller-Lansdown
Iron Site, LLC
4814 S. Elwood Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74107
918-445-2001 or 918-521-7736
www.ironsightinc.com "
 
Grayrock said:
Just got this from Iron Sight:
"Your scope and payment have been received.
Please stay mindful our turnaround time is approximately 5-8 months.
We will contact you when the scope is ready to return.
Thank you for your business!
Rachael Miller-Lansdown
Iron Site, LLC
4814 S. Elwood Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74107
918-445-2001 or 918-521-7736
www.ironsightinc.com "
Click to expand...
I may look into going with them. It's a low priority thing right now.

Do you know if they recoat the lenses with newer, more modern coatings?
 
Scout21 said:
I've got an old Redfield Widefield 2-7 that has a little bit of fogging on the inside.
Click to expand...
What looks like "fog" may actually be fungus on the interior surfaces of the lenses. This is what kills lenses if it progresses too far -- it ruins the coating and then etches the surface of the lens itself. Fungus can be removed in its early stages, by complete disassembly and cleaning with solvents such as alcohol or carbon tetrachloride. I've done this myself for camera lenses. But there's an added problem with riflescopes. Most good ones are filled with an inert gas such as nitrogen, to prevent fogging. When you disassemble a riflescope, you have to replace the seals and refill it with inert gas. This is why refurbishment of a scope is not a do-it-yourself job.
 
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