A couple more emails have made clear that this is in fact a scammer.

He stated he didn’t send the scope because I “filed a dispute” over my PayPal transaction, which did not happen.

His last email this morning is just “Hey bud.”

I have an avenue to attempt recovery of funds, and I’ll also be contacting the police department identified on the retired LE ID/badge he shared. Coincidentally, my first carbine/pistol classes were hosted by…an employee of that PD.