Im kinda new to scoped handguns, as I've been looking for a scope for a xp-100 I have found that they seem to only be avaliable with less options than rifle scopes. I'm looking for a variable power (3x -9x), with paralax adjustment, and turrets that are re-setable to zero after sighting in. Does anyboby make what I'm looking for?
Handgun Scope Options
- Thread starter KyWildcat
- Start date
OkieCruffler
New member
Burris makes the 3-12X which is highly thought of and you will pay out the nose for one. Leopold also makes some fine handgun scopes. Or, depending on what you're chambered in and how you are shooting you may be able to mount a rifle scope.
The Nikon Monarch 2.5-8 was a nice scope but it couldn't hold up to some of my reloads in my S&W PC 460. I knocked the reticle out of two of them. I switched to the Burris 3-12 and so far it seems to be holding up but I've only put about 20 rounds through it so far. That about 10 more then the Nikon could take. Not knocking the Nikon. It held up fine with factory 200gn Hornady ammo. My reloads are 300 gn SSP's pushing 2100fps and with both scopes they only lasted 10 rounds. I take that back, one of the Nikons endured 5 shots of a 395gn pushing 1800 fps.
gearchecker
New member
Pistol scopes are great if you understand the limitations of shooting with them.
Swift makes good quality handgun scope. They start somewhere around $100. Their top of the line scopes run in excess of $400. Nikon and Leupold are also excellent choices.
Adjusting to a handgun scope is completely different than using a rifle scope. Some shooters never make the adjustment and end up getting rid of the pistol scope alltogether. From personal experience a scope with more than 3X power on a handgun is quite difficult to steady and sight properly. To use a scope to the greatest advantage you must be dead steady with the pistol. Every tiny movement you make is amplified by the greater magnification. If you have steady hands, and don't get "Buck Fever", a pistol scope can make a huge improvement in your hunting success.
Shop carefully, and try out as many as possible befroe committing to the one you buy.
A pistol scope is designed with long eye relief. Sometimes as long as 15-18" depending on the scope. Add your arm extension and the additional weight of the scope on your pistol into your ability to remain steady, and you'll get an idea what's required. If you can't hold the pistol steady without the scope, you'll never be able to hold it steady with one.
My pistol scope is set a 2X and I rarely use it at any other magnification, unless I'm using it as a spotting scope for medium range targets.
For me the pistol scope I own was a good investment. I hope yours will be too.
Regards,
Gearcecker
Swift makes good quality handgun scope. They start somewhere around $100. Their top of the line scopes run in excess of $400. Nikon and Leupold are also excellent choices.
Adjusting to a handgun scope is completely different than using a rifle scope. Some shooters never make the adjustment and end up getting rid of the pistol scope alltogether. From personal experience a scope with more than 3X power on a handgun is quite difficult to steady and sight properly. To use a scope to the greatest advantage you must be dead steady with the pistol. Every tiny movement you make is amplified by the greater magnification. If you have steady hands, and don't get "Buck Fever", a pistol scope can make a huge improvement in your hunting success.
Shop carefully, and try out as many as possible befroe committing to the one you buy.
A pistol scope is designed with long eye relief. Sometimes as long as 15-18" depending on the scope. Add your arm extension and the additional weight of the scope on your pistol into your ability to remain steady, and you'll get an idea what's required. If you can't hold the pistol steady without the scope, you'll never be able to hold it steady with one.
My pistol scope is set a 2X and I rarely use it at any other magnification, unless I'm using it as a spotting scope for medium range targets.
For me the pistol scope I own was a good investment. I hope yours will be too.
Regards,
Gearcecker
OkieCruffler
New member
I guess I should add that most of mine have worn Bushnell trophy 2-6X's but mostly get shot from a bench. Anything I'm shooting off hand normally gets a fixed 2X if it gets glass at all. If you can find them the old Tasco Pro-Class 2X22's are super for offhand shooting.
shootniron
New member
Go over to Specialty Pistols and lurk around and ask questions...they will be of help to you. I have several XP100's and Contenders that wear a variety of scopes depending on what I do with them and you will want to scope according to purpose.
Good luck
http://specialtypistols.infopop.cc/groupee
Good luck
http://specialtypistols.infopop.cc/groupee
Thanks All for the good advice. I ended up going with the Burris 3-12x. Initially when I was looking at it I liked the fact that it has paralax adjustment (not many handgun scopes do) but wasn't satisfied that I didn't think that the turrets could be re-set to zero after sighting in. I called Burris cust service today and they set me straight (it isn't evident just by looking at the turret). I understand and agree with what several have said about dealing with high magnification and handgun scopes. I probably won't be going above 4x and most of my shooting will be bench rest or in creedmore position. It was the paralax adjustment and re-settable turrets that were important to me. I am mounting it on a xp-100, 15" barrel, chambered in 7mm BR. I will be using it to shoot silhouette.
black mamba
New member
I have a 2-6x Simmons on my custom Bullberry .44 mag Encore, and it's just OK, not too good at first light.
As has been said earlier, they are the dickens to see through with any wobbling, so a rest is almost mandatory. It adds weight as well, making it really hard to shoot off-hand. For my money, the highest quality fixed 3x you could afford would be about perfect.
As has been said earlier, they are the dickens to see through with any wobbling, so a rest is almost mandatory. It adds weight as well, making it really hard to shoot off-hand. For my money, the highest quality fixed 3x you could afford would be about perfect.
Clifford L. Hughes
New member
KYWildcat:
I have a T/C 2X7 on my 30 Harette. When I set it at seven power I have a difficult time finding a soda pop can at 100 yards. Most of the time I shoot it set at four power. However, after I aquire the target, when set on seven power, I can pinpoint my shots.
Semper Fi.
Gunnery sergeant
Cliffford L. Hughes
USMC Retired
I have a T/C 2X7 on my 30 Harette. When I set it at seven power I have a difficult time finding a soda pop can at 100 yards. Most of the time I shoot it set at four power. However, after I aquire the target, when set on seven power, I can pinpoint my shots.
Semper Fi.
Gunnery sergeant
Cliffford L. Hughes
USMC Retired