What Nightforce Optics does

Nightforce Optics, Inc. is a privately held manufacturer of premium sport and tactical optics founded in 1992 in Orofino, Idaho. The company designs and builds riflescopes, spotting scopes, and mounting accessories across six core product families — ATACR (long-range precision), NX8 (compact low-power variable), NX6 (lightweight versatile), NXS (high-magnification), SHV (value), and Competition/Precision Benchrest — together with the CFS 6-36x50 F1 configurable field spotting scope. Products are differentiated by hand-aligned optical indexing, broadband multi-coating to quarter-wave tolerances, 6061-T6 solid bar-stock tube construction, 110-thread-per-inch precision-machined elevation assemblies, and MIL-SPEC durability testing (120 psi pressure, -40°F to 158°F thermal shock, 1,250g+ recoil). Proprietary features include ZeroStop, DigIllum illumination, and the FieldSet turret system (NX6-exclusive).

The company sells through a hybrid channel combining a global authorized dealer network (Sport Optics, EuroOptic, OpticsPlanet, Midway USA, Bass Pro/Cabela's, and Canadian retailers), direct e-commerce via nightforceoptics.com, and a dedicated MIL-GOV-LE sales program that supplies MIL-SPEC ATACR variants to U.S. Special Operations Command as the Squad-Variable Power Scope and Precision-Variable Power Scope components of the MAS-D program, integrated into the Mk22 Sniper System and SOPMOD Block II replacement. End customers span four primary verticals: military and special operations, law enforcement, competitive precision shooters (U.S. Rifle Team since 2009, Precision Rifle Series Top Tier Sponsor since 2018), and hunters, with MSRPs from approximately $985 (SHV) to $2,500+ (ATACR). Pricing is unit-based with no disclosed subscription or recurring software component.

Nightforce positions around durability, repeatability, and reticle elevation retention, backed by a transferable Limited Lifetime Warranty. Geographies served include the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with warranty service supported through local partners; international consumer shipping is currently not offered. The company appears to fund operations organically from cash flow, with no disclosed funding rounds or institutional investor information in the available data.

Name

Nightforce Optics

Legal name

Nightforce Optics, Inc.

Website

https://nightforceoptics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Nightforce Optics is a U.S. manufacturer of premium riflescopes, spotting scopes, and mounting accessories, founded in 1992 in Orofino, Idaho. It serves military and special operations forces, law enforcement, competitive precision shooters, and hunters through dealers, direct e-commerce, and a dedicated MIL-GOV-LE channel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sport Optics

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Optics & Sighting Devices Retail (Scopes, Binoculars, Rangefinders) (CRAMAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Binoculars, Scopes & Sport Optics Retail (CRACAHAI), Wildlife Viewing & Optics (Binoculars, Spotting Scopes) Retail (CRAMAAAK)

Keywords

• Precision riflescopes
• Sport optics
• Spotting scopes
• Optical equipment
• Firearms accessories

Headquarters

HQ city

Orofino

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Riflescope Sales: Primary revenue from sale of premium riflescopes including ATACR, NX8, NX6, NXS, SHV, and Competition/Benchrest product families. One-time hardware purchases with varying price points based on complexity and features.
2. Spotting Scope Sales: Configurable Field Spotting Scope (CFS) 6-36x50mm F1 and accessories. One-time hardware purchases.
3. Accessories: Rings, mounts, bases, accessories for riflescopes and spotting scopes, apparel items including shirts, patches, hoodies, and hats.
4. Government/Military Contracts: Direct contracts with U.S. Special Operations Command for MIL-SPEC ATACR variants for sniper weapon systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Nightforce Optics manufactures premium riflescopes, spotting scopes, and related accessories marketed under multiple product families including ATACR, NX8, NX6, NXS, SHV, and Competition/Precision Benchrest. The company hand-builds optics in Orofino, Idaho with proprietary technologies such as ZeroStop, DigIllum, and FieldSet turret systems, and supplies MIL-SPEC variants to U.S. Special Operations Command while also serving competitive shooters, hunters, and law enforcement through dealer and direct-to-consumer channels.

Product overview

Nightforce Optics manufactures premium riflescopes and spotting scopes for military, law enforcement, competitive shooting, and hunting applications. The product portfolio centers on six riflescope families: ATACR® (precision long-range), NX8® (compact LPVO), NX6™ (lightweight versatile), NXS™ (proven performer), SHV™ (value-focused), and Competition/Benchrest (precision competition). The company also produces the CFS 6-36×50mm F1 configurable field spotting scope and comprehensive mounting accessories. Key technologies include FieldSet™ turret system (NX6 exclusive), ZeroStop™ elevation return, Digillum™ illumination, and optical indexing. Nightforce serves elite military forces, competitive shooters, and hunters with products built to withstand extreme conditions, pressure-tested to 275 feet depth equivalent and thermal shock cycled from -40°F to 158°F.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ATACR: Premium precision optics line for long-range professionals, including ATACR 1-8x24, 4-16x50, 5-25x56, and 7-35x56 models. Includes MIL-SPEC variants for military use.
• NX8
• NX6
• NXS
• SHV
• Competition and Precision Benchrest
• CFS (Configurable Field Spotting Scope)

