Magnum Revolvers With Red Dots

[Beju]

Thanks for your input
While I was writing this question, I was also thinking about semi auto pistols w/ red dots, some of those red dot optics must be built to take a pounding, after surviving the constant recoil being mounted on a semi auto slide
Thanks for pointing this out

Yes, the durability was something that wasn't there for early micro red dots. I don't know if the Deltapoint Pro has ever totally gotten over the reputation for early durability issues when used on pistols. The original RMR was probably more durable, but still tended to break with enough use. This was addressed by the release of the more durable RMR Type 2 (though mine still eventually needed repair. Seems like Trijicon had a bad batch of battery contacts in 2019).

 

[Paul01223]

TRR8 M327 357 Magnum with an old Pentax red dot.

 

[trulyapostolic]

Unfortunately I'll have to dissent from some of these brand recommendations. If you're anticipating shots at distance do some research on parallax issues with UltraDot and the RMR style dots. Aimpoint makes parallax free red dots that are perfect for what you're wanting.

 

[series guy]

Burris Fastfire III dots on many S&Ws in my accumulation. Never an issue with any of them after years of use. They also have a lifetime no questions asked warranty.

 

[Hiwood]

I've been mulling around with mounting a red dot sight on one of my revolvers for whitetail hunting. I'm thinking about mounting a red dot on one of my 629's 44mag or my S&W 460 magnum. I've always hunted with iron sights and traditional handgun scopes while whitetail hunting.

My question for any and all's input on this subject.
My biggest concern, how well will a red dot scope hold up to the recoil of the 44 magnum and 460 magnum? Also how well will a red dot hold POA and POI with the stout recoil of a magnum pistol cartridge?
I also understand not all red dot sights are created equal, let me know what your experiences have been?

Thanks

Back in 1989 I mounted an early Aimpoint 2000 model red dot on my 8 3/8" Smith Wesson Model 29. Hunted deer with it for many years successfully and still have the gun to this day. It has held up just fine to the recoil and holds a zero after 36 years. I would recommend a quality optic like Aimpoint and you should be fine. PS...deer hunting with a handgun is a challenge and very exciting when you fill your tag! Good luck!

 

[gdpolk]

I've ran a Holosun "RMR" type dot on a light weight (model 69) 44 mag with HOT 310gr loads for ~500-700 rounds before pulling it off based on preference, another 800-1000 rounds on a 629 before changing to a Leupold scope based on preference, and now it resides on my 480 Ruger. The 480 Ruger is shooting 400gr loads at 1090fps or my custom molded 475gr loads at just over 1000fps. I have about 2500 rounds through that. Thus far the optic and mount has not shown any signs of wear or had any reliability issues whatsoever.

 

[Imissedagain]

What do you have going on there? lol
Photoshop

IIRC, that's a Patriot Missile, photoshopped a bit.

 

[SLT223]

Now that I'm not a kid any more, I find eliminating the third focal plane makes life a bit easier. I'm surprised I dont have more of these.

 

[DonD]

My relationship with Raytheon, went beyond the RedDot.

View attachment 785117

Funny! Don

 

[44MOshooter]

Yes, the durability was something that wasn't there for early micro red dots. I don't know if the Deltapoint Pro has ever totally gotten over the reputation for early durability issues when used on pistols. The original RMR was probably more durable, but still tended to break with enough use. This was addressed by the release of the more durable RMR Type 2 (though mine still eventually needed repair. Seems like Trijicon had a bad batch of battery contacts in 2019).

Thanks for the great information

 

[44MOshooter]

Not a 44mag or larger butbought a lighter DW 15-2 8" 357mag with a 8" barrel and 4" I bought back in '76 when I turned 21 . When Ultra Dot released there rd dots for sale I ordered a 2moa 1" dot in early '91 . It was mounted on a Beuhler base and rings and remained in place for 20 years .

MY loads were home rolled 170gr sp at 1412fps and a 180gr hc at 1398fps . I spent my first 42 years in SW FL and hunted mainly hogs in a mixed pine and cypress area close to home and in the Fakahatchee Strand area were a group hunting buddy's built a camp but also shot a lot in general with a range at home and with buddys at bowling pins in the south blocks of golden gate .

