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Rifleman Joined: Jan 2009 From: Bellevue Posts: 152 | Pistol scopes... why?
I didn't want to thread jack the thread asking about specific pistol scopes with my question, so started this thread. I have never understood why people put scopes on pistols. Obviously it's for the firing range only, but I guess my real question is this, if you're firing a pistol at a distance so great that you need a scope, why not shoot a rifle? This is an honest question and not me being a prick. |
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Sharpshooter Joined: Jan 2009 From: Lynnwood, WA Posts: 870 |
on most pistols, "scopes" are worthless. a red dot for target acquisition, I could see being useful. but a scope on a rifle caliber handgun is an easy to carry hunting firearm. plus, I think you can hunt with pistols in places you can't hunt with a modern rifle. and a .357 revolver with a longer barrell and a scope will do plenty of damage to a deer ;) that's my thoughts on it...I have no use for it, because I have a rifle for hunting big game, and a shotgun with buckshot for when/where I can't use my rifle. but, also, what's the point of most of the guns people on this forum buy? ...in all honesty, because it's cool, it's fun, and gosh darn it, it puts a big fat grin on your face :) from the regs: Quote:
Last edited by koorbloh; 01-12-2010 at 09:46 AM. | |
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Gunslinger Joined: Apr 2009 From: olympia Posts: 92 |
Hunting...??? lol... and why not.. same as trijicons or any colored sights, makes it easier to pick up on the sight |
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Sharpshooter Joined: Jan 2009 From: Lynnwood, WA Posts: 870 | |
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Rifleman Joined: May 2009 From: Spokane Posts: 170 |
Some pistols believe it or not have the same range as a small carbine, and thus a 2x or 4x scope is very useful. My SW 22A with long target barrel has a Millet Red Dot scope on it. Not only is it way faster than iron sights, it allows you to see your target better than iron sights as well. It just comes down to toys. Sure the iron sights are plenty effective, and any worth a shit shot can use them up to 100 ft or even farther on a rifle, but hey toys are toys :) |
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Rifleman Joined: Jan 2009 From: Bellevue Posts: 152 |
The toys/fun factor was pretty much what I was thinking (in addition to range shooting) and the hunting angle was definitely a surprise answer. Thanks for answering a question I've been wondering off and on for a long time now.
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Rifleman Joined: May 2009 From: Spokane Posts: 170 |
I will vouch though, being new to bird hunting, my upgraded sights on my bird barrel are much nicer than the old brass dot.
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Rifleman Joined: Dec 2009 From: Spokane Valley Washington Posts: 101 | preference
I have a 2X on my blackhawk and its a tackdriver, great for deer ![]() |
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Marksman Joined: Jan 2009 From: Washington on the wet side Posts: 371 |
well problem is without a scope my pistol would be a bitch to shoot as it didnt come with iron sights ![]() ![]() |
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Rifleman Joined: Dec 2009 From: Spokane Valley Washington Posts: 101 | let us know how it shoots
was looking at one other day
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Marksman Joined: Jan 2009 From: Spokane Posts: 371 |
OK. First off a pistol can be just as accurate as a rifle. The advantages of a rifle over handgun are 1. Longer sight radius which allows you to be more precise with iron sight. 2. Longer barrel allows you to achieve a higher velocity in some/most cases 3. Rifles weigh more than a pistol and that reduces recoil. Energy expelled in moving the weight of the rifle is'nt sent to your body as recoil. As long as the barrel of the pistol is long enough to properly stabalize the projectile then the differences in potential accuracy of a pistol vs a rifle are minimal at best and come down to things like barrel crown and that pistol projectiles tend to have the aerodynamics of a flying soda can vs a lawn dart. As far as energy for dispatching game comes down to I relate it to being a lot like hunting with a faster reloading blackpowder gun. Muzzle energy from 10mm is around 1000 ft-lb, and depending on powder charge a muzzleloader is around the same, worked for lots and lots of settlers to feed their families. Now as far as a scope on a pistol goes. If you hold your gun up and and sight at something you will notice that the slide/barrel of the pistol obscures your view or anything below and that the sights also are'nt very precise, they cover a large area that my guess would be about 50 MOA, that means at 100 yards your sights are going to be covering an area about the size of a deer, makes it hard to figure out where your bullet is actually gonna hit, another very major drawback to this is if your pistol is zeroed at 25 yards then if your shooting at distances farther than that that the barrel/slide is going to keep you from seeing where your bullet will actually impact. With a scope or a red dot you have a much smaller point of impact so you can be more precise and consistant with aiming. Also since they sit above the pistol your point of impact is actually going to be visible so it's easier to shoot longer distances. T Last edited by Kolat; 01-12-2010 at 07:47 PM. |
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Marksman Joined: Jan 2009 From: Washington on the wet side Posts: 371 | |
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Gunslinger Joined: Jan 2010 From: vancouver Posts: 23 |
well i have to say i had a 44 redhawk ss and 7.5" barrle had a scope looked cool and thought what a waste but blew heads off rabbits, and at distance, yeh stupid but fun, told the story now my kid wants one? nothing to really hunt with but figured ask for that and see what is out there to be learned. paid like 400 and all stainless back 20 years ago, toady be happy to find a scope. p. s. i started it all trade for a long barrel anyone? have guns.
Last edited by 68g20; 01-12-2010 at 11:52 PM. |
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Gunslinger Joined: Oct 2009 From: Creswell Posts: 23 |
Here in Oregon it's legal to hunt Grouse with a .22 so I like to use my scoped Hammerilli Trailside. The scope reduces my field of vision and makes easier to see them in the brush and shoot their heads off. I've tried a red dot but find the cross hairs are easier "look thru" plus I don't have to turn the scope on or adjust it, just point and shoot. Forgot to add I'm hunting off a dirt bike so a pistol in a fanny pack is much more easy to carry than a shotgun or rifle and the range I'm shooting at is about 50'. A highly accurate scoped .22 just seems to be the right tool for the job IMHO.
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Rifleman Joined: Dec 2009 From: Spokane Valley Washington Posts: 101 | Charger,,, very cool
Been looking at them but havnt seen any Data Thanks
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Rifleman Joined: Dec 2009 From: Spokane Valley Washington Posts: 101 | Oh I forgot
There is my 460 S+W Encore with the 4x Burris on it, look at my profile because I havn't figured how to post pictures yet. 100 yards tack driver ![]() |
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Marksman Joined: Jan 2009 From: Washington on the wet side Posts: 371 | |
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Rifleman Joined: May 2009 From: Spokane Posts: 170 | Quote: Did you shoot it at 50 or 100 yards? | |
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Rifleman Joined: May 2009 From: Spokane Posts: 170 | |
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Marksman Joined: Jan 2009 From: Washington on the wet side Posts: 371 |
indoor range so it was 25 and a swingin target the gun can flat out out shoot me fun gun |
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Rifleman Joined: Dec 2009 From: Spokane Valley Washington Posts: 101 |
Very cool thanks |
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Gunslinger Joined: Jun 2015 From: Roanoke Posts: 16 |
When you absolutely wanna hit your target and it's far away ![]() use a scope (6x223) |