scopes - on a revolver???

[RossMatt]

Gents,

I have a TRR8 that I am using primarily as a bedside/HD gun. Secondarily for range/farm fun and target shooting.

Right now, I don't have any flashlight, laser, or optics on it - and although they aren't 100% necessary, I am thinking about adding a set-up to aid in target id/acquisition in a 'worst case' scenario.

After a bunch of research, I am leaning towards a red-dot optic and separate streamlight TLR-1 in lieu of a laser/light combo.

The thought is, I can take the light off and use the red-dot in target practice for me, and to teach my wifey more efficiently.

I was sold on Viridian for so long and am now changing my thoughts.

I do know that some of you aren't into mounting anything on a revolver, but the TRR8 was made for this, and was part of the reason I got it. I also know that there are those that believe that mounting a flashlight on a gun is a bad idea.

any reactions to my reasoning on the optic versus the laser?

 

[sar4937]

In a worst case scenario, you will barely have time to turn the red-dot on. Tritium night sights would be better, and don't forget low flash ammo.

 

[roundgunner]

I have quite a few guns equipped with Crimson Trace and recommend them all the time. Not having time to turn them on becomes a non issue, they come on as soon as you get a proper grip.

I think even in bright daylight they work for my eyes. I find it hard to see the front site and the rear is of course worse. I can see everything well from 15 feet to infinity. When I compete I use glasses that focus right on the front sight but then the target is tough. When I go about daily life I use the variable progressive lenses, but when shooting it takes a long time to find the sights.

With the Crimson Trace I can focus on the target look down the barrel, the sights are there but pretty fuzzy but the dot is right where the round is going. I can see the dot on the brightest days to 15 or 20 yards. If I got in trouble beyond that range I guess I have a bit more time to find the sweet spot in my glasses and will use the iron sights.

I recommend them to all my students and friends. My wife and daughter have them on their guns too.

Better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them.

I wish they made a more compact grip for the N frame, I had to cut down the Hog Hunter on my 629 for carry. I would buy 3 more if they would.

I think you should practice with them in daylight doing lots of target transitions and weak hand, strong hand shooting. I like to keep fiber optics on my 629 also, if it is too bright out to see the dot, the fibers ought to be jumping right out at ya.
For my in the house gun I keep an M&P with the light & laser combo for my wife and myself. If you keep your finger off the trigger a light laser handgun should give a real advantage to a practiced homeowner.

I have this same setup on a M&P 45 with an extended magazine (14+1) but no pix yet.

 

[scooter123]

Here's another option, the J Point Reflex. As you can see I like them enough to have purchased 3 of them. However, while I think that they are an excellent value they do come with some minor compromises so you should read the link to my review to get all the pluses and minuses.

Link to my range report.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/155300-purchased-2-more-j-point-reflex-sights-range-report.html

PS, I've been tuning on the 620 recently and last time out shot a 1.75 inch group from a benchrest at 35 yards. That aint too bad for an old man who can't focus on handgun sights any more and if I could stop throwing flyers I just might get it under an inch.

 

[roundgunner]

I have one of those too.

I like it a lot, for bowling pin competition they are so fast, they do have to be turned on / uncovered to work, and holsters could be an issue, but not for the house gun.

I use the less expensive Ultra Dots too.