Warning on new Leupold scopes

[RR 314]

The optics and key fobs just got caught up in the legislative overreach. However, it is not Leupold's "fault". Sure, they could have made the access easier with more readily available improvised tools, but I would think in a bind the cover could be removed relatively easily even if you forgot or misplaced the provided tool.

For what it is worth, I have friends who are excellent parents and their toddler could have died from a small battery. She received a birthday card at her second birthday that had music play when it was opened. They didn't think anything of it. Kids like to tear wrapping paper, cards, books etc. She ripped open the card and apparently the loose tiny battery came out and at some point she swallowed it. It lodged in her abdomen (I think actually large intestine) and was encapsulated with adhesion and began weeping and degrading and she was very sick (even after removed) and had significant soft tissue issues. From memory, she had to have a resection of a small portion of intestine. This was a long time ago (17 years old now), but it was a mess. The issue was identified months after the birthday and they looked back at pictures showing the paper and card(s) on the floor and deduced the source of the battery.

Toddlers should not be playing with rifle scopes, but do play with other consumer goods containing small batteries. Unless broken, a kid isn't going to get access to a battery in in key fob, garage door opener, etc., but I think Leupold (and other manufactures will obviously have to comply) did what they had to do to make sure they were compliant with the legislation.

 

[thriller]

Have you ever tried to get the damn battery out of a fob?!

I can change one in about 30 seconds

 

[Flbt]

Kids are not swallowing batteries....but infants learning to crawl and crawling are.

This is not about guns. This is not about optics. The big picture is about protecting infants from batteries.

Leupold is trying to do their part. I commend them and will live with the inconvenience.

So a infants are getting into scopes?

 

[JimP]

I can change one in about 30 seconds

I'll send my fobs to you the next time that a battery dies.

It takes longer than that to just get to the first compartment, then you need to get the door key pried out to access the battery compartment. Then putting it back together without using tape or zip ties is another time consuming ordeal.

Anymore I just buy the batteries at the parts store where they will change them for me. I just sit back and watch them struggle.

 

[thriller]

I'll send my fobs to you the next time that a battery dies.

It takes longer than that to just get to the first compartment, then you need to get the door key pried out to access the battery compartment. Then putting it back together without using tape or zip ties is another time consuming ordeal.

Anymore I just buy the batteries at the parts store where they will change them for me. I just sit back and watch them struggle.

Yours must be drastically different from mine. I just pop mine in half with the manual key that pops out the fob using the little slot then I can access the battery. It snaps back together

 

[Hogpatrol]

I bought a pack of 2032s at Harbor Freight and I needed a utility knife to open. Scissors wouldn't cut it. Sheesh.

 

[JimP]

I bought a pack of 2032s at Harbor Freight and I needed a utility knife to open. Scissors wouldn't cut it. Sheesh.

I think that they are all that way now. Years ago I purchased a short fishing pole and reel. I broke the reel and pole trying to get it out of the packaging.

I don't think that you would need to worry too much about a kid getting a battery out of a plastic package, but if it was discarded or just laying around then you might have a problem.

Welcome to the nanny state.

Yours must be drastically different from mine. I just pop mine in half with the manual key that pops out the fob using the little slot then I can access the battery. It snaps back together

I've seen some that all you need to do is to drop them onto the floor and they pop open and then there are the once like the ones that I have.

 

[Raven]

It seems to me that Leupold will soon stop producing scopes with such uncomfortable covers for users. How Sako stopped producing rifles that could be locked with a key.

 

[JoninCO]

For you guys that all mad at Leupold, you need to be mad at the government (as usual).

Let's assume that Leupold did not want to go to the expense of making a new cap, irritating loyal customers, adding parts to their BOM, complicating their supply chain, etc. because it was fun. They're making less money, fielding more CS calls, and sending out more replacement parts than before. That is not good for business. They don't look for opportunities to harm the business.

Like the other guys mentioned, they're trying to comply with a Federal law. For some added info, it's being enforced and Sig already ran afoul of it with an optic, see below.
Was there a less frustrating way to comply? I don't know, maybe. Nobody wants babies to die, but will this move the needle? Don't let babies eat your scope batteries. Better yet, don't give a baby your safari rifle with an illuminated scope on it.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5313

SIG SAUER Recalls ROMEO5 Red Dot Firearm Sights Due to Ingestion Hazard; Violations of Reese’s Law Federal Safety Regulations for Consumer Products with Button Cell Batteries and Child Resistant Button Cell Battery Packaging

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled firearm sights and contact SIG SAUER for instructions on how to submit a picture of the serial number to receive a free recall kit, which includes a new cap with the required labeling and an updated instruction manual. Consumers will be...

www.cpsc.gov

Notice Sig changes nothing other than a warning sticker and a blurb in the manual. The product is no more safe. Thanks government. No clue why Leupold didn't just do this, but lawyers are gonna lawyer.

