Optics that just don't belong on "that"

Elmer Keith said scopes don't belong on handguns, no doubt referring to revolvers, but it was already being done fifty years ago--even a hundred years ago, though not commonly. But if you must do it, the barrel has to project out beyond the end of the scope and you may have to be creative with holstering (or sling).

I've never seen a photo of an old lever action with a "period-correct" scope but that doesn't mean it wasn't done. The problem at the time would have been the top ejection and side mounting of scopes is not common. However, telescopic sights were in use during the Civil War. So if you wanted one, one of those long scopes, if you can find one, would not be wrong. It would still be unusual and it might look a little odd but it wouldn't be wrong. I suppose you could go to the same trouble if you wanted a scope on your '03 Springfield, too.
 
Different strokes for different folks.

I have a Marlin 39a. Sometimes I shoot it with a Weaver K6 and sometimes I don't.

I don't think it looks goofy at all. I am the only one who has to be happy about it.
 
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
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Randy Shugart was rocking an Aimpoint on his M14 when he was defending Super 6-4 from Somali fighters.
 
Crosshairs are cool.

Optics are a blessing to the older hunter. That's what's so cool about shooting.
As you age, you can compensate your vision. So a scope on a Marlin is one of my favorites. I can hold plenty steady. I just need to know where they are.
Being near-sighted really stinks, but it corrects well. I have put glass on all the rifles. I put a K6 on a Hopkins and Allen underhammer. I put glass on a Colt Sporter II. It isn't the rifle I plan to admire. It's the prey!
 
For me, it would be a scope on an old Mauser. Just doesn't look right to me - and seems out of place. (Yes, I know, that probably seems nuts to most of you guys - but then again, I AM nuts.) I must admit, though, that I had one on my Mauser for several years. I've since corrected the problem - back to iron sights - so I'm no longer a complete hypocrite.
 
Rachen:
I understand where you are coming from, but either of you solutions would not have worked. Deer took off at the shot, and was recovered 5 hours later.
No time to fire a second shot.Revolvers illegal during M/L season.
Mavracer:
I already have an inline. Problem is that where I hunt the rules are No sabot, Loose powder only. No pellets. Therefore there is no real benefit to an inline except reliability in the rain.
Scope I am useng IS a Malcom. Actually, as an optical instrument, it stinks. And, it still looks like crap. Planning to remove it and put on a red dot.
Thanks for the feedback. Always good to hear from fellow hunters.
 
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.
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I think your son learned the lesson of wearing safety glasses. :p
 
a scope on an old rifle with a octagon barrel and about the lever rifle with a scope? may not look right but my 4X on my Marlin model 30 (30-30 lever) can and has helped me stock my freezer with venison. Ps- Marlin model 30 does not have an octagon barrel.
 
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There's not a better sighting device than a scope. No doubt it helps no matter what you put it on. But the are limits to sanity. Scope on handguns? Let's take a easy to carry compact gun and make it less easy to carry and less compact. Need to make shots beyond your range to use open sights just use a rifle and leave the handgun at home. Leverguns? What scope you put on it makes as much difference as anything. Yes, modern, 40mm and up scopes look retarded on a levergun. But find yourself and an older steel tubed El'Paso Weaver (3x being my favorite) and you have a good looking set up. Shotguns? Anyone who doesn't think a shotgun benifits from a scope has never hunted deer in a shotgun only state. Low powered scopes are better in low light and thick timber than any iron sight and some shotguns have the capability of making 200 yard accurate shots. Plus, most slug guns are ugly by nature so what does it hurt.
 
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