Scoped Handgun Rant

Penmon

Penmon

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Well, I have this friend and he insist on mounting these huge-normous scopes on his pistols.He has no visual problems.
I tried to shoot them several times and I have a great deal of difficult seeing through the darn things.In addition he can't hit the wall with the thing not to speak of anything black on the target, unless of course he uses black card board. He would do better throwing the darn thing, plus the scope shoot loose once a session,he apparently has a fear of Loc-tight.

Now in all fairness I could see a situation where a holographic sight of some type could be useful, competition or if one had visual problems , I could also see a application for a scope in hunting, say out to a 100 yards ,41 to 500 caliber but for heavens sake he shoot at an indoor range and shoots a 357 loaded with 38's and never hunts.

So what do you think, am I being to hard on my unnamed buddy (Robert or Bob to his friends)or is he suffering from some type of over compensation issue?
Thanks
Penmon AKA Jim
 
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Somhow I have one. Come to think of it, I estimate I havent shot it in the last 35 years!
Its in .256 win mag.



TC13413.jpg
 
I agree. To me, the whole point of a hangun is to be easily carried. Scopes on most handguns as well as full lugged barrels, and to a lesser extent, unfluted cylinders, just ain't right. Carry a light rifle if you must have a scope. It is superior in every respect to a scoped, heavy lugged revolver.
 
I have never cared for scopes on handguns, they just seem to magnify every little shake and jiggle your hands impart, rendering a seemingly steady hold near-impossible. Add to that a limited field of view and throwing the overall balance off, and I just don't get it. I have, however, experimented with a holographic sight on a handgun, and found it quite enjoyable. The lack of magnification and unrestricted field of view, along with a simple and effective sight picture, lend this type of sight to handgun use, in my opinion. The drawback remains of not being able to readily obtain a holster suited to that configuration, though.
 
Like Feralmerril the only handgun i have ever owned with a scope
was a TC in .357 max 14" bbl. I used it to deer hunt and hog hunt
with.


chuck
 
I have seen folks who had EER scopes mounted on their revolvers. Some of the early arrangements left a lot to be desired both in durability and ascetics. There was a Python Hunter offered by Colt that was about one of the nicest set-ups I've seen. A similar method using the various L and N frames can produce remarkable on target results both at the range and in the field.

The one and only reason I've not owned one of my own was the simple fact that I didn't need the magnification to enjoy using handguns. I've handled some of these scoped revolvers and can see where they offer real utility. This would be especially true for those who enjoy using a handgun for hunting game animals in the widely varying conditions found in the fields and woods. At the range a scoped revolver would offer a great advantage in developing loads, especially for those without access to a Ransom Rest.

I have enjoyed shooting my iron sighted firearms for over 30 years. Now that I am in my 50's, my eyesight has changed such that, with a pair of 1X reading glasses, I can still enjoy shooting them. I do very well at the range. For hunting, the day is coming that I will no longer be able to use m iron sighted firearms. I have a EER Nikon 2X pistol scope that I will have mounted on one of my M-1 Garands using a Amega Mount. I will trade my Smith Corona 03-A3 for a Remington or SC 03-A3 that has been drilled and tapped for a scope. And I will ultimately end up buying one of the 629's that have provision for mounting a scope on the barrel. That will allow me to continue to enjoy shooting at the range and in the field.
 
Red dot and reflex scopes are a boon to those of us who already see the world through glass or plastic lens. For 25 yd target work a 1x scope is the way to go. Higher mag scopes are for hunting style work from a rest where weight is less important. JMHO
 
I have the T/C with a .45Colt and 7-30 both share a had gun scope. I used to hunt with it until I got tired oh carrying the thing.
 
I put a scope on a Super Blackhawk and it cut my groups from 3-4" @ 100 yards to 2" @ 100 yards. It did so at the price of target acquisition. It took longer to get on target, infocus and set up than irons did. I sold the gun and scope. If you believe that a pistol can be accurate @ longer ranges they are a good tool. If you think 25 yards is a long shot they are ugly and not needed. Like the communities that want to ban SUV's and pickups, it is a very shortsighted view, IMO.
 
I shoot for fun and, for me, that means iron sights. It's much the same reason that I shoot revolvers. I don't begrudge anybody their choice of firearms or sighting systems, but I know what I like.
 
I have a 2.5 power scope on my s&w 22a. its the pistol I use for grouse. Grouse are small and when they're 25 yards away the sight blade covers them. while I agree with all the downside points made above i'll tell ya that resting the pistol on your door jam or mirror helps alot.
 
Never owned a scoped pistol. Always carry a .22 pistol for camp meat, Grouse, rabbits, squirrels, etc and of course rattlers. Can't see the sights as well anymore but still get the game. I use a S&W 22-32 PrewarTarget
 
When I was younger and had better eyesight a scope on a revolver was something that I would never even think of. Fast forward to 2012 and 65 years of age with cataracts a scope on a revolver would seem to me to be a very smart thing to do. Will I hunt with it?, Nope don't hunt anymore because of my arthritius. So if and when I get a scope mounted on a revolver it will better allow me to persue my hobby of paper punching. Thanks, Frank
 
tbury said:
Red dot and reflex scopes are a boon to those of us who already see the world through glass or plastic lens.
Click to expand...

^^^This. I resisted until Turner's had a $100 red dot 2X half price on Black Friday.

Bolted it to my 10/22 & was so amazed I'm planning on something similar for my 22/45.

Same goes for lasers. For people with bad eyes they are the gear.
 
Scopes vs sights... I have UltraDots on my bullseye pistols, but those are sights with no magnification. I always assumed a "scope" meant "telescopic sight", meaning there was some amount magnification involved.
 
I am old school too. No scopes on a hand gun for me either. When I have been down at our Club Range and I have tried another member's M41 with a red dot or optical sight I feel very uncomfortable shooting it. My target scores are a whole lot better with my iron sighted M41. I'll keep the optics for the rifles.

:-)

Chief38
 
Whew!!! Glad this came along! I too don't see the reason behind Hemingway-I think his prose is too disjointed and hard to follow. Glad I'm not alone
 
Some folks just have scope envy.

JackTelescope.jpg


I like an Ultradot on some of my pistols. For hunting, I do have a few optical scopes or holosights. If you are shooting a T/C Contender it is almost disrespectful to the potential of the gun *not* to have one!
 
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