A few questions about red dot scopes

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Hello. I thought about posting this in revolvers 1980-present, but I think this is more general than that.

I recently bought a 629-6 Classic with 6.5" bbl. I am kicking around the idea of mounting a red dot scope on it. I have a couple of questions...

1) Does it have to be a "pistol specific" red dot as far as eye relief distance?

2) Do any of you have any specific recommendations for brand and model for the red dot scope, mounts and rings?

3) Any other advice on this in general?

Thanks!

 

[jrm53]

I think they will be OK at any distance from the eyepiece, I have 3 of them and they are fine at arms length or closer, these all have no magnification or are 1 power. They have a pistol scope beat if you can remember to turn them off when you put the revolver away. tThey will work on rifles or pistols I have an Aimpoint and 2 cheaper ones they all work great. Jeff

 

[jkc]

One of the beauties of red-dots, or at least of the Aimpoints with which I'm familiar, is that neither eye-relief or alignment is critical --- dot on target = bullet on target (within the trajectory of the bullet and adjustment of the optic, of course). I'd take a hard look at the Aimpoint Micro H series for a 629. I've used larger Aimpoints on big TC Contenders and "assault rifles", but the Micro seems ideal for compact, lightweight guns like the 629.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Thanks for the replies gentlemen. I have recently fired a rifle with a red dot for the first time. I think I like the prospect of putting one on my 629. Now, as the the mounting rail. I have been doing a little more research and it seems that the rails are available in 3/8" and 7/8". Am I correct to assume I would use the 3/8" rail on my pistol?

Also, I read on another thread here recently that the 629 Classics are drilled and tapped for scope mounts from the factory. Is this true? How do I tell? By removing the rear sight assembly?


I see alot of the brand Barska as I look around. They any good???

Thanks again for the advice.

 

[jkc]

I'm not sure what you mean by your reference to 3/8" and 7/8" rails --- 3/8" is the nominal width of US and European "grooves" for mounting rimfire optics. If your gun is already drilled and tapped for scope mounts, look at Weigand's adaptor which mounts a length of Weaver or Picatinny rail to guns drilled and tapped for conventional scope bases, and then mounting optics with integral Picatinny mounts to the adaptor.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

OK, thanks again for the info. Will look into the Weigand setup..

 

[m657]

I recently mounted a Weigant base on a 647.

You can tell if predrilled by opening cylinder and looking at the underside of the top strap.

If you see 2 holes PLUS where the rear sight screw is (3 total) you are ready.

I've got a bulky older red dot on a fine Rooger SBH 41 mag; it helps 'geezer eyes' considerably.

Recently put a Burris "FastFire" on a Glock 34; makes an awesome combination in a small optic.

I used the old original Aimpoint for years and years; and basically any red dot I've seen seems to be capable of helping the sighting process.

Finding what you want for a red dot package has a LOT of choices both in size/features as well as cost....from $40ish on up to hundreds of $$.

Take your time & look around, read a bit customer reviews, and recognize the cost doesn't really come out of your stash for purchase of the 'new' pistol.....it just makes it possible to extract more of the inherent accuracy from the OLD pistol....

 

[RYNO]

I had a similar question and Scooter123 gave some great advise and also on the link within this thread.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/162590-thinking-about-sight-upgrade.html

I ended up with the Jpoint sight and really like it.

 

[mwtdvm]

take a look at C-More

I have two and am very happy, one on a 657 and the other on a R8.

There is also a "table" adapter that is very low, don't remember where I got that. I think the batteries last almost forever.

 

[Trooperdan]

M657, what base did you use on your Glock 34? That Burris Fastfire looks might cute and I have a G34....

 

[jrm53]

Another little tid bit that you might be interested in: I used to shoot falling plates with my Aimpoint model 10 and some of the people I shot with did not use it like a scope i:e they turned the end piece until it blacked out and shot with both eyes open, its funny but you will see the red dot on the plates and it works and seems to be a little faster acquiring the target. Try it some time. Jeff

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Thanks again for all the advice folks. I don't think I want to spend over $100 on one at this point in time. Since this is my first venture in looking into these red dot scopes, I want to make sure I really like them before spending bigger $$$ on one. I'm still deciding if I want to get one or not at all.

Can anyone make any recommendations on a red dot in that price range? Not looking for super fancy, just a 1x that will hold up to the recoil and not require frequent sighting in adjustments. Maybe thinking there is a red dot out there under $100 that meets that criteria is wishful thinking??

