Recommendation for Handgun Scope

[jackieschmidt]

My custom 45 ACP project turns out to be a real nice shooter, so I am thinking of mounting a scope.

I am not that familiar with handgun scopes, I have never owned one. As you can see by the picture, mounting one will be easy atop the barrel.

give me some ideas.

 

[Dub]

what do you plan to use it for, Jackie?

 

[sscoyote]

For longer range shooting I liked the 2X and 2.5-8X Nikons since they had ballistic reticles (plex for 2X) and target turrets, and the quality was very good. Some still around here and there.

Interestingly i'm now using the new 2-6X WEaver plex reticle and low profile target turrets on a 17 FB XP-100 for coyotes and LOVE it.

 

[skeeljc]

Find a Leupold extended eye relief 4X fixed power. Very solid scope.

Leupold M8 4x Extended ER Gloss Black Duplex Crosshair Reticle Fixed Rifle Scope​

There is one on eBay now for $203.50

 

[NateHaler]

I have a never-used, original Nikon (Monarch? not sure) handgun scope, from the 1990s, when I think they were still made in Japan instead of Thailand or the Phillipines. If you're interested, I can dig it up. I always meant to mount it to my S&W 629 'Classic', but never got around to it. It would be NIB, pre-internet!

 

[PhilKeil]

I have have to ask what would want to try to accomplish. Here is my experience.
Sometimes a red dot or a low power pistol scope would be good, others a higher mag.
On my Bianchi guns I used red dots and 1 power scopes out to 50 yds routinely. On my contenders, Stryker and xp 100. I have 4 powers and variables from 2-8, 2-7 by Leupold, Nikon, Burris and a 3-12 Burris.
On my Glocks I have Burris and Vortex micro dots.
I have used 1x scopes for hunting both on my mod 29 and early on a contender. I once on a dare made a 500m weak hand only shot with a 1 power tasco lol the 1 of my 38 special Bianchi revolvers. The dare was 1 shot only week hand only unsupported double action. I won the bet. and was not about to try it again LOL.
I wish I was closer to you you could try mine to help you with your decision.
Good luck and if you are going to be close to San Antonio let me know
Phil

 

[potatojudge]

I've been through about all of them and tend to stick to Leupold 2x or 4x. If you have longer arms and don't mind the weight the 2.5-8x is a great scope. For me, Burris fails in low light and Weaver glass is not as clear.

In a 45 ACP your range will be limited by trajectory, so I should think a 2 or 4x would do the trick which is what I run on revolvers. The variable power/higher power scopes go on specialty pistols.

 

[Spike A]

I agree with many... I have a straight 4x leupold m8 on a 222 contender .. furthest shot to date is 195 on a wood chuck.. difficult but with a little luck possible... I think for a 45 a 4x will do you good... have a 2.5 on a 44 mag that will be getting replaced with a 4x ...

 

[K9TXS]

I've been using the Burris 3-12 and like it so far. However, if I knew now what I didn't know when I first purchased it, I would have bought the Burris 2-7 scope. Even though I can go up to 12 power on my current scope, I don't go pass 7 power. For me, above 7 power, it just bounces around to much. I'm shooting to 100 yards right now and 7 power is good. I can see my hits on paper at 100 yards. Eventually I want 200 yards to be my maximum range.

I also shoot from a tripod with a CLAW bag on top. Pistol butt rest on top of the bag. I get a very good hold on the revolver.

The Leupold is also good, but you're paying about $200 more for it too.

At one time, Burris sold a target knob that would go right on the pistol scope. They no longer sell this. Over the past couple of days, I've been working on a design that will allow me to add a target knob to my scope without altering anything on the scope and would not effect the warranty if ever needed. I hope to be able to have one made in the near future.

 

[JMA]

Tough to beat an Aimpiont with a 2 min. dot.
No eye relief to deal with.
Parallax free.

 

[rkittine]

I have a number of the TC Contender 2-7s as well as the Leupold 2-7 and they all work well.