Used Simmons Handgun 1.5 X 4

[berettaprofessor]

Saw a used Simmons Handgun scope for sale, 1.5-4X, and I can't find out much about it although it looked interesting. Good shape and priced at $100. Anyone have any experience with one and is that a decent price? I also know where there's a used 2-6X Bushnell Elite Handgun Scope for sale for $150, but not as sure of its condition.

 

[Varminterror]

The only Simmons 1.5-4x handgun scope I remember was the old Japanese made Gold Medal series, and they were quite good. My only concern would be the age, they’re really old by now, so seals and purging may be an issue. For $100, I’d turn the dials and make sure things moved and take a chance on it.

$150 for a Bushnell Elite Handgun scope in good shape is a great deal too. Kinda jealous on that one.

 

[berettaprofessor]

The Simmons was clear in the shop. Doesn't mean it wouldn't fog up somewhere else, but it looked okay. Varminterror do you know what they originally sold for?

 

[Varminterror]

The Simmons was clear in the shop. Doesn't mean it wouldn't fog up somewhere else, but it looked okay. Varminterror do you know what they originally sold for?

I don’t recall, but knowing they predated the ProHunter line of scopes (like the 2-6x pistol scope I have) which were in the $125-150 ballpark, AND that the old Gold Medal line was made in Japan, rather than Korea of the PH line, AND recalling the Bushnell Elite 2-8x was $250 around that time and typically the Bushnells were a little more expensive than the Simmons - I would have to guess they were probably in the $200-250 ballpark. But those prices are old enough, they would likely be in the $250-300 price point today (I sure would hope not $350, but MAYBE). So $100 for the Simmons, as long as the seals are good, you’re getting more than the $150 Bushnell Trophy pistol scope, as an example.

 

[berettaprofessor]

Thank you. Guess I’m buying a used handgun scope tomorrow. Who knows, maybe there’s a Black Friday deal!

 

[Steve in PA]

I have several Bushnell Elite handgun scopes. They are excellent scopes.

 

[berettaprofessor]

Well, I hate to be a glutton, but I bought them both. As you can see below, the Simmons is already on a Ruger Mark III target and it's made a new gun of it. This used to be my least favorite 22, but a Volquartsen sear changed the trigger pull to 2# and now this...the only thing I'll do to improve it is to order some nice glossy black rings, maybe QD (sorry, the matte black Weavers were the only ones I had). Even better, the Simmons was at a Pawn and Gun that I frequent and the owner, when I told him I came back for it, gave it to me for $80 instead of $100, without me asking.

The Bushnell elite, for now, is on the Browning. Not sure I'll leave it there. Varminterror, if I ever sell it, I'll think of you first.

 

[Varminterror]

I was ALMOST gonna ask where they were located, if you weren’t going to buy the Bushnell. The calculus was actually a bit frustrating - I’ve been deliberating with my wife whether to get my son a new Mark IV Competition for Christmas (tapping harder a keg we always drain rather dry every Christmas anyway, which is also getting hammered by my wife’s new photo/video editing computer, and my ELR rifle build) and getting him the pistol would somewhat dictate a need for such a quality scope, but also compete for some funding… so it’s a good thing you bought it!

I love the way you put this - a good scope can “make a new gun out of [a familiar pistol].”

 

[berettaprofessor]

Hey, you knew where the Bushnell was...same as the earlier thread. I've been waiting for you to grab it for weeks and then, when you didn't, decided I should save it for the two of us

Anyway, I've got a lot to learn and I appreciate the advice about the Simmons. Definitely the better buy for that gun. I buy quite a few scopes used...usually any Leupold I can snatch up. Nobody ever sells a Nightforce used, so I've got to pick around a little. Heck, what do I know...the same shop as the Bushnell had a used Hi-Lux Scout scope for $100 and I was amazed how clear it was....but those are still made and you can get a new one for $139 off Amazon if I get desperate for one.