With the right target shooting from a bench with a aim point sized a bit larger than the 2moa dot I use to be able to place 6 rounds of the 170gr sp in side a 4" group at 100 yards . I finally stopped hunting with my revolver and swapped over to DW 4" barrel and shroud a couple years back and run standard adjustable sights again .That first Ultra Dot lasted 20 years . Turn off one time after hunt and that was it , never worked again but 20 years is a long run for a dot optic ! I did buy another 2moa Ultra Dot but it has been used less after moving to NC mountains I tried it on a well seasoned H&R12ga slug gun for hunting in certain states but really needed a scope . Picked up a 44mag barrel for the H&R and mounted it on that . Still works today but rarely use it now .

Thanks for the reply and great information

 

[44MOshooter]

Unfortunately I'll have to dissent from some of these brand recommendations. If you're anticipating shots at distance do some research on parallax issues with UltraDot and the RMR style dots. Aimpoint makes parallax free red dots that are perfect for what you're wanting.

Thanks I'll do some additional research
Thanks again

 

[44MOshooter]

TRR8 M327 357 Magnum with an old Pentax red dot.

Thanks for the information, looks like that Pentax is doing a fine job.
Great looking rig!

 

[44MOshooter]

Burris Fastfire III dots on many S&Ws in my accumulation. Never an issue with any of them after years of use. They also have a lifetime no questions asked warranty.

Thanks for posting,
I have a brand new Burris Fastfire III, I'm going to mount it on the 44 or 460 and see how it works for me.
Great looking stable there

 

[44MOshooter]

Back in 1989 I mounted an early Aimpoint 2000 model red dot on my 8 3/8" Smith Wesson Model 29. Hunted deer with it for many years successfully and still have the gun to this day. It has held up just fine to the recoil and holds a zero after 36 years. I would recommend a quality optic like Aimpoint and you should be fine. PS...deer hunting with a handgun is a challenge and very exciting when you fill your tag! Good luck!

Thanks for the information
I remember those Aimpoints from that time period, what a testament holding zero for 36 years!

I started handgun hunting back in 74' with H&R Sportsman model 999 22lr. for small game.
In the early 90's I scoped my 629-2 with a Burris 2X, that Burris did not like the 44 mag, blowing out seals and part of the reticle?
Burris promptly repaired the scope and sent it back under warranty

 

[44MOshooter]

I've ran a Holosun "RMR" type dot on a light weight (model 69) 44 mag with HOT 310gr loads for ~500-700 rounds before pulling it off based on preference, another 800-1000 rounds on a 629 before changing to a Leupold scope based on preference, and now it resides on my 480 Ruger. The 480 Ruger is shooting 400gr loads at 1090fps or my custom molded 475gr loads at just over 1000fps. I have about 2500 rounds through that. Thus far the optic and mount has not shown any signs of wear or had any reliability issues whatsoever.

Thanks for all the great information
That 480 Ruger is a hand cannon, sounds like a lot of fun
Thanks again

 

[44MOshooter]

Now that I'm not a kid any more, I find eliminating the third focal plane makes life a bit easier. I'm surprised I dont have more of these.

That's a very nice rig, thanks for posting

 

[44MOshooter]

After all the awesome information
I will probably plan on starting with the 629-2 and the Burris Fastfire III since I already have a new one in the box, I also have a Vortex Sparc that's also new in the box. The only thing I will need is a quality picatinny scope base for a red dot.

The S&W 460 already has a picatinny rail, but I think I'll start with one of my 629's, either the-2 or -3 44 magnum?

S&W 629-2


S&W 629-3


S&W 460 Magnum PC 7.5" barrel w/ Leupold VX III 2.5-8 X 36


Thanks again everyone!

 

[Beju]

After all the awesome information
I will probably plan on starting with the 629-2 and the Burris Fastfire III since I already have a new one in the box, I also have a Vortex Sparc that's also new in the box. The only thing I will need is a quality picatinny scope base for a red dot.

The S&W 460 already has a picatinny rail, but I think I'll start with one of my 629's, either the-2 or -3 44 magnum?

S&W 629-2
View attachment 786295

S&W 629-3
View attachment 786296

S&W 460 Magnum PC 7.5" barrel w/ Leupold VX III 2.5-8 X 36
View attachment 786317

Thanks again everyone!

I believe the Fastfire uses the Docter footprint. EGW makes a direct red dot mount for that footprint that replaces the rear sight leaf (SKU 49319). I have the RMR footprint version that I mounted a 507 Comp to a 686 with. The only downside is that it doesn't cover the front screw hole. I used a setscrew to plug the hole to reduce gas making my dot's front lens dirty.

Allchin has some nice mounts, but I don't think that they have a non-J frame mount compatible with the Docter footprint.