LEUPOLD to DISCONTINUE MARK 4 Sales to Civilians

[Paté]

LEUPOLD to DISCONTINUE MARK 4 Sales to Civilians; Will Only Sell to Military & Law Enforcement


If you have ever wanted to own one of Leupold’s Mark 4 scopes, now is the time to pull the trigger! The Leupold Mark 4 will only be sold to military and law enforcement units starting January 1st, 2017.

The Leupold Mark 4 series of scopes has been very successful in the civilian market over the years because of their success and endorsement by the military. With that being said, Leupold’s target market for the Mark 4 is the military. It is disheartening that they will now reserve the Mark 4 for only them, but it does make sense. They are narrowing their focus on the segment of the market that buys them the most.

This leaves people wondering if the popular series of scopes is going to be replaced with something else for civilians. Possibly a similar line of high-end, tactical scopes exclusively for civilians? Maybe they will let us “regular joes” feel special with a separate line of scopes for us. Or possibly a more economical line of AR optics?

Mark AR MOD 1 1.5-4x20mm Firedot-G SPR Illuminated Reticle (MSRP $584.99)

Many competing companies like Bushnell, Nikon, and Vortex have dedicated AR optics in their line-up that will not empty your wallet. Leupold does have their “Mark AR” series of scopes, but they MSRP anywhere from $350 – $650. The modern sporting rifle market is very soft right now and many shooters are budget-minded. If Leupold were to roll out a more economical series of optics for the AR market it could be a huge hit.

Some may argue that even though we are losing the Mark 4 series there is still the Mark 6 and Mark 8 lines available. This may be true and the quality is spectacular, but the pricing is equally spectacular; anywhere from $2,859.99 – $5,624.99.

So you now have from the time you read this until December 31st, 2016 to get your Leupold Mark 4 scopes. Ready… Set… GO!

Hello everyone! The outdoors, Crossfit, hunting, and anything firearm related have always been my passions. I’ve been a guest writer for “The Truth About Guns” and Sierra Bullets. I’m a Smith & Wesson and Glock Certified Armorer, reloader, and have an addiction to classic Smith & Wesson and Colt revolvers. Be sure to visit TFB frequently and keep your magazines full, my friends!

[dougfxdl]

Nightforce will (I'm sure) be happy to pick up the slack.

[Helmup]

I seem to recall the focusing on military sales strategy not working out well for Colt.

( I know it's not the same)

[Surfer21]

I seem to recall the focusing on military sales strategy not working out well for Colt.

( I know it's not the same)

Actually your right! The only differences is that Leupold has a vast product line, excellent QC on all there products, and will make up any loss with there other Civy sales. Besides some vendor will buy a bunch and jack up the prices and sell them online...

[Helmup]

Agreed....the diversity of the Leupold line will insure their continuance.
If the military needs outweigh their production, then I understand.
Otherwise, it's just a marketing move.

[Dan 0351]

I remember the scope on the USMC M40A1 was a 10x (fixed) Unertl. It was only sold to the USMC and FBI HRT. Not too sure why, but maybe they're fearful that if they don't have enough for the military when they ask/need, the military may go to another vendor.

[Huntington Guy]

Smart marketing. They will announce this again around November and all the tacticool types and just in caser's will grab up tons of them.

[CommackBoy]

Stupid decisions. Half of all the cool things military uses came from regular consumers. Look what competitive shooting done for the industry. The smaller hand guards is just one example.

[Parashooter]

Fuck them.

[Yaphank Kid]

They will charge the military $4000/ scope and the idiots in Washington will approve it. They won't sell them to civilians because the civilians know better than to pay that much.

[pandm]

Sooo.
Let the panic buying begin.
I'd be willing to let mine go for, lets say.............

[somewhatstock]

Don't care.

[NRATC53]

I remember the scope on the USMC M40A1 was a 10x (fixed) Unertl. It was only sold to the USMC and FBI HRT. Not too sure why, but maybe they're fearful that if they don't have enough for the military when they ask/need, the military may go to another vendor.

I had a Unertl on my Win Mod 70, when I turned that in for the Remington they had the green Redfield 3-9 on it with the little plastic ranging scale that melted in the heat... I would have much rather had a Unertl, they fixed that quick enough for those that came after me...

[hawkeye]

I've got 2 MK 4s and they compete with the S&B visually, which are twice the price, but Leupolds are much more rugged.

[Dank27]

I like my Vortex strike eagle for 330$.

[Surfer21]

Leupold doesnt gouge US Gov or LE sales. They know they are one the big players in the "optics/scopes for infantry weapon world" but they havent had a monopoly on it by no means. Leupold makes a great product up and down there lines even the econo Redfield line is waaaay better now than in the past. They are consistent in alot of ways which appeals to buyers all around. As mentioned above S&B, NightForce, US Optic and others I cant recall, all have won contracts with US Gov for sniper rifle scopes. Trijicon is making serious in roads in the rifle scope world these days and may be a bigger player than Leupold! Trijicon scopes are very high in price on Mil and Civvy side, likeS&B or Swarvoski high! Thats another way that Leupold stays in the game, being able to produce an excellent quality scope at a reasonable price point. Leupold can't seem to significantly break into the RDS market both In the Mil/LE and Civ as Aimpoint, EOTech, Trijicon have to a large extent. US Gov sales ,while a steady source of income once signed and delivered ,are not a huge portion of there sales and profit. There maybe other reasons as to why they want to limit sales to Mil/ LE but I think in the long run they are going to drop the restriction pretty quickly.