A Question about Revolver Scopes

[Mike-SoCal]

I have a couple of Dan Wesson .357 revolvers, one a large frame with a 4" barrel and a second with a SuperMag frame and a 6" barrel weighing in at 62 ozs. I've been unsuccessful in trying to sell the latter, so I'm thinking, for variety's sake, that it might fun to add a scope on the 6 incher. The purpose would be for plinking only - busting objects at 50-100+ yards - no hunting or precision shooting involved.

I generally shoot shotguns and, unfortunately, know nothing about scoping a handgun. I'd appreciate any advice on 1) whether it's even worth looking into buying a scope considering the intended use and 2) If worthwhile, some recommendations at different quality/price levels on what best might fit my needs now and potentially down the line. Thanks for any help.

Mike

 

[popeye]

Since no one else responded I'll give it a shot. Is the gun already drilled n tapped for a base? If not the cost must be considered. Out to 50 yds. I like a red dot scope. Beyond that a standard 2X pistol scope would be better.

 

[VictorLouis]

Without spendig an arm and a leg...

www.cdnninvestments.com has some cheap Chinese NcStar EER(pistol) scopes for less than $40. I'm pleased with the one I bought. If it works out for you, you could always upgrade to something of quality on down the line.

 

[444]

I think it is definitely worthwhile. I own one handgun with a scope. I bought it just for that purpose, in fact I bought it with the scope already on it. I enjoy shooting tight groups on paper with it. To many, with a short attention span, this may seem boring, nothing exploding etc. But, shooting a tiny group is much more of an accomplishment.
Don't mickey mouse it. Buy a good mount, buy a good scope, and if it isn't already drilled/tapped have it done by a good reputable gunsmith. Scopes and scope mounts are not the place to try to save some money; anything worth doing at all is worth doing right. `

 

[Stainz]

Several years ago, I had to have a Super Redhawk in .454 Casull, and that new revolver became my first DA. I did shoot some of those neat rounds before I switched over to my .45 Colt 'cowboy' rounds for plinking. It was fun, but prebsbyopia had taken it's toll - I couldn't see those sights. EABrown had a sale on Weaver H2 2X28mm SS handgun scopes ($84!) about then - I ordered one. Wow! I could get 1.5" groups at 50yd - great for me! The SRH had some nice rings included - and did that make a difference in sighting, even though it was but 2X. Santa brought me another Ruger - a KMK-678GC (MKII) - my only evil bottom-feeder. It also came with rings - and a mount. Another call to EABCO - another Weaver scope. They work great. Oddly, the MKII's shakes loose - the SRH's doesn't! Blue loctite...

Many folks like the red dots. They do have a theoretically infinite eye relief - unless you want to see that dot. Often, you have to 'hunt'. Red dots are great for competition, or so I have been told. Another word to differentiate between the low power handgun optical scopes and red dots - battery(ies)! They tend to go flat at the wrong time - usually when Wally World is out, too. I endorse a low fixed-power optical handgun scope for plinking - it will always be 'ready'. And.. that $200 Weaver is still a bargain! I sure hope you have - or can get - a good mount. All recent S&W's with adjustable sights can be fitted with a mount, perhaps one is available for your DW.

Stainz

 

[bountyhunter]

One point: having a scope doesn't make the gun wobble less when you're holding it, but the picture will look more wiggly if there is magnification. A red dot gives you a true 1X image of the target and you can shoot with both eyes open and focused on the target. IMO, a red dot with a freehand hold on a pistol will give you targeting accuracy that exceeds one's ability to hold the gun steady. Off a bench rest, a magnifying scope might make sense.

As for batteries: the Ultra Dot red dot scopes battery life is hundreds of hours (really). I've shot mine almost every week for two years and I'm still on the original battery. Some probably eat batteries but the good ones don't.

 

[Peter Gun]

I second the red dot for the reasons above^.
I had a 2x scope on my SRH .44 and found that it was impossible to hold still enough w/ out a good rest. I have a c-more red dot now which works great. I espescially like being able to shoot w/ both eyes open as I wear contacts that can get distorted when holding one eye closed. I am also on the same battery for 18 months and I still only use the dimmer settings.
If you plan on shooting multiple targets or moving targets, the red dot is a much better option.

 

[444]

The handgun I bought with a scope is a S&W 686 with an 8 3/8" barrel. It came with a 4X scope on it. As bountyhunter mentions, it seemed like you were holding a conductor's baton. I had great difficulty shooting it offhand, although I think if you really practiced with it a lot, you could master it. I have since replaced the scope with a 2X and it doesn't appear to move around as much. Be aware that the gun is moving the same amount with either scope or the iron sights; it is just more appearent with the 4X scope. Both scopes are Leupold.
I also have a Ruger MK.II with a Tasco red dot on it. It takes some real getting used to, but once you get used to it, it is extremly accurate. It shoots better than I can with iron sights. If I am not mistaken, a lot of very serious bullseye shooters use red dots. For them, the accuracy is pretty much up to the potential of the gun, so I don't think you are giving anything up by using a red dot.
If you are just looking for a plinker, the red dot might be a better choice. I enjoy owning both, but I primarily shoot the scope on paper.

 

[bountyhunter]

"If I am not mistaken, a lot of very serious bullseye shooters use red dots. For them, the accuracy is pretty much up to the potential of the gun, so I don't think you are giving anything up by using a red dot."

That's correct. Those guys shoot 3" groups at 50 yards (using one hand no less).

 

[B27]

I'm a BIG fan of the Leupold Gilmore electronic sights and have three of them on three six inch S&W revolvers. This one's an older 686...