Pistol/revolver scopes , what should a first time buyer get ?

[kamloops67]

Hello all ,
My vision has been steadily declining for years , it’s getting so my marksman ship is suffering (I’m 52-53 -not sure -I’d have to do the math LOL)
I think a scope might help
I’ve only ever tried a reflex style on a browning buckmark it seemed to be what I need (maybe?) but I have only shot one mag through an unfamiliar pistol ,so I’m not really sure
I’ve tried to do research but I’m overwhelmed by all the types of scopes and options available
I think I want a smaller dot like 3.25 MOA but not sure
Maybe I’d be better off with a cross wire type scope ?
Should the scope be magnified ? I read 1.5-2X is about the most I’d want
What mount is best ?
I would mostly be shooting target style but would want something also capable of faster shooting like steel challenge or duelling tree contests
The revolvers I want to mount a scope on first are a 5” 629 or 6” 617
Some of these scopes seem to cost as much as the gun I’d be putting it on .
I don’t mind paying for quality but how much quality do I need ? My head is spinning with questions ,so I’m asking advice from the forum , or at least would like to hear of your experiences

 

[k22fan]

You'll only be happy with a scope that works with your pistol held as far away from your face as you customarily hold it. Shooting two handed positions the pistol closer to your eyes that shooting one handed. Many scopes work at one distance but not the other. Experiment aiming with different brands or at least pay attention to the advertised eye relief.

 

[kamloops67]

I shoot almost exclusively two handed , is eye relief an issue with all types of scopes ?

I live in a smallish city in Canada , I don’t really have a store that I can go to ,to shop and compare

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

All my current scopes are on small cartridge T/C Contenders ( 22 Hornet & 221 Fireball). I just use somewhere around 2 or 3 power. Years ago I had s few nice Leupold and Burris hand Cannon scopes. On variable sc0pes the eye relief changed as the power changed! So I stick to fixed power now!

As I sit here typing I have a 2x20 Simmons with rings that I bought used at a LGS a couple months ago for $10. This is all I need for ground hogs and ground squirrels out to 150 to 200 yards.

With a fine enough dot, the no power Red Dot Scopes are good for me for 100 yards.

If you are getting into the IPSIC type of shooting, They spend more on optics than I spend on T/C barrels!

Ivan

 

[k22fan]

[...] is eye relief an issue with all types of scopes ? [...]

With all scopes that you look through the scope and place a reticle over the target yes. I have not owned a red dot type so I do not know about the different varieties.

I competed a lot in timed draw and shoot fast matches. I never saw a competitor use a traditional scope in that kind of match. Their field of view is too small so you couldn't acquire a sight picture fast enough and in many stages you'd only see a small amount of the target through one. Some competitors still use them in bullseye competition and they're allowed in some types of silhouette competition. If you haven't already then go watch the matches that are available locally and talk to the competitors about the optics they're using.

 

[75Vette]

I use a Burris FFIII 3 moa (on 6 revolvers) for IHMSA competition out to 200 meters. They work great for my 61 year old eyes. I also have a couple of Leupold M8 2x extended eye relief scopes. I like them because they don't add alot of unnecessary weight to the gun. They don't make these any more but can be found on ebay for around $200 & up.

 

[Protocall_Design]

Get one like 75Vette has on the top gun in the pic. Those red dot scopes are 1 power, meaning zero magnification. On a 1 power scope, eye relief is not an issue. You can have it as close or as far as you want with no problems. That one will do what you want to use it for.

 

[Boudiepitbull]

Years ago I bought a Simmons 4X pistol scope that I have had on a S&W 617. Even though there is no doubt that it's a cheap piece of glass, once dialed in, and with low recoil of a .22 you can do amazing things with it at 50 and 100 yards. I have to shoot off a bag. Off hand I just can't hold it steady. Maybe possible with a 2X but not with the field of view through a 4X jumping around. While the accuracy with the 617 is sometimes astounding, I did lose the spontaneity of casual plinking with a favorite revolver. The solution, of course, is to buy more revolvers...

