How difficult is it to sight through a scope mounted on a handgun. I have never done it, thinking about it in the past it has seemed to be a major problem to look through the small scope eyepiece holding it at arms length. But now I'm considering it.

Any thoughts appreciated.

test drove one years ago .. didnt care for it. seems to slow the show down a bit much ... red dots on the other hand are one of the greatest ideas since the hollow point.

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it just needs more voltage

If you go with the red dot sight with rings it is very natural to use, most of the red dots have a filter on the front that you can twist and completely black out the view but the dot still shows, I have shot falling plates with mine blacked out and both eyes open, put the dot on the plate and you have it, I know it sounds funny but it works! Jeff I should have added in the original post that with a scope keeping the eye centered in the scope makes all the difference, eye not centered you will miss, with a red dot if the dot is centered or at 7 oclock it does not matter you will hit, if the dots on the target no matter if in the center or not its yours.

Difficult, but also rewarding. I have 629, 6 1/2" barrel with a Leupold 2X mounted. Beautiful set-up, but as you can imagine a bit hard to hold steady. The magnification let's you know just how much you're moving around, on the other hand, turns the gun into a tack driver. Changes the balance of the gun as well. If I was to do it again, I think I would get a lightweight, non-magnified red dot verse a cross hairs type scope; however in it's current configuration it is a terrific hunting rig

I find it very difficult to hold steady, and to find the right eye relief sweet spot, on any handgun warranting a scope, e.g., long barreled .44, etc. I've learned to like red dots --- much more forgiving on eye relief, especially.

I held the handgun with both hands ( Weaver stance ) and rest my hands on top of a camera tri-pod when sight in scope or red dot mounted handguns, this setup should provide you with a reasonable steady aim for sighting in.

Years ago with young eyes on a Redhawk 44 mag I couldn't adapt to shooting a 1.5 power EER very well.

The last 4 months I labored to make proper use of a very nice 647-- 8 3/8" with a crystal clear new style Burris 2-7 EER scope. Even on a bench it didn't work well for me.

However, the wonders of the red dot DO increase my accuracy considerably over just a plain front sight. Years ago the original Aimpoint on an indoor 50' Bullseye 22 auto actually made me somewhat competitive.

Recently a Burris FastFire on a 9mm auto decreased my geezer-eye performance on the Texas star falling plate time from 45 seconds to 7 second bracket....almost competitive.

I've solved MY pistol-sight issue, and it isn't with old style glass scopes.

Like all comments here, YMMV. Good Shooting!!!

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

Late 70's early 80's I shot 4X Leopold EER on M27 and M17 and really liked the scopes. I still have them on the same guns.
Didn't know much about the red dots at the time because they were just coming on the scene.
We shot Hunter's Pistol Silhouette at the time and the 4X really shows just how shakey you are.
I also had the 2X but didn't like it as well.
There may be some better optics out there now.
Don't see many EER scopes in the books anymore.
Along about the same time there were some guys that started to use rifle scopes on the single shot silhouette pistols and pulled the gun back locked with one arm and held the barrel with their other hand. Too awkward for me. One guy in particular was real good with this method.

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James

Everyone likes the Red Dot sights, me too. Doktor makes a nice sight also. I have a few scoped handguns, they are fun to shoot but sort of clumsy. Good for hunting or benchrest shooting. I'd suggest finding a friend with one you could take for a test drive. If you're ever in South Florida, send me a message

Well my 9.1/2" barrel Ruger Super Redhawk 44 mag. gets peoples attention at the range. Even with the reasonably priced Simmons 2 to 8X scope it will print 1/2" 5 shot groups at 25 yards, resting it of course. This makes me very happy.

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LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

Weaver scope on a mdl. 66.
Dick

I have a Leupold 4x on a 454 Encore a 2x on Super Blackhawk, and compact 3x9 on a .308 Encore bbl. Love them all, and cannot imagine shooting the .308 without the scope. That said, I have a red dot and find it works very well, and a buddy shoots his Encore in 35 Rem. open sight to 200yds (he claims but I can attest to 150yds). It may be my rather bad 40 something eyes, and it does take some range time to get the eye relief right. But they work for me.

Now the question, anyone have any history with the Leupold Deltapoint?

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always trust your cape...

I am in the same boat everReadyRob, trying to decide on a red-dot for my 2206. Concerned about the distance away and trying to look through a traditional scope, or trying a reflex which seems to sit even higher.

If your planning to be shooting beyond 59 to 75 yards, a scope will pay for itself, but you need a shooting rest. Sandbags, etc. I use old shot bags filled with old used corncob tumbler media, (much lighter to carry). For closer that 50+ yards, the red dot is the life saver for anyone over 20 yrs old.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I had one on my 629 for years. I never really liked it. I recently took it off and went back to iron sights with a fiber optic front. I was surprised to find the scope mount had rubbed the glass beaded finish off of the top strap and I had to get it refinished. Well, I didn't have to, but, you know.....