Optics newbie questions

[ss]

What exactly are red dots? I know about the standard magnifying scopes where you see a cross hair.

I've heard about red dots. What are the different kinds of optics out there and in which instances would they suit best?

I have Browning Buckmark Standard and a S&W 617. What kind of optics can I mount on them and what would be preferred for informal target shooting like at paper and inanimate objects or maybe even small game out to 50 yards.

I also have been reading about drilling and tapping. What exactly is that and do my target guns have them?

What mounting options do the new S&W M41 have?

Lastly, with the optics, are there knobs to adjust for elevation and left/right sighting since the scope sits so high above the gun, you'd have to adjust for different distances, don't you? I guess I'm most interested in red dots unless you think I should get something different.

 

[makarov]

Red dot scopes don't really magnify anything they just place a glowing red dot over the target. There are windage and elevation knobs to get them dialed in. Mounts are available for most guns. I believe there are "no drill" mounts for both of your guns. The 617 may require removing the rear sight.

If you are a novice shooter I would STRONGLY encourage you to learn how to use the iron sights. Start at 10 yards or so and work on your sight picture, trigger control and really learn how to shoot. The red dot might make it easier, but the gun becomes much clunkier with it on. I went through the same thing initially with my Ruger - thought I wanted a 2x scope, mounted it up and the gun just wasn't as practical. Went back to standard sights. Picked up a Browning Medalist that I like even better. Shooting open sights is also great practice for my CZ-85 Combat. With practice you will get good groups without optics.

 

[B27]

The gun on the bottom is a 617 with a Leupold Gilmore red dot sight on it. (Top is a 686)
I REALLY love this set up. It let's me shoot easily with both eyes open and hit things regularly farther away than I now can with my lousy eyes.
If it were not for these sights I just would not be able to enjoy pistol shooting the way I did when my eyes were younger.

 

[B27]

Side view but the picture is a little too dark...

 

[Standing Wolf]

I have Ultra Dots http://www.ultradotusa.com/ud_home.html on several of my .22 caliber pistols, and haven't ever had a problem with any of them. In fact, I'm still using the original battery on my first Ultra Dot, now at least four or five years old.

My pre-agreement Smith & Wesson model 617 is a plinker rather than a match pistol, and a bit heavy for what's left of my wrist, but a reasonably good shooter.

 

[B27]

Wolf-
What is that sorta cone shaped rear eyepiece I see on your Ultra Dot? I've seen those in pictures before.
I have a 30mm Ultra Dot on a Trailside and mine does not have that.
Thanks!

 

[ss]

B27:

What did you have to do to mount the ultradot onto your 617?

 

[Tman]

Question about dirty lenses?

For those red dot users, do you need some type of filter or lens to protect against dirt or powder mucking up the lenses?

 

[B27]

ss-
All I did was go to www.brownells.com and pick out one of the bases offered for factory predrilled S&W revolvers. Then you just remove the rear sight, which is held on with one screw, and this exposes the three holes already drilled and tapped there.
Attach the base with the screws it came with and mount your sight. The Leupold Gilmores come with their own rings cause the tubes are hexagonal in shape and this eliminates any possibility of the sight being canted in it's rings.
Simple! I dood it!
That particualr one is an EGW...
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=6136

But my S&W 648 has a scope mounted on a Weigand Combat base and they are also excellent.

 

[Standing Wolf]

What is that sorta cone shaped rear eyepiece I see on your Ultra Dot?

It's just a rubber glare shade that pops on and off. If your Ultra Dot didn't include one, you might send an E-mail message to the company to ask whether it would send you a replacement.

As for lenses getting dirty: they do, indeed. I clean red dot scope lenses with Windex and tissues and cotton swabs to get the edges clean, then go over them with a camera lens cloth. It takes about three minutes per scope per trip to the range.

 

[B27]

Thanks Standing Wolf.

 

[Tman]

Standing Wolfe:
Thanks from me, too!