Leica Fortis Glossy - any first-hand experience?

[Jack3]

Has anyone seen or used the new Leica Fortis Glossy? I have to say, I think it looks brilliant! And I'm surprised other manufacturers haven't produced similar gloss-finished modern scopes for older/more traditional looking rifles. Well done to the Leica product team

"The new Fortis Glossy riflescope series is truly unique. It has already become the new standard for classic, high-end and special hunting rifles. A Leica Fortis Glossy scope completes every gun, making it one-of-a-kind. These elegant riflescopes – with the soul of the proven Fortis 6x zoom models – are painstakingly hand-polished by Leica artisans with over 25 years of experience. The result is an impeccably highly glossy, weather-resistant and durable surface. With an up to 50% larger exit pupil at minimum magnification and an enormous field of view at 1x magnification, the Leica Fortis Glossy is today’s definitive riflescope in the 6x zoom class. The three models – for driven hunts, high-seat hunting, and stalking – complete every high-quality, classic and luxurious hunting rifle. This riflescope series offers lasting value and demonstrates what Leica has represented for over 100 years: product design that focuses on the essentials, as well as the very highest standard of mechanical and optical mastery."

Fortis Glossy – Riflescopes – Hunting | Leica Camera UK

leica-camera.com

 

[mak]

Has anyone seen or used the new Leica Fortis Glossy? I have to say, I think it looks brilliant! And I'm surprised other manufacturers haven't produced similar gloss-finished modern scopes for older/more traditional looking rifles. Well done to the Leica product team

"The new Fortis Glossy riflescope series is truly unique. It has already become the new standard for classic, high-end and special hunting rifles. A Leica Fortis Glossy scope completes every gun, making it one-of-a-kind. These elegant riflescopes – with the soul of the proven Fortis 6x zoom models – are painstakingly hand-polished by Leica artisans with over 25 years of experience. The result is an impeccably highly glossy, weather-resistant and durable surface. With an up to 50% larger exit pupil at minimum magnification and an enormous field of view at 1x magnification, the Leica Fortis Glossy is today’s definitive riflescope in the 6x zoom class. The three models – for driven hunts, high-seat hunting, and stalking – complete every high-quality, classic and luxurious hunting rifle. This riflescope series offers lasting value and demonstrates what Leica has represented for over 100 years: product design that focuses on the essentials, as well as the very highest standard of mechanical and optical mastery."

Fortis Glossy – Riflescopes – Hunting | Leica Camera UK

leica-camera.com

View attachment 408666

You can see it at The Stalking Show in April.

 

[jcorry]

Has anyone seen or used the new Leica Fortis Glossy? I have to say, I think it looks brilliant! And I'm surprised other manufacturers haven't produced similar gloss-finished modern scopes for older/more traditional looking rifles. Well done to the Leica product team

"The new Fortis Glossy riflescope series is truly unique. It has already become the new standard for classic, high-end and special hunting rifles. A Leica Fortis Glossy scope completes every gun, making it one-of-a-kind. These elegant riflescopes – with the soul of the proven Fortis 6x zoom models – are painstakingly hand-polished by Leica artisans with over 25 years of experience. The result is an impeccably highly glossy, weather-resistant and durable surface. With an up to 50% larger exit pupil at minimum magnification and an enormous field of view at 1x magnification, the Leica Fortis Glossy is today’s definitive riflescope in the 6x zoom class. The three models – for driven hunts, high-seat hunting, and stalking – complete every high-quality, classic and luxurious hunting rifle. This riflescope series offers lasting value and demonstrates what Leica has represented for over 100 years: product design that focuses on the essentials, as well as the very highest standard of mechanical and optical mastery."

Fortis Glossy – Riflescopes – Hunting | Leica Camera UK

leica-camera.com

View attachment 408666

Please can you advise where you got the Fortis Glossy? I can’t locate anywhere! Cheers

 

[HonestJohn]

It looks like shjite in real life. The gloss looks like a high polished plastic coating, which it is.

 

[HonestJohn]

As per above, saw and handled it. Lived the scope, and had dreams of owning one. However, when I saw that high shine plastic polish, I’d rather have the matte finish, it just looked so fake, like an cheap tasco

 

[Klenchblaize]

I'd rather pay a premium price for a vintage mint condition Swaro, Zeiss or S&B steel bodied scope.

It won't have an illuminated reticle and you'll experience 'tunneling' below 4-power if a variable but you just can't beat the look when mounted in blued rings.

Note: Some vintage Swaros I've seen have had had what looks like a retro coating applied to tart them up as part of a factory service. Avoid.

K

 

[HonestJohn]

I'd rather pay a premium price for a vintage mint condition Swaro, Zeiss or S&B steel bodied scope.

It won't have an illuminated reticle and you'll experience 'tunneling' below 4-power if a variable but you just can't beat the look when mounted in blued rings.

Note: Some vintage Swaros I've seen have had had what looks like a retro coating applied to tart them up as part of a factory service. Avoid.

K

Agreed, a good ‘80’s steel bodied Zeiss is hard to beat. Don’t discount the good Weaver scope either, they were pretty.

 

[mak]

It looks like shjite in real life. The gloss looks like a high polished plastic coating, which it is.

Hi
I am not going to comment on your opinion as to the scope and what it looks like, as that is an opinion, however, I feel I should correct the part of the statement where you mention “high polished plastic coating, which it is”

In fact the body is aluminium with a hard anodised finish (pretty standard) and the shine comes from a fine polishing process (how that is achieved is a trade secret) however NO plastic or polymer has been used. So plastic it isn’t.

 

[HonestJohn]

Hi
I am not going to comment on your opinion as to the scope and what it looks like, as that is an opinion, however, I feel I should correct the part of the statement where you mention “high polished plastic coating, which it is”

In fact the body is aluminium with a hard anodised finish (pretty standard) and the shine comes from a fine polishing process (how that is achieved is a trade secret) however NO plastic or polymer has been used. So plastic it isn’t.

There’s no trade secret to using a buffing and polishing machine

The coating / paint on the Au body gives off a plastic feeling, touch and polished gloss. Like a spray and buff job.

Awesome scope - but they took it too far. Gloss scopes should be like a ln old Leupold or weaver, not looking like it’s from alibaba