Questions on scoping a handgun

[Harry Stone]

Yesterday I stopped by the local shop to see what a Ruger MKIII would run me. They just happened to have the exact model I was asking about so it's on hold now. It's the 5.5" bull barrel.

I'm going to put a scope on it, and I think it's going to be a Burris 2-7. The overall length of the gun is 9.75" and the scope is 9.75" too. If I mount the scope flush with the muzzle, will that cause a problem with powder residue on the objective, or blast the finish off the bottom of the scope or anything? I've never scoped a pistol before so I don't know. Thanks for any help.

[OH25shooter]

If I mount the scope flush with the muzzle, will that cause a problem with powder residue on the objective
My bet is yes.

Also keep in mind, any scope on a handgun is added weight. The feel is entirely different. Have you handled a scoped handgun? I scoped my Ruger 22/45. Took it off after one shooting session at the range. They're just a personal thing.

[JohnKSa]

Have you already got the scope? A 2x7 scope on a .22 handgun seems like MASSIVE overkill.

If I were going to scope a handgun, I'd start looking at red-dot sights. Unless you're going to be shooting from a rest exclusively, I think you'll be plenty happy with a zero magnification optical aiming device.

[Legionnaire]

I'm with JohnKSa. 2-7 power is way overkill on a .22. I'd put a scope like that on an Encore, maybe. A red dot is where I'd start, or maybe a 2X.

Check eye relief before you buy if you can. Not all handgun scopes are equal in this regard. That's another advantage of a red dot. No worries about eye relief.

[Harry Stone]

It will be a range gun, but yeah now that I think about it all the way up to 7 power is a bit much on a handgun, although I do plan on shooting from a rest at longer ranges mostly.

Will the dot on a dot sight cover the bullseye on a pistol target at 50 yards?

[steveno]

I had a gunsmith mount the Ruger scope mount that uses their rings on a Ruger government with the 6.875 bull barrel. I have a Leupold 2x mounted on it. it also allows me to take the scope off and use the iron sights and not loose the zero of the scope. I think that a 2x scope is the most that one would want. a 2x scope is tough to hold shooting off hand and a 7x would be impossible to hold on target

[Harry Stone]

Speaking of overkill, I found this on another site:

http://img500.imageshack.us/img500/3162/volquartsenburris832x447aw.jpg

The guy who owns this had Burris modify this 8-32x scope for focus distance (I hope eye relief too) and he uses it for 100 yards.

I think I found a better solution anyway, Weaver makes a 1.5-4 power scope that would probably suit me better. Even 4x might be a lot, but I'll be shooting from a rest so I think it's doable. I can't believe so many manufacturers make scopes with more than 2x magnification if no one can use them. I guess I'll find out. Wish me luck. :)

[JohnKSa]

If you really plan to use it mostly at longer ranges and over a rest, then my earlier remarks probably aren't all that relevant.

[Standing Wolf]

If you put a scope on a pistol, you're going to end up with powder residue on the front lens: it comes out of the muzzle and swirls.

I use a camera lens cleaning cloth to wipe it off. The cloth usually lasts about a year, and costs around $5.00.

[Jbar4Ranch]

Some scopes get dirty faster than others. :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v93/jbar4ranch/MrShorty2.jpg

[xring44]

I have a 2 1/2 X 8 Leupold on a 629 PC .44 mag., a straight 4X leupold on a 657 S&W and the rest are equipped with red dot sights,,,all have longer barrels, I have had no problems with residue on the objective lens,,,I like the variable power on the .44 for hunting, I leave it on 2 1/2 X,,but have the option of turning it up with a good solid rest or to see bullet holes in paper.
Granted, even 4X will show your wobble, but I do like it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/xring/bbb.jpg

[2k5Adam]

Just for my own amazement, why on earth would you scope a handgun?

Unless you're hunting big game with it, theres really no point..but thats just my two cents.

[xring44]

I scope them because at my age, I can't focus on the rear/front and target at he same time,,,plus I hunt'em.

