I remember a time when Weaver scopes were pretty darned popular and I had a few myself---back when they were made with steel tubes in El Paso. In fact, when I was a kid some of the guys I knew had discovered where Weaver was dumping rejected lenses in the desert. They must have sworn a blood oath to never reveal just where they were to be found, because I never found out about this secret spot. These guys would bring the lenses to school and sell them for a quarter. I think one of them used the money to buy out General Motors in the sixth grade. We had a huge playground and there were plenty of ant hills, so we never ran out of ants to roast using those lenses.

Anyway, it's been many years since I owned a Weaver scope and no one ever talks about them. If anyone here has been using them recently (and to me that means within the last 25 years), how do they stack up? Which lines are worth a flip? How's the glass?

I have a Classic Extreme 8.5-32 and a Super Slam 1.5-5 Dangerous Game. The Classic Extreme glass is a bit inferior to that on my 8.5-32 Pentax Lightseeker, but has been satisfactory in every way, otherwise. The Super Slame DG is currently on a .378 Weatherby and also has been surprisingly satisfactory. In terms of comparing the Classic Extreme glass with the Super Slam glass, it's very tough because of the vastly different magnification ranges, but I'd probably give the nod to the Super Slam.

They certainly aren't "premium" products, but I decided to take a flyer in both cases and have been pleasantly surprised.

So, how does the 1.5-5x compare in glass quality to a VX-3 of like magnification?

I put both scopes on 4x and 5x and compared them side by side. To my eyes, the Weaver had superior glass. The Weaver is a 30mm scope while the VX-3 is a 1" scope.

Interesting. This scope is looking like a real bargain...and I am tempted. I don't really have a use for it, but I can always fall back on rationalization.

For clarification: the VX-3 is a 2.5-8x model.

Thanks for your input, A. I've decided to resist the urge to purchase...Natchez puts up some really attractive clearance prices on optics now and then and in fact that is why I upgraded a handful of VX-IIs and a Vari-X III to VX-3 a couple of weeks back.

I haven't kept up with what Weaver is putting on the market for many years. I guess it's really not the same as when they were in El Paso, but the brand name holds a certain nostalgic attraction for me. Knowing that they really do make some tough scopes with nice glass, I may well buy another one and it would be the first since I bought a K-4 Microtrac back in the 70s.

Understand about the nostalgic feeling toward Weavers. Growing up in Odessa back in the 50-60s it seemed to be a patriotic duty to buy a scope from El Paso. I still have a 1x4.5 mounted on a Ruger 10/22 that I consider to be the ideal scope range for a .22 semi. Sorry I can't be of any more help except to reminisce. And they were tough...

I have a new 2-7 weaver Rimfire that I am underwhelmed with. Wish I would have sent the extra money on a leupold 2-7 rimfire.

How do the prices compare, Colt?

About 6 or 7 years ago I had a Weaver variable, a V10. I think it was a 2-10, though I could be wrong on the lowest magnification. I used it for a few years, and it worked fine. It did have a black shadow ring around the image in the scope. Kinda like looking through a tunnel. It wasn't a big deal. I replaced it with a Burris FFII in 4.5-14 and it was definitely an upgrade. The Burris has since been replaced by a Vortex Viper PST 4-16 ffp, which is also a nice scope, though not necessarily an upgrade on the glass, but now I have tons of knobs and switches, which appeal to the engineer in me.

The Weaver was fine. I have not killed a deer or pig that I'd have missed with the Weaver (I think).

Super Slam series are good.

Classic Extreme series (discontinued) IF made in Japan are very good. Don't buy Weaver Scopes from Natchez, they are selling scopes made in the Philippines with glass that is just 'so-so'.

Any Weaver scope made in Japan (Light Optics Works or LOW) is good to go.

If plan to buy from Natchez ASK THEM where the scope was manufactured. They normally tell the truth, but won't volunteer it.

The Classic Extreme series (very good scopes) were discontinued years ago. Natchez does NOT have New Old Stock from that era.

I've got a Weaver classic, fixed power, 8x56 that I had on my elk rifle that I think is one of the better scopes I've ever owned. I'm almost exclusively into Vortex these days but that Weaver was a great scope for reduced light conditions. It isn't well adapted for Texas type hunting, but it sure did the job when I lived in the mountain west. That said, there are lots of quality optics out there. I'd sell that Weaver if I could figure out how to list it.....lol

At the time, the Weaver was ~150 and leupold was ~220. I read a lot of reviews and a couple folks said the weaver was just as good but for less money. After owning both, I can say the leupold is better and worth the cost.

I have one of their Classic V 2-7X. It compares very favorably to my Leupold VX2 2-7. I also have 2 of the Grand Slam tactical that is a Midway exclusive

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/598484/...t-reticle-matte

I really like the Grand Slam Tactical.

This makes me think I got a bad copy, because I've read several similar accounts.

I ordered a Weaver Classic Extreme from Natchez several years ago. I have one of the original Japanese Classic Extreme scopes,and the one that Natchez sells isn't the same scope. The glass is decent,but the eye relief is terribly long,and the field of view is a lot smaller than the Japanese version.

It took me a while talking to several different people at Weaver to finally find out that Natchez stuck a deal with them to build/sell a cheaper version of the Classic Extreme as an Exclusive deal with Natchez.
Nobody but Natchez has this scope,they run it as a Closeout,but they always have these scopes in inventory.

For the price,you're still getting a fantastic hunting scope.The glass is better than any other scope that you can buy in the same price range.These scopes have a 1/8 moa turret,not a 1/4 moa,so be aware of that. They track decent,and have held zero excellent. They also have Weaver's Lifetime Warranty if you ever need it.

The Weaver Super Slam is what replaced the Classic Extreme,and I have a 3-15x50 version that has been an excellent scope. I love the exposed turrets on the Super Slam's,they lock in place,so you don't need to worry about them getting moved from contact. The Euro Super Slam,and Tactical Super Slam have 30mm tubes and FFP reticles.