7 Best Handgun Scopes of 2021
Mounting a scope on your handgun is one of the best ways to focus your eye on the target for easier aiming and more accurate shooting. And this explains why the use of scopes on handguns is slowly becoming more common.
However, choosing the best handgun scope is not as straightforward as picking a scope for your rifle. Also, handgun scopes need to be able to deal with a different kind of recoil, provide a longer eye relief and also ensure you always get a wide enough field of view.
To simplify your search for a good handgun scope, below we review 7 top-rated models and also explain the important factors to consider in more detail.
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7 Best Handgun Scopes – Review
- 1. Simmons 822010 – Beautifully Designed and Built to Last
- 2. Leupold FX-II 58750 – An Amazingly Lightweight Fixed Power Scope
- 3. Weaver Classic Silver 849424 – Rugged, Reliable and Accurate
- 4. Bushnell Trophy 752633S – Unbeatable Quality for the Price
- 5. Nikon Force XR EER Matte 8468 – Well-built Scope from a Great Brand
- 6. NcStar SPB2732B – As Cheap As a Good Handgun Scope can Get
- 7. BSA PS27X32 Edge Series – Good Basic Handgun Optics
- How to Buy the Best Handgun Scopes
- Conclusion
7 Best Handgun Scopes – Review
|
Product Name |
Magnification |
Objective Diameter |
Weight |
Current Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Simmons ProHunter Truplex Reticle Handgun Scope |
2-6x |
32 mm |
9.7 oz |
|
|
2. Leupold FX-II Handgun Scope |
4x |
28 mm |
7 oz |
|
|
3. Weaver Classic Silver Handgun Scope |
2x |
28 mm |
6.7 oz |
|
|
4. Bushnell Trophy Handgun Scope |
2-6x |
32 mm |
11 oz |
|
|
5. Nikon Force XR EER Matte Handgun Scope |
2.5-8x |
28 mm |
11.5 oz |
|
|
6. NcStar SPB2732B Pistol Scope |
2-7x |
32 mm |
11.6 oz |
|
|
7. BSA 2-7x32 Edge Series Pistol Scope |
2-7x |
32 mm |
17.6 oz |
1. Simmons 822010 – Beautifully Designed and Built to Last
Photo: Simmons
- Magnification: 2-6x
- Objective Diameter: 32 millimeters
- Weight: 9.7 ounces
Simmons' ProHunter has been designed to provide some of the clearest and brightest images that you can get from a handgun scope. And it achieves this by using some high-quality and fully multicoated optics.
This handgun scope has also been built to last, and it features a solid single-piece aluminum main tube with a 100% fog, water, and shockproof integrity.
Target acquisition is also a quick and effortless task thanks to the quick target acquisition eyepiece, and you will hardly miss anything even when it is moving.
Compensating for windage and elevation is also easy as the scope uses an exclusive TrueZero adjustment system and with a raised tab on the zoom change ring to provide an easier grip.
And to make this an even better scope, it is the second most affordable item on our handgun scopes review.
This scope might not be good enough to handle the high caliber handguns, but it is still quite tough and can take a hit which means it should be able to handle most handguns.
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2. Leupold FX-II 58750 – An Amazingly Lightweight Fixed Power Scope
Photo: Leupold
- Magnification: 4x
- Objective Diameter: 28 millimeters
- Weight: 7 ounces
Weighing just 7 ounces, Leupold's FX-II is the second lightest scope on our list and given that it is also more compact, it will be a great addition to your revolver.
Despite its relatively smaller size, this top-rated handgun scope still has a lot to offer which includes a solid and rugged main tube with argon/krypton waterproofing.
Its DiamonCoat 2 coated lenses that come in a 4-lens system are designed to ensure optimal clarity, brightness and image contrast even when shooting in low light conditions.
This 4x fixed power scope has a fast focus eyepiece that makes reticle focusing fast and easy and with a lock ring to help you maintain the setting.
When compared to other scopes on our list, the FX-II is relatively more expensive, but given that it is still under $500 , it will still be a good buy. And this is more so given its quality and actual field performance.
