Optics that just don't belong on "that"

Red dots on Garands

I have seen a lot of replacement upper handguards that allow the mounting of optics on Garands. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with red-dot sights on Garands, but it sure does look a little funky.
 
No issues with scopes on lever guns...

Have some on some of my Marlins, and on my BLR. No issues with a scope on a Savage 99, either (although I wouldn't drill and tap one that wasn't).

Have scope/red dot on some of my Contender barrels...

What really doesn't go together for me is a Win 94 (clone by Mossberg, I think) with tacticool rails on it!:eek:

Some folks are putting huge scopes on their .30-30s, not for long range shooting, but for the light gathering, allowing them to see clearly for just a few more minutes early, and late. Lots of times its still legal shooting hours, but local light conditions mean you just can't tell if it's a legal buck, or not. Those big moon scopes do help a bit with that....

Remember, if it looks stupid, but it works, then its not stupid...:D
 
The only time I look sort of sideways at an optic is when someone puts poor quality on a good quality gun. IE:

I spent $1000 on my rifle but saved by putting a chinese NCstar scope on it. Why??????
Really sort of drives me nuts.


I saw a really nice NC Star/SCAR combo on another site...
 
....not for long range shooting, but for the light gathering

Big plus one on that. I figured peep sights were ok for a North Woods bear hunt, .... close range, no need to count brow tines... but I didn't figure how dark the woods got that last half hour. Truglo front sight was great, but until they make trees with truglo branches the concept has its limits.
 
As long as it works for the owner, then I don't see a problem. If we all worry about what others think, then everyone will be the same. Be yourself and don't about what others think of your gun.
I really do not see a valid arguement concerning scopes and lever actions. I've only owned one lever action, that was 11 years ago. It had a scope and was handy for long shots. And it wasn't awkward shooting. I personally don't see how a scope makes a gun ugly, even if I did I wouldn't care. But I don't like scopes for close distance shots, they just get in the way.
 
On the receiver cover of a SKS. I don't mind putting glass on an SKS, but on the receiver cover? The one that rattles and shakes? The one you have to remove to clean the rifle?
Just seems like building on quicksand.
 
Like others, a scope on any lever action. They're brush cutters. By gum, if you can't see the buckhorn, get a dang peepsight. "patooie" That's a baccer spit for you younguns.
 
Remember, if it looks stupid, but it works, then its not stupid...

Couldn't agree more! My wife has a Marlin 336 with a 2-7x35 and I think it looks quite nice. Mostly because the low recoiling caliber combined with the scope also allows her to be very accurate and confident in her shots.

Win, Win!

A firearm is a tool. Anything that helps the tool do it's job better is a plus. If you are more worried about your accessories matching....well....my wife isn't!
 
Like others, a scope on any lever action. They're brush cutters. By gum, if you can't see the buckhorn, get a dang peepsight. "patooie" That's a baccer spit for you younguns.

counter-point:

BTTF3_013.jpg


BTTF3_011.jpg
 
How about an ACOG on a highpoint rifle. there was a guy on my state gun forum that wanted to do that. Or, an aimpoint on an M1A
 
Speaking as a 71 year old geezer, I could not agree more. A scope on a side lock muzzle loader looks stupid.
However, after gut shooting a deer because I could no longer see my sights clearly, I put a scopes on all of mine. No animal deserves to suffer needlessly, so I decided to prevent that from happening again.
When I can no longer shoot accurately with the scope, I will put the guns away and give up hunting. Will I like it, no. Morally I don't see where I have a choice.
 
Like others, a scope on any lever action. They're brush cutters. By gum, if you can't see the buckhorn, get a dang peepsight. "patooie" That's a baccer spit for you younguns.

I love it!

My middle son got a Marlin lever action in .45/70. He wanted to put a scope on it. I told him that he'd regret it.

I watched him try to zero it while leaning through the window of an open pick up truck door. Since he couldn't see through the scope with his cheek on the stock, he got a black eye from the scope.

Got to hand it to him though. He's stubborn. Didn't give up right away. It took 12 rounds and some blood out of his eyebrow before he quit and took it off.
 
I thought this looked ridiculous,,,

I thought this looked ridiculous,,,
But it was what I had laying around,,,
I have since replaced it with a more apropos red dot.

NEOS_CarbineWithScope-3.jpg


Aarond

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Speaking as a 71 year old geezer, I could not agree more. A scope on a side lock muzzle loader looks stupid.
However, after gut shooting a deer because I could no longer see my sights clearly, I put a scopes on all of mine. No animal deserves to suffer needlessly, so I decided to prevent that from happening again.
When I can no longer shoot accurately with the scope, I will put the guns away and give up hunting. Will I like it, no. Morally I don't see where I have a choice.

Thats why when you are hunting with a muzzleloader, it is a very good thing to carry a sidearm, a good black powder revolver or a martial caliber pistol like the Lyman trade gun or a Kentucky. Every hunter makes a mistake like that now and then and the only appropriate course is to deliver a coup-de-grace and end the animal's suffering as quickly as possible. After all, it is providing you with precious food and warm clothing.

I carry my .44 LeMat almost all the time, for hunting as well as regular carry/SD, and I have used it by itself to take deer once in a while. The round ball hits pretty hard and drops the deer in it's tracks.
 
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Yankee Doodle, I agree as to game every precaution should bbe taken to avoid needless suffering of the animals. I wouldn't dream of telling somebody what they should do but I feel pretty strongly about traditional looks and I think in that situation I'd hang the side lock up and get a inline or get a malcom brass scope for the sidelock.
 
I have never seen a lever action or a musket with a scope win a beauty contest.... But then I have never seen a beauty contest for lever guns or muskets.

My nephews Marlin 30-30 has a scope. He has a lot more room to hunt than I do and has choices, woods, brush or fields.

My Winchester 30-30 is as old as I am and has no scope. I mainly limit myself to a little bit of wooded land when I hunt.

Thank the Good Lord that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, because if it wasn't, I would still be single.
 
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