[2k5Adam]

I scope them because at my age, I can't focus on the rear/front and target at he same time...plus I hunt'em.

Thats understandable. *thumbs up to you*

[6inch]

If it's any help, I have that pistol and use an Ultra-Dot 30 w/ the SoLow mounting system. Couldn't be happier!

Check'm out. :)

[borrowedtime69]

i have two scoped ruger 22/45's:

http://www.hunt101.com/img/344482.jpg

This one as you can see is scoped with a Simmons 4X. it shoots very well, i use it for squirrels. get 0.30" groups at 25 yards with it. im happy. i will use this gun for shooting from 15-45 yards comfortably.

i also have a ruger 22/45 MK II with 4" BBL that i had fitted with a tasco propoint reddot scope for taking game from 10-20 yards. thats as far as i could trust my aim with a 1X magnification on it. also the red dot does tend to hide the prey if its too far away.

i scope my hunting handguns cause my vision isnt up to par, plus, i think a scope on a pistol makes it look pretty cool and sexy! :scrutiny: -Eric

[charliemopic]

I scope them because at my age, I can't focus on the rear/front and target at he same time,,,plus I hunt'em.
Same with me, I can't see things up close.
Last summer I bought this Weaver QwikPoint and AimPoint mount (See pic). I used it briefly on my 1911 and liked it's ease of use and accuracy but the mount will not stay tight on the gun. This Qwik Point has a red dot that once zeroed the bullet impact will be where the red spot is. I guess thats what is called a red dot aiming system. Ok.
When I bought my Taurus Tracker .357 with a 6.5 inch barrel I also bought the Taurus scope mount which I shouldn't have done bcuz there is a better lighter, less expensive scope mount for this gun now available.
I don't know much about these things so I was wondering if someone can tell me if this Weaver Qwik Point with its 11 brightness setting is a good one? Is a red dot for close range only?
Thanks.

[Matt Dillon]

Folks, I have a friend who has a model 19 S&W .357 Magnum with a 6" barrel. He was wondering how much it would cost and how difficult it would be to obtain a scope mount for this pistol. It would be nice to remove it without changing the point of aim. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[22-rimfire]

I would look at a Red Dot on the Ruger Mark II bull barrel or a 2x scope. You probably want to shoot fast (at times) and the red dot lends itself more for this application. It is also probably quicker to line up the target too than a scope.

[Skipper]

A big +1 on the 2X. Marriage made in heaven. For speed work the red dot is good.
SKIP

[Q-Lock]

I'm getting an UltraDot red dot site next month for my ruger mkII as a birthday present. It will be used for bullseye shooting once I "officially" get into the sport. From everything I've read, UltraDot is the best way to go. The model I am getting is approx. $179 and it has 2, 4, 6 & 8 MOA sized dots (match dot model). imho this is the best way to go for your mkIII pistol! Hopefully some of this information will help you.

Quinten

[JoeHatley]

Matt Dillon,

If your friend's model 19 is already factory drilled an tapped(it probably isn't), a mount for $30 from www.jackweigand.com will fit right on. If a gun smith has to drill and tap the holes they are going to charge $10 --> $15 per hole.

It would end up looking something like this.

http://www.iowatelecom.net/~hatley/15_6l.jpg



Good Luck...

Joe

[Standing Wolf]

Just for my own amazement, why on earth would you scope a handgun?

When your eyes get to be as old as mine, you'll understand red dot sights, too.

[Harry Stone]

Well, for giggles I put a BSA red dot sight on the gun last night. I saw it for cheap at the local wally world and couldn't resist giving it a try. I still think I want magnification but at 25 yards the red dot seems like cheating because it works so well. Here's the results of today's shooting:

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/7199/rugerdot3qp.jpg

[JoeHatley]

Ruger and BSA makes for a good combination.

http://www.iowatelecom.net/~hatley/mkii_r.jpg

Enjoy...

Joe