I used to run product development at the largest manufacturer of firearms accessories on the planet. We had to spend a tremendous amount of money to put California Prop 65 Warnings on everything we made. Why? Because certain chemicals used in production, if ingested, could cause cancer. Buddy, I'm pretty sure if you're eating a long-glass nylon Remington 700 stock that will kill you much sooner than cancer.

If the government would just make "being stupid" illegal all of our other problems would disappear overnight (that's sarcasm, BTW).

 

[ftrovato]

So a infants are getting into scopes?

Infants get into everything down low...I store my extra scopes on the floor in my closet. shame on me!

 

[ftrovato]

@ftrovato - your comment “if this saves just one child’s life” is the EXACT same quote used by Gun Control groups everytime they want to pass additional laws for Gun/Ammo restrictions —— are You “fine with that”? If everything that is “dangerous” to kids needs to be Key Locked Away (household cleaners, kitchen knives, “peanuts”, TidePods, etc..) it is Never Ending. We All have kids/Grandkids, and Love them — but don’t use (or fall for) these types of “Emotional” definitions of “if it saves One life” as justification for restrictions….because when that becomes the standard applied — it can apply to EVERYTHING.

Apples and Oranges my friend. Apples and Oranges....

 

[ftrovato]

Are you in favor of lithium batteries being sold in factory original containers that require the consumer to use a special tool to open them ?

Same for motor oil ?

How about particularly spicy hot sauce, should a special tool be required to open “Dave’s Insanity” brand Habanero Sauce ?

Button Batteries are already sold in a container that needs a special tool to open it/them. Try and open one without a knife or scissor. Thats exactly the point...

 

[Flbt]

Infants get into everything down low...I store my extra scopes on the floor in my closet. shame on me!

That seems like a you problem.
Now everyone that wants a scope with a battery gets to pay the stupid tax?

There is all ways a choking hazard around kids.
The chemicals with battery could be worse.
But how many kids grew up on farms around all kinds of stuff.

You want to practice your kids from possible danger.
Ok so do that. That’s your job. It’s not a scope company.

Who else remembers when seeds had coatings to protect them from birds and other pest.

Anyone remember kids swallowing them? I don’t never heard about it in faa or 4h either.
I guess parents did there job and didn’t pass it off to a company

 

[Ridge Runner]

Infants get into everything down low...I store my extra scopes on the floor in my closet. shame on me!

Put an entry door lock or any type of a dozen other locks on the closet if you can't add an additional shelf to the upper portion out of reach of toddler(s)/youngster(s).

 

[Paul K]

Reloading components will be next, child proof bullet boxes, primer boxes ,powder and don't forget your gun cleaning products like bronzes brushes, patches, jags and I forgot about shotgun wads and lead shot.
Paul

 

[thriller]

Apples and Oranges my friend. Apples and Oranges....

Not really it’s the same logic. In my opinion. I for the life of me can’t figure out why infants are playing with your scopes and guns, I cannot condone that. I use a modern device called a locked door to prevent this issue.

 

[ftrovato]

Put an entry door lock or any type of a dozen other locks on the closet if you can't add an additional shelf to the upper portion out of reach of toddler(s)/youngster(s).

My optic/scope has one so I dont have to worry?

 

[ftrovato]

That seems like a you problem.
Now everyone that wants a scope with a battery gets to pay the stupid tax?

There is all ways a choking hazard around kids.
The chemicals with battery could be worse.
But how many kids grew up on farms around all kinds of stuff.

You want to practice your kids from possible danger.
Ok so do that. That’s your job. It’s not a scope company.

Who else remembers when seeds had coatings to protect them from birds and other pest.

Anyone remember kids swallowing them? I don’t never heard about it in faa or 4h either.
I guess parents did there job and didn’t pass it off to a company

I really enjoyed FAA & RH. However I was partial to buttons when I was an infant I'm told....

 

[ftrovato]

Hopefully all this conversational tension has created increased awareness....

The most one can hope for in this day and age.

Best to all of you. Simply stirring the pot to get as many as possible reading this post.

Hopefully we accomplished that.

Cheers,
Frank.

PS - Personally I don't care for conventional variable scopes with optics that light up....

 

[Sideshow]

I remember seeing the first rifles come out of the USA with read instructions manual printed on the barrel before use or some such thing! When I first saw that we where like WTAF!!
But if you go back even further the English had a torrid time with a bunch of Zulus when there Sergeant majors hand the keys to the ammo chests different courses for different horses but it all starts somewhere