Scope for Revolver

I've only used Simmons handgun scopes (2x and 4x) and a Burris handgun scope (2x).

The Burris has much better glass than the Simmons. I haven't busted a Simmons due to recoil yet, but the hardest use they got was on centerfire rifles for forward mounting. One rifle is chambered for .308 and the other for 7.5x55 Swiss. Same goes for the Burris, it was used as a "scout" scope for a short while.

I probably wouldn't put a Simmons on a Super Redhawk unless you already own that Simmons. The Burris is much better at reducing reflections to your eye. It's hard to see through a scope if it is full of glare.

I have hunted with a Taurus Raging Bull .454 for many years. It has destroyed many scopes, to many cheap ones to remember.

Go ahead and spend the money and get the Leupold. You will be glad you did!

https://leupold.factoryoutletstore....2.5-8x 32mm VX-3 Handgun Scope - Duplex 67825

I once tried a (2X IIRC) scope on my BlackHawk .41mag and didn't like it. It made the revolver too bulky to carry, for me, cause it wouldn't fit a regular holster. Still have the scope and it's a good quality optic.

I have a Redhawk .44 mag. that wears a Leupold 2x m8. It was mounted in the late 80's and is still going strong. My hunting load is a Lee 310 gr. It is warranted for life.

Both have lifetime warranties, can you compare them side by side? Best glass wins.

I’ve been using the Leupold M8-2X Extended ER with a 357 and 41 mag with no problems. I’ve had both scopes for a long time. Adjustments are true and glass is great. I’d honestly have to look and see if they are still in production. Just my $.02.

Short version: the Leupold if you can afford it. The Burris if you can’t. The Simmons if you REALLY can’t. Any of these 3 will be very good.

I have a lot of pistol scopes, but not yet have I had the current production Weaver. With what else I have used in the market, I don’t expect that to change.

The Burris are low on my list for the limited internal adjustment. I wish they would have opted for a standard mil-dot for their 3-12x AO, as I don’t care for the BDC reticle. But the option of variable parallax is unique in a handgun scope, so I have a handful of them on long range revolvers and specialty pistols. I’ve coupled them with Burris Signature Zee rings to give me access to as much internal adjustment as possible. Very lazy on Burris’s part to give it such little adjustment, but they’re great scopes for the money.

The Simmons are inexpensive, so a guy can’t expect the best coatings nor all of the bells and whistles of some other models, but I can attest they’re as durable as anything else on the market, and as clear. One of my Pro-Hunter’s has ridden over the top of thousands of 1300-1400fps 300grn 44mag, a couple thousand 454c, and hundreds of 475line. Very happy with it, and I’ve really struggled to fault it against the Leupold VX3. For the money, it’s a fantastic optic. I’ve not noticed worse glare or fogging than anything else, but I’m pretty mindful of my set design for sun position. They hold zero. The click adjustments aren’t as positive as I would like, but I really haven’t found any of pistol scope to really be on par with a rifle scope in that regard.

The Leupold VX3, when found, is a great handgun scope. I’m not s huge fan of the FX-4x, but only because I find it to be “stuck” in the middle of uselessness, too much for offhand, but not enough for bench work. I’be absolutely hammered VX3’s with 454’s and 475’s, and they’ve all smiled back. If you can find older M8’s, snatch them up. The Leupold VX3 is my go-to handgun scope. Now if they would build me one in mil-dot, VX3i, with side focus!!

I got a pair of Bushnell Trophy handgun scopes last year to demo, the Simmons appears a little more refined, and there’s the slightest bit of lensing around the periphery at low magnification, but they’ve held up well and are very clear - and remarkably good coatings for the price point. One has been on top of a 44mag, only about 500rounds through it, the other was on top of a .243win Stryker pistol until I sent it for a new stock, now it’s on top of a .17HMR Taurus Tracker. For its price point, I’m very happy with them, but I do think the Simmons is a little better value.

