Leupold rifle scopes are known for their excellent quality and craftsmanship. They are also leaders in the optics industry and produce the highest quality optical products. As Leupold’s popularity grows, it’s no surprise that these premium optics are being targeted by counterfeiters. Counterfeit Leupold scopes have been appearing on the world market from left to right. Here are some surefire tips on how to spot a fake Leupold scope.
Shop only on trusted websites
When purchasing a new Leupold riflescope, make sure the website you purchase it from is an authorized or trusted Leupold riflescope dealer. Trusted websites will often go to great lengths to prove that they are authorized Leupold dealers.
commercial websites – Avoid big trade, OEM or manufacturing websites that provide B2B services. Websites like AliBaba.com, globalsources.com, and tradekey.com are great for finding OEM manufacturers, but they often list fake leupolds for sale.
What to expect from a real Leupold
Authentic Leupolds have some distinguishing marks that most counterfeits will not.
target ring – Authentic Leupold optics will have a thin lens ring with the company name engraved on the ring itself. Fakes are usually missing this ring or will have the ring but not the engraved writing.
packaging – Counterfeit Leupold scopes often have packaging similar to the real thing, but often one item is missing, the warranty information. If you have purchased a Leupold that you think may be fake, check the information on the warranty card. If you miss it, you most likely have a fake Leupold scope.
Leupold serial number – All Leupold products come with a serial number. If the Leupold scope does not contain a serial number, the scope is most likely a fake.
Always try to ask the seller for the serial number before purchasing the rifle scope. Once you have the serial number, please call or email Leupold Customer Service to verify if the rifle scope is authentic.