Red dot sights?

[DalesCarpentry]

I think I am going to buy a Beretta Neos 22 in the near future. It really was a toss up between the S&W 22A and the Neos. After reading I think the Neos is the best choice in my price range. I have no experience whats so ever in red dot sights. I would think I would be target shooting at 25 yards or so and just don't know what red dot to get. There is just to many choices out there. I would like to keep it under $150.00. I also wonder about the Halo sights as well. If you were going to do some plinking target shooting what would you put on this? I also don't like the red dots that are huge if that makes a difference. Thanks Dale

[S.B.]

I just bought a S&W 22A=1 Camo this last weekend and put a cheap red dot scope on it, $39. You have so many choices, BSA, Nu Star, Tasco, etc. Smith shoots great, I'm getting right at 1" groups at 25 yards with this rig.

[bscman]

I bought a refurbed BSA...$8 + shipping via ebay.
Been using it for 2 years with no issues...put it on my Neos a few months ago...
My only complaint is that it does have some pretty bad parallax--otherwise, it's pretty decent and gets good battery life.

I prefer the "tube" style red-dots vs. the holo type, simple because the "tube" style are more protected, and can be seen better in bright light.

BTW, I think the neos is a good choice...
If nothing else, simple because it is 100% dry-fire safe, while the 22A is not. No buffers or aluminum parts, either.

[DalesCarpentry]

I bought a refurbed BSA...$8 + shipping via ebay.
Been using it for 2 years with no issues...put it on my Neos a few months ago...
My only complaint is that it does have some pretty bad parallax--otherwise, it's pretty decent and gets good battery life.

I prefer the "tube" style red-dots vs. the holo type, simple because the "tube" style are more protected, and can be seen better in bright light.

BTW, I think the neos is a good choice...
If nothing else, simple because it is 100% dry-fire safe, while the 22A is not. No buffers or aluminum parts, either.

If nothing else, simple because it is 100% dry-fire safe, while the 22A is not. No buffers or aluminum parts, either. I have done a mile of reading and you just brought up the reasons I will be buying the Neos. Thanks Dale

[S.B.]

I didn't know red dot scopes had any parallax?

I bought a refurbed BSA...$8 + shipping via ebay.
Been using it for 2 years with no issues...put it on my Neos a few months ago...
My only complaint is that it does have some pretty bad parallax--otherwise, it's pretty decent and gets good battery life.

I prefer the "tube" style red-dots vs. the holo type, simple because the "tube" style are more protected, and can be seen better in bright light.

BTW, I think the neos is a good choice...
If nothing else, simple because it is 100% dry-fire safe, while the 22A is not. No buffers or aluminum parts, either.

I didn't know red dot scopes had any parallax?

[Keith L]

I didn't know red dot scopes had any parallax?

 

They don't as a rule.  I have seen a few that have 2X magnification and they may have slight paralax, but most have no magnification and therefore will have none.  The author must be referring to something else, but I don't know what.

[Savage]

He may be referring to the ghost or double dot image that are frequently found in the cheaper dot sights.
Savage

[S.B.]

I don't know about the double dot but, I often see a star burst dot if the reostat is turned too high? Even in higher end red dots.

[bilmac]

I think parallelex means the image will move in relation to the dot if you move your head around. I got a chiep red dot on a crossbow and it definately does that. Just lay your gun on a solid rest and move your head around as you look through it and see if the background moves in relatiion to the dot.

[Graybeard]

Dale you seem to tell us you're gonna be buying way more guns than you ever get around to telling us you actually bought so it's hard to get worked up over such predictions. Still I'll comment on the choices and some ideas you've picked up regarding them.

If you think any rimfire is OK to dry fire extensively you are mistaken unless it's the TC Contender which doesn't have to drop the hammer to dry fire. Those off center rimfire firing pins are not intended to be dry fired much. Sure I do it some but keep it rather limited or sooner or later you'll peen the chamber area and perhaps also damage the firing pin. Rimfire guns are not really intended to be dry fired.

If you're really looking for the best buy in a rimfire semiauto you'll probably get more for the money with the Ruger than any other and the Buckmark is similar but less easily found used and used is always the best buy for a person on a budget. Heck I don't really consider myself to be on much of a budget gun wise but I still often buy used. Some times cuz that's the only way to get what I want and some times just cuz what I want is found used at a good price in good condition.

Look at your guns as life time investments and hold onto them once you get them is the best policy. Yeah I should listen to my own advice as I've bought or traded for and no longer have at least 400+ guns and how large that PLUS is I long ago lost count on. I have a bunch of guns but have had many hundreds more I let go of for one reason or another and many I sure regret letting go. I've probably spend several times your annual salary on guns in my life time and truthfully a few years of my own as well. I've enjoyed owning and using them and regret letting some go and others I could hardly wait to be rid of even tho at the time I thought I wanted them.

My advice to you and anyone on a limited budget is to not do as I do but rather as I say do. Buy quality and even if that means having to wait a bit longer to get it and then when you get it hold it and don't let it go. Chose wisely up front and you'll not need to be trading it off to get something else that works better.

I sure wish I had back the money I've lost in gun trades to get the next one I just had to have only to find out later that what I traded was a much better choice for me than what I got. That's a piss poor way to do if you are on a limited budget and not a really bright way to do even if you aren't.

[jgalar]

I recently bought a Neos for my kids to shoot. I cleaned and lightly oiled it when I got it home. We have taken it out shooting about 4 times since getting it. There were a few failures at first, but since then there hasn't been a single problem with the gun. It has eaten about 900 rounds without any problems and I haven't cleaned it since first getting it. Its a great plinking handgun and is extremely reliable.

I bought a cheap BSA reddot at Wallyworld (about $30) and gave it a rough site in before handing it over to the kids. I am able to remove the reddot sight and reinstall without significantly changing the sight in - at least its close enough for shooting falling plates.

For a gun that cost $230 at Academy Sports its been one of my better purchases.

I can't comment on the accuracy as I have only shot it a few times, however its the gun the kids insist on bringing every time we go shooting.

[bscman]

I think parallelex means the image will move in relation to the dot if you move your head around. I got a chiep red dot on a crossbow and it definately does that. Just lay your gun on a solid rest and move your head around as you look through it and see if the background moves in relatiion to the dot.

That's exactly what I'm referring to.
The sight picture is clear, and there is no "haze" or "second dot."
However, with the gun in a vice to hold it steady, you can move your head from side to side and the dot will move around the target 6-8" at 25yds.

You get what you pay for.

[45-70.gov]

most  red dots  are  paralax  set for 75 yards i  think....been  using  them for almost 30  years