EER / handgun scopes

[cohunt]

Suggestions for EER/handgun scopes with around 1-6 magnification?

 

[Left Hand Dave]

I have used Leupold 2X, 4X and 2.5-8s. I have also used Burris 3-12. The Burris is much more critical when it comes to eye alignment but has still worked well for me. In the Leupold scopes I like the straight 2X fore close stuff out to say 50 yds or in thick stuff for the field of view. I like the 2.5-8 for farther out but it will do double duty in close too but you lose a little field of view in close. Not enough to worry. I never liked the 4X much seemed like either not enough power or not enough field of view. On my specialty pistols with breaks I like rifle scopes to reach out there.
A lot depends on type of handgun and what your going to do with it.

 

[K9TXS]

What handgun will you be using?

I have been using the Burris 3-12. It's okay but the eye relief when changing your power setting sucks. I should have paid a little extra and purchased the Leupold 2.5-8.

I too use rifle scopes on my specialty pistols. The rifle scopes are great.

In a few months I should receive my S&W 686 back after having it made into the RAAP. This will have a 12" barrel with a Holland muzzle break. If the recoil is mild enough with the loads I shoot, I will be putting on an LPVO scope that many AR shooters are using. Some of these scopes have an eye relief of 3.5" to 4". After watching some AR videos, you can see there is a good distance from the eye piece to the shooters eye. The weight and length of the LPVO scopes are in line with the Burris 3-12. Some of the LPVO scopes have exposed turrets. The LPVO scopes are available in several different power ranges.

 

[cohunt]

What handgun will you be using?

I have been using the Burris 3-12. It's okay but the eye relief when changing your power setting sucks. I should have paid a little extra and purchased the Leupold 2.5-8.

I too use rifle scopes on my specialty pistols. The rifle scopes are great.

In a few months I should receive my S&W 686 back after having it made into the RAAP. This will have a 12" barrel with a Holland muzzle break. If the recoil is mild enough with the loads I shoot, I will be putting on an LPVO scope that many AR shooters are using. Some of these scopes have an eye relief of 3.5" to 4". After watching some AR videos, you can see there is a good distance from the eye piece to the shooters eye. The weight and length of the LPVO scopes are in line with the Burris 3-12. Some of the LPVO scopes have exposed turrets. The LPVO scopes are available in several different power ranges.

View attachment 279085

Trying to be proactive-- looking at the "new" atty general/atf guidelines form 4999 (if they stay the same after the "suggestion" period) --- According to their points system, rifle scopes on pistols : "the presence of rifles scopes that have an eye relief incompatable with shooting the pistol 1 handed" receive 4 points, if you have 4 points on any section of the worksheet, your pistol is automatically considered an sbr since it is no longer intended to shoot 1 handed

I currently have 1-6 and 1.5-6 rifle scopes on my 2 pistols, the eye relief isn't compatible with shooting at extended arms length .

 

[del2les]

Leupolds - Though I do have a few of the older Burris and Weaver scopes on a few barrels.

 

[Gunin4m]

I have a couple of the Burris handgun scopes. The changing eye relief really limits them, I feel like I wasted my money. I have no idea what application a changing eye relief scope is useful for...
I plan on replacing them with Leupolds.

 

[cohunt]

AI have a couple of the Burris handgun scopes. The changing eye relief really limits them, I feel like I wasted my money. I have no idea what application a changing eye relief scope is useful for...
I plan on replacing them with Leupolds.

Thanks, that helps alot.

Aren't very many available really-- weaver jas one but can't find it anywhere
The Burris seems to be the most available
Utg had one but im wary of too cheep of an optic
Sound like the leupy's 2.5-8 would be the best so far unless I can find other options

 

[skippertwo]

I played around with both the burris 3-12 and the leu 2.5-8.
Neither one had proper eye relief for me.
Ended up with a Leu RDS 1.0 dot BDC.
Using a Nosler NCH 6.5 CR on a spartan bipod gets me on a pie plate up to 300 yrds.

 

[NCWshooter]

What handgun will you be using?

I have been using the Burris 3-12. It's okay but the eye relief when changing your power setting sucks. I should have paid a little extra and purchased the Leupold 2.5-8.

I too use rifle scopes on my specialty pistols. The rifle scopes are great.

