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When it comes to precision shooting and hunting, having a high-quality rifle scope can make all the difference.
With the market flooded with various options, one question that often arises is whether there are any rifle scopes made in the USA.
In this article, we’ll delve into the world of American-made rifle scopes, exploring the brands that pride themselves on crafting these optical instruments in the United States of America.
Are there any Rifle Scopes Made In The USA?
Yes companies such as EOTECH, Trijicon, Nightforce, Leupold, U.S. Optics, and D.Z. Arms sell American-made rifle scopes.
List of American Made Rifle Scope Brands
Let’s take a closer look at these rifle scope brands that have earned a reputation for excellence in the optics industry:
EOTECH
EOTECH, established in 1995 by Palermo, Tai, Donohue, and Sieczka, is a US company renowned for designing, making, and selling electro-optic and night vision systems.
It’s notably known for pioneering holographic sights, solving laser diode instability. The firm’s headquarters in Plymouth, MI, and manufacturing sites across Michigan and California produce holographic weapon sights, magnified optics, and night vision sensors.
EOTECH’s lineup includes firearm sights, riflescopes, and night vision sensors, widely adopted by military and law enforcement for close quarters combat. Their riflescopes are particularly popular among their offerings and most of them are “Made and Assembled in the USA.”
Trijicon
Trijicon, headquartered in Wixom, Michigan, is an American manufacturing company established in 1981 by Glyn Bindon.
Originally named Armson USA, it was the exclusive US distributor of the Armson OEG, a South African-made occluded-type gunsight utilizing tritium and fiber optics.
The company has expanded its manufacturing presence within its Michigan headquarters.
In 1985, it rebranded as Trijicon, focusing on producing night sights for pistols. Trijicon specializes in self-luminous optics, employing tritium, fiber optics, and LED for illumination.
Their product range encompasses riflescopes, red dot sights, iron sights, and night sights for handguns.
While AccuPoint riflescopes are assembled in the USA with Japanese components, the Huron, Ascent, Tenmile, and Credo riflescopes are fully manufactured in Japan.
Trijicon emphasizes product origin transparency on its website, affirming that several items are made entirely in the USA using domestic components.
Nightforce
Nightforce Optics, established in 1992, is a premium US-based manufacturer known for crafting high-end sporting optical products like rifle scopes and spotting scopes, along with related accessories.
Notably, they secured a military contract for supplying combat optics to various branches of the US military.
Their riflescopes are made at facilities in Idaho and Georgia, where scopes, spotting scopes, and mounting accessories are produced.
While assembly and testing are conducted in these US locations, certain components might be sourced from outside the country.
Prominent models like the ATACR and B.E.A.S.T lines are American-made, while other models like SHV, NX8, NXS, Competition, and Benchrest are sourced from Japan. Nightforce also offers spotting scopes such as the TS-80 Hi-Def 20-60× and TS-82 Xtreme Hi-Def. With nearly 30 years of experience, Nightforce’s products have been rigorously tested in extreme conditions.
Leupold
Leupold is an American company based in Beaverton, Oregon, known for producing telescopic sights, binoculars, and more.
Founded in 1907, it’s now in its fifth family generation of ownership. Notably, post-World War II, the company shifted to making gun scopes due to Marcus Leupold’s hunting experience.
Their Duplex Reticle invention in 1962 became widely adopted. By 1979, Leupold scopes earned double the revenue of Stevens instruments. The company’s history includes a 2000 resurgence in US-made binoculars and a 2014 leadership change.
Their rifle scopes are produced and tested in Oregon, offering a diverse range for hunting, tactical use, and competition with various features.
Leupold also produces other shooting accessories like binoculars, rangefinders, and spotting scopes.
U.S. Optics
U.S. Optics, established in 1991 in California, is a prominent U.S. manufacturer of personalized rifle scopes and optics.
Originally crafting custom rifle scopes based on shooter preferences, the company was acquired in 2017 by a conglomerate of defense industry investors to enhance scope manufacturing capabilities.
While many of their optics, like the TS-Series and Electronic Sights, are produced abroad and imported to North Carolina for quality checks, the Foundation Series is both designed and domestically manufactured in North Carolina. U.S.
Optics emphasizes rigorous testing for all its products. Renowned for their sturdy construction and over 25 years of experience, they are especially known for the robust TS-20X Rifle Scope, tailored for long-range shooting.
D.Z. Arms
D.Z. Arms is a prominent custom rifle and rifle scope manufacturer known for its Unertl-style scopes. Operating in Oklahoma City for over a decade, the company also offers gunsmithing services.
They have a historical focus on crafting custom rifles, notably the recognized “Hepburn” rifles. Manufacturing occurs exclusively in Oklahoma City. The company’s range includes custom machined Hepburn rifle components such as triggers, levers, and extractors.
A standout product is the custom NRA Approved Malcolm Style 8 Power Scope, boasting a length of 20 inches. D.Z. Arms emphasizes easy scope setup in three steps. Specializing in high-quality optics and precision, their rifle scopes cater to shooting enthusiasts with a keen interest in accuracy.
Are USA-Made Rifle Scopes Better?
The question of whether USA-made rifle scopes are inherently better is subjective and depends on individual preferences and shooting requirements. American-made scopes often come with a certain level of assurance in terms of quality control, durability, and customer support. However, the global optics market has seen advancements from various countries, making it possible to find high-quality scopes from around the world.
Conclusion
In a landscape dominated by international manufacturing, the presence of American-made rifle scopes stands as a testament to the dedication of brands that prioritize quality and craftsmanship.
EOTECH, Trijicon, Nightforce, Leupold, U.S. Optics, and D.Z. Arms are a few notable names that continue to sell rifle scopes made in the USA. While the decision to choose a rifle scope ultimately depends on individual needs and preferences, the USA-made rifle scope brands mentioned in this article offer a range of options for shooters seeking excellence in their optics.
