How to Spot Fake Optics When Buying Used Scopes

Introduction

The market for used optics offers tremendous value, allowing shooters to acquire premium equipment, such as high-end scopes and red dot sights, at a fraction of the new cost. However, this growing secondary market is heavily infiltrated by sophisticated counterfeit optics. These fakes can look nearly identical to the genuine product, yet they fail spectacularly when relied upon. The goal of this guide is to provide you, the buyer, with the critical knowledge to confidently purchase used optics, verify authenticity, and protect yourself from scams, ensuring your investment in firearm optics is safe and reliable.

Why Counterfeits Are Dangerous

Counterfeit optics are not only a waste of money, but they also pose significant safety and performance risks. They are typically made with the cheapest components, resulting in glass that severely distorts the image, turrets that don’t track accurately, and internal mechanisms that fail to hold zero even after minimal recoil. When a shooter trusts counterfeit firearm optics, they risk missed shots, wasted ammunition, and, most critically, dangerous unreliability in a self-defence scenario.

The Price and Seller Red Flags

The easiest way to spot a scam is often before the transaction even begins: the price is too reasonable to be true. High-quality brands like Aimpoint, Trijicon, and EOTech hold their value, even when used. A sight priced 40% below the used market average should be immediately treated with suspicion. Look for seller red flags, especially on third-party marketplaces:

• Poor Language/Communication: Listings with low-quality English, typos, or nonsensical descriptions.
• Payment Demands: Refusing secure payment methods (like credit card or verified escrow) and asking for wire transfers, Zelle, or Venmo.
• Stock Photos: Sellers who use generic manufacturer photos and cannot provide high-resolution, specific pictures of the actual optic, especially those with the serial number.
• Low Feedback: New or low-feedback sellers suddenly offering multiple high-value optics.

The Gold Standard Check: Serial Number Verification

The serial number (SN) is the most critical tool for verifying authenticity. Every legitimate optic has a unique identifier.

1. Locate the SN: Find the serial number on the optic body. Be aware that counterfeiters sometimes place a fake sticker or stamp an SN in the wrong location (e.g., Trijicon RMR SNs are usually in the small thumbnail cut-out, not on the main body).
2. Contact the Manufacturer: This is the most reliable step. Major manufacturers, such as Leupold, Trijicon, and Aimpoint, maintain databases. Call their customer service or use their online verification portal (if available) and provide the serial number. They can tell you if that number corresponds to a real product, its model, and sometimes even its manufacture date.
3. Inspect the Stamp: On a genuine optic, the serial number should be deeply and cleanly engraved or laser-etched. Fakes often have thin, poorly stamped, or incorrectly formatted numbers that appear generic or partially illegible. Be cautious: high-end fakes sometimes use serial numbers stolen from legitimate, damaged units. The SN check must be combined with a physical inspection.

Physical Inspection: The Look and Feel of a Fake

If the price and SN check pass, the final proof is in the details of the optic itself.

Housing and Markings

Genuine firearm optics are crafted from high-grade aluminum and feature a tough, matte anodized finish. Fakes often have a cheaper, glossy paint finish that is prone to chipping. Check the fit and finish:

• Adjustments: Turret or intensity knobs should have crisp, audible, and repeatable clicks. Mushy, light, or silent clicks are a major red flag for counterfeit internal components.
• Hardware: Verify the screw heads and mounting hardware are secure. For example, some counterfeit Aimpoint T2S use minor Allen keys, whereas the genuine optic utilizes beefier Torx screws.

Glass and Clarity

The glass is where most counterfeit optics fail.

• Reflection: Genuine optics use advanced anti-reflective coatings. If the front objective lens reflects light like a cheap mirror, it is likely fake. Real holographic sights (like EOTech) have very flat, non-reflective glass.
• Color Tint: High-quality glass should be clear with a minimal tint. A strong blue, gray, or muddy tint visible through the sight is a sign of poor-quality glass, commonly found in counterfeits.
• Visible Emitter: On most genuine red dots, you should not see the LED light source when looking into the optic (especially from the front). If you can clearly see a visible red or green LED bulb inside the housing, it is almost certainly a simple reflex sight masquerading as a high-end optic.

Function and Hardware

• Battery Type: Some fake EOTech models mistakenly use AAA batteries when the genuine optic requires CR123 lithium batteries. Always verify the correct battery type.
• Night Vision Mode: On genuine sights with an NV button (Night Vision), pressing this should reduce the reticle intensity to near invisibility for the naked eye. On many counterfeits, the NV button simply changes the reticle color (e.g., red to green), confirming it is a cheap LED sight, not a holographic one.

Brand-Specific Fake Spotting Tips

This quick guide focuses on the most frequently counterfeited firearm optics:

• Aimpoint: Check the reflection—the front lens should appear red/orange from the front, but highly reflective glass is bad. The logo should be black, clear, and adequately sized on the side.
• Trijicon: For the RMR, look for bright silver adjuster screw heads (genuine uses dark, flat steel). Ensure the serial number is in the small thumbnail cut-out, not printed elsewhere on the body.
• EOTech: Never buy a model that offers switchable red-to-green reticle colors; EOTech only makes red OR green units, never one that switches. Check the reticle for a visible light source/LED bulb inside the housing, a huge red flag.

The Safe Way to Buy Used Optics

The safest way to buy used optics is to purchase through reputable dealers who guarantee authenticity. At RKB Armory, every piece of firearm optics—from scopes to red dots—is subjected to a comprehensive authentication process, which includes serial number verification and a physical inspection. We sell solely used optics, and we do the heavy lifting to ensure you receive a 100% genuine, reliable product.

Find The Right Used Optic at RKB Armory

The threat of counterfeit optics is real, but a savvy buyer can mitigate the risk by adhering to a simple checklist: Check the price for realism, verify the serial number with the manufacturer, and rigorously inspect the physical quality and function. Don’t let a scammer jeopardize your performance or safety. Protect your investment in firearm optics by choosing trusted sources.

Shop our inventory of verified used optics today, or if you’re looking to upgrade, sell your optic to a team that values authenticity and integrity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do counterfeiters use valid serial numbers?

A: Counterfeiters sometimes steal serial numbers from legitimate products that were damaged, destroyed, or stolen. This makes the SN check alone insufficient, which is why a complete physical inspection is always required to confirm that the optic in hand matches the quality of the verified serial number.

Q: Are there any high-end brands that are never counterfeited?

A: Unfortunately, no. While some brands are less common targets, the prevalence of high-quality fakes for most major optic manufacturers (Trijicon, Aimpoint, EOTech, Leupold, Vortex, etc.) means that you must assume every optic is a potential fake until proven otherwise.

Q: Can I send a suspicious optic directly to the manufacturer for verification?

A: Most major manufacturers will require you to send the optic to them for physical inspection if you have doubts, especially if the serial number check is inconclusive. Be aware that if they confirm it is fake, they will usually confiscate and destroy it, as selling counterfeits is illegal.

Q: Does original packaging guarantee authenticity?

A: No. Counterfeiters often create very convincing replicas of retail packaging, including fake stickers, manuals, and warranty cards. While the original box is a plus, never rely solely on it as proof of authenticity.