Weaver K4-F? What dose it compair to in in modern quality?

Dultimatpredator

Dultimatpredator

Well-known member
I have one in really good condition and saw one go on EBay the other day for around $60. I am debating on selling it and buying something modern...or should I? It seems clear but is modern glass going to be brighter? What modern price range optic compairs to this scope?
 
About the best comparison I can give you is Cabela's fixed four power Pine Ridge scope. Optics have come a long way in the last few years with the computer driven lens grinders and some of the new methods of depositing lens coatings.
 
Your Weaver was a top dog scope in it's day. Just compare it against any medium price scope and you can tell the difference. Compare it against a current top line model and the "wow" factor is apparent. Ever heard "you get what you pay for"? Very true with optics.
 
I have a bunch of old Weavers, K-3s, K-2.5 and K-1.5. They give up a little in brightness but very little in clarity and nothing in tuffness (heck your scope is at least 30yrs old already and going stroung). You would have to buy a high end scope to beat it, I have a Leupold VX-II 1x4 and can't see that it is any better other than little more forgiving in head position on the stock.

If you want a new scope I say buy one and keep the Weaver as a backup, you know it won't let you down.

There is a Weaver repair sevice in ElPaso,TX that repairs and cleans old Weavers, very reasonable.

AWS
 
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The cool factor is high, it would sell easily. Of course I love them and would keep it. I have one on a vintage rifle that goes together like "peas and carrots". What would you use it on or trade it for is a good question? That may help with responses...
 
It was good in it's day, but that day is long gone.
The glass technology has grown leaps and bounds over your Weaver of yesteryear. It would be good on a period rifle, but it can't compare to scopes made today.

Martyn
 
Theres some good advice and sme not so good advice so far.

Here are some issues that older weavers have.

The glass lenses MIGHT yellow up on some of the older scopes.

The scope might rust because its constructed from steel.

I do notice differences in clarity and light transmission verses my Leupold VX's and my Bushnell 3200's, but I do a TON of shooting at/past dusk, and this is where I notice the differences.

In my humble opinion your gonna spend at least 250 bucks to get a scope that is noticably better than what you have already, assuming it is in as good of shape as you say it is.
If it were me, Id wrap it in an old flannel shirt and put it up for now. Its not costing you anything to keep it, and what money you would get from it is not going to take a big chunk out of the cost of the better scope. Shoot, you never know when you might need a new scope for calling gun, a good 4X is never a bad choice no matter how old it is.

Hope that helped.
 
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If I sell it I would use the $ towards a VX1. It came with a 1970 Mrlin 336 and I just took it off updating it with a variable.



I think the K4 is perfect for a nice vintage Marlin and the VX1 is not much of a leap. Generally the 3x9 is out of place on a 30-30, 4x perfect. Wear a red and black checkered shirt or jacket and discover hunting the right way...
 
I installed a...of all things...Tasco World Class 3x9 Mil Dot scope I bought off Ebay for $37 NIB on that 336. The Weaver went on a Coast to Coast 22 I got for free. If the Tasco doesnt pan out the Weaver is going back on. The Tasco is clearer and is the only reason I switched the scopes out. By the way please dont judge me on owning a Tasco. I have 15 Rifles and all wear Leupolds accept one. When I was 13 years old my dad bought me a $29 tasco 4x and had it installed on my Rem 7600 30-06. It stayed on that rifle for 8 years and killed a ton of deer. That cheap scope only knocked out of align once the whole time.
 
The last Tasco I bought went back three times for repair. When it broke the 4th time, I gave up and threw it in the trash. I'd take your K-4 over any Tasco made. They're crap, as far as I'm concerned. Just my (not so humble) opinion. And the K-4 would look at lot more appropriate on the 336, also my opinion. It's your gun and scope, have a ball.
 
I recently bought a 1976 vintage 220 swift, and it had a period Weaver K-4W on it. I took it out and had 5 shots touching at 100 yds. I think the scope will stay right where it is at. At least until I can try it out at longer ranges.

bob
 
I had a 20X Redfield scope that I got used in the late '60s. It may be time warped memory, but I sure wish I still had it. It took an amazing amount of abuse and was still always a dead nuts accurate scope at 600YDs.

Keep the scope. The amount you could sell it for now won't come close to covering the possible regrets you'll have later.
 
I have a Weaver k-4 on my 1070's Marlin 1895. Works like a charm. Always holds it's zero. I shot my biggest whitetail with this rig. Like someone else said it is the only scope that really looks right on this gun. In fact I would not mind having another for my .444.
 


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