 

[JOliver]

I have a couple that I love to plink with, A Ruger Mark II SLAB SIDE and a Smith 41 with both barrels the 7 3/8" has the scope both are as much fun as I can stand and if you're not hitting the target it's YOU both guns are remarkably accurate.
The scopes are older Leupolds that just simply work theyre M8s in 2 power and I LIKE them.

 

[kamloops67]

Thank you guys for your helpful responses
Between you all and YouTube I have a much clearer idea of what I want/need.
I am leaning toward the Burris fastfire 3 with an allchin mount
Also considering the halosun 507 with the solar panels and “shake awake” system but unsure of mount options on a revolver
The trijicon seems to be a mob favourite but also is the most expensive by far

 

[oddshooter]

Revolver scopes work for some people and do not work for others.

It takes a while to get used to the outer ring you get with magnification; with some never able to find the target. It also takes some time to get a feel for extended eye relief EER and your arm length.

I would suggest buying the cheapest used scope you can find and seeing what group you are in.
Scopes are a very personal thing. You don't ask others what shoe size they wear, because it has nothing to do with your feet. Get one to play with.

I like variable distance scopes with the longest EER available, but it took me several years to become proficient.

Prescut

 

[SS336]

I have used a Burris FF3 for a few years. I am called old by most people now. like 75vette, have used it in silhouette shooting. Rimfire instead of center fire. Out to a 110 yards worked fine.
Unlike a scope there doesn’t seem to be an eye relief problem and I am more aware of the surroundings with it. It is lighter and makes a nice tidy package.
It might be worth a try for you too.

 

[mtgianni]

I found that a scope aids accuracy and suffers in target acquisition. Other than my long range contenders, I don't have a scoped handgun. You might look hard at red dots.

 

[kamloops67]

Update : I just purchased a glock 48 with a riton x3 tactix red dot
Should be able to take delivery Monday or Tuesday
I’ve never owned a glock or a red dot before , I’m actually pretty new to autoloaders altogether haha
This should be a fun range trip as I’ll be trying out two other new to me S&Ws as well ,another 629 and a stainless 1911
I’d post pics if I could figure out how lol
Just wanted to let you guys that helped me know what I did with the information you shared
Thank you
I liked the red dot in the store , I’m sure it’ll be good at the range too

 

[Execpro]

I put a 1 power pistol scope on my Ruger Blackhawk 41 magnum and on a
Ruger Mark 2 with 4” bbl many years ago. I believe it was a Burris.
A low power scope will give you faster acquisition and a far more accurate shot than open sights. It was in the late 60’s and I believe it had a 1” tube.

 

[AzShooter]

I like the Allchin Mount with a C-More Railway sight and 12 MOA dot.

It all depends on what you want to do with your gun. Scope would make it mostly a bench rest gun while if you are shooting speed the largest dots available are more important.

 

[Bumpus13]

Hello all ,
My vision has been steadily declining for years , it’s getting so my marksman ship is suffering (I’m 52-53 -not sure -I’d have to do the math LOL)
I think a scope might help
I’ve only ever tried a reflex style on a browning buckmark it seemed to be what I need (maybe?) but I have only shot one mag through an unfamiliar pistol ,so I’m not really sure
I’ve tried to do research but I’m overwhelmed by all the types of scopes and options available
I think I want a smaller dot like 3.25 MOA but not sure
Maybe I’d be better off with a cross wire type scope ?
Should the scope be magnified ? I read 1.5-2X is about the most I’d want
What mount is best ?
I would mostly be shooting target style but would want something also capable of faster shooting like steel challenge or duelling tree contests
The revolvers I want to mount a scope on first are a 5” 629 or 6” 617
Some of these scopes seem to cost as much as the gun I’d be putting it on .
I don’t mind paying for quality but how much quality do I need ? My head is spinning with questions ,so I’m asking advice from the forum , or at least would like to hear of your experiences

I’d see an optometrist first and get new glasses so that I could see everything better, not just what’s in front of one muzzle.