In a few months I should receive my S&W 686 back after having it made into the RAAP. This will have a 12" barrel with a Holland muzzle break. If the recoil is mild enough with the loads I shoot, I will be putting on an LPVO scope that many AR shooters are using. Some of these scopes have an eye relief of 3.5" to 4". After watching some AR videos, you can see there is a good distance from the eye piece to the shooters eye. The weight and length of the LPVO scopes are in line with the Burris 3-12. Some of the LPVO scopes have exposed turrets. The LPVO scopes are available in several different power ranges.

View attachment 279085

I don't know anything about the Leupold 2.5-8 scope, but all my other rifles have that brand and after 50 years of using them, I only had two problems and Leupold fixed them both...free. I do have the Burris 3-13 ballistic plex with AO and find your remarks about eye relief to be true. My buddy has a Leopold 4x and it seems they all take some getting used to to gain full-field view. It gets better with range time.

 

[seagate slim]

Not sure if this is the appropriate way to post but I have a Nikon Force 2.5-8x28 EER scope looking for a good home. Used briefly on a scout rifle.

 

[jeb405]

I have few few scoped handguns, even some of the Burris variables that go up to 12 x. I have not found anything above 2x practical for anything but bench shooting partially related to eye relief issues but also field of view combined with ability to hold steady if not on a rest. So like varmints from a bench, maybe. But my SRH 44M and FA 353 both wear mini red dots now. Similar to what skippertwo said. My Contender is a dedicated bench setup so I can deal with the issues of a variable.

I am surprised at the idea of an LPVO on a handgun, I have one that is crazy heavy where my handgun scopes, variable or not, tend to be much lighter comparatively (mini red dots, Romeo 5 in my case, even more so).

JB

 

[Left Hand Dave]

I have few few scoped handguns, even some of the Burris variables that go up to 12 x. I have not found anything above 2x practical for anything but bench shooting partially related to eye relief issues but also field of view combined with ability to hold steady if not on a rest. So like varmints from a bench, maybe. But my SRH 44M and FA 353 both wear mini red dots now. Similar to what skippertwo said. My Contender is a dedicated bench setup so I can deal with the issues of a variable.

I am surprised at the idea of an LPVO on a handgun, I have one that is crazy heavy where my handgun scopes, variable or not, tend to be much lighter comparatively (mini red dots, Romeo 5 in my case, even more so).

JB

Depends on the pistol and the use. I don't exactly have young eyes and holding a red dot on a deer at 300-500 yards ain't going to happen. So I use a Leupold 6.5-20 with a custom reticle on one of my XP-100s. Works great. If I use a Contender in 414 or 445 SM then a 2X or 2.5 -8 will work fine. Same with a revolver. You have to look at the type of pistol, use of the pistol, expected range the pistol will be used at and personnel preference.

By the way which mini red dot do you use? I have thought about one of these for close stuff but when I have looked through some of them it looks like a red ball of lint and not a clean clear aiming point. What has worked for you?

Dave

 

[jeb405]

WOW, 3-500 yards is not something I have every had an opportunity for much less planned for. Unless for varmints. Great point on expected use.

Aimpoints are amazing but very expensive, Ultra Dots are the red dot of choice for precision handgun where the optic often rides a 1911 slide so they can take abuse too and cheaper than Aimpoint. One big issue is to make sure illumination at it brightest can be seen on a very sunny day, disappointingly this is not always the case.

For the cost and features I like the Sig Romeo 5. But you are right about the dot, you have to change illumination level to balance with ambient conditions so there is minimal flare. I used to thing this is what normal is until I bought a C-More. Is has an perfectly round dot, not just a light bulb called a dot. One option to consider is I have many of the new open reflex design dots on semi-autos. Sig Romeo 1, Delta Point Pro, Burris Fast Fire, RMR, SRO, M-O-U-S-E! One to consider is the Holosun 507. I know it is from Asia, but so are most of the American brand name optics. Some unique features: REALLY good automatic brightness control, circle and dot reticle like a EO Tech AR optic, auto off, battery replacement without removal of optic like RMR, shake awake and backup solar cell. I have never researched mounting on something like a Contender but imagine like on AR Pic rail. And be aware that the "open reflex" type like the RMR won't work if you get snow or mud in the top. It basically has a projector and the lens is a screen for the dot/reticle.

JB

 

[Left Hand Dave]

Thanks jeb405 there is a lot of good information in your post for me to check out. Never even thought about the open reflex sites and dirt or snow, that would happen to me, just kind of how I roll. If you ever get a chance shoot a custom XP or custom specialty pistol built on a bolt action with a rifle scope (pistol has to have a brake with rifle scopes or bad things happen) and you will amaze yourself what is possible. Also fun as all get out.