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Post by volkssturm on Jan 1, 2015 19:47:31 GMT -5
The topic of the day at Forgotten Weapons is the ZF-41 optic, a 1.5 power long eye relief scope that mounts on the rear sight of the Kar98K (what today would be called a scout mount). The Germans produced a bunch of these during the war for issue to selected marksmen (today called Designated Marksmen), but because of shortages of sniper scopes had to use a lot on sniper rifles, for which they weren't quite adequate. Replica scopes and mounts are available, but pretty pricey. There's a link to a video using one. www.forgottenweapons.com/
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Post by insterburger on Jan 20, 2015 6:37:31 GMT -5
The problem with these for airsoft is that the real ones (and legit replicas) don't fit on the DBoys mounts, and the "replicas" designed to fit are awful and not at all accurate. I think the Tanaka ones are better, but exceedingly rare and pricey (and still not really right).
When I built my Bar98, I modified the mount to accept a RS ZF-41 replica, but it was a major PITA to do and left the pot metal mount wafer-thin. One good bump could snap the thing off, especially in cold weather. That said, I do now have a fieldable ZF-41 capable rifle, and in at-home tests the scope sights in reasonably and could legitimately be considered an asset.
I will eventually field it, but first want to get acrylic clear discs to insert into each end of the scope to prevent any needless damage to the optics from flying BBs. No reason to take unnecessary chances with a $350 scope. But long and short, I would NOT recommend my mod to anyone, way too much time and effort for a fragile finished product.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Jan 20, 2015 10:01:16 GMT -5
The problem with these for airsoft is that the real ones (and legit replicas) don't fit on the DBoys mounts, and the "replicas" designed to fit are awful and not at all accurate. I think the Tanaka ones are better, but exceedingly rare and pricey (and still not really right). Does that comment include the G&G replica scope as well?
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Post by insterburger on Jan 20, 2015 16:36:06 GMT -5
I would not call myself an expert on the airsoft "ZF41" scopes, but almost all I've seen have ranged from seriously flawed to downright awful (inclusing most of the Tanaka ones now that I look them up), with the exception of the VIVA Arms seen here: VIVA. That looks pretty decent, and apparently is for the Tanaka. Can't speak for the G&G one having not seen it and unable to easily find it in a Web search.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Jan 20, 2015 17:51:06 GMT -5
This is it right here: www.evike.com/products/41411/ Its hard to look for since G&G officially named their Kar98, "G980". I only ask since I should be getting in the full G&G Kar98 package, including this scope in this week.
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Post by insterburger on Jan 20, 2015 18:59:49 GMT -5
Thanks for the link, Drac, I would never have found it on my own.
The scope really doesn't look at all like a ZF41, while the mount is what I'd call "approximate." I would be very surprised if this had the proper sight picture ("German #1" reticule, which is a post with a broken horizontal line).
If you hadn't already ordered I'd probably advise to do without, it's not accurate enough that I'd feel right fielding it, but I certainly wouldn't get upset seeing one in the field. In point of fact a 1.5x scope is of limited use in a real gun, even less so I would think for airsoft. You'll probably find it more of a hindrance than a help in actual combat situations. When I get around to fielding mine it will be more or less for the novelty and to get an impression of using an actual (well, at least a legit replica) ZF41 on a human target. Interested in sighting in through German #1!!!
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Jan 20, 2015 19:08:19 GMT -5
Nah, too late, its coming in with everything else. I got a package deal from a guy in Canada (hence why its taken so long, haha), rifle, two mags, sling, and scope. Really not complaining though, I honestly can't complain, not with how much I paid for it.
If thats the case, then it looks like I can at least switch out the scope itself, maybe eventually getting a more correct one. Do you have a reference image of what the German #1 reticle looks like, so I can make the comparison when I get it in? To see if they at least got that right.
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Post by insterburger on Jan 20, 2015 19:15:30 GMT -5
I hear ya on the package deal, as my mom used to say, "If you're going to jump over the dog, you might as well jump over its tail."
Hopefully the scope mount will accommodate a more accurate replica-- mounting rings tend to be VERY specific as to scope tube dimensions. There are ways to overcome that (especially with an airsoft scope that won't be enduring recoil) whether it's too large (shim) or too small (grind it away). Or it might fit just fine.
Just do a web search of "German #1 Reticle" and the image results should be profuse with examples.
Let us know what the sight picture is when it comes in, I'm sure I'm not the only curious one here!
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