Re: Are the fixed Leupolds better than the variables?
Leupold's Knowledge base as far a Service tech's go is a crapshoot.
Below is a series of e-mails I had with Leupold technical support. My original e-mail was through their own website, so it is not copied here, but my question was the cost of converting my Mk4 M3 to M2 dials, and the cost of replacing a Mildot reticle with a TMR:
Note: I've redacted my personal information.
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<span style="font-style: italic">Leupold Customer Service
Product Specialist Group
Phone (503) 526-1400
Reference Call #
Caller: - Robert
Phone:
Summary: Leupold
Mr. :
Yes, the TMR can be installed. The cost is $159.99.
The scope would need to have been manufactured in the year 2008 or 2009
in order for us to install either the M2 adjustments. If it was
manufactured prior to that, the dials would not be compatible.
We should be able to install the M1 style adjustments.
The service charge to convert to the M2 or M1 $129.99. (for the pair,
windage & elevation)
Sharon
___________________________________________________
My response:
Sharon,
Thank you for the information. But your explanation on the turret conversion has prompted more questions and some confusion.
M3 scopes have 1 moa adjustments for elevation, and 1/2 moa adjustment for windage.
M2 scopes have 1/2 MOA adjustments for elevation and 1/2 MOA adjustments for windage.
If I am converting dials from M3 to M2; why would I want to change both Dials? The windage on a M3 is already 1/2 MOA???? So only the elevation would need to be changed from 1 moa to 1/2 moa on a M3 to M2 conversion.
The M3 dials have been 1/2 moa windage adjustment since 2003, if not before. In 2007 Leupold started making MK 4 scopes with M2 dials which is no more than using a M3 windage dial cam/gears for elevation. What changes occured in 2008/2009, that now made the dials not compatable?
Confused......
Further, are you saying that if my MK4 M3 was made in 2007 (it has an R suffix), I cannot convert the Elevation dial to M2, but I could convert the elevation adjustments only to M1, leaving the M3/M2 1/2 MOA windage alone?
In addition, in an earlier phone call in January 2009 that I made to Leupold CS, I was told when inquiring about a conversion of a VX-III LR 4.5-14x40mm w/ 30mm tube, w/SF, to M2 dials I was told that it could only be converted to M1 dials, and that <span style="font-weight: bold">"only MK 4 scopes that started life as M3's or M2's could be converted to M2's or back to M3's".</span>
So I am really confused.
Thanks for your time..
Bob
___________________________________________________________________
Leupold's new response:
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Leupold Customer Service
Product Specialist Group
Phone (503) 526-1400
Reference Call #
Caller: - Robert
Phone:
Summary: Leupold
Mr. :
Sorry, my answer was confusing.
If the scope is a variable power M3 we can put the M2's on. Regardless
of age. And no you don't need to change the windage. One adjustment
is $89.00.
It's just the M1 scopes that we need to worry about the age or year of
manufacture if you are converting to M3 or M2.
<span style="font-weight: bold">And we cannot change the adjustments on the fixed power Mark IV.
</span>
Sharon
___________________________________________________
</span>
Now a couple of things are striking about these e-mails;
1) Leupold service tech's do not know their products, as it took nearly a month from my original question, to the last answer.
2) Fixed power MK 4 are a completely different animal from the variable Mk 4's, in a much as you can change a variable M3 to M2 and M1 dials, but you cannot change a fixed power MK4 from M3 or M1 to anything else.
Bob
