Say something nice about ZF41

Jagvetinte

Jagvetinte

Member
I just bought a ZF41 despite all the hate I see for it everywhere. Its almost impossible to find an article or video about it that isn't about how much of a failure it was. So why did I buy it? Because I was looking to spice up my fairly minty kar98k with an optic that doesnt require modifying or mutilating it from its original collectible form. I wouldnt mind drilling into a RC or Yugo M98, but I can't do it in good conscience to what I have. That aside, I think the ZF41 gives the rifle a special uniqueness. It's just for fun and for looks. True it's not much of a functional sniper scope, but I like to see it as more of a predecessor to the red dot. Its an optic that enhances the iron sights view a bit, which no one else was doing at the time. So maybe I'm just trying to write the only nice thing thats ever been written about it here, for the record. Maybe Im trying to justify the price I paid for it. The reproduction has a 2.5x instead of 1.5x by the way. So thats something.

If anyone else has had fun with them please testify!

I got it from Waffenmeisters
 

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pzjgr said:
Meh, I just think they look cool as hell. Love mine, never shot it, but it looks damned cool in the rack.
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Right?? They get points for that. Maybe if I were thrown into combat with one I would have other priorities but as an entertainment lever collector, I think this thing is awesome.
 
I enjoy shooting mine and everyone at the range thinks it is a "sniper rifle." I need a shirt that says "ZF41 - NO its not a damn sniper rifle" Kind of like I need a shirt for Metal Detecting at the beach that says "NO I haven't found anything"

I had a good time learning how it works and using my repro adjustment kit to get it dialed in.
 
Ryanjames170 said:
I have come to the conclusion that they are much like a red dot sight in that they give you a improvement over the iron sights but they a definitely not a sniper scope..
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Exactly. It's simply a somewhat improved alternative to the iron sights. It seems popular to talk about how "crappy" the Zf41 is when there often seems to be a total misunderstanding what it actually is in the first place. It makes for a crappy sniper... because it isn't a sniper.
 
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Wolfsburg said:
Exactly. It's simply a somewhat improved alternative to the iron sights. It seems popular to talk about how "crappy" the Zf41 is when there often seems to be a total misunderstanding what it actually is in the first place. It makes for a crappy sniper... because it isn't a sniper.
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I think I read somewhere that the original intent for the ZF41’s use was to be much like a modern Red dot sight in that I could be used for a more accurate shot but also retained the quick shooting ability of iron sights..
 
The original zf41 on my DSM34 has a broken occular( looking but haven’t found one) and I wanted to shoot it so I picked up a reproduction scope and mounted it. These mounts are see-thru so I compared both the open sights and the scope. I’d give a slight edge to the scope. These were shot at 50 yards, shooting at 100 gives a bit better advantage to the scope. The scope is easier on older eyes. And most fun to shoot.
 

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I was lucky enough to find one at my local hardware store 3 years ago. Rifle was a byf 44 completely matching sans scope and mount. It was duffel cut and I picked it up for 1400 bucks. Eventually found an original mount and scope for it and had the scope cleaned. I love shooting it. It shoots fantastic and even got it printing sub MOA with my handloads if I do my part. The duffel cut was eventually fixed by Mark Novak. I see the ZF41 as a sort of sniper. While not its intended use, it was given to some snipers. Most countries of the time frame do not even refer to their rifles as snipers but more as "such and such rifle w/ such and such optic" or "... w/ telescopic sight." I don't know if the Germans used the same type of nomenclature, but if they did, then the ZF41 would technically be in the same class as it a telescopic sight. I see it as the granddaddy to the ACOG or RCO. Same principle to provide every rifleman with some form of optic to make acquiring and hitting a target easier on the shooter.
 
mrfarb said:
An SS Viking vet once told me the zf41 was good because even the worst shot in the company could even be useful.
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I would agree with what Mike said . They look cool but other than that I can't say anything much nicer than that !!!!!!
 
oldwing said:
The original zf41 on my DSM34 has a broken occular( looking but haven’t found one) and I wanted to shoot it so I picked up a reproduction scope and mounted it. These mounts are see-thru so I compared both the open sights and the scope. I’d give a slight edge to the scope. These were shot at 50 yards, shooting at 100 gives a bit better advantage to the scope. The scope is easier on older eyes. And most fun to shoot.
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I'm not sure Ive ever seen it mounted that way. This is the way you bought it? As far as I know, they were only mounted onto the rear sight ramp like this:

german-soldier-with-zf-41-scope-on-rifle.jpg

By the way, I am looking for information on how to go about mounting my repro to my 41 kar98k. If anyone has any guides, I'd be appreciative. Theres one vieo on youtube by the company that sells these but the video is kind of garbage. Doesnt even have sound.
 
Jagvetinte said:
I'm not sure Ive ever seen it mounted that way. This is the way you bought it? As far as I know, they were only mounted onto the rear sight ramp like this:

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By the way, I am looking for information on how to go about mounting my repro to my 41 kar98k. If anyone has any guides, I'd be appreciative. Theres one vieo on youtube by the company that sells these but the video is kind of garbage. Doesnt even have sound.
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His rifle is a .22 DSM34, not a K98k. Which is why his is mounted different.
 
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