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Night Vision LaRue Tactical won't sell to civilians

90mph

90mph

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 27, 2012
24
0
65
Orange Beach, AL
I wanted to buy an LT SPOTR rail system so I could use my NVS 80 with my Leupold spotting scope. LT responded they only sell to Mil or LE customers. I ask why and rec'd this explanation:

"It has been company policy that only Military and Law Enforcement Departments and Agencies would get the parts for a SPOTR or the complete SPOTR kits as they use them for work purposes. This policy is something Mark Larue has had in place for a while now and also applies to the Reactive Targets we sell. I do apologize for the inconvenience"

Anybody know of an alternative product or do I have to fab something.
 
Well Larue won't sell non restricted items to us normal people, business is business, and every penny counts, spend your money else where, as for there targets, they suck compared to Spin Drifts, too bad Spin Drift is no more.
 
Did you call or email? I am a civi now. I called their mil sales last year and bought one, it was at the door in a week. I was told the only reason they do not sell more is because the margin is too thin on that product. I assume is is about availability also. Their CNCs are pushing more important product. They might have had a few laying around when I called.
 
Granted their targets are pretty cool but honestly the prices are pretty dang out there. I just can't really justify them. Especially when JC steel gives such great deals!
 
90mph said:
I wanted to buy an LT SPOTR rail system so I could use my NVS 80 with my Leupold spotting scope. LT responded they only sell to Mil or LE customers. I ask why and rec'd this explanation:

"It has been company policy that only Military and Law Enforcement Departments and Agencies would get the parts for a SPOTR or the complete SPOTR kits as they use them for work purposes. This policy is something Mark Larue has had in place for a while now and also applies to the Reactive Targets we sell. I do apologize for the inconvenience"

Anybody know of an alternative product or do I have to fab something.
Click to expand...


i read the description "LaRue Tactical developed the LT-SPOTR by Request" if the R&D is pay/partial pay by the government then they can't sell to others without government approval, otherwise is illegal, not sure who request it though.
this might be in the contract when they 1st develop it, so they can't sell it even if they want too, that is if this thing is Request by the government.
 
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TheGerman said:
lol

Ok, I've seen people say this multiple times on this site but have never figured out what he did/said to have people feel this way.

Can someone finally fill me in?
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He makes excellent products, but in his zeal to defend them he has very little tact. He makes good stuff, but his marketing strategy when someone questions his estimation of something is obfuscate, distract, and attack the questioner.

There was a big kerfluffle when he sold his PVS-14's saying that his were better and warrantied for 308 when even the manufacturer of the tube won't warranty them for that use. People asked what the deal was as neither ITT nor L3 will warranty their tubes for anything above 5.56 and he got all upset and started attacking the people who, initially, were very polite and non-combative. After he started whining people called him on his bullshit and stuff started getting locked down. Basically he just bitches until the site staff on TOS locks threads that don't go his way, but he contributes so much money over there that he has the run of the place.

He's a dickhead but I still buy his products because they're very good and often has products that aren't comparable from other manufacturers.
 
That's only scratching the surface. But that is the general gist: makes great products, but not someone I'd want to associate with.
 
Who cares about LaRue gear? There are plenty of other manufacturers that can offer rigs for NV and spotting scope combos. Badger Ordnance makes some kit.
I called a few years back about the STOMP, and got the same answer. I told them if they didnt want the money that was their own stupidity and I would spend it somewhere else. That was also about the time I discovered the badger Ordnance EFR, a much BETTER product!
 
KYS said:
Who cares about LaRue gear? There are plenty of other manufacturers that can offer rigs for NV and spotting scope combos. Badger Ordnance makes some kit.
I called a few years back about the STOMP, and got the same answer. I told them if they didnt want the money that was their own stupidity and I would spend it somewhere else. That was also about the time I discovered the badger Ordnance EFR, a much BETTER product!
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Oh trust me, I'm not by any means a LaRue guy. I have a quad rail for my carbine from them and thats it.

On the other hand, I've dealt with Marty at Badger on so many different things that it isn't funny. He's answered all my mail personally, went through and measured odd things for me, found me a MARS rail he had waiting to go to Remington when I was looking for one, traded out some AI mags I had that wouldn't fit the new bottom metal of his I changed to, etc. Marty is the man.

Was just curious why LaRue got a bad rep over here because on TOS hes plastered all over the place.
 
TheGerman said:
Oh trust me, I'm not by any means a LaRue guy. I have a quad rail for my carbine from them and thats it.

On the other hand, I've dealt with Marty at Badger on so many different things that it isn't funny. He's answered all my mail personally, went through and measured odd things for me, found me a MARS rail he had waiting to go to Remington when I was looking for one, traded out some AI mags I had that wouldn't fit the new bottom metal of his I changed to, etc. Marty is the man.

Was just curious why LaRue got a bad rep over here because on TOS hes plastered all over the place.
Click to expand...


Those with the most advertising dollars get to speak the loudest. You'll find that generally true for any forum.
 
What is the point in establishing a policy and then apologizing for the inconvenience resulting from the policy?
Never understood that concept.
 
