BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE HANDGUN SCOPE DISCUSSIONS LATELY I STARTED CRUISING THE INTERNET FOR VARIABLE HANDGUN SCOPES AND NOTICED THAT LEUPOLD NOW HAS A VX-3 2.5-8 HANDGUN SCOPE, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A VX-3 vs. VX-1 DISCUSSION. HOW DOES THE VX-3 DIFFER FROM THE VX-1? IS IT WORTH THE XTRA MONEY? ANY OF YOU GUYS HAVE ANY INFO RE THE VX-3?

I have two 2.5-8 VX-3's. One is silver satin with the plastic CDS turrets and the other is a blued one with an elevation target turret. They work great, but they are pricey.

I was unaware that Leupold ever made a VX-1 handgun scope. They used to make a Vari-X III?, which I believe the VX-3 replaced.

THERE WAS OR IS A VARI-X MODEL #47198 2.5-8 SILVER VARIABLE AND THERE IS A VX-III MODEL #66620 2.5-8 SILVER VARIABLE, I FIGURE THE VX-III IS AN UPGRADE OVER THE VARI-X, BUT I CANNOT FIND ANY INFO, SEEMS LIKE NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE (IF ANY).

If I'm not mistaken, the VX-3 has click turrets where the Vari-X had friction turrets. Not sure of any other differences.

This is far from a good description, but basically every number that goes higher is a combination of a higher quality glass etc.

VX3 and VXIII are the same

VXII or VX2 had friction

That may be, but I know Leupold made a 2.5-8x handgun scope with friction turrets and I don't think they ever offered a VX-2 or VXII handgun scope.

Here are some differences that I have found, which may or may not be helpful to you in comparing the Vari-X III with the VX-III, and then a quick comparison of the VX-III versus the VX-3.
On Leupold's website you can see some of the changes with the VX-3i line too.

In 2004, Leupold introduces the VX-III line of Golden Ring Riflescopes. The VX-III carries many of the great classic features of the tried and true Vari-X III line but with several exciting new features. Based on the superior optical design of the Vari-X III, the VX-III delivers even more light transmission with The New Index Matched Lens System. No longer are tools required for making windage and elevation adjustments as we introduce the new, highly precise Finger Adjustable Elevation and Windage. Reticle focus will be faster and easier now with The Lockable Fast Focus Eyepiece. More Long Range models are now available. The VX-III 1.5-5x20mm and 1.75-6x32mm are top choices in dangerous game and quick pointing optics with wide field of view and now an even brighter image for dark, shadowed woods. The VX-III 2.5-8x36mm, 3.5-10x40mm and the 4.5-14x40mm fixed objective all meet the needs of the serious hunter who needs an excellent combination of low power, wide field of view and higher magnification for longer range shots, all in a package that fits well in a scabbard. The VX-III 3.5-10x50mm fixed objective provides the best low light performance while the VX-III 4.5-14x50mm Long Range gives both great low light performance for deep timber and is equipped for long range shooting of open country with side focus and generous adjustment travel. The VX-III 4.5-14x40mm Long Range, 6.5-20x50mm Long Range (also available in a Target model) and the 8.5-25x50mm Long Range Target meet the needs of shooters that demand maximum capabilities for placing shots accurately in a wide range of conditions. In addition to the full array of Leupold reticles, the VX-III riflescope family now also features the new Leupold Wide Duplex reticle (available in Spring 2004) in addition to the New Ballistic Reticle System: The Boone and Crockett Club Reticle for big game and the Varmint Hunters� Reticle. The Leupold Index Matched Lens System provides the best light management across the entire image, maximizing contrast and image brightness, delivering as high as 98% light transmission. New Finger Adjustable Windage and Elevation Dials make sighting in easy and zero can be reset by moving the golden pointer ring. Except for the diopter directional markings, The Lockable Fast Focus Eyepiece still carries the Leupold Classic look but focuses 4 times faster than did the Vari-X III, then can be locked in place when best focus is achieved. The Long Range configuration of Side Focus for parallax correction and 30mm maintube for added elevation adjustment travel has been carried through to all models of 4.5-14 power range and higher to provide easy to operate parallax correction and expanded capability to achieve longer range shots. Leupold's� new VX-III riflescopes are manufactured at the Leupold Beaverton, Oregon factory and are backed by the Leupold Full Lifetime Guarantee.


The VX3 uses Leupold's super tough Diamond Coat Coatings which are many times harder than conventional coatings. They have also made some improvements in controlling stray light inside the scope.
VX3 has dual erector springs(or whatever you call them),instead of just one spring as in the VXIII;they also supposedly did something to the windage and elevation assemblies or some such to make them more repeatable and reliable.
While the use of dual erector springs does make the adjustments more accurate it also should make the scope more durable as well as it holds the erector assembly more firmly in place and at two points instead of one. That is a good thing.
The different gas mixture has very little to do with waterproofing. It has a different molecular structure that makes it less prone to leakage vs. straight nitrogen gas. The newer gas mixture also is said to help internal fogging when going quickly to and from large temperature changes or what Leupold refers to it as "thermal shock".


Prefix: Suffix:
E = 1974 A = 1993 Vari-X III begins
F = 1975 B = 1994
G = 1976 C = 1995
H = 1977 D = 1996
J = 1978 E = 1997
K =1979 F = 1998
L = 1980 G = 1999
M = 1981 H = 2000
N = 1982 J = 2001
P = 1983 K = 2002
R = 1984 L = 2003
S = 1985 M = 2004 VX-III Begins
T = 1986 N = 2005
U = 1987 P = 2006
V = 1988 R = 2007
W = 1989 S = 2008
X = 1990 T = 2009 VX-3 Begins
Y = 1991 U = 2010
Z = 1992 V = 2011
W = 2012
X = 2013

I ALWAYS THOUGHT VX3 OR VX-3 WAS JUST ANOTHER WAY OF SAYING VX-III, BUT YOU SAY THAT 3 AND III ARE DIFFERENT? ON EBAY I DID NOT SEE ANY VX3 OR VX-3 VARIABLE PISTOL SCOPES, ONLY THE VARI-X AND THE VX-III. SINCE THE VARI-X 2.5-8 AND THE VX-III 2.5-8 HAVE DIFFERENT MODEL #'s I ASSUME THEY ARE DIFFERENT.

The VX-3 is a upgrade from VX-III
If you find a Leupold variable that is one or the other it will work good for you.

I just wish they'd make a higher magnification handgun scope. The 2.5-8x scopes are nice, but I'd love to see a 12x to 16x upper magnification on a handgun scope.

Burris makes a 3-12.

I would be shocked if it happened . That's why I have gone to using a muzzle brakes and rifle scopes on many of my specialty pistols.

multi coated glass vs. fully multi-coated glass on the VXIII

I CHECKED WITH LEUPOLD AND THE VX-3 IS A NEWER, AND SLIGHTLY BETTER SCOPE, THAN THE VX-III, THE BETTER BEING RELATED TO LENS COATINGS AND STYLE OF ADJUSTMENTS.

Yep

JUST BOUGHT A VX-3 2.5-8 MATTE LNIB FOR $350 DELIVERED ON EBAY, A HECK'UVA BARGAIN. "GUN DECISION" TO MAKE: WHAT TO PUT IT ON/REPLACE WITH IT. NEVER HAD A LEUPOLD VARIABLE PISTOL SCOPE, LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

Great snag.
I use a lot of Leupold scopes. I use a lot of other brands to, but I might have more Leupold scopes than any other brand. I am counting both handgun and rifle scopes together.

Great deal! If you can't find a gun to put it on, I'm sure I could.