Cheap pistol scopes for use as scout scope?

[AlexI]

I know, I know, buying cheap optics is a waste of money and all that...

But, I'm looking for some really cheap pistol scope to experiment with, using it as a scout scope on a surplus Mauser. I am not going to fight or hunt with this rifle/scope, so when (and if) it finally breaks - I will just buy a good scope (and by then I will be able to decide if it has to be a scout or a regular scope).
All I need from it is to hold its zero for a while and not shake to pieces after the first shots...

I did a search of the forums and found a couple of posts where guys reported they were quite happy with NC Star 2x pistol scopes mounted as scout scopes (one on a Mauser, another on a Swiss K31?).
These are REALLY cheap, something like $30 with rings.

Any comments on these NC Star scopes (2x or 2.5x)? Anything else under $50?

Thank you.
Alex.

 

[ojibweindian]

I was at the range a few weeks ago and had the opportunity to send a few rounds downrange out of an NEF .450 Marlin with a 4x NC Star scope. The scope seemed okay to me.

 

[GigaBuist]

The NC Start 4x32mm scope was recommended by "Darrell" ([email protected]) for my MN M44 so I went with that one. I know NOTHING about optics though. It was $50 bucks for the illuminated version.

Seems solid. I haven't put it through it's paces yet but once I get the thing sighted in I'll let you all know if the scope really sucks and keeps losing zero. If the M44 won't knock it loose, well, it's gotta be pretty good

 

[Okiecruffler]

Right now I have 3 NcStars, 2 2x's and one 4X. One of my 2X's I've had for a few years now, it's done duty on a yugo mauser, a M44 mosin, and every contender barrel I own. It currently sits on a 10 inch 357 mag barrel. The other 2X is on my 223 barrel and the 4X has taken up a place on my 30-30 AI barrel. No problems with the scopes themselves yet, but you will need new rings, the ones they come with are barely adaquate for rimfires.

 

[AlexI]

Thanks for the replies, sounds like NC Star will work for me.
What is so wrong with rings, though? Are they twisted, or can not be tightened properly for some reason, or just too weak to hold against recoil?

Alex.

 

[Okiecruffler]

The rings are cheapo tin can material. The nuts and bolts strip if you try to tighten them adaquately. And on my bases, they sit the scop eoff to one side or the other. I've got a pair of them on my 22 Striker with a Simmons rifle scope and they seem to be okay on it so far. Everything else has Leupold verticle split rings that you can get from Wally world for about 11 bucks. They work just fine, but I am using 3 on my 44mag and the 30-30 AI.