Leupold Custom Shop

[cdb1]

This statement has been posted on their website for a long, long time.

We are in the process of restructuring the Custom Shop in order to refine and improve our services. As a result, we are not accepting any new custom scope or retrofit orders at this time. To keep up to date with the status of the Leupold Custom Shop, please sign up below:

This is one of a number of reasons I’m slowly but with increasing speed turning away from Leupold and looking harder at other brands. Used to be I looked at Meopta and Leupold first, now it’s just Meopta.

 

[LoonWulf]

This statement has been posted on their website for a long, long time.

We are in the process of restructuring the Custom Shop in order to refine and improve our services. As a result, we are not accepting any new custom scope or retrofit orders at this time. To keep up to date with the status of the Leupold Custom Shop, please sign up below:

This is one of a number of reasons I’m slowly but with increasing speed turning away from Leupold and looking harder at other brands. Used to be I looked at Meopta and Leupold first, now it’s just Meopta.

Yeah, I've got a project that's been rattling around in my head for years, for which the Leupold custom shop was a requirement.
I actually accumulated some of the parts recently (within the last year.), and found that same message on the website. It's a bummer, for what they up charged, they offered excellent custom options.

Now I need to find a manufacturer that will sell me a raw scope tube, and still be willing to assemble a scope on it after custom anodizing.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Understand its been a long time coming ,but am sure Covid is really bogging down the progress as of late.

 

[LoonWulf]

Understand its been a long time coming ,but am sure Covid is really bogging down the progress as of late.

Hope so, while leupy wasn't the only company I've heard of offering custom options they were the only ones who had an easy access custom shop I'm aware of.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Absolutely Loonwolf so Im sure they will keep it going.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Is the existence or lack thereof of a custom shop a reason to turn ones back on the brand altogether?

 

[rbernie]

Absolutely Loonwolf so Im sure they will keep it going.

There had to be a reason that they closed the doors, and yet I know nobody with insight into that decision. The shutdown of the Custom Shop preceded the SARS-COV-2 pandemic by a considerable period of time, so it's not like that was a big factor to begin with.

Is the existence or lack thereof of a custom shop a reason to turn ones back on the brand altogether?

If the principal value of the brand was the ability to customize their legacy offerings (with, say, a gloss finish) and none of their more modern offerings offer that feature, then I'd say that the answer is probably yes.

 

[LoonWulf]

Is the existence or lack thereof of a custom shop a reason to turn ones back on the brand altogether?

There had to be a reason that they closed the doors, and yet I know nobody with insight into that decision. The shutdown of the Custom Shop preceded the SARS-COV-2 pandemic by a considerable period of time, so it's not like that was a big factor to begin with.

If the principal value of the brand was the ability to customize their legacy offerings (with, say, a gloss finish) and none of their more modern offerings offer that feature, then I'd say that the answer is probably yes.

While I certainly wouldn't suggest anyone turn their back on Leupold, and I'll happily buy a scope that I'm interested in....MOST of what they offer only really appeals to me because of the weight savings over other comparable priced scopes. Optically and mechanically I think other options are better for the cost.

The custom shop is/was something that's kinda unique, and while I never did use that option (simply because untill a year or two ago, I couldn't afford to think too hard about a those particular projects), it's really the one thing that really appeals to me.

Again that doesn't mean I won't continue to recommend, or buy leupys I think are good deals, it just means I won't be cruising their sight all that often.

 

[Varminterror]

Was not the custom shop closed prior to covid? It might not be reopened yet because of, but it didn’t close down because of.

 

[cdb1]

Understand its been a long time coming ,but am sure Covid is really bogging down the progress as of late.

I don’t believe there is a connection, the custom shop was shut down long before COVID 19 reared it’s head.

Is the existence or lack thereof of a custom shop a reason to turn ones back on the brand altogether?

No and I never said it was. I said, “This is one of a number of reasons I’m slowly but with increasing speed turning away from Leupold”. It’s only one of several reasons.

 

[Megawatt maker]

Sounds to me like they are remodeling or expanding the physical custom shop..or maybe training or adding staff.

Because it started before the great Fakedemic of 2020 means little, since said Fakedemic has most likely delayed the project, like it has so many other things right now

 

[Chuck R.]

IF it did close down it really would be a shame. I've used them a couple times and have always had a good experience. I wrote them right after they closed down about doing a modified VX3i 2.5-8x36 with a BDC reticle and CDS dial for a .260 project and have been waiting patiently....

