To scope of not to scope?

B

Beretta686

New member
I've been on a .22LR binge lately (I'm up to 10 launching platforms for it) which has taken a turn to wheel-guns.

Yesterday I stumbled across a pristine LNIB S&W 17-6 with a 8-3/8th's inch barrel, complete with scope mount, box, paperwork & everything. Needless to say it followed me home.

I've been debating whether to put a red-dot sight or a magnified scope on it or not, or if just to leave it iron-sighted (though I have a great Model 17 6-inch with iron-sights to fill that role). I may start shooting comptatively with it, or just stick to the plinker roll I've been using my .22s for.

I have a nice variable power scope on my Super Redhawk .44 Magnum and it's great, but that's a .44 and this is a .22....

Can I get some opinions on slapping a scope on this gun?
 
How old are you and how bad are your eyes?

At some point in the future you won't be asking such questions because iron sights will appear as fuzzy objects.

Even so, the better you can see, the tighter you can hold, the higher will be your hit probability.
 
I'm 30 and have 20/20 vision, so seeing things isn't a big deal. It's more just for practicality, I'd mount a sight on the weapon.
 
I used an Aimpoint on my Ruger Redhawk for years and thousands of rounds. Loved it. At first that dancing red dot will make you crazy. Then you will soon learn, the dot ain't dancing, you are shaking. Believe me, that dancing dot is a great teacher. When you can actually see how unsteady you are it will train you to hold steadily like you have never done before. I can't comment on one brand over another as the Aimpoint 1000 is the only one I have ever used. But, I'm a fan of the dancing red dot. ;)
 
I have a 8.375" 17-4 that my father mounted a 2x Burris scope on 20+ years ago. It's a lot of fun, well balanced, not too heavy and very accurate. I also have a 8.375" 647 k-frame .17HMR with an UltraDot MicroDot on it that's been fun since I put it together for my father 8 or 9 years ago. I keep thinking I'll switch it to a 2x scope, but haven't yet.

I also have an assortment open sighted .22s.
 
I went the red dot route. I've tried scopes, but kept coming back to the dot sights.

Hunters.jpg
 
Concerning the op's question, "To scope or not to scope?", personally, I don't like scopes/red dots/etc. on any handgun (except maybe a TC Contender or some such being used for hunting). To me, the biggest reason for carrying a handgun is, well, they're handy. Any bulky optic sitting atop any sidearm makes them less so, imo.
 
I'm gonna mirror what dglugwig said. I don't like scopes on handguns to the point of declaring when/if my eyes get bad enough I can't shoot them without a scope I just won't shoot them. Bit extreme? Maybe but it indicates how I feel about scoped handguns. Might as well carry a long gun at that point.

LK
 
Concerning the op's question, "To scope or not to scope?", personally, I don't like scopes/red dots/etc. on any handgun (except maybe a TC Contender or some such being used for hunting). To me, the biggest reason for carrying a handgun is, well, they're handy. Any bulky optic sitting atop any sidearm makes them less so, imo.
Click to expand...

While I agree wholeheartedly with that for a duty/service weapon (and always kind of snicker when I see a Glock someone really expects to carry with one of those tiny-red dots), on certain handguns (such as my 7.5 inch .44 Mag or 8-3/8 inch .22) their bulk already limits their handiness. Especially for something like my 17-6 which is going to live exclusively on a range.

I think I'll roll with a good red-dot to harness what the gun can do. Thanks for the advice!
 
I have scopes or red dots on several centerfire revolvers for various reasons. Last month I put a red dot on a Ruger 22/45 as a slight concession to my aging eyes. I may have to set up another 22 with a dot to keep peace amongst the visitors who ALL want to shoot that one. Everyone who has shot that particular 22 just doesn't want to put it down. It is so easy to hit with. I thought my shooting skill was waning but found it was more vision than physical.
 
I don't use any scopes or red dots on my handguns. Prefer to use iron sights at this particulair junction in my life. Now, when my eyes start to fail, I may jump on the bus.
 
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