Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Weaver Scopes, Let's Talk About 'em

Weaver doesn't get a lot of play here, but I kinda like them. My experience with them is limited. I have had a few plain old Weaver Classics and they were good scopes for the money. I have a Weaver Nitrex 2.5x10x50 right now. I bought it on closeout from Natchez for $119. It too is a very good scope for the money. I should qualify that by noting that I haven't used it yet. I bought it a while back and stored it until I got my new Creedmoor.

Weaver's low end Kaspa and their 44/40 series are unimpressive. Moving up the line, the Classic is a competitor at its price point and simply a good scope. From there you get into their Buck Commanders, Grand Slam and Supper Slam scopes. If these are incremental improvements over the Classic, then the sale they are having at Natchez is outstanding.

So tell me about your experiences with Buck Commanders, Grand Slams and Super Slams.

I've always had good service out of Weaver scopes. From the El Paso's til now. In 2008 I put a 3-10x40 GS on a .270 Win M70 Fwt Classic I put together and it's doing fine. It's compact enough,does a very good job in low light,clear edge to edge image,tracks perfect,and holds it's zero. I won't ask for anymore than that.

CowboyTim needs to chime in. He's a Weaver guy.
From my very first experience with one (a rectangle occular V-7, 2-7x32) in 1974 to the couple of fixed power current models I own now, I've never had anything but excellent results with them. Very dependable and priced reasonably.

John

I was underwhelmed with a 4x El Paso (fine crosshairs) unit, and also with a new-at-the-time Grand Slam 4.75x. I think I might be the only one in the Wester World who didn't like that 4.75.

Still, I'd like to try a new K4, just for giggles. I'm guessing it would be plenty serviceable.

FC

I've had Jap. Weaver classic K-2.5's on my 12 gauge Ithaca M37 "Deerslayer" and my .30-30 Marlin 336 for years. I've killed a shytload of deer with those guns and the scopes have never let me down in any conditions. Clear, bright and they hold zero with the best of them. The .30-30 got knocked over when it was leaning against a tree once. Landed scope first on a rock hard enough to put a nasty dent in the tube. Didn't knock it out of zero by a single click and it still works perfect to this day.

The only bad Weaver scope that I've owned is a V10, 2-10x38. It has the worst "tunnel vision" that I've ever experienced. Currently running a dozen V16s, 4-16x42AO, on rifles in the 17HM2 thru 243 range. My load development scope for rifles with Weaver, or Weaver-style, bases is a KT15, 15x40AO, that is close to perfect for that use. Also have a few old K3s with PCH reticles on 30-30 lever and pump guns.

I had the new style Grand Slam 4-16x42 for a little while. I would say the glass matched up very well with a Vortex Viper. I had the EBX reticle which was nice but it didn't match up too well with my 243.

I'd say it is on par with anybody else's $4-500 scope. Which is what they run.

I have had an old El Paso K4 w/ straight cross wires on a Marlin bolt action .22lr and they're a match made in heaven.

A V9 I sold here was wonderful, tracking perfectly, holding zero and having far better optical quality than it ought to have had.

I just bought a Classic 6x which I also love; it went on my only true short action rifle.

Which is the problem w/ the Weaver Classic line.... Tube space/eye relief aren't long enough for long actions IME.

Can't doubt they're an insane value on anything else tho.

Great scopes but the prices on the classics are ticking up where they are not as good a value as they used to be.

Now that you mention that about the V series, I remember it. I had a 3x9x50 IIRC. Great glass, precise adjustments, clear to the edges etc. but you were very aware of the inside of the scope tube.

This seems like a great scope for the money. It'd probably do my Creedmoor justice. http://www.natchezss.com/weaver-super-slam-riflescope-3-15x50mm-sf-ebx-reticle-matte.html

I've got a V9 I bought on sale at Natchez for ~$100. Put it on a Marlin XS7 in 243 for a truck gun. It is clear enough, bright enough and has been rugged. Have not touched it since zeroing.

I've got more Weaver scopes than any other from a 1-3x20 on a 45-70 to 36x on a 30BR.
I am very happy with the Japanese models and have replaced a couple Burris FFII with the Nitrex 3-9x40s, I see better with the Weaver scopes.
I've no experience with the 44-40 line but I like the "V", "T",Classic and Grand Slam scopes and have kept them.
I do own Burris, Leupold, Nikon, SWFA, Bushnell, Hawke and one Meuller as well.

Per chance, do you still have that 4,75x40 GS Weaver, FC? It would solve my troubles with that Marlin you have in safekeeping, as I like mine well enough.

Alas - 'twas sold years ago. Besides, it's not silver enough for your application.

I do, however, have an extra 3-9 Conquest in the safe, should you want to go that route... Just sayin'...

FC

Nothing wrong with a Conquest. Best keep it handy. I will just bring that Leupold over. Its silver after all.

;-)

I've got a Weaver Grand Slam that is at least 10 years old. 3-10X40mm.

