Red-Dot on father's .22 revolver -- need help!

[at-home-daddy]

I'm looking to get a red-dot for my father for Christmas...it'll be put on his S&W .22 revolver (model 617 4"); this will, I hope, solve the problem he's been having with sighting in with his tri-focals. Initial queries, taking in my budget of $50 to $70, suggested that I need a Weaver mount base (#401s) and recommended a Bushnell (which, on sale, falls within the upper limits of my budget).

A couple questions:

1). Will a red-dot in fact solve the dilemma...or would I better off looking at a small magnification scope instead? I must admit, I do like the red-dot idea...but does it truly address my father's problem better than a standard scope? (And I assume, correctly I hope, since he shoots at no more than 25 yards I should keep the red-dot MOA to 4-6...?)

2). Is the Bushnell the way to go? There's certainly a myriad of red-dot sights for less (and for more) -- but I don't want to scrimp and find the dot parallax suffering and less than clear, strong and visible. Is it truly the best bang for the buck, the best value...or are there other similar (in quality and performance) options for less, and what are they?

Thanks in advance for your help...

 

[DougCxx]

---All red-dots have parallax error, because they do not have the ability to focus the dot and the target separately. At least, all the ones I've seen. To get rid of parallax, they would need some method to allow adjusting the apparent parallax range of the dot to the same range as the targets you were shooting at.

---Red-dots help a lot, even though they have usually no magnification. Most non-shooters I have taken shooting are helped tremendously by a dot, compared to regular pistol sights. The main concern you should have is if the gun will be used indoors or outdoors. The BSA $30 30mm dot for example works fine indoors, but many people say its tube is not long+dark enough/dot is not bright enough for outdoor use; outdoors on a sunny day you can just barely see the dot on its brightest setting. If you only shoot indoors, I'd say try the BSA. If you want a dot that shows up well when used outdoors, you will need to spend some money.
~

 

[at-home-daddy]

outdoors[/i], you will need to spend some money.
~

Thanks for the info. It would be used for both, but primarily outdoors. What would be an alternative for outdoor use then...would the Bushnell be a wise choice? Or others...?

 

[Gillster]

I like the Tasco PDP red dot sights, the ones they made before Bushnell bought them out. Do you use Ebay at all? I have purchased 2 PDP4's and one PDP5 off of Ebay in your price range in the last several months. The PDP4's use two batteries and the dot is clearly visible even on the brightest Texas days. I've tried the BSA'a and the new Tasco's and they are hard to find on a sunny day. If you can't find a suitable sight, PM me. I think I could let a 4 go within your budget.

 

[at-home-daddy]

Thanks, I'll check eBay -- hadn't thought of that.

Still need to some research on Bushnell vs. Tasco vs. UltraDot vs. Weaver, etc. But if Tasco seems to be the direction I begin to head, I'll be sure to PM you on that offer...thanks.

Any other brand opinions/experience from anyone else?

 

[Gillster]

Is the top stap on your fathers revolver already drilled and tapped for a scope mount? If it's not you might need to go with a Bsquare type mount or have it drilled and tapped. Let us know how it turns out.