Products and services

• ATACR Riflescope Family Precision optics for long-range professionals. The ATACR family includes models ranging from 1-8x24mm to 7-35x56mm, featuring ED glass, Digillum illumination, and MIL-SPEC variants for military use including the 5-25x56 F1 and 7-35x56 F1 integrated into USSOCOM Mk22 Sniper System.
• NX8 Riflescope Family Compact and lightweight low power variable optic (LPVO) family designed for carbines and featherweight rifles. Features true 1x magnification with daylight visible illumination, available in 1-8x24mm configuration and other magnification ranges.
• NX6 Riflescope Family A family of lightweight riflescopes engineered for hunters, tactical shooters, and competitors. Features the all-new FieldSet turret system, Digillum illumination, and multiple magnification ranges from 1-6x to 6-36x.
• NXS Riflescope Family Riflescope family known for large magnification range and optical clarity. The NXS family provides rugged, reliable performance with proven Nightforce engineering and quality.
• SHV Riflescope Family Lightweight and compact riflescopes at a remarkable value. Available in various magnification ranges with multiple reticle options including illuminated MOAR and Forceplex variants.
• Competition and Precision Benchrest Riflescopes Precision riflescopes for champions and record-setters. Available in 8-32x56mm and 12-42x56mm configurations with fine reticles designed for distinguishing small targets and adjustable objectives.
• CFS 6-36x50mm F1 Configurable Field Spotting Scope A configurable field spotting scope with first focal plane design, flexible configurations, and refined optical quality. Features accessory cage and rail platforms for attaching thermals, night vision, and other devices.
• Riflescope Accessories (Rings, Mounts, Bases) Complete line of mounting solutions including Unimounts (one-piece 7075-T6 aluminum with titanium cross-bolts), rings, bases, and rail accessories for various rifle platforms, along with cleaning and tool kits.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100 MOA or 30 mils elevation travel with ZeroStop technology
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)coreOthers · 16 December 2019Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56 F1 and ATACR 7-35x56 F1 selected for Precision-Variable Power Scope component of MAS-D Program. MIL-SPEC ATACR 1-8x24 F1 selected for Squad-Variable Power Scope. Full rate production began December 2019. Optics integrated into Mk22 Sniper System and SOPMOD Block II upgrades.
• Precision Rifle Series (PRS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2018Top Tier Sponsor of PRS since 2018. Partnership supports PRS Bolt Gun Series, Extreme Long Range (ELR), Gas Gun Series matches, and PRS Finale. Nightforce equipment frequently used by winning competitors.
• U.S. Rifle TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Gold Medal partner sponsorship since 2009. Nightforce collaborated with U.S. Rifle Team to develop Competition 15-55x52 riflescope, which became dominant scope in F-Class competitions worldwide. Sponsorship continued through multiple World Championship cycles including 2021.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Vortex Optics: Vortex is the largest direct competitor in sport optics, offering riflescopes, binoculars, and spotting scopes across hunting, shooting, and tactical segments. Comparable because it targets the same customer base with similar product categories at competitive price points, often 30-50% below Nightforce.
• Leupold & Stevens: Leupold is a long-established premium riflescope manufacturer serving hunting, military, and law enforcement markets. Highly comparable as a fellow US-based premium optics brand with comparable product categories (riflescopes, spotting scopes) and overlap in both consumer and government segments.
• Trijicon: Trijicon manufactures advanced electro-optics, illuminated reticles, and weapon sights for military and tactical markets. Comparable because it directly competes with Nightforce for USSOCOM and MIL-SPEC contracts, and serves overlapping military, law enforcement, and tactical shooting customer segments.
• Schmidt & Bender: Schmidt & Bender is a German manufacturer of premium long-range riflescopes for military, police, and civilian precision shooting. Comparable as a fellow ultra-premium optics specialist with strong military credentials and similar product positioning in the long-range precision segment.
• Swarovski Optik: Swarovski Optik produces premium sporting optics including riflescopes, binoculars, and spotting scopes. Comparable because it serves the same high-end hunting and outdoor customer base with similar premium pricing and quality positioning, competing for the same affluent end of the market.
• Burris Optics: Burris manufactures riflescopes, red dots, and optics for hunting, tactical, and competition shooting. Comparable as a fellow US-based riflescope manufacturer with overlapping product categories across the value-to-mid-tier price segments.

Emerging players

• Sig Sauer Electro-Optics: Sig Sauer's electro-optics division offers riflescopes and weapon sights competing in tactical and hunting segments. Comparable as a relatively newer entrant with military pedigree that has been gaining share in LPVO and tactical categories where Nightforce's NX8 family competes.
• Primary Arms: Primary Arms offers riflescopes and LPVOs at aggressive price points targeting tactical and AR-platform shooters. Comparable as an emerging competitor with strong digital and direct-to-consumer presence competing in the LPVO category where Nightforce NX8 and NX6 products are positioned.
• Maven Optics: Maven is a direct-to-consumer premium sport optics brand offering riflescopes, binoculars, and spotting scopes. Comparable as a digitally-native competitor targeting the same premium hunting and shooting customer base with similar quality positioning and growing brand awareness.

Broad incumbents

• Zeiss Sports Optics: Zeiss offers premium riflescopes and binoculars within its broader optics and precision technology portfolio. Comparable because it competes in the same premium hunting and long-range shooting segments with comparable optical quality, leveraging the broader Zeiss brand for credibility.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/nightforceoptics
• Facebookfacebook.com/NightforceOptics
• Instagraminstagram.com/Nightforce_Optics
• Xx.com/NightforceOptx
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nightforce-optics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nightforce Optics