Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Is Nikon really getting out of Riflescopes?

I've seen this rumor posted in a couple of places but have to ask; Is Nikon really getting out of Riflescopes?

I've noticed that online retailers are only selling a few models, and those are on clearance. Except for Cabelas. And I won't be buying anything from Cabelas. Which is too bad. I really like the glass in their scopes.

Nikon announced they are out of the riflescope business in September of 2019

You are correct, sir. They are indeed out, along with Weaver. Who's next?

Loco was loco

Phucqk Nikon!

Yes! This is a fact.

What a shame! Damn good glass for the money. And all I owned were Prostaff and Buckmaster before they cheapened the Buckmasters into a Wally World Special back when they were comparable to a Leupold VX-2. I never owned a Monarch, but had looked through them. They were every bit as sharp and clear as a VX-3. I've been looking around on ebay and when I find a good cheap one I'll buy it. I want a 4-12x40.

I don't like bigger objective scopes because they mount too high above the bore center line unless you can find an old Leupold VX-3L. I've got one of them with a 56 MM objective that mounts as low as a 40 mm. Anyway, Leupold's the only one I know that ever made a scope like that. So I just stick with objectives less than 44mm. So I'm looking for a Monarch with a Nikoplex Reticle. I don't want a BDC. I've got two of them and they're ok but the cross hair in the center is just a tad too thick for my liking. Anyway, I'm looking for a Monarch deal.

Also, the old Prostaff's and Buckmasters to me were the best scopes ever made for the money. They had glass comparable to scopes twice their price, of course the Buckmasters weren't real cheap. I have one old 3-9x40 Prostaff I bought in 2007 that I paid $160 brand new. It's one of my favorite scopes. I also have have 3 Buckmasters that are as good as most of my Leupolds. And also about Nikon, they have better eye relief than either Vortex or Burris in my opinion and they're lighter in weight than most scopes.

You can still order scopes directly from Nikon's website. I am thinking at some point Natchez will but the remaining stock and close it out like they did with Weaver. I may top my new rifle with a Monarch 5.

In my opinion you could do a lot worse. What's the difference in a Monarch 3 and a Monarch 5?

I think Phillipines and Japan, but I have to dig in a little more.

Why did Weaver go out? I really like the Weaver scopes I have. Especially the rimfire 3x9 and 2x7.

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Sorry, I couldn't resist....

My understanding about Nikon was they want to distance themselves from filthy gun owners.

Weaver, OTOH, was discontinued by the owners that owned both them & Bushnell, to put all efforts &/or sales in Bushnell.

Yep. I bought a half dozen of the 2x7's as Natchez was clearing them.

I have two Monarch 3s, very good scope for the money. Durable, bright, crystal clear. I think they had the best BDC and supporting software of anybody. I spoke with an online optics retailer, he said Nikon was being pinched between the lower priced Vortex and the Leupolds on the higher price point, and they couldn't compete well. I still found this hard to believe, I thought Nikon was doing well. Maybe not though I guess. I was told they will still be in the optics business, like cameras and maybe binoculars and spotting scope, but no riflescopes.

The M5 is also made in the Philippine, so I don't know what the difference is. I just ordered a Monarch M5 from Natchez though. Couldn't quite get myself to do a Leupold.

The Nikon Monarch 5 has ED glass. It is the lowest priced riflescope featuring ED glass that I know of. For the price, it is an outstanding riflescope. It also has a 5X zoom ratio. Which model did you purchase?

This is showing a 4X zoom.

https://www.natchezss.com/nikon-monarch-m5-rifle-scope-3-12x42-sf-30mm-mk1-moa-reticle-matte.html