The Nikon handgun scopes, like most any Nikon I have owned, just aren’t quite there. I often find myself smiling once when buying Nikons, because the prices are sometimes very good, but then I do a lot of crying... The quality and clarity is good, but the lensing edge effect induced as magnification increases really isn’t acceptable to me. If you don’t spend much time in the scope on each day, you’d be ok, but I usually end up with a pretty wicked headache after a day at the range with them. My eye fatigues quickly from trying to rectify the edge effect, and then I find myself with an ice pick digging through my brain. So no recommendation for the Nikons from me. Very well built scopes, decent tracking, good finish, but the most important part is visual quality. I don’t like to own scopes where I can’t use all of the magnification range without lensing...

If you’re open to red dots, take a long and hard look at Ultradot sights. They’re lacking the magnification of a telescopic optic for the longest range shooting, but despite a larger reticle subtension, precision certainly isn’t an issue for the Ultradots.

Second the Ultra-Dot, best kept secret in red dots. Had one on a Ruger SBH 44 mag. years ago, sold the pistol kept the red dot, damn near bullet proof. And they are affordable.

I've had a Bushnell 2-6x Trophy scope on my SRH .44 Magnum for over 25 years. I shoot nothing but heavy loads of 240 or 300 grain bullets. No issues, no complaints. I have other Bushnell scopes on my T/C Contenders.

I just added a Burris Fastfire 3 to my Super Blackhawk in .44 Magnum. With aging eyes, it's getting harder to see a crisp, clean front sight. I use the SBH when hunting where my shots are likely to be 50 yards and under.

I highly recommend a Leupold pistol scope. My (former) SRH in 480 Ruger wore a VX-II 2x20 for 8 years. Hundreds of 325gr and 400gr bullets went down the pipe and not one problem with the scope.

Another vote for the 2x 20mm Leupold. Have had one on a Ruger Redhawk 44 Mag. for seven years now. No trouble, no complaints. I'd recommend it also based on the experiences of other folks who have had them for years and were a big influence on why I purchased one.

one more vote for a Leupold have had a 2x on my Contender in 44 mage for a long time

Stubert said:

I have a Redhawk .44 mag. that wears a Leupold 2x m8. It was mounted in the late 80's and is still going strong. My hunting load is a Lee 310 gr. It is warranted for life.

Click to expand...

I have a srh 480 ruger with a 2x Leupold m8 also. I bought mine for around $200 on eBay seems like. You’ll ruin a cheap scope really fast.

The most violent handgun for an optic I have been around was a desert eagle pistol. Mine would only cycle full house loads. 1 shot broke the glass out of a cheap red dot. A BsA pistol scope made it 5 rounds. A Simmons hand gun scope from a pawn shop wouldn’t hold a zero after 20 or so. I sold it and bought a 460 Rowland 1911 and I’ve never been happier.
The 460 has a Millet red dot on it. Been through lots of rounds with no issues.

If your shooting off hand the red dot is better. From a bench or out the window of a stand with something to rest on I group better with the Leupold.

Jack B. said:

You saying Luopold . And not the others?

Click to expand...

None of the sub $100 scopes I have bought lasted long enough to see how I could group with them.

My opinion would be to buy a used Leupold. Looks like there is several m8’s on eBay right now. I’d bet one can be had for sub $200. One is ending 4 hours from now and is at 125. Zero doubt about the quality of it, zero doubt about a replacement if it did break. Zero doubt about being able to get you money back selling it if you don’t like it. You just can’t loose on one.

If a guy has money there is probably better options, but I’ve never used any of those.

Have 2 Burris's . A 2 power and 2x7 power. The eye relief shortens when you crank the magnification up on the 2x7. Many hundreds of rounds through both zero problems.

These days I do most of my optic-equipped revolver shooting with UltraDots. For a scope it's:

#1 Leupold

#2 Burris

Anything less is a roll of the dice.