Leupold relabels all target scopes Mark 4

Thanks for stopping in. 

The jury is still out as to whether or not Leupold should have named all Tactical / Target type scopes Mark 4.  The Mark 4 name was previously reserved for the ultra heavy duty fixed power scopes used by the military.  Putting so many diversified scopes in the same category kinda takes away from the "real" Mark 4 scopes I think.  They did however break them down into four categories, Mark 4 PR (precision rifle), Mark 4 CQ/T (close quarters tactical), Mark 4 MR/T (mid range tactical) and Mark 4 LR/T (long range tactical).  There should be no availability problems as Leupold filled most of the contracts prior to launching the new scopes.  The military has had the little 3-9x36 MR/T in use for over a year now.  Leupold is very good about handling their military contracts and not letting them interfere with civilian sales.  Import and export controls are set by what the military actually buys through contracts not just name alone, moving all these scopes to the Mark 4 name was done for marketing reasons.

International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)

The United States Munitions List Part 121.1, 22 CFR Ch. 1, f

This category does not cover riflescopes and sighting devices that are not manufactured to military specifications.

As far as I know the export ban on military munitions covers any country not just non-NATO.  The military does not have to put any pressure on suppliers, they know their obligations and priorities well.  ITAR covers any optic that is built to military specifications not just night vision.  They go into detail about night vision to make sure there are no loop holes open.  There is no general mil-dot reticle restriction on exporting.  However a mil dot reticle is a common feature on most military issued scopes.  The penalties are severe enough that most companies have applied a broad restriction on exporting them selves.  For instance, if they are not sure what can and can't be exported it is easier to just not export any optics.  The manufacturers notify us when their products get issued a NSN number with a letter stating that the product is now officially bought by the U.S. military under contract.

I don't know of anyone that has had a problem.  I would say no since you will be bringing them back and they will never actually leave your possession.

ranburr