Pilad PV1-725ML Rifle Scope is Among Top 100 Products Made in Russia
According to Russian ROSTEC state corporation, a scope (Pilad PV1-7×25ML) made by Shvabe Holding has been recognized as one of the top 100 best products made in Russia by winning in an annual award ceremony called “100 Best Goods of Russia”.
Shvabe is a Rostec subsidiary company. It is like the Kalashnikov Concern of the optical devices world. Shvabe owns a number of optical plants. The actual factory who makes this scope is called VOMZ (Vologda optical and mechanical plant), which is one of the Shvabe plants. Pilad is the brand name of the scopes made by VOMZ.
Apparently, scopes made by VOMZ has been included into the list of top 100 Russian made products multiple times. Since 2001, 18 scopes made by this company have received such award.
The Pilad PV1-7×25ML scope was introduced earlier this year. It is a variable magnification, waterproof scope capable of working in wide range of temperatures (from -50°C to +40°C, which is equal to -58°F to +104°F). It is machined out of a solid block of aircraft grade aluminum. The scope has a 30mm tube. It also has an illuminated reticle and comes with one of the following reticle options:
The Pilad PV1-7×25ML scope won the award in the nomination of “Industrial goods for civilian market” and was given a title of “Innovation of the year”. Probably there is some extraordinary innovation in this scope that I am missing. Otherwise, I don’t understand why they call an ordinary hunting scope the innovation of the year. It is possibly a well-made scope, but what makes it an “Innovation of the year”?
Managing Editor Being a lifelong firearms enthusiast, Hrachya always enjoys studying the history and design of guns and ammunition. Should you need to contact him, feel free to shoot him a message at Hrachya@TheFirearmBlog.com
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Da, scope is good.
Now, what about this bit of rail it's sitting on? Does it hinge out of the front sight base where the standard leaf would go? How does it interface with the rear trunnion? These are the details we need, comrade!
Hm. A few points if I may.
1. VOMZ scopes are certainly not tascoish, and it is probable that high-end Pilads made their way to Russian military and police. The VSSK in recent post sports Pilad variable-power. Not the worst credentials.
Having said that, I have mixed feelings about their "civilian" lineup. I will be happy to abandon any skepticism and trust new management and their marketing department, but... You see, VOMZ 4x32 and 6x42 were ok scopes for a price. Many of them stood to 308 or 54R recoil for years, but now and then, someone unlucky will run into crappy one: random POI shifts, unrealiable adjustments, etc. I have read about 4x32 whose front lens simply cracked under 308 recoil, though I should say this I did not witness. Typical quality control issues.
It is surprising to see a praise for their glass, though. It is average, if not below average, in my opinion. But then, the price is, too. No point in comparing them directly to Zeiss, Nikon or Schmidt&Bender.
2. Disregard "100 Best Goods of Russia" award. Not because Pilads are crap and should not get it, but vice versa.
IMO the award itself is phony by design, giving another ad tool to manufacturers capable of forking some cash. It is not uncommon for downright horrible stuff to receive it. My favourite example is one local, quite ad-obnoxious brand of canned foods. Their condensed milk received the award in 2015, and I was idiot enough to buy a few cans. Let's just say that it is uncommon for sweet tooth like me to throw condensed milk away.
3. "Innovation" is one of those goverment buzzword here. At some point (late 2000s - early 2010s, the end of D.Medvedev's presidential term), it became fashionable to give pep talk about economy miraculously rising and fluorishing. Because Innovations. We have brains to apply technology and blah-blah-blah. Russian goverment have this way of inventing excuses to spend money that turn up at high-ranking official's bank accounts later.
Like "nanotechnology" and "spirituality" (рус. "духовность"), "innovation" is overused to point of becoming derogatory meme among ordinary citizens. So when someone slaps something with "Innovation of the year" moniker, don't mind. There may be no innovation involved; it is just that they have the award with pompous name and need something to give it to.