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3. Weaver Classic Silver 849424 – Rugged, Reliable and Accurate
Photo: Weaver
- Magnification: 2x
- Objective Diameter: 28 millimeters
- Weight: 6.7 ounces
Given its price tag, the ruggedness and reliability of the Weaver Classic scope are hard to beat, and it has also been designed to offer top-notch accuracy when hunting.
Another thing that makes it one of the best handgun scopes for hunting is that it is made from the highest quality materials to ensure that it can handle the harsh outdoor environment.
The scope is designed to provide a bright and clear sight picture as it uses some high-quality and fully multicoated optics that provide edge-to-edge clarity.
Its 1-inch one-piece construction has also been completely sealed and has been nitrogen sealed to make it completely fog, water and shockproof.
At 6.7 ounces, it is also a more lightweight scope and has also been designed to be more compact to ensure it does not add any excess mass to your handgun.
The 2x magnification setting is quite small and might not be ideal for long range shooting, but given that this scope is meant for use on a hunting handgun, it should still be more than enough.
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4. Bushnell Trophy 752633S – Unbeatable Quality for the Price
Photo: Bushnell
- Magnification: 2-6x
- Objective Diameter: 32 millimeters
- Weight: 11 ounces
Bushnell has several models of handgun scopes on the market for a variety of applications, but the quality of their Trophy scope is unbeatable at its price range.
But besides offering you great value for your cash, this handgun scope also comes with fully multicoated optics that will deliver up to 91% light transmission for crisp clear images.
Also, the 20-inch eye relief will be ideal for almost any shooting condition and will make this one of the best handgun scopes for 44 Mag guns as it means you can shoot comfortably without worrying about the recoil.
A fast focus eyepiece makes reticle focusing quick and effortless while the shorter one-piece main tube will ensure that the scope stays out of your way. And like most other high-quality Bushnell scopes, it is backed by a lifetime warranty.
The absence of dust covers might be annoying and a significant shortcoming for some shooters, but the good news is that there are many cheap and high-quality compatible flip-open caps in the market.
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5. Nikon Force XR EER Matte 8468 – Well-built Scope from a Great Brand
Photo: Nikon
- Magnification: 2.5-8x
- Objective Diameter: 28 millimeters
- Weight: 11.5 ounces
With the well-built Nikon Force XR handgun scope mounted on your pistol, you can be confident that shooting will not only be more accurate but also more fun for you.
You also cannot go wrong with Nikon when it comes to anything to do with optics as they are one of the most reputable brands. And the quality of the lenses on the Force XR shows why thousands of handgun shooters across the globe trust them.
The scope uses a fully multicoated optical system that delivers up to 95% light transmission for a bright and clear sight picture even in low light. And it also has a more useful and reliable BDC reticle.
You can use this Nikon scope on almost any handgun as it has been designed to hold up to very heavy recoil. Adjusting windage and elevation is also made easier and more precise by the 1/4 MOA hand-turn turrets
Given its price tag, the reticle should be illuminated but unless you plan to use your pistol on very low light conditions, this scope should still work well enough for you.
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6. NcStar SPB2732B – As Cheap As a Good Handgun Scope can Get
Photo: NcStar
- Magnification: 2-7x
- Objective Diameter: 32 millimeters
- Weight: 11.6 ounces
If you are one of the many shooters on the hunt for the best handgun scope for hunting but are not ready to spend a lot of cash, this model by NcStar is as cheap as it can get without compromising the quality.
It is a 2-7x variable power scope with a 32-millimeter objective lens to allow more light in. And it also uses some multicoated lenses to deliver distortion-free image clarity.
This rifle scope also offers a decent eye relief of up to 10.7 inches which will provide more mounting capability and allow you to use it on almost any handgun.
With the precise and noticeable adjustment clicks, you can easily tune the windage and elevation to suit your particular scenario. And when you buy this scope, you will also get a mounting ring and lens caps
At the higher magnification settings, the eye relief and image clarity seem to dip, but this is typical of most cheap scopes, and the good news is that with this model both are still good enough for accurate shooting.
