Most people, using the most popular definition of
target shooting, have more fun with a red dot. These folks are not going to get the smallest groups possible from their accurate guns. This is not from lack of magnification, but from the fact that red dots cover more
target area than a crosshair. The area that is covered by whatever kind of reticle (red dot or crosshair) is called subtension. Reticles in a magnified scope will almost always have significantly less subtension than a red dot, and the higher the magnification the lower the subtension. The lower the subtension the more precisely you may place your shot. Pistols like your excellent Buckmark may be capable of shooting groups of a half inch or so at 25 yards with ammo that the gun likes. This group size is almost impossible to realize with a
red dot that may cover an area two or more times that size, with a fuzzy, non-discernable
aiming point. So you will never realize the potential accuracy from your gun.
That being said, magnified pistol scopes are not quick nor necessarily easy to use, with the more magnification you have and smaller field of view making it decidedly harder to find your
target and hold steady on it. If you choose to go this way, size doesn't have a lot to do with it except for how you think it looks asthetically. Red dots are like looking through a piece of glass with a bright red spot on it. Easy. Quick. Fun. Small. Wide field of view. For plinking at the range when group size is not paramount, teaching new shooters, putting holes in cans, and all around enjoyment, a
red dot is hard to beat.
The
red dot examples you provided are fine for plinking, and almost any quality or price over the very cheapest will suffice for a rimfire. Don't overlook the
Tasco ProPoints which have been favorites of mine for years. For a short 2x scope this
Swift pistol scope is fine, but a larger scope with variable magnification like this
Bushnell Trophy makes the gun a lot more versatile, and at higher power will certainly let you see how small of a group you and your gun can shoot.
Decide how your optic will help enhance your favorite type of shooting, and have fun with your fine firearm.
Most people, using the most popular definition of [url=http://www.opticsplanet.com/targets.html]target[/url] shooting, have more fun with a red dot. These folks are not going to get the smallest groups possible from their accurate guns. This is not from lack of magnification, but from the fact that red dots cover more [url=http://www.opticsplanet.com/targets.html]target[/url] area than a crosshair. The area that is covered by whatever kind of reticle (red dot or crosshair) is called subtension. Reticles in a magnified scope will almost always have significantly less subtension than a red dot, and the higher the magnification the lower the subtension. The lower the subtension the more precisely you may place your shot. Pistols like your excellent Buckmark may be capable of shooting groups of a half inch or so at 25 yards with ammo that the gun likes. This group size is almost impossible to realize with a [url=http://www.opticsplanet.com/red-dot-scopes.html]red dot[/url] that may cover an area two or more times that size, with a fuzzy, non-discernable [url=http://www.opticsplanet.com/trijicon-night-sight-sets.html]aiming point[/url]. So you will never realize the potential accuracy from your gun.
That being said, magnified pistol scopes are not quick nor necessarily easy to use, with the more magnification you have and smaller field of view making it decidedly harder to find your [url=http://www.opticsplanet.com/targets.html]target[/url] and hold steady on it. If you choose to go this way, size doesn't have a lot to do with it except for how you think it looks asthetically. Red dots are like looking through a piece of glass with a bright red spot on it. Easy. Quick. Fun. Small. Wide field of view. For plinking at the range when group size is not paramount, teaching new shooters, putting holes in cans, and all around enjoyment, a [url=http://www.opticsplanet.com/red-dot-scopes.html]red dot[/url] is hard to beat.
The [url=http://www.opticsplanet.com/red-dot-scopes.html]red dot[/url] examples you provided are fine for plinking, and almost any quality or price over the very cheapest will suffice for a rimfire. Don't overlook the [url=http://www.opticsplanet.com/tasco-1x25-propoint.html]Tasco ProPoints[/url] which have been favorites of mine for years. For a short 2x scope this [url=http://www.opticsplanet.com/swift-2x20-pistol-scope-663m-663s.html]Swift pistol scope[/url] is fine, but a larger scope with variable magnification like this [url=http://www.opticsplanet.com/bushnell-trophy-2-6x32mm-handgun-riflescope.html]Bushnell Trophy[/url] makes the gun a lot more versatile, and at higher power will certainly let you see how small of a group you and your gun can shoot.
Decide how your optic will help enhance your favorite type of shooting, and have fun with your fine firearm.
