Author Topic: Red Dot Sight on a .44Mag Handi..... (Read 2041 times)

oo_buck · « **on:** March 15, 2011, 04:10:51 AM »

Anyone using a red dot sight on their .44 Handi?

Bought the gun last year, came with a tasco 3-9 x 40 on it.

Just not a lot of eye relief there, and with my daughters shooting it, I'm just concerned they're gonna get scope bit.

I have a Tru Glo Multi-Reticle Dual Color sight laying around and am considering installing it on the Handi, as eye relief would be a non issue with it.

I realize I'm giving up any magnification, but the longest shot this gun will likely see is about 100yds.

Just lookin for any input or experience in the matter.

Am I giving up too much by switching, or is the peace of mind that it won't "bite" my kids a good tradeoff?

Thanks
buck

tomf52 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 15, 2011, 04:38:48 AM »

The kid's well being and safety should be the priority.

oo_buck · « **Reply #2 on:** March 15, 2011, 05:31:12 AM »

I know Tom, Thanks.

I guess what I'm lookin for is someone else who's got a red-dot on their Handi, to tell me what their experience has been.

Should have probably spent more time wording my post to begin with.

And I suppose that if the red dot was not the most appropriate I could look for a scope with longer eye relief.....

Again, thanks for the reply

buck

45-70.gov · « **Reply #3 on:** March 15, 2011, 06:07:08 AM »

i am sure you will be useing it more than your daughter

i really like red dots

great in poor lighting
fastest thing to get on target with

fast action and single shot don't go hand in hand......the ONLY draw back
but who really needs more than one shot from a 44mag rifle

1NEFsofar · « **Reply #4 on:** March 15, 2011, 06:32:07 AM »

Yes, I used a red dot on my 44 with great results. My was for my kids too!

oo_buck · « **Reply #5 on:** March 15, 2011, 08:13:35 AM »

It's possible I might, but after all these yrs using my ultra slug hunter, I'm reluctant to switch to my .44 full time. I know what my slug gun will do, but that .44 sure is nice and light in comparison.

Why not, looks like I'm goin to go ahead and mount the red dot.....

reclusej · « **Reply #6 on:** March 15, 2011, 09:02:08 AM »

I got a red dot on my .357 mag and it works great.
Quick acquisition!!! reclusej

Spanky · « **Reply #7 on:** March 15, 2011, 11:37:45 AM »

Quote from: reclusej on March 15, 2011, 09:02:08 AM

I got a red dot on my .357 mag and it works great.
Quick acquisition!!! reclusej

That's one of the nicest stock sets I've seen on a Handi. Is it a GSI set ? I especially like the forearm.
Give us some info on it will ya!!

Spanky

ronbob · « **Reply #8 on:** March 15, 2011, 12:04:10 PM »

I have one on my 30-30, no problems, works very well.

reclusej · « **Reply #9 on:** March 15, 2011, 12:04:37 PM »

The butt stock is from Boyds. I put a poly finish on it.
I made the schnabel forend out of cedar wood and
made it 2 inches longer and put a poly finish on it also.
Thanks for the nice comment, reclusej

kbstenberg · « **Reply #10 on:** March 15, 2011, 01:06:25 PM »

My exp. with the RD is with a pistol. So its not really an apples to apples. But out past 75 yards the dot is fairly large for an acurate bullet placement. OH i have a Red Dot Ultradot

Goatwhiskers · « **Reply #11 on:** March 15, 2011, 03:22:17 PM »

Which brings up the question: which red dot sight has the smallest dot? I know I've read about it somewhere but can't remember. Goatwhiskers

xhare · « **Reply #12 on:** March 15, 2011, 03:34:38 PM »

I have checked into the Burris Fastfire 2. The company says its 4 MOA. However, when you look at the different mounting options, rifle vs pistol, I wonder where that 4 MOA applies. It seems to me that a pistol held at arms length would make for a "smaller" red dot than if mounted on a rifle closer to the eye. But I love the small size of this red dot.

spikehorn · « **Reply #13 on:** March 15, 2011, 04:03:15 PM »

Tru Glo also makes a 2X red dot. I have a few of these and highly recomend them

6Covered · « **Reply #14 on:** March 15, 2011, 04:59:42 PM »

I have one on my 45LC. Works slick. Easy for the grandkids. Not good for accuracy testing. My two cents

Jon

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #15 on:** March 15, 2011, 07:32:46 PM »

I have one of the Tru-Glo 2X mounted on my 444 Marlin Handi, has done fine. It's listed as a 2.5 MOA dot, may not give the best target accuracy, but darn quick and good for hunting. DP

oo_buck · « **Reply #16 on:** March 16, 2011, 04:15:48 AM »

The one I'm putting on also has the crosshair reticle, so I'm guessing that's what I'll leave it set on, and go from there....

Thanks for the input guys.

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #17 on:** March 16, 2011, 07:28:06 AM »

I have used the Bushnell Sportsman on and off for a few yrs on shotgun work they are 6MOA 1x28. Holds zero very well never had any issues with it .So my brother wanted to try them on slugguns I am building for him and my nephew . I got 2 of them from optics planet for $150 shipped. They are the Trophy model. Not micros but the do sit low and have a small foot print. I never really tried them at 100yards but work well 50-75 yards. Kurt

cwlongshot · « **Reply #18 on:** March 16, 2011, 01:37:39 PM »

I also like red dot scopes allot. I use them all the time in my competition pistols. I have one on a shotgun, another on a 45 ACP carbine and have tried them a couple times on hunting firearms. There is where the short comings begin. the small batteries do not hold up very well in colder temperatures. You just cannot count on them lasting long as the temps drop.