 

[jkc]

Thanks again for all the advice folks. I don't think I want to spend over $100 on one at this point in time. Since this is my first venture in looking into these red dot scopes, I want to make sure I really like them before spending bigger $$$ on one. I'm still deciding if I want to get one or not at all.

Can anyone make any recommendations on a red dot in that price range? Not looking for super fancy, just a 1x that will hold up to the recoil and not require frequent sighting in adjustments. Maybe thinking there is a red dot out there under $100 that meets that criteria is wishful thinking??

This is why I could kick myself for taking the time to reply to these sorts of queries ... Had the question been posed as: " Is there some dirt cheap imported *** junk equipment that will perform miraculously and reliably on a hard recoiling handgun," I'd have chuckled and not wasted my time with a serious reply to a not-very-serious question, i.e., is there something cheap but satisfactory?

 

[mwtdvm]

TANSTAAFL

There aint no such thing as a free lunch...

You get what you pay for. You can spend it initially or incrementally but you will spend $$ to get where you need to be.

Be sure and let us all know how things work out with your purchase.

 

[Magnumdood]

Aimpoint CompM4

I have a PC 500 Mag with a 6.5" barrel. I put my Aimpoint CompM4 on it. We'll see just how rugged Aimpoints really are.

I also put a Docter red dot on my Glock 20 with a 6" barrel and slide. It really does help increase the speed of target acquisition.

 

[ChuckS1]

Well, since no one's mentioned UltraDot, I guess I will. I hve one of the UltraDot MatchDot 30mm on my M1911A1 that I use for NRA conventional pistol competition. It's slide mounted, works great and has a lifetime warrantee. Also has 4 dot sizes.

 

[m657]

M657, what base did you use on your Glock 34? That Burris Fastfire looks might cute and I have a G34....

I forget the model ID, the dealer that sold the Burris had it in stock (for extra $ of course) but it was worth it after I finally practiced enough to get used to how it worked. Considering how conflicted I was in spending the $$ and how annoyed I was to actually get to buying a "shooting aid" instead of another pistol I couldn't see well enough to enjoy it's accuracy potential, I have forgotten what the price amounted to....something around $250 for all of it.

Cmore also has a good looking sight in a small-but-slightly larger package.

Haven't seen any Jpoint dealers around my area or I'd be looking at them too.

Consider this: Last year shooting the "Texas star" at 60' my best time to clear it was around 45 seconds. This year after the red dot sight (and a little practice) I scored 2 runs in the 7 second bracket (and the inevitable glitch of a 15-bracket from an error I made).

At this rate of improvement, in another 500 years I'll be "competitive" with the guys 1/3 my age....*kaff*kaff*....

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

This is why I could kick myself for taking the time to reply to these sorts of queries ... Had the question been posed as: " Is there some dirt cheap imported *** junk equipment that will perform miraculously and reliably on a hard recoiling handgun," I'd have chuckled and not wasted my time with a serious reply to a not-very-serious question, i.e., is there something cheap but satisfactory?

I do appreciate, take seriously and looked into your advice. Please don't take it that way. I know virtually zero about these red dot scopes. All I knew going into this is that one can spend anywhere from $30 to over $800 on these things.

But I DO know that I have a Rem 700ADL with an inexpensive, Bass-Pro Redhead 3x9 scope on it that has worked flawlessly for 5 years for me now. I DO understand that you get what you pay for. BUT, I also KNOW that you don't always have to spend big money to get a descent quality item that works for what I need it to do. I'm not the kind of guy that buys a $3000 scope to put on my rifle just to brag about paying $3000 for a scope. A Chevy Tahoe is basically the same as a Cadillac Escalade without all the frills, but the Chevy costs 30 grand less. See what I'm getting at? But I did ask if it was wishful thinking in this case. If so, I will look at the higher priced units. It just might not be in the cards for a little bit. I think I may have maxxed my kitchen pass from the wife for a while with the .44 I just got. LOL!


This site has a wealth of knowledge. That's why I asked the question. I was looking for some real world experience from real world users of these products. Again, I do appreciate your taking the time to post your experience and advice. It was received and considered. But please don't get angry about it if I don't follow it to a T. Heck, like I said in my last post, I still haven't even decided if I want to get one yet. This is why I posted the question.......

Sorry if I offended you....