TASCO CUSTOM SHOP OPINIONS

[22BRGUY]

I realize this is not a Nightforce, March, or any high end scope, but just wondering if anyone has had any experience with these. My understanding is that they were made in Japan and have pretty good glass but would like to hear any other comments about them.
Thanks

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I haven't looked throughthe high magnification custom shop models, but I do own a handful of old Japanese Tasco scopes and the glass is excellent throughout the entire magnification range. I have a 3-9x40, a 6-18x40 (Omni view), a 6-24x40 (target dot), and a 5-20x50 Mag model.

I recently replaced a Zeiss HD5 5-25x50 with the Japanese Tasco 5-20x50 on one of my rifles. The Zeiss HD glass was pretty good, but the old Tasco was sharper and brighter on like powers when compared side by side. So the Zeiss has a new owner and the Tasco now sits atop the rifle.

The 6-24 I own has a very clear and sharp image all the way to 24X. Great scope. The 6-18 is the same quality, but it has that wide field view which I absolutely love.

All 3 of my higher magnification Tasco models have medium height target turrets. The clicks are as solid as any high end scope on the market and they track very well. My 5-20x50 model even has a zero stop on the elevation turret and a total elevation travel of 44 MOA in a 1" tube. Tasco was way ahead of the game back in the 70s and 80s.

But the best thing of all...the most I paid for any one of those scopes was $135. And you could put them up against any mid priced Leupold VX3, Zeiss, Nikon, Vortex, etc and never be disappointed. Heck that Zeiss HD is an $1100 scope brand new and I felt that the old Tascos had better glass.

But as I said, I can't attest to the quality of the high magnification custom shop models, but I have been very pleased with all of my experiences using Japanese Tasco scopes. They can't be beat for the money if you can still find them. I pick them up when ever I find a deal on one just to have on hand. Now, don't get me wrong, they aren't the best scopes in the world, not like its Swarovski glass, but the quality to price ratio is so good they will never leave you feeling like you wasted your money.

 

[22BRGUY]

I haven't looked throughthe high magnification custom shop models, but I do own a handful of old Japanese Tasco scopes and the glass is excellent throughout the entire magnification range. I have a 3-9x40, a 6-18x40 (Omni view), a 6-24x40 (target dot), and a 5-20x50 Mag model.

I recently replaced a Zeiss HD5 5-25x50 with the Japanese Tasco 5-20x50 on one of my rifles. The Zeiss HD glass was pretty good, but the old Tasco was sharper and brighter on like powers when compared side by side. So the Zeiss has a new owner and the Tasco now sits atop the rifle.

The 6-24 I own has a very clear and sharp image all the way to 24X. Great scope. The 6-18 is the same quality, but it has that wide field view which I absolutely love.

All 3 of my higher magnification Tasco models have medium height target turrets. The clicks are as solid as any high end scope on the market and they track very well. My 5-20x50 model even has a zero stop on the elevation turret and a total elevation travel of 44 MOA in a 1" tube. Tasco was way ahead of the game back in the 70s and 80s.

But the best thing of all...the most I paid for any one of those scopes was $135. And you could put them up against any mid priced Leupold VX3, Zeiss, Nikon, Vortex, etc and never be disappointed. Heck that Zeiss HD is an $1100 scope brand new and I felt that the old Tascos had better glass.

But as I said, I can't attest to the quality of the high magnification custom shop models, but I have been very pleased with all of my experiences using Japanese Tasco scopes. They can't be beat for the money if you can still find them. I pick them up when ever I find a deal on one just to have on hand. Now, don't get me wrong, they aren't the best scopes in the world, not like its Swarovski glass, but the quality to price ratio is so good they will never leave you feeling like you wasted your money.

Thanks much for the info. I just picked up an 8x40x56 this morning on ebay for $350. Was in the market for a used Nightforce or Sightron but had read several good things just like you said about the older Japanese scopes so thought I'd gamble a little.. I also read that back then they were actually manufactured by a Japanese very high quality company named Hakko. Guess time will tell.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Thanks much for the info. I just picked up an 8x40x56 this morning on ebay for $350. Was in the market for a used Nightforce or Sightron but had read several good things just like you said about the older Japanese scopes so thought I'd gamble a little.. I also read that back then they were actually manufactured by a Japanese very high quality company named Hakko. Guess time will tell.

