Reproduction Scopes, Winchester Sutler, Inc.

[birdshooter]

Has anyone had experience with Winchester Sutler's reproduction Malcom Scopes? I've got a vintage rifle that I want to put a vintage scope on. The originals are hard to come by and pricey. I ran across these guys and thought that a reproduction may be the way to go but I can't find much info on them and was hoping someone here had some experience with them.

Thanks for the help!

 

[rcmodel]

No.
Never heard of them.

These are the best you can do today in that type of scope & mounts.

http://hi-luxoptics.com/product/riflescopes/malcolm-replica-scope-series/m6343216x/

rc

 

[Jim Watson]

Sure looks like the same thing.

Or he could go American with MVA. About twice the price, though.
http://montanavintagearms.com/mva_scope.html

What "vintage rifle" do you have, birdshooter?

 

[rcmodel]

Probably is the same thing.

There can't be too many Chinese scope manufactures making repro 19th century scopes!

rc

 

[Laphroaig]

Yes, I think that Malcom and Hi-lux are the same outfit. I don't know where Winchester-Sutler fits in.

I had a 2.5 X Hi-lux (Weaver 330 copy) that came on a Gibb's 1903-A4 reproduction rifle. I shot it in several CMP vintage sniper matches at both 300 and 600 yds. My assessment was its decent optically but didn't track very well between the 2 ranges. Probably what you'd expect from a Chinese optic. I replaced it with a K2.5 recently which I need to keep testing to see if its any better.

Another fellow competitor had a 8X Unertl clone that he didn't like. I can't remember exactly why. That is a pretty expensive optic.

Laphroaig

 

[Jim Watson]

I think Winchester-Sutler is just a dealer. The scopes are obviously HiLux-Malcolm Chinese imports.

I have read that their optics are as good as MVA but their mounts run from fair to poor.
Buffalo Arms sells an outfit with Malcolm scope and DZ mounts, which seems a good combination.

I am not sure of the desirability of scabbing a reproduction scope onto an original rifle. If the dovetail bases can be made to fit the factory sight dovetails, it would not constitute a permanent alteration. But I still think of the guy here who insisted on having one of those brass tube Japanese scopes applied to his Ethan Allen Drop Breech (<2000 made) in the awful crude brass brackets supplied with the scope.

 

[birdshooter]

Thank you for the input gentlemen. I certainly now have some things to consider. I'm definitely not too fired up about these being Chinese made. I may have to test my patience and look for an original. I am not stuck on a Malcom. I would be happy with a Lyman, Fecker, etc. from the 1920's - 1930's. Anyone know of a dealer that deals in vintage optics? I've searched ebay a bit and gunbroker and it seems real hit or miss.

The rifle is a Savage 1919 NRA Match. It was given to be by a good friend who's father purchased it in 1931. He was a master woodworker and raised the comb for scope use at some point. He had various scopes in it through his lifetime but is currently scope free and I feel a period scope needs to be on it. I plan on shooting it too, so I want a good quality optic.

Thanks again for all of the help.

 

[rcmodel]

Try this guy.

http://unertl.alexweb.net

http://unertl.alexweb.net/for_sale.htm

rc

 

[Jim Watson]

MVA makes a repro Winchester/Lyman 5A that would be suitable.
All American made.
I cannot find a picture of it on their website or anywhere else, though.
Call 'em up.
http://montanavintagearms.com/scopes.html

 

[StrawHat]

One of the biggest advantages of a Malcolm scope over a more correct period Unertl, Litschert etc is the Malcolm has todays state of the art optics. The others are old technology. Not bad but not the same as the Malcolm. I am currently saving for a Malcom 5A to put on my Springfield M1922.

 

[birdshooter]

Awesome replies guys. Thank you very much for the insight and links.

rc, a sight like that is exactly what I am looking for. Jim, I will certainly call up MVA and inquire about the Lyman A5 repro.