why scope a hand gun

[user]

The only handgun I've got a 'scope on is a S&W PC 627, a .357 revolver.  That's because I want to shoot accurately with it at fifty to seventy yards; it's not a home-defense weapon.  The critical thing in selecting the 'scope is not to try to use one made for a rifle, because the distance from the eye to the lens is much different ('eye relief').  Secondly, too high a power results in loss of field width.  So I've got a Weaver fixed power 4x28 job specifically made for handguns on it.
http://www.weaver-mounts.com/optics/riflescopes/classic/handgun.aspx

[OLDHandgunner]

It's all a matter of personal preference. 40 years ago when I started hunting with a handgun ( my eyes were better than ) I used open sights. Then after I turned 40 yrs old seems my eyes changed and I mounted a few of my handguns with scopes. This worked for me for awhile. But a revolver just didn't balance right for me with a scope on it. Then I got more into hunting with the Contender's. Scopes are great on them, so I took the scopes off the revolvers and put them on my Contenders. I still hunt game with my revolvers. Now at more reasonable ranges from what I used to ( when my eyes were better ). Will I put a scope back on a revolver again?? Probable NOT but I won't say NO. I saved some of the scope mounts just in case. I have a red dot on one of my Ruger 22 auto's and love it.

[Autorim]

I have never fired a handgun with a scope, but at this age I won't say never. Red Dots are another story - fast, accurate, not too heavy and eye relief is not an issue. I still like revolvers better with iron sights, but I shoot better with red dots. These are UltraDot 30's.

[catfishfiend]

i have a sbh hunter model i shoot pretty good.  i have rings for it, and it has the integral mount system.  i can hit a milk jug at 80 yards with it now, but i like the fact that as i get older i can scope it if i want to.  so while i don't scope a handgun for shooting at this point in my life, i will have no problem scoping them when the time comes!

[kiddekop]

I have scope bases with optics on 2 15" TC Encore pistols in 30-06 & 454 casull both have muzzle brakes but only the one from www.probed2000.com effectively reduces the 30-06 recoil ,the muzzle tamer does nothing on the 454casull my 74 plus year old eyes need all the help I can give them.

[Syncerus]

I'm sure that as hoggunner gets older, he will see the value of a scoped hunting handgun.

What he said.

[Ole Man Dan]

I put a scope on a .35 Remington (Contender), but it's never been one of my chosen handguns.  I prefer the ones that I seem to always have with me;  4.6" Blackhawks for bumming around and sometimes one of my 5.5" or 7.5" for hunting.   I carry all or my single actions w/o scopes. 
(I've been blessed and can still see my front sight.)
I understand that a good man with a scope can shoot further & more accurately than I can, but I don't care.  Most of my hunting shots are inside 75 yds, in timber at animals that don't know I'm there.
I take my time and make the shot count.

I've shot a number of animals because I followed RULE # 1.  ALWAYS HAVE A GUN...  It's easier to carry w/o a scope.  I've found that if a pistol does not carry easy, it will be left behind. JMHO.

[corbanzo]

I like scopes, they make aiming better.

[GhosT]

hoggunner,

Time will tell...
48 years old in the last year, finally....
 Eye site is slipping.
Up to age 47 site was perfect....damn...

Safe bet yer years younger.
Yer answer will come with time.

 

[roger460xvr]

I use scopes on my 460xvr and my 44mag for deer and hogs here in florida' makes it much easier to see them.

[hoggunner]

Many here are stating that when hoggunner gets old he will use a scope. I think many people missed the fact that I have a holo site on my revolver. I am alread near blind at 52 years old. my point was that its hard to find the target thru a scope and I think its much easier to use the holo site.

[millwright]

i have a sbh 44 mag that i used with one ragged hole and 2x burris, liked them both.  have a 44 spec with 3 in barrel for carry and it wears iron sights , works for me.

[Hank08]

Well, guys, I'm 78 and I'm still wondering why anyone would scope a revolver or even halo a revolver.  I must be the luckiest guy in the world. I'm still shooting competion with pistols, revolvers, and rifles with iron sights and winning.  My gosh,it's hard to believe so many shooters in their 40s and 50s who can't see.  I bet their are a lot of shooters bought a revolver and stuck a scope on them and started shooting without ever having used iron sights.  I'd just like to see more shooters shooting irons.  With a little practice they can be very accurate.
H08

[Redhawk1]

Well, guys, I'm 78 and I'm still wondering why anyone would scope a revolver or even halo a revolver.  I must be the luckiest guy in the world. I'm still shooting competion with pistols, revolvers, and rifles with iron sights and winning.  My gosh,it's hard to believe so many shooters in their 40s and 50s who can't see.  I bet their are a lot of shooters bought a revolver and stuck a scope on them and started shooting without ever having used iron sights.  I'd just like to see more shooters shooting irons.  With a little practice they can be very accurate.
H08

I shoot my handguns both ways, hunting and target shooting. My take on it is, shoot what every you want, just make sure you are shooting...

I say anything that keeps people interested in shooting is good.

Personally I find a scope or red-dot at times give me an added advantage. Being able to see your target aids in being able to hit your target. We all have our reason for what we do.

[MS Hitman]

I agree with Redhawk1, as long as one is shooting; what difference does it make what one shoots?