How to Choose a Pistol Scope
Scoped pistols are becoming more popular every year. They can help a shooter obtain the highest level of accuracy. Rifle scopes will not perform well for this use because in order to work on the much shorter pistol, the scope will need to have long eye relief. While the scoped rifle is shoulder fired and your eye is inches from the scope, a pistol is held out at arms length. There are several scopes made specifically for pistols.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Pistol drilled and tapped to mount a scope
- (or) pistol mounts that attach to the barrel or frame
- Long eye relief scope
Instructions
-
-
1
The intended purpose is the first criteria to use in deciding on what type of pistol scope to choose. There are fixed power scopes; two-power (2X) are very popular for generalized shooting. The magnification of 2X is sufficient for casual target shooting or to hunt at short range.
-
2
Another fixed power scope to consider is the 4X. This has more magnification power for longer shots. But it has drawbacks. As magnification increases, the field of view usually becomes smaller. Some people find it difficult to use a fixed scope of this power because the eye must be held at just the right position in order to see the cross-hairs of the scope and the target.
-
-
3
Variable power scopes can be quite useful on pistols. The magnification can be easily adjusted by the simple turning of a notched ring located around the proximal end of the scope. There are also two dials on the top and side of the scope. These are used for windage and elevation adjustments. The power of variable scopes can be anywhere from 1.5X to 8X. For short-range shots, use 1.5X. For longer shots, turn the power ring up. The drawback of a variable power scope is that it can be bulkier and heavier than a fixed power scope.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
The pistol must be sighted in after a new scope is mounted.
