Weaver K4-1 scope questions

[george preston]

I went to a gun show today in Jacksonville FL. Didn't find anything I just had to have but did pick up an old weaver k4-1 fixed 4x scope for $20. Optics seem ok for a scope of this age but the body is a little worn. I thought I'd read somewhere that someone specialized in refurbishing these older steel tube scopes. Anyone have any references? Thanks!

 

[RSIno1]

There is info on the Weaver website. Depends on what year of mfg where to send it. I've got a mid 50s one that my great uncle gave me in the late 60s. It's gloss blue and matches the finish on my 30-06 RSI No1 perfectly.

 

[george preston]

How would you date one? The only markings I can find are: weaver k4-1 USA. The adjustment turrets appear to be brass. Turret covers are steel. Inside of both covers are stickers that read: 1/4" graduation value at 100 yards.

The bluing is a little thin and it has some small spots of surface rust.

 

[DGW1949]

If I remember right, the older-old ones are marked "El Paso Texas" and the newer-old ones are marked "USA".

DGW

 

[george preston]

This one just says USA. I did find a place called Iron Sight Inc in Tulsa OK. Anyone ever done any business with them?

 

[rugerjunkie]

Iron Sights Inc is "the" place to talk to. He bought all the old inventory from the old Weaver in El Paso when Frank , the ex plant manager retired. Give a call to see if he has the parts available for a refurbish and if he does you will be a happy camper. As for blueing , you might have to send that somewhere esle to be refinished.

Last ones I sent in ran in the $75-$90 range for a refurbish. Cleaned , new lenses , calibrated , new seals , and nitrogen purged. You get a new scope back!

 

[george preston]

Called them today. Refurbish runs about $90. Basically get back a new scope. However, if I want them to clean up the tube and reblue it price goes up to $260. Oh, their turn around time for any work is 16-18 months! Think I'll put it on one of my 22's and see how well it still works first. At that price getting the cosmetics fixed is just out of the questions. But, if it functions ok, it will be a great scope for a truck gun. If it doesn't hold zero, I think I'll send it in. I'll end up with a decent $100 scope that will probably last longer then me

 

[Bucks Owin]

Thanks for the info. I have a couple of old Weavers, a K2.5 and a K6 that could stand having a new lease on life.. :wink:

 

[rugerjunkie]

I think the quality of iron sights work is comparable to the old weaver shop but have no idea why it takes him months longer to do it...

And yes , rebluing isnt cheap. Price having a whole rifle done! The trick to these old blued steel scopes is to buy on condition of the metal...but one that looks new a d after the refurbish , you basically have new. Ive found old ones with messed up crosshairs and all dirty and fogged up but the bluing looked new...paid pennies for them too! A quick refurb and they are new again!

 

[Bucks Owin]

Wonder if an old 440 with a Lee dot can be overhauled?

 

[george preston]

Yep, learned my lesson to buy them based on cosmetics from here out. Only cost me $20 so not a big deal. Honestly, the optics aren't that bad so I'm going to put it on something and see if it holds zero. If not, I'm going to send it off to iron sight and let them fix it. Might try to touch up the bluing myself. It just isn't worth the money to have it done by them.