TheGerman said:
Oh trust me, I'm not by any means a LaRue guy. I have a quad rail for my carbine from them and thats it.

On the other hand, I've dealt with Marty at Badger on so many different things that it isn't funny. He's answered all my mail personally, went through and measured odd things for me, found me a MARS rail he had waiting to go to Remington when I was looking for one, traded out some AI mags I had that wouldn't fit the new bottom metal of his I changed to, etc. Marty is the man.

Was just curious why LaRue got a bad rep over here because on TOS hes plastered all over the place.
Click to expand...

I understand where you are coming from. Trust me, I still own a few LaRue mounts and even got the Costa signature rifle when they first released them. The company has some good products but he pumps the prices up then gives you a bunch of hats, stickers and his dillo dust. You think it's free, it is not, you pay for it in the price of the mount.
Does he make good gear, yes. Are his people skills lacking, yes. If you don't take his stance on how his gear is the best then he hates you and makes you feel obsolete. I just choose to generally avoid them now. There are so many other companies in the mix now we all have better options.
 
I don't really care one way or the other. I have some of his mounts, never had a problem. Top tier AR's - yes! When you were able to actually buy parts I bought stuff from him because I knew it would work and it lined up for even a hack like me. Mark was one of the first to speak up for the industry in all the craziness. He does go out there and he is brash. I might not always like it, but he is who he is. His products do not suck. There are others of equal and even better quality, sometimes that comes with an even higher price tag.

These are American manufacturers. For whatever reason the product may be from bicycle manufacturing - see Chris King, another machinist outside his field. A guy who didn't intend to start out making bicycle parts. USA made and a good product. But there are always naysayers, they charge too much, their products can be beaten by others yada yada, why is it we have to denigrate everyone who speaks their mind. I am just glad I know where Mark Larue stands. I know who he is. He is not going to cut and run when business gets a little off from some kind of political pressure.

There are nicer guys in the arms business and men of even fewer words. If you have ever talked with some of them - barrel makers and smiths, I feel sorry for them having to deal with idiots every day. I know that is life and it is business, but I actually feel a little bad for how many times barrel twists have to be explained. I get the why and I learn all the time. I don't think being in business is easy, I don't think bidding for contracts is easy. Some of these guys put their life into what they do, if there were an athlete, they would be commended.
 
TheGerman said:
Oh trust me, I'm not by any means a LaRue guy. I have a quad rail for my carbine from them and thats it.

On the other hand, I've dealt with Marty at Badger on so many different things that it isn't funny. He's answered all my mail personally, went through and measured odd things for me, found me a MARS rail he had waiting to go to Remington when I was looking for one, traded out some AI mags I had that wouldn't fit the new bottom metal of his I changed to, etc. Marty is the man.

Was just curious why LaRue got a bad rep over here because on TOS hes plastered all over the place.
Click to expand...

That is a scab best left alone....
 
I'm sick of civilians being penalized. We have to pay more or can't get it.
Oh well larue doesn't hold zero on their mounts anyway I'm sure their other products are subpar too.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2.
 
I wouldn't be so sure about that. There's a good reason why his mounts are popular, and it's not because he sends people his BBQ rub or those bumper stickers that let you show everyone how far to one side of the ideological spectrum you stand.
 
According to lowlight they don't hold their zero. I'll take his word on it.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2.
 
Dogtown said:
I wouldn't be so sure about that. There's a good reason why his mounts are popular, and it's not because he sends people his BBQ rub or those bumper stickers that let you show everyone how far to one side of the ideological spectrum you stand.
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I'm pretty sure about it. There are quite a few tests you can watch on YouTube where they demonstrate the fail to return to absolute zero.
Lowlight has tested this as well against GDI mounts.

I have even done the tests myself with their ACOG and Eotech mount. They always shifted from original zero.
 
Shit you just gotta watch the magpul precision rifle video for the not returning to zero bit.
 
poison123 said:
Shit you just gotta watch the magpul precision rifle video for the not returning to zero bit.
Click to expand...

Basically. And then you can see that crappy STOMP system in action when they can't get a rifle zeroed because they are using the wrong base/mount combo. :eek: DOH!
 
I have no issues with mine returning to zero and thats through multiple deployments and use, but hey, if you own one and it doesn't then I can see why one would be unhappy. However, I think more people on forums like to perpetuate what they've heard than actually own and use the mounts. YMMV from mine but I've no complaints.

Now back to your normal sniveling and complaining about the evil Larue. :rolleyes:
 
Papa Zero Three said:
I have no issues with mine returning to zero and thats through multiple deployments and use, but hey, if you own one and it doesn't then I can see why one would be unhappy. However, I think more people on forums like to perpetuate what they've heard than actually own and use the mounts. YMMV from mine but I've no complaints.

Now back to your normal sniveling and complaining about the evil Larue. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

A lot of this is not sniveling it is actual accounts of what has happened. We are not making up that his personal skills are lacking and that he has actually come on this forum and attacked Frank over a video he made.
I have no issue with the gear other then some false claims he has made. The best being his mile long engagements (with consistency) with a 16" 308 semi auto of his.

