rebs,
You're welcome...let us know how it goes and what works for you -- or not.
stagpanther,
I would not be using any optical sights of any kind on a handgun, just iron sights will do for them as a handgun's 99.9% use would be VERY close-up. And I don't hunt or target-shoot with a handgun so that's not a need for me. It's ALL self-defense/security applications, period.
So I wanted to get 2 optical sights for 2 of my SKSs. Given the caliber (7.62x39) and their short-range mission, nothing long-range optics-wise was needed so a traditional scope wasn't a first choice. The sights I wanted needed to be small & compact, and were to mount on the integral sight-rail the Tapco SKS gas-tube/forearms have.
However, if NONE of the red dots/hologram/reflex sights worked for me, then for sure I'd would have gotten a short/compact traditional scope to use...just one with very low power like 1X or 2X maybe -- just to help my older eyes get on target better vs. iron sights.
But then again, I have my SKSs as my chosen "repel boarders" gun for home and car use...so they are for VERY close ranges anyway (and, as hard target penetrators), like across a parking lot at most. So even with iron sights, at such close ranges they'd be fine. But during low-light conditions (dusk & dawn) illuminated dot sights might have an edge orver a traditional scope if it didn't gather enough light.
Note: The only thing I do NOT like about my Sightmark reflex sights is the batteries: Not the easiest to find AND not very long-lasting. Perhaps the models out NOW do better in both regards, I don't know, but DO check that out for sure before buying ANY brand/type of scope using batteries.
I just wanted something more precise and on the same plane (vs. lining up 2 iron sights on 2 different planes depth-wise) for hitting something a bit further off if ever need be, say 100 yards or so (200 max).
Anything farther than that I use my scoped .270 Winchester. ;-)
-- c