June 8th, 2012

Hi-Lux Externally-Adjusting 8X Scope for Vintage Military Rifles

Last fall we announced that Leatherwood/Hi-Lux Optics would be adding an 8X Unertl-type scope to its William Malcolm Series of externally-adjusting riflescopes. Well, the wait is finally over folks. The Hi-Lux Malcolm 8X USMC-Sniper Scope is now in stock and on sale at Creedmoor Sports for $549.00. This should prove quite popular with Vintage Sniper Rifle Match competitors. The new USMC repro scope duplicates the original windage and elevation controls on the 50s/60s-era USMC scope — but the new Hi-Lux offers modern multi-coated lenses.

Hi-Lux Malcom USMC - Sniper Unertl 8x scope

Scopes of this design, with micrometer click external adjustment, were once favored by long range shooters. The Marine Corps utilized this style of externally-adjusting scope on sniper rifles during WWII, Korea, and the early stages of the Vietnam conflict. Today, a mint-condition, original USMC-marked scope can sell for as much as $5,000. And with the current interest in vintage sniper rifles, just a working standard model Unertl scope in good condition can still bring $2,000 or more.

With its $549.00 price at Creedmoor Sports, the Hi-Lux USMC-Sniper repro scope is far more affordable than a serviceable original. Like all Leatherwood/Hi-Lux Optics, the Wm. Malcolm USMC-Sniper model comes backed with a limited lifetime warranty. Each 8X USMC-Sniper repro scopes will be serial numbered — as were the original USMC models. Leatherwood/Hi-Lux also sells a variety of long-tube, external-adjusting scopes that are quite popular with BPCR shooters and vintage rifle fans.