Scope or red dot for Marlin 1894c 357?

[Mattkc]

These days my eyes need all the help they can get.  Last year put a Simmons 2.5X20 shotgun scope on my 1894C.  Worked great as long as there was plenty of light however in low light it sucked had to pass on a nice buck.  Next day got a nice doe when the the sun was up.  I don't want to put a big scope on this little gun.  I thought about upgrading to a Weaver or Leoup. but it would still have a 20mm objective.   I looked at some cheap red dots at a gun show but they were dim do to lens coating.  Are the more expensive red dots better in low light?  The buck only got to live one more year, took along my 308 with 3X9X42 scope for low light shooting.

[C A Plater]

I know what you mean about picking up the deer in low light conditions.  My little Marlin 1894 sports a Williams FP sight and a more substantial front blade.  I removed the hood and that does work better in the waning light.  I have tried dots on various guns and the do well too.  I do find they need a good "both eyes open" technique though.   I've been playing with a new reflex type (Osprey, C-more and others) and it may be just the ticket for your little Marlin.   Small, light and bright compared to the $30 red dots.

[shooter444002]

I have a little bushnell elite 3200 2-7x32 on my 1894c and is very light and you can see with it later than you need to be shooting. It is very clear and has the raingaurd coating which works well. The thing about most red dots is they do not magnify any. This is a great scope for the money and fits the little rifle perfectly.

[rickt300]

I have gone thru the cheap 2.5 power shotgun scope route and the BSA I tried actually was harder to see with than the naked eye in dim light conditions. I then tried a Millet SP1 red dot and like it immensly but it also has nothing over the eye in low light conditions, but it doesn't hinder it either. For the price the Nikon Prostaff 2x7 has good low light capabilities yet is not "heavy". Some feel that a peep sight with an aperature just right for your eye is a considerable improvement over the standard iron sights and I tend to agree. In the end you will end ujp with a scope that has at least an 32mm objective front lense and thick crosshairs. Bushnell has a few options, look em up at Graf & Sons.