 

[ackley man]

Back before Leupold screwed over Premier Reticles who used to do all of their custom work the response time, turn around times and the work was flawless. They would even design custom reticles among other scope work. I'm out on Leupold. Switched to Vortex who has an absolute no nonsense warranty and first class customer service.

 

[Megawatt maker]

Back before Leupold screwed over Premier Reticles who used to do all of their custom work the response time, turn around times and the work was flawless. They would even design custom reticles among other scope work. I'm out on Leupold. Switched to Vortex who has an absolute no nonsense warranty and first class customer service.

All Vortex scopes are made in the Philippines. While they are good scopes, I'm not pulling the plug on Luepold just because a pandemic has screwed up their plans to improve their custom shop.

I've never heard of Leupold even giving anyone flak on a warranty issue either. In fact, I heard of very few who ever even had to send one of their scopes back for warranty in the first place.

They just work, and keep working. I've also never have, nor heard of any less than stellar reports on Leupold customer service either, for that matter.

We gun owners can be a fickle bunch. Leupold closes their custom shop to make improvements, and even tells us this in plain English...and some of us are ready to drop the brand.

Relax...it will work out.

 

[JFrank]

So much speculation I can hardly believe no one has just picked up a phone and called Leupold for the answer to the question.
Not all Vortex scopes are made in the Philippines, some are made in China (viper) the higher end like the Razor or Golden Eagle are built in Japan.
I googled that BTW

 

[js8588]

Holy cow’
So much speculation I can hardly believe no one has just picked up a phone and called Leupold for the answer to the question.
Not all Vortex scopes are made in the Philippines, some are made in China (viper) the higher end like the Razor or Golden Eagle are built in Japan.
I googled that BTW

My opinion on Vortex is the same as my opinion on Sig & because this is a family friendly site, that's all I have to say about that. ^_^

 

[cdb1]

And at least one Razor Model is assembled in the U.S. I definitely prefer Leupold scopes over Vortex.

 

[LoonWulf]

Id take a Razor over MOST leupolds ive seen....other than that agree

 

[cdb1]

Id take a Razor over MOST leupolds ive seen....other than that agree

I could have worded it better. I prefer Leupold scopes over Vortex until you get to the Razor line, when it comes to glass. Razor glass is definitely better than a number of Leupold models. But since I don’t target shoot most Razors don’t appeal to me due to weight and bulk. I’ll fess up though that I haven’t looked at any new Razor Models in at least four years so there may be one I wouldn’t mind having.

 

[LoonWulf]

https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-razor-hd-lht-3-15x50-riflescope.html

These are the ones im interested in right now. Arnt the lightest options for their feature set, but if the glass is as good as what ive seen on the other Razors, they should be an excellent option in their price range.

 

[Megawatt maker]

https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-razor-hd-lht-3-15x50-riflescope.html

These are the ones im interested in right now. Arnt the lightest options for their feature set, but if the glass is as good as what ive seen on the other Razors, they should be an excellent option in their price range.

Nice scopes, but for a few bucks more you can get into the German scopes, which in my opinion, are superior.
But still, I agree. For the price, those are hard to beat.

 

[LoonWulf]

I've got a Conquest v5 and like it a lot. For it's weight, and 1" tube, it offers excellent optical performance and tracking.
I'm always tempted to go to a slightly heavier scope just to get a little better optics, but the next best options are in the same 20oz weight class as the Razors.....well at least for scopes I can afford to look at.

 

[JFrank]

I’ve not had the opportunity to look through the Razor line of scopes, I have decided that what they offer doesn’t interest me however the Golden Eagle with its 15-60 power range and HD glass is a scope that I have not seen Leupold compete with this model or a few other higher magnification models. ( imo hunting and military is more their market)
The most desirable aspect in high dollar scopes these days is holding poi and rock solid mechanically, not all big dollar scopes can pass the tests the question for me is when I do have a problem or want an update/upgrade which companies will always be there.
Leupold is in Beaverton Oregon last time I checked and the last time I called them they answered the phone.

 

[JFrank]

Is the existence or lack thereof of a custom shop a reason to turn ones back on the brand altogether?

I really think it’s $$$
People say they’re patriotic , wave flags and shout at liberals then buy Chinese or Japanese cause it’s cheaper.
Let’s face it
Leupold are spendy but your getting a great America made product.

 

[LoonWulf]

Leupold are spendy but your getting a great America made product

They do stand behind their products as well. I've had three leupolds repaired or replaced, and haven't paid for any of them.