That would be my warning to you. If your in a warmer climate maybe it could be OK for you. But if your hunting or need to use this after long hours in sub freezing temperatures. Don't count on it lasting too long.

If your just punching paper or steel in warm weather, it should work well and in direct opposition. My batteries in my target pistols easily last a couple seasons!!

CW

spikehorn · « **Reply #19 on:** March 16, 2011, 02:00:49 PM »

I learned a long time ago to carry a spare battery when I use a gun with a red dot.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #20 on:** March 16, 2011, 02:07:25 PM »

Quote from: spikehorn on March 16, 2011, 02:00:49 PM

I learned a long time ago to carry a spare battery when I use a gun with a red dot.

That's a good idea, BUT you gotta keep it warm and even if you do, once installed cold temps will quickly sap its energy too.

Its uncanny how long they can last at temps above 70 compared to how fast they loose all power at temps at or below freezing.

CW

spikehorn · « **Reply #21 on:** March 16, 2011, 04:21:31 PM »

Quote from: cwlongshot on March 16, 2011, 02:07:25 PM

Quote from: spikehorn on March 16, 2011, 02:00:49 PM
I learned a long time ago to carry a spare battery when I use a gun with a red dot.

That's a good idea, BUT you gotta keep it warm and even if you do, once installed cold temps will quickly sap its energy too.

Its uncanny how long they can last at temps above 70 compared to how fast they loose all power at temps at or below freezing.

CW

Yep I would agree with that, I usually keep it in a breast pocket under my coat. The other good reason to carry a spare is forgetting to turn it off.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #22 on:** March 17, 2011, 12:30:41 AM »

Quote from: spikehorn on March 16, 2011, 04:21:31 PM

Quote from: cwlongshot on March 16, 2011, 02:07:25 PM
Quote from: spikehorn on March 16, 2011, 02:00:49 PM
I learned a long time ago to carry a spare battery when I use a gun with a red dot.

That's a good idea, BUT you gotta keep it warm and even if you do, once installed cold temps will quickly sap its energy too.

Its uncanny how long they can last at temps above 70 compared to how fast they loose all power at temps at or below freezing.

CW

Yep I would agree with that, I usually keep it in a breast pocket under my coat. The other good reason to carry a spare is forgetting to turn it off.

LOL been there done that!! LOL

One super feature on my older Aim point scopes. After a short time when in complete darkness they shut off by them selves!!! THATS saved a couple matches for me, over the years for sure!!

CW

jedman · « **Reply #23 on:** March 17, 2011, 04:01:21 AM »

I have a 44 handi with a Burris Fastfire red dot on it, love it for hunting, I also have a 357 handi with a Bushnell Trophy thats another perfect 100 yard gun.
When sighting them in I find a standard paper plate works best for a target. My eyes are no longer much good with iron sights but with a red dot and a paper plate target that you can see a white border and center the dot I can shoot tight groups with them at 100 yards.
Jed

gcrank1 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 17, 2011, 06:06:42 AM »

I like wind-up watches too........

hunterwinco · « **Reply #25 on:** March 17, 2011, 07:10:47 AM »

I recently bought a TR25? Bushnell from Cabelas for like 99.00 on sale. Put it on my 357 handi. its got a 3 MOA dot and I think it Rocks! I had tried a tru-glo and ended up returning it to cabelas after a week. the "dot" was more like a deformed blob $:-\$ . The product specialist told me that was normal for those tru-glos (no offense to those who love 'em). I decided to give red dots another try and the Bushnell is REALLY sharp and has 11 intensity settings. I am going to the range later this afternoon to tweak her and then I'm heading north tomorrow night to my buddies and we are going to try and kill a couple of coyotes with the full moon this weekend. Still about 2 feet of snow in Northern Me, so it will be slow walking. My wife thinks I'm "whacked in the noodle"!

gcrank1 · « **Reply #26 on:** March 17, 2011, 07:34:25 AM »

Do you wear corrective lenses? With my eye condition I get 'egg shapes' in several situations.

hunterwinco · « **Reply #27 on:** March 17, 2011, 08:51:28 AM »

no corrective lens 20/20...although at 45 yo I have started using el cheap 1 power reading glasses! :'(I assume the dot was just malformed, thats why I had called Cabelas and spoke with the product specialist regarding the pixelation of the dot. They were very nice, but he admitted that was a common complaint. The Bushnell dot looks perfectly round to me.

thejanitor · « **Reply #28 on:** March 17, 2011, 09:08:05 AM »

I am surprised Petemi didn't jump in on this, I thought he had a couple mounted on 45-70s that he loved... thejanitor

petemi · « **Reply #29 on:** March 17, 2011, 09:35:08 AM »

I had cataract surgery and vision improved a lot. I took off most of the red dots and replaced them with 3-9x 50s or 40s. I just shoot better with them. I think only the .45LC still wears a red dot, and Patty's .22 Mag. The new .500 wears a compact 3-9x50 and I'm loving that rifle.

Pete