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7. BSA PS27X32 Edge Series – Good Basic Handgun Optics
Photo: BSA
- Magnification: 2-7x
- Objective Diameter: 32 millimeters
- Weight: 17.6 ounces
Your handgun scope does not need to be complicated because a basic model like BSA's Edge Series will still get the job done when mounted on your pistol.
This pistol scope uses some high-quality multicoated optics which will deliver an excellent sight picture in almost any light condition. And it is also easily adjustable to allow you to fine-tune it to suit your particular situation.
Mounting it should not take a lot of effort whether you are an experienced shooter or beginner, and it is also simple to sight in and will hold zero quite well.
When it comes to its physical characteristics, this scope will not disappoint you as it is made with a one-piece solid aluminum main tube that is rugged and highly durable.
While it is the heaviest on our review, 17.6 ounces is still fairly lightweight for use in any pistol, and most shooters will not even notice the few extra ounces.
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How to Buy the Best Handgun Scopes
As you shop for the best pistol scope, it is important to understand that different scopes will come in different price ranges and with different features. And so you cannot just go for the first that you come across.
To make sure that you make a more informed choice and that you will not end up wasting your cash on something substandard, it is important to consider the following factors when shopping.
1. Magnification
A scope's optical power or magnification is one of its most important attributes and this is still the case with the handgun scopes. Hence, magnification is always one of the most crucial elements to take into account.
Magnification also determines the handgun's maximum range, and the higher it is the further you can use your gun to shoot from.
The best handgun scopes are those that have a variable magnification range such as 2-7x as they will be ideal for both short and long range shooting.
But, note that scopes with higher magnification settings and a wider range are often the heaviest given the type and size of lenses they use and are also more expensive.
2. Objective Diameter
The diameter of the objective lens will determine the amount of light that the handgun scope can gather or let in. And the more the light gathered the clearer and brighter the sight picture will be.
A large objective diameter might be the best for a handgun scope, but you should not go overboard. An overly large one like a 50-millimeter objective diameter will translate to a heavier scope that might not be ideal for use on your small handgun.
Something with at least a 20-millimeter objective lens is often good enough for a handgun as it gathers enough light without adding a lot of weight to your gun.
3. Reticle
From simple center dots to the more complex grid patterns, there are several reticle types to choose from when buying a handgun scope.
But, many handgun users prefer to use the simple duplex reticles as they are generally easier to use and are useful even in low light conditions.
Mil-dot and BDC reticles can also be very useful in certain conditions and for shooters that do not mind spending some extra bucks on their scope.
Also, a scope with an illuminated reticle that has different brightness levels will even be more useful for low light and other shooting conditions.
4. Eye Relief
Eye relief is the maximum distance that your eye can be away from the scope and still see clearly enough through it for effective aiming.
A typical rifle scope will have an eye relief of between 3 and 7 inches, but this range is way too short for a handgun scope given that most shooters will hold their scope at least 18 inches from their eye.
A good handgun scope should be designed to have a longer eye relief and something with at least 8 inches of eye relief should be good enough.
Read More : The Best Long Eye Relief Scopes
However, the actual size of eye relief that you need will depend on your shooting style and conditions and what you intend to use your pistol for.
5. Weight
The scope's weight also matters a lot because handguns are lightweight and often held with one hand, and so something heavy will make shooting hard for you.
A scope that weighs over 20 ounces might feel like 100 ounces after a few seconds at full arm’s length. Add in the fact that it will also make your gun harder to carry for extended periods and you have the perfect recipe for a horrible time when target shooting or hunting.
But, also note that an overly lightweight scope might not be able to withstand the recoil and can be easily be knocked off zero. Hence, you need your handgun scope to be just light enough but also with enough weight to withstand high recoil.
Conclusion
With all said and done, the best handgun scope for you will ultimately depend on your personal preferences and how much money you are willing to spend.
However, like with any other scope type, there are certain important things you must consider when shopping such as the magnification, reticle type, objective lens diameter, and weight.
And for the many shooters out there that have no idea where to start their hunt for a handgun scope, our review above a great starting point as they will provide some great recommendations.