Scope Lens Recoating

SP45

July 10, 2011 17:51

Does anyone know who recoats rifle scope lens's. I know that it can be expensive and the process on the good stuff is a closely kept secret.

0

• 

  nononsense

  July 10, 2011 19:43

  SP45,
  
  I would check with John Williams at U.S. Optics to get his opinion. He would know far more than we do.
  
  Best.

  0
• 

  beantownshootah

  July 11, 2011 06:48

  quote:Originally posted by SP45
  Does anyone know who recoats rifle scope lens's. I know that it can be expensive and the process on the good stuff is a closely kept secret.
  
  Since doing so would at least require disassembly of the scope, then re-assembly (likely including fitting seals and nitrogen-purging), if you need this done, I think your best bet is to send the scope back to the original manufacturer.
  
  I just can't imagine getting this done by a third party cheaper than the manufacturer will do it, let alone in a way that doesn't void the warranty on your scope.

  0
• 

  rsnyder55

  July 11, 2011 08:43

  In my previous life, the last time I coated lenses, it was using a vacuum chamber and laying down micrometers of material on the lens. As BTS said, a very specialized and expensive process due to the equipment involved. Your manufacturer, if still in business, would be your best bet.

  0
• 

  SP45

  July 11, 2011 08:59

  I agree if they would do it. The scopes are vintage Unertl, Fecker, and some of the hard to find early stuff. Most of the time they are OK but occasionally you get one that needs help. Obviously the scope has to be worth the expenditure.

  0
• 

  beantownshootah

  July 12, 2011 11:56

  quote:Originally posted by SP45
  I agree if they would do it. The scopes are vintage Unertl, Fecker, and some of the hard to find early stuff. Most of the time they are OK but occasionally you get one that needs help. Obviously the scope has to be worth the expenditure.
  
  
  Can of worms.
  
  Again, there is more to it than just coating the lenses. There is also disassembly of the scope, removing the old coating, re-coating, then reinstalling (which may require replacement of hard-to-find seals).
  
  The individuals coating the lenses may not be the same ones doing the repair work.
  
  That's why ideally you'd want these to go back to the original manufacturer, who might have spare coated lenses handy or at least dedicated expertise in repairing/maintaining their own product.
  
  Anyway, this particular outfit claims expertise in fixing the old scopes you describe. Might be worth giving them a call to see what can be done, and how much it might run you to do it:
  
  http://www.ironsightinc.com/

  0

Please sign in to leave a comment.