AR Sponsor
Posted: 7/26/2009 6:02:52 PM EDT
|
I have a Colt "Made in USA" 3x20 scope on which everything that should move had seized up (probably hardened grease, since it hadn't been used in 35 years). No focus, no adjustmerns. I sent the scope to ABO USA in Miami http://www.abousainc.com/ for repair. They replaced the reticle and rebuilt the rest of it, and returned it in about 6 weeks. It looked much better and the lenses and reticle were clear, but I couldn't get it zeroed and finally the adjustments locked up. I sent it back, they tactfully suggested it was my fault but got all the adjustments working again. I may have to shim it to get a zero, but at least I can focus and adjust it. The glass isn't Swaro, but it's pretty bright for a small, old scope so it was probably made by a pretty good company in its time (my research suggests it was built by Realist in Wisconsin, but others may have better historical info). The total cost was about $200. As far as having a "good scope" I would have been better off putting the money towards a new one, but I'm happy with it because it is period correct for the gun. I'm putting this on here because I had a hard time finding anybody to work on this scope, and I've seen others post about similar problems. Since this straddles the retro and optics forums, I'll put it in both.
|
|
Which brings up the issue...
I also have a genuine "USA" made Colt scope with similar issues with the dried lube locking up all the focus features and such. Also, the reticle is locked up and fuzzy looking. I always just thought it was trashed and left it in a box. Now it comes out that this little gem is retro cool and I'd like to know what to do with it. With everything retro, there is always the dilema of leaving it as is with the original patina and all OR investing in it to fix it up. Sell it as a genuine unaltered item or have it fixed up and get it rebuilt? 
|
| Well, my view was that my scope wasn't much use if it couldn't be adjusted, and it wasn't focused for my eyes either. The work I had done didn't change the exterior appearance at all, and the change in the view through the scope was all to the good. Now it's clear, with sharp reticle (not duplex, just medium crosshair), and I should be able to mount and sight it in without too much trouble (fingers crossed!). It looks right on my 4-digit SP-1 that I bought used in the early '70's. As for whether you should sell yours as-is, that's up to you, but my thought is that not many people would want it (or at least not many would pay much) for a scope that can't be used in its current condition. Finally, if you get it fixed you may not want to sell it - in addition to looking retro-cool, it's really a pretty decent scope, light and small, and it has the range compensation turret for M193 built in. |
AR Sponsor