I went on the hunt the other day for the last of Vari-II's that were left in my home town, which I found one, a 3x9 new in the box with the shrink rap. I open it up and discovered the in fact it is a Vari-X IIc? I have a 4 year Vari-X II that's a 3x9 also, but it's not a Vari-X IIc. Question; What does the "c" stand for in the new scope I just bought?

Could it be the Scandinavian model? These, at least those I've seen, all have IIc designations.

The IIc is just a later version of the original Vari-X II. In the 3-9, the outside diameter of the objective bell is a bit smaller in the IIc (although I believe the lenses in both are 40mm). This smaller objective bell allows slighly lower scope mounting, a definate plus. The later models are also about a half-inch shorter and a fraction of an ounce lighter.

Earlier Leupolds were made with two-piece tubes, and later ones with one-piece. I do believe, however, that the change to one-piece tubes came before the IIc designation. But I think it is safe to say that all IIc's are one-piece, while some II's are two piece.

I have several models of both II's and IIc's, and to tell the truth, optically they can't be told apart (and are far and away the best buy in the entire world of scopes).