Leatherwood Hi-Lux Optics “Wm. Malcom” USMC Sniper Scope Debuts at 2012 CMP Vintage Sniper Match
The Leatherwood-Hi-Lux “Wm. Malcolm” 8x USMC SNIPER scope – a faithful copy of the scope used by U.S. Marine Corps snipers during WWII – walked away with the 2nd, 3rd and 11th place awards, plus placed in several other top spots at this year's Camp Perry Vintage Sniper matches.
That's an impressive showing for the scope, given the fact that it's relatively new. If you're not familiar with optics of this type, the long-tube scope features 8X magnification and external micrometer-click adjustments. The scope tube slides to buffer for recoil, and comes with a recoil spring (which can be removed for competition).
For historical accuracy sake, the scope will ideally be mounted on the 1903 A1 Springfield, which was the variant commonly used with Unertl scopes from World War II through the Vietnam War. Those original optics can still be found at gun shows and online auctions, but prices have skyrocketed — some as high as $5,000-6,000. It would also be very much at home atop a pre-'64 Winchester Model 70 Target.
And while the originals are desirable for their collector value, you usually can't see much through them, plagued as they are with the effects of the unforgiving hand of Father Time. By contrast, the Hi-Lux USMC scope is as clear and crisp to look through as any other optic in this price range.
“It is very bright,” said one shooter who compared the optic to originals. “I had two vintage scopes with me, my Unertl 8X and a Wollensack 4X. The Wollensack is from 1930 and though it was state of the art then, it’s pretty dark. The Unertl looked pretty good until you compare it to the 8x USMC Sniper.”
Details:
- Power: 8x
- Multi-coated lens for optimum light transmission
- Water and fog proof
- Multi-coated lens
- Eye Relief: 3.15″
- Field of View: At 100 yards 11′ at 8x
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