It's one of the most reliable scopes I've owned and tracks very well. The turret caps are resettable which I didn't realize until about a month ago.




Travis

I'm currently using Weaver Super Slam Tactical, T-series. Previously had grand slams and classics. They are all good in their price ranges.

I like the Classic fixed-power scopes. They're perfect on a short-action bolt gun.
Bob

Not bad on a .22 either.

I have a few Weavers - a couple of V9 3-9x32 AO on rimfires; a 3-10x40 with mil dots and turrets and a 1.5-4 30mm illum. reticle on AR's; and a couple of old steel tube 4x's.

I have a 2.5-7x28 rimfire scope I really like on my CZ 452, put it on last year and it has performed great. Have had a few others along the way like a couple of old steel tube 4 X scopes, a Classic 4 X and a Grand Slam 1.5-5x32. Don't have them now but I would certainly consider another Weaver like the Classic 6 X in particular or one of their variables.

I have a V10x38 as well that I have owned for about 20 years. Extremely reliable and has probably sat on at least 10 rifles. I do notice that an adjustment sometimes seems to take a couple of shots to settle in but once sighted in it seems to maintain zero. I wouldn't want to dial it though based on this.
I also have a KT15 on a Win HV that seems to work well and is pretty bright. It has not seen heavy use though.
I like them ok but will generally save a few more bucks and buy the Leupold anymore.

They are ok, nothing special by no means, I do not any of them anymore. Not what they used to be.

I've mostly used the fixed versions produced in the last 20 years or so. I like them and they have been reliable. (Well, I did lose a rifle with a 6X on it; it fell off a machine that as traveling 30 mph across sea ice. It got banged around enough that both ends of the scope were bent toward the barrel and receiver. Consequently it was about 2 feet off at 50 feet. I sent it back requesting that they straighten the tubes enough so that it would function well enough, appearance be damned. They sent me a brand new scope, no charge.)

I'd buy several more of the 2.5X models if they'd make them again....three is not enough!

The super slams are really good. Track well and good eye box. Like the popup turrets too.

You might be. I have one that has held zero on my backup deer rifle now for a dozen years. It isn't anything special, but, for what I paid for it, it is bright with good eye-relief, and a perfect magnification for where I hunt.

Far as I'm concerned the Japan made Weaver scopes are as good as anything at their price point. I have had Grand Slam, Super Slam and Classic scopes. The K4 is probably my favorite(have 4 currently). The V9 has been on a 30/06 for about 20 years without losing zero. The Super Slam is VERY nice glass(would probably still have that one if it had been a 42 not a 50). All in all, well made, track well and hold zero. Right now I'm running Weaver and Leupold scopes the "K" series is right in there with the "FX-II" optically IMHO.

Some of my fav Weavers were the 1" series Tacticals

Built about 7-8 yrs ago..in Japan...great glass...super good

clicks..only 1/8" clicks though....they were 3-9's or 4-14's...

screw in lens covers......seems they are all gone now though

I bought, used, mounted and recommended several always thinking they were terrific bargains. An inexpensive K6 showed me why folks were gaga for fixed 6x over more expensive variables not so long ago. Two of the last four scopes I recommended to friends and family have been Weavers. Natchez has the 2-10x42 Super slam for something like $279. I referred a friend to it who had a $500 budget and he still raves about it.

Now you tell me...and just after I ordered an FX-II(6x36)...if that price sits still for a little while I'll be buying a couple of those...

I will try to be quicker next time Tim!

That 6x36 has no flies on it. Different beast. Both nice.

Thanks for the Natchez Tip. I found the Weaver Classic V 2-10x38 silver just what I need.

Let's wait 'til I get it mounted before you make such a bold pronouncement.

Pics once it happens.

FC

I do not think, I want to see pics of you mounting my scopes or anthing else, for that matter.

Just show us the finished rifle, please, if you will...

You are welcome. It seems like they always have some deeply discounted name brand scopes. The have good prices on their stuff, but lately they have been struggling to stay in stock on the reloading stuff I use. My last two orders went to Midway. I never order anything without giving Natchez a look. If they have it, they get my business.

The eye box on that scope has a tunnel kind of effect, but it's got good glass.

First off, any Weaver not made in USA or Japan is crap.

I have basically weeded out all(most) of my Weavers and only a few remain. A couple of El Paso scopes, and a couple of fixed power target scopes (T36 and KT15).

That said, several buds still have Classics on some of their rifles.

Overall, Weavers have been very good to me, and I have used them quite extensively. Their T and KT target scopes are great. Other favorites include the Classic 3-9x38 and V16. As well as the fixed K2.5.

I actually bent 2 Weaver Classics, and they still both work perfectly to this day. Neither even lost zero, in fact. Both were locked up in the old school Weaver rings (which are also a very solid value and just plain work).

The only 2 Weavers I have owned that I really did not like were the Classic 2-10X and their 2.5-8X handgun scopes. Both because of eye relief/tunnel vision issues.......