I've overlooked one or two deals on the old custom shop Japanese Tascos over the years because I didn't really have a need for that much scope at the time. Kinda wish I would have pulled the trigger on one just to see how it performed. That curiosity continues to eat at me today. Please keep us updated on what you think of the custom shop Tasco when you get the chance to run it through some paces.

The Japanese era was back when every scope on the market offered the best glass they could come up with. Not really any "sub par" models from any scope manufacturer back then. Leupold, Redfield, Bosch & Lomb, Weatherby...they all made quality scopes with quality glass.

Tasco later was manufactured in Taiwan and that's when things started to go down hill. They were still decent tho. Then they moved to China and that was the end of the Tasco name being associated with the word 'quality'. Today's Tasco scopes are nothing more than cheap Walmart junk barely worthy of a childs Daisy air rifle

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Found this old thread on here about Tasco Custom Shop scopes for you. They talk about your scope too. Reviews aren't that great on them, but I guess you'll get to see for yourself.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/custom-shop-tasco-12-60x56.3415745/

 

[22BRGUY]

Thanks again...Lots of different opinions for sure. I think when some people just see or hear the word Tasco, right away they have a bad opinion as a cheap piece of junk. I'll check it out and post my results.

 

[Outrider27]

One thing to remember about old Tasco scopes - not all Tasco scopes sold with a lifetime warranty actually have a lifetime warranty, so if warranty service means anything to you, let the buyer beware. I bought a Tasco scope and put it on the shelf for about 3 years until I got around to finishing the project I had in mind. Took it out of the box, mounted it, went to sight it in, and the elevation turret cap wouldn't turn. Applied more force - still wouldn't turn. Applied a lot more force and the entire elevation turret came out of the scope barrel, cap and all. Figured "No problem, it has a lifetime warranty."; WRONG! It seems the ownership of Tasco changed hands (about April or May or around there of 1998 or 1999) and my scope was made about two months before, and the new owners were NOT honoring the lifetime warranty of scopes manufactured before they bought Tasco. They offered me a discounted price on the current version of the same scope; I work part time for a dealer and he would charge me dealer price + freight + sales tax on the dealer price, and that was noticeably less than the "discount" price Tasco offered me on a replacement. I told Tasco to go fly a kite and have refused to use their products ever since.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Thanks again...Lots of different opinions for sure. I think when some people just see or hear the word Tasco, right away they have a bad opinion as a cheap piece of junk. I'll check it out and post my results.

Very true because a lot of folks never owned the old Japanese models. When I hear someone mention a Tasco scope, first thing I ask is, "was it made in Japan?" If not, I really don't care cuz I know anything but the japan models are junk. I hope the custom shop scope lives up to your expectations.

 

[Bobthenailer]

Tasco repair can be sent here (http://www.abousainc.com/how-to-send-tasco-optical-product-for-service)
I have several Tasco World Class and Custom Shop Scopes, all are very clear and track spot on. No zero shift.

 

[22BRGUY]

Thanks much you guys for the feedback. I got ahold of the seller and mentioned my apprehension. He told me to take the scope and try it and assured me it would be very nice and if not he would take it back. He also mentioned the same things you guys said.

Bob I really appreciate the link for possible repair if needed.

Outrider, was that a Japanese scope do you remember? Sorry to hear about your experience.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

A Tasco from 1998-1999 definitely was not made in Japan. Tasco stopped using Japanese glass and parts somewhere in the 80's.

 

[Outrider27]

Ledd Slinger is correct - this was a post made in Japan scope, and whatever warranty the Japanese scopes had would also not be honored by the current Tasco ownership. I had a nice 3x9 variable Japanese Tasco that came on a .243 Win I bought used at a gun show. My bitterness with regard to the way Tasco treated me was and is such that I put it in with the other used scopes my buddy had for sale and sold it to a very happy new owner for $17.00. I hope he is happy with it; to me it was good riddance. As long as you don't mind paying for the service, there are outfits out there that do a really fine job of repairing scopes that have no connection to Tasco in the unlikely event your purchase ever needs repair.

Just remember to lightly grease the adjustment turret cap threads if it has removable caps on the adjustment turrets and you should be good to go.