Borescopes: Their Evolution
and Application in Firearms
A borescope...
is an optical device that is used to see
inside of objects that would otherwise be
inaccessible for viewing. Borescopes were
first developed to look inside of cannon.
Another version, known as an endoscope,
was used to examine cadavers. Refined
many times over the years, endoscopes
have resulted in the wonders of “minimally
invasive surgery.”
Borescopes are dramatically less expensive
than endoscopes, so they have gained wide
acceptance in aerospace, automotive, metal
working, and firearms applications. Designed
specifically for use in firearms, the Hawkeye®
Borescope has become the standard of
the industry among gunsmiths, shooters,
firearms manufacturers, forensic scientists
and the military.
Shooters use the Hawkeye to search for
tool marks, defects in chambers and rifling,
erosion, and fouling. Gunsmiths use it to
diagnose problems, to monitor processes
such as chambering and lapping, and to
justify their services. Manufacturers depend
on the Hawkeye for research and development
and in quality assurance. Buyers and sellers
of used firearms examine bores to make
certain that there are no “surprises lurking
in the barrel.
The Hawkeye offers two viewing angles.
The zero-degree direction-of-view provides
a dramatic view of twist and forewarns
shooters of pending shell separation. The
ninety-degree direction-of-view allows the
viewer to inspect the chamber, leade, and
bore of a firearm from muzzle to breech.
A key application for the shooter is to
see if their cleaning regimen is working.
Usually it isn’t!
The “Shooting Edition” of the Hawkeye
Borescope is sold exclusively to the
shooting market and can be recognized
by the green eyecup. This version features
upgraded optics and a new mirror technology
that protects the mirror from the harsh
chemicals we routinely shove down the
barrel of our firearms.
Gradient Lens Corporation...
was founded by Dr Duncan Moore who
was the Director of the Institute of Optics at
the University of Rochester. The technology
used in manufacturing the Hawkeye today
is based upon the PhD project of Dr Douglas
Kindred, who is the company’s President
and Chief Scientist.
Hawkeye Borescopes...
are available from Gradient Lens and from a handful of resellers who specialize
in servicing the needs of the benchrest and handloading markets. Hawkeyes
are manufactured in Rochester, NY, the “Optics Capitol of the World.”
©2018 Gradient Lens Corporation
585-235-2620
www.hawkeyeshooting.com
PRECISION
BORESCOPES
Designed, made and sold
by precision shooters!
/www.hawkeyeshooting.com