? for guys who put a scope on their revolvers...

[xssv]

Basically, do you enjoy it? I had a chance to buy a 629 classic a month before I bought mine new. It was a pre-lock model and was in very nice shape. Came with a scope rail, rings and nice looking stainless scope (can't remember brand, but do remember it was 2-7x20 or close to those specs).

Anyhow, I f-ed around and missed out on the chance of buying the whole deal for $800.

I'm thinking about buying a rail and decent scope and having some fun with mine.

My concerns: will the damn thing keep going out of adjustment if I shoot a majority of hand shredders (180 UMC's ) versus 240 gr.'s?

Also, what distance can good accuracy be obtained with a decent scope? 50yds, 100?

Obviously I'm not going to use this gun to hunt or I would have bought a used Taurus. Basically just take it to the range everytime I go to have one fun last six shots of BOOM, "yep just blew that milk jug full of water to hell." And because my kid still kinda believes in zombies and is glad his dad has a big gun like Ricks from the Walking Dead. <I've bought things for dumber reasons, trust me>

Will it be one of those things that's fun the first few times and then turns into "been there, done that."

Thanks and of course, a little gun porn always makes the decisions more fun.

 

[jaymoore]

...Obviously I'm not going to use this gun to hunt or I would have bought a used Taurus....

No saavy.

Scoped revolvers are good for working up loads and target shooting. Offhand, you better get used to your natural wobble zone being magnified!

Have given up on the concept for hunting deer, etc. For that, it's reddots or iron sights. (I don't generally hunt from a hide or stand.)

 

[xssv]

I guess that sounded really a-holeish on my part. I've had several, I mean several, Taurus's, and they are really good guns; just not a S&W revolver.
What I meant was that I wouldn't be worried about stomping around in the cold, snow, rain, etc, carrying around a $400 revolver; but would kinda rather not do it with a $800 one.

That being said, just interested in what its like having one with a scope. I know I could take it on and put it back on; just wondering how hard it is to sight one in and if its worth spending the time and extra shells.

 

[chief38]

I would personally only install a scope on a hand gun for Hunting. When target shooting, believe it or not I shoot better with steel sights than I do with a scope (on hand guns that is). I have tried shooting my friends Aim-pointed M41 and can do better with my own naked M41 open sights. YMMV

 

[jaymoore]

...What I meant was that I wouldn't be worried about stomping around in the cold, snow, rain, etc, carrying around a $400 revolver; but would kinda rather not do it with a $800 one....

I reckon, then, I'm the wrong fellow to ask. As I'd rather carry something I like than something...well...I don't.

Usual iron sighted deer getter:

Foul weather revolver:

IHMSA Target thing (Possibly due for retirement for "more funner" stuff in the same class):

Although it's actually been pretty good. Just wanting to try something else. Scope's "retired" off a hunting Model 657 which now sports a microreddot. It was horribly frustrating in the woods. Fine at the range.

 

[Engineer1911]

Scoped handguns

I have mid-1980 vintage Burris handgun scopes on TC barrels and a Remington XP-100. I have shot prairie dogs out to 250 yards with both guns. I stretched the barrel lug on my 30 Herrett barrel shooting published loads using data that came with the barrel. The scope is still doing fine today, in fact much better than I am.

Both guns will mount a Harris bipod for either bench or field shooting.

 

[RobsTV]

As long as you shoot the scoped revolver from a rest, it will work fine, and will allow older eyes to see the target holes easier at a distance.

 

[series guy]

I have many scoped revolvers and only shoot target. They work way better than open sights for my aging eyes. I stay around 2X to avoid magnifying my shakes. A red dot sight with no magnification is also an option. Buy quality and it will last as long as you can shoot. The model 28 sports a 2 3/4X Burris and the 627 Pro Series has a Burris Fastfire III on an Alchin mount.

 

[series guy]

Missed the 28-2 photo

 

[Lonegle57]

The majority of my scoped handguns are used for hunting,rifles just dont have the challenge in my area of the world. Scopes today,good ones, have never failed to hold zero for me, and many sit on guns with more punch than the 44 mag.
A solid rest with the 44 should give hits on milk jugs at 100 yards easily, off hand I keep targets under 75 yards. This is my capabilities, and each person has their own limits.

 

[329]

-Re the original posters question, they are not difficult to sight in. Start at 25 yards and move back gradually.
-With a good quality scope, rings and base installed properly it shoud not move unless you really wack the scope.
-Accuracy wise, 50, 100? It really depends on how well you shoot and your rest. The gun will most likely have far more accuracy than the average shooter.
-Personally I would not scope a revolver. I have a leupold 2x, and a burris fastfire III sitting in my cabinet. I just don't like carrying a scoped revolver. For me 50-75 yards would be my max for hunting and I can shoot pretty confidently with iron sights at that distance. As others have said you really notice the shakes. I know you shake just as much with iron sights but it is pretty unnerving to see the reticle bouncing all over the place.
-Regarding the revolver you missed. I would not hesitate to take any gun into the field. Get a good protective holster and you should be fine.
-Lastly my LGS has a pre lock 8 3/8 629 classic scoped for sale for just under $700.00. I think the scope is a leupold but it may be a burris. There has been some action work done on it and it seems in pretty decent shape. Not perfect but a good shooter. PM me if you want his contact. His shop takes orders from Gunbroker, Gunsinternational and other auction sites so he is used to shipping. Small local shop that has been around longer than me.

