[Singleshot 7369]

What scopes have you used on your handgun. Have tried several rifle scopes on pistol barrel contender and have only luck with one (so old most the markings are worn off) all the others I had to bring in to close it was an uncomfortable shooting position). Always looking for other options without breaking the bank. The best I've used that wasn't just a pistol scope is the Vortex crossfire scout.
What have you used that worked? Average cost? Are they even still in production?

 

[Crashdoyle]

Old Simmons 4x
Swift 4x
Burris
nikon
Tasco
Redfield
Bushnell
NC star
Have used them all without issues, loved my old nikon monarch 2.5-8 only one ever failed was an NC star
(20$ new) on a 10" 357 herrett and it was 2 failures, the front hangover on the weaver base bent up at about a 30 degree angle and the scope tube folded up like a taco, I now cut the overhang off before mounting. Ran the 4x simmons on it after that for years. Japan built tascos are usually pretty cheap used, the old Simmons and Swifts are excellent. I am selling my 2-6 redfield and a ijk Optics on ebay right now, the redfield is a very nice scope. Have had no problems with bushnell magnum phantom scopes either, one on an 8-3/8 44 mag contender. I will say that I've seen alot of scopes slide in rings and all out ring failures and I'm with jd Jones on running 3 vertical split rings on the heavy hitters. Worst rings I have seen problems with are burris zee rings(sliding) and some leupold cast steel weaver style rings (breaking the bottoms out of the screw holes on the top clamp) on 2 different sets, only rings I've ever seen fail. I like the cva durasight vertical split rings and run three on heavy recoil guns. They are very solid and reasonably priced.

 

[Singleshot 7369]

So if I understand you correctly you have a little bit of experience in this subject. LOL. I've never even heard the failures your talking about. The only experience with larger caliber was the ruger with factory rings.

 

[Crashdoyle]

I feel part of the reason for the Simmons and Tasco scopes doing so well is the fact that the are light weight and move easier with the recoil, compared to some of the heavier burris, nikon, redfield bushnell, Bausch & lomb (all the very well built scopes)
I had sliding issues with the Simmons (one of the lightest handgun scopes I have ever owned) in my herrett with horizontal split rings and when I switched to "cheap" vertical split rings just like the ones still sold on ssk's web site with only 2 screws per ring and sliding issues went away. Just sold a Nikon xr 2.5-8 on ebay that a friend couldn't keep in place on a 350 legend encore 12" set up running burris z rings. I like to use 400 and 600 grit wet dry sand paper shims with grit side to ring/paper side to scope on lower ring for anything I'm concerned with. I have never played with rifle scopes on hand guns though I understand the concept.

 

[Singleshot 7369]

^^^^ I'll remember the sandpaper trick, although I'm not shooting canon size calibers. lol.

 

[Stillshooting]

I have leupold 2x on my revolvers. On encores nikon 2x on 454, Simmons 2-6 on 243, bushnell 2-6 on 30-30, all have performed well. I recently picked up two other scopes made by weaver 2-6 ($160.00 each) to put on some other encore barrels.

 

[dstegjas]

Leupold
Redfield
T/C w/ lighted reticle
Sightron red dot

All have worked well with no issues on my contenders.

 

[gnappi]

Leupold, once and done. I can't say enough good things about the company and products.

 

[Crashdoyle]

Nikon monarch 2.5-8 was my all-time favorite in every aspect, have had some very nice japan built tasco's, have had good luck with simmons, charles daly, swift, and burris...am liking the burris posi-lock...

 

[Quackaholic1]

I've used Leopold with great success. But on lighter rectilinear BSA isn't too bad. I even like Sightmark pistol scopes. I have an old 2½x Redfield I have yet to try .

 

[Bigeasy]

An intermediate eye relief scope, like a "scout" scope might work for you. I have never been a fan of rifle scopes on a handgun that has any recoil. I know guys use them, and get away with it, But I have also seen a couple guys pay for it with nasty cuts around their eye.

I prefer handgun scopes on handguns, and have had good luck with Burris, Leopold, Simmons, and older Weaver's. Had an NC Star variable fail on a .223 Contender, and an older Redfield 2x fail on a Ruger SB.

Larry

 

[ramman]

Put a Tasco on a .357 Max years ago. Within a week the horizontal reticle was bouncing around like a periscope. Sent it back and they replaced it, I sold and never looked back. Too many good scopes to go back there.