I know for a FACT that his mounts have a hard time with different rail systems and receivers. When GDI and ADM are adapting and making a better mount, easier to adjust and they truly do not shift when you remove said optic.

I feel like we are getting off track though! :D
 
KUSA said:
I'm sick of civilians being penalized. We have to pay more or can't get it.
Oh well larue doesn't hold zero on their mounts anyway I'm sure their other products are subpar too.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2.
Click to expand...

Try living outside the US, then you will know true frustration.
 
jameslee said:
What is the point in establishing a policy and then apologizing for the inconvenience resulting from the policy?
Never understood that concept.
Click to expand...

It's the polite way of saying "We don't need you as a customer, now eff off." That, or in some cases it's because the lawyers told them to to limit "liability."

When I bought my Hummer in 94, I could call up the engineering department at the factory and talk to the engineer who designed the parts I had questions about, and they would give me whatever information I wanted so I could fab accessories for my vehicle.

Two years passed and some lawyer got wind of the fact that the engineers were talking to the customers and that put an end to AM General customer service forever. After that all you got was some drone in an office would could basically only look up part numbers and could not answer a single technical question. They'd sell you a manual and tell you to take it to an "authorized dealer."

That really sucked.

I agree with Shakespeare, "First, let's kill all the lawyers..."
 
KYS said:
A lot of this is not sniveling it is actual accounts of what has happened. We are not making up that his personal skills are lacking and that he has actually come on this forum and attacked Frank over a video he made.
I have no issue with the gear other then some false claims he has made. The best being his mile long engagements (with consistency) with a 16" 308 semi auto of his.
Click to expand...

Well, I dunno about a mile, but the two times I've shot my new LaRue OBR .308 at 1000 yards it's been dead accurate. I'm very, very impressed with it. It's at least as accurate as my Armalite AR-10T, which shoots inside .5 MOA at 1000 yards.

As for his Picatinny rail stuff, I've got a SPOTR system and I like it just fine, although it is true that their tolerance fitting the rail components together are tight and it sometimes takes a bit of fiddling to get a clamp to drop onto the rail so it can be locked, but I have no real complaints so far.
 
Altnews said:
Well, I dunno about a mile, but the two times I've shot my new LaRue OBR .308 at 1000 yards it's been dead accurate. I'm very, very impressed with it. It's at least as accurate as my Armalite AR-10T, which shoots inside .5 MOA at 1000 yards.

As for his Picatinny rail stuff, I've got a SPOTR system and I like it just fine, although it is true that their tolerance fitting the rail components together are tight and it sometimes takes a bit of fiddling to get a clamp to drop onto the rail so it can be locked, but I have no real complaints so far.
Click to expand...

They may do OK at 1000 yards but what barrel length are you shooting?

He made claims that his 16" 308 was dead nuts accurate at one mile for every shot they put on it. I just don't see that as a solid statement he can backup with no proof. And conveniently for him they never had it on video or witnesses that wants to confirm or deny. Moot point now, there are better systems out there that are even willing to break free from the constraints of one caliber being offered.
 
KYS said:
They may do OK at 1000 yards but what barrel length are you shooting?

He made claims that his 16" 308 was dead nuts accurate at one mile for every shot they put on it. I just don't see that as a solid statement he can backup with no proof. And conveniently for him they never had it on video or witnesses that wants to confirm or deny. Moot point now, there are better systems out there that are even willing to break free from the constraints of one caliber being offered.
Click to expand...

Sixteen inch barrel.

And if I need to reach out past 1K I generally try to use my Sako TRG-42 in .339 Lapua Magnum.

Maybe I'll try a mile shot with the OBR one of these days and get back to you...with the video. Be an interesting test.
 
KYS said:
He made claims that his 16" 308 was dead nuts accurate at one mile for every shot they put on it. I just don't see that as a solid statement he can backup with no proof.
Click to expand...

Quick JBM numbers running an estimated muzzle velocity of 2350 fps (16" barrelish), 175SMK, puts the bullet going transonic around 1100 yards. At a mile, you're talking roughly 217 feet of bullet drop and going around 885 fps.

You can form your own conclusions with the rough estimates.
 
KUSA said:
According to lowlight they don't hold their zero. I'll take his word on it.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2.
Click to expand...
you have to admit that is some good rub though i buy product from them whenever i run out just for the rub and the dillo beer opener
 
Didn't Larue just put out an email a couple days ago stating that he would no longer sell anything to Military or LEO that he couldn't sell to civilians?

To address the original point of the thread. I could be wrong but there has been a recent change as I understand it.
 
Looks like the wait is over. Seems the disclaimer for LE/MIL sales is gone from their website and you can add the SPOTR and targets to the cart.
 
sail2468 said:
Did you call or email? I am a civi now. I called their mil sales last year and bought one, it was at the door in a week. I was told the only reason they do not sell more is because the margin is too thin on that product. I assume is is about availability also. Their CNCs are pushing more important product. They might have had a few laying around when I called.
Click to expand...

This is what I heard. There are other options, some better. I think Leupold even makes one.

If you know someone military, get them to order it for you. Usually a case of beer does it.
 
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