 

[ken158]

I have tried scoped handguns in different varieties from S&W to T/C Contenders as well as Browning 22 autos. I just cant get comfortable with the sighting after I leave the bench with any other then the Browning which now carries a red dot. A scoped handgun is difficult to carry while hunting unless you have a bandelero style holster as well as getting into a shooting position for proper eye relief. I really want to like it but just can't....

 

[Shuz]

Out of all my .44 mag revolvers, only one wears a scope. It is a 4X Leupold EER mounted on a 629-3 Classic DX 5 incher. I use it for load development and "easy on the eyes" type plinking. For aging eyes like mine, a Merit optical device or Hi-Viz type fiber optic sight works real well. I just prefer open sights on revolvers, but I will say that my Leupold has given me fine service on my 629-3 and always remains "sighted in" even under 300g cast boolit loads.

 

[H Richard]

A scope on a handgun is for precise shooting. That could be hunting, target shooting, or just water jugs at 100 yards. Used from a rest they are very accurate. It takes practice to use a scope offhand as it magnifies the "wobble". In heavy handguns such as a 44 Mag or more, the old adage of "Spend at least 2/3 as much on the scope as you do on the gun" is pretty true. Not all scopes will take the recoil. Leupold has a fine reputation. I have a 4X Leupold LER on my 10" Contender in 44 Mag.

 

[RacinbobSW]

I initially put this scope on a 629. Apparently that was a bad idea since it didn't hold up. The dealer was great though and repaired it under warranty since he knew I was buying it for a .44 mag. I then put it on a 617. Loads of fun and that revolver was scary accurate.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Have many Contender barrels, scoped revolvers - rim & centerfire, and a Ruger MkII with a red dot. I wear bifocals and I'm a fan of optics. For a .44 Mag revolver, as many have stated, a non-magnified red dot is ideal. I like UltraDot products. With practice, and some type of rest, you should be able to put it all six in a 6" bull at 150 yds with regularity.

I think of all my scoped handguns as hunting tools, though the vast majority of the rounds I shoot are at a range. Because they're hunting tools I stay away from high magnification (with the exception of a few of the Contender barrels). The ballistics of the .44 Mag doesn't really justify magnification over 4x, away (even in a rifle). Personally, I wound't go over 2x.

Breaking clay pigeons, or shooting milk jugs, at 100 yds with a .44 Mag revolvers is funner than a barrel full of monkeys. Admittedly, I mostly don't shoot snot-knocking full power loads. I do use a rest, and have found an adjustable height mono-pod with a V-notch works very well at the range and is a great benefit while hunting.

Lastly, I'd urge you to get a .22 LR handgun with similar optics. It doesn't have to be a (expensive) revolver or have the exact same (expensive) scope you have on your Magnum. Like kind works just as well. Shooting a scoped .22 is fun in it's self, and really helps in mastering the scoped Magnum. One those Taurus you like would work good for this. There are tons of inexpensive easily scoped .22 LR semiautomatics on the market.

 

[xssv]

Thanks for all the input guys. I sold my dad my Beretta Neos with a red-dot reflective optic on it that I never used. I got so pissed about not finding 22lr that I sold it without ever using it. Now I kinda wish I would have kept it because at 25 yards, he can put ten inside a silver dollar.

 

[amazingflapjack]

I have a 629-6 Competitor with a 1 1/2 Nikon long eye relief on it, and I am very fond of it-extremely accurate, even with me at the trigger.

 

[gwpercle]

If you develop eyesight problems, I have had detached retinas , many surgeries and Lens removal and now over 60, Optics will allow you to shoot handguns again. I can't use iron sights any more and had given up shooting handguns. But a Millet red dot sight on a Ruger MKII got me shooting again. My S&W model 64 now has one and even though they add bulk it beats NOT shooting any day of the week.
I do prefer red dots to scopes and a Burris Fastfire sure looks nice and compact.
Gary

 

[Mac1184]

I have scopes on a Ruger comp model in .22 and my 617. Both are a lot of fun to shoot and accuracy is much improved. I have a Bushnell red dot on my 610 and that has been a good combo. I also bought a 29-8 specifically to shoot .44 specials and mounted a red dot on it as well. Old and bad eyes need help and as some else mentioned, scopes or red dots really help in accuracy testing. Plus 2 on using a bandolier style holster. I would not mount a scope on a .44 mag with one of the clamp on style mounts. I have that set up on a 686, but the .44 has a lot more recoil. The newer Smiths that use have the top strap drilled and tapped are much more secure IMHO.