Red dots on revolvers... need help.

[guywitha3006]

Hello,

I was wondering what everyone uses for red dots on there revolvers, or hand guns in general? I am getting my fiance a Ruger SP101 (4 inch barrel), and as she prefers red dots to to irons so I want to give it to her with a micro red dot on it. I am specifically looking for the under 3 ounce sites but am open to ideas or input. I have put a few red dots on .22 pistols but nothing on a revolver. i already talked to the smith and will have him drill and tap it when he gets it in.

Thanks in advance!

[white eagle]

I am not sure if your dot needs but I use an Ultra Dot on my 44 mag handgun
works real well for that

[guywitha3006]

Any idea how heavy it is?

[dragonrider]

I can't remember the name of them but I would look for the one molded into the grips.

[guywitha3006]

I thought about the Crimson trace grips but there is a possibility she could hunt with it and you can hunt with a projected laser in WI. I'm think more like a micro reddot or reflex sight. Around the $100 mark if possible.

[contender1]

While I enjoy red dot sights on several handguns, I believe the SP-101 is a bit of a small frame to put a red dot on. I would re-think the Crimson Trace laser grips.
I own C-mores, Ultra-Dots, FastFires & such. I own 4 SP-101's. Two of mine have Crimson Trace grips. None have a red dot.
A holster for a SP with ANY red dot optic will have to be custom. You'll spend a lot more in the long run if you do go to a red dot.

[DanWalker]

The Leupold deltapoint or the Burris Fastfire are what you're looking for. I had a deltapoint on my FA454. Held up just fine. It's a bit more than 100 bucks, but well worth it. No experience with the fastfire other than looking at them in the gunshops. Seem like well made pieces of gear. My browning buckmark has a Bushnell PRS-25 that I LOVE. It is a fantastic little red dot that only weighs a few ounces and is dead nuts reliable and tough. It's bigger than the reflex sights like the deltapoint, but it is a phenomenal value and is highly praised by the AR guys that like to clang and bang steel with their bullet hoses.

[44man]

The gun does not have that much recoil so a little heads up will work fine.
The red laser is a wash for hunting, you can't see it in daytime so you need an expensive green one.
To use a red one on deer you need to run down and put a reflective target on the deer first.

[contender1]

The OP mentions the possibility of hunting with an SP-101. Now, the SP is a smaller framed gun. In 357 mag, it's a 5 shot. Even with a 4" bbl, I don't see many people using it for deer hunting. But, if it's a 4" bbl, I do believe it'll have to be a 22 LR caliber. But, I go back to my original thoughts, the SP isn't a really good frame to D&T to put a red dot on. smaller, (narrow) frame, limited space etc. Throw in the need for a holster to carry, and it'll be an expensive set-up. And think of the resale potential. Any D&Ted gun that wasn't a factory job decreases the value.
Yes, I know many people say; "I'll never sell any gun." But what will your heirs do? NONE of us get out of life alive, and we are merely temporary owners of material things. I'd opt for different open sights & a laser that can easily be removed.
JMO, and I hope it doesn't offend the OP.

[Dave C.]

I run Ultra dots on the slides of my 1911's. Never a failure.
Dave C.

[guywitha3006]

Contender... no offense taken. It is the .357 version but will more than likely see about 98% .38 special target loads. I am buy in it for my fiance to use mainly as a range gun but she may use it while hunting but that's a long shot. Her carrying it in a holster/ccw is probably even less chance then feet hunting with it. It will spend the majority of its life shooting cans and paper at a farm. As far as drilled and tapped I am beyond worrying about resale value... as it will be a wedding present it will be having some custom engraving that will all but eliminate any resale value. Lol

[guywitha3006]

Those ultra dots look nice but I feel they would make it pretty top heavy?

[fecmech]

I am buy in it for my fiance to use mainly as a range gun but she may use it while hunting but that's a long shot. Her carrying it in a holster/ccw is probably even less chance then feet hunting with it. It will spend the majority of its life shooting cans and paper at a farm.
Take a look at the Millett 1" tubed Red dot. Very compact,( about 4 oz.) reasonably priced and IMO a good value. I have been using one on my K38 for over 10 years now (many, many thousands of rounds). About 3 years ago while shooting Hunters pistol Silhouette the sight failed. I sent it to Millett for repair and they sent me a new one no charge and it's still going strong today. I realize the .38 spl has no monster recoil but I shoot at least 5k/yr out of that gun and move the adjustments when shooting silhouette so it gets used. It or the TRS 25 would be good on that pistol.

[ratitude]

I have a pre-Taurus Rossi M971 4" 357Mag that I have thought of doing the same thing with. What kind of mount are you going to use?

[guywitha3006]

I am hoping to just find a 2" or so chunk of picitanny rail that will work. I'm hoping my smith can help out with that part.

[Dale53]

I lost the vision in my right (shooting) eye some few years ago. Using Red Dot sights, I made the transition to shooting right handed but left eyed in just a couple of range sessions.

I ran across this Ruger SP101 with 4" barrel chambered for the .32 H&R Magnum. I took it to my pistolsmith (Jack Basham of Cincinnati (Blue Ash) Ohio). He rather thought I was "out of my mind" I suspect:roll:, but was glad to accommodate me. He installed a rail and the Bushnell Red Dot (1") has worked very well. The Sp101 rear sight is only adjustable for windage and I could NOT get this revolver zero'd. Using the Red Dot it was a piece of cake. I took an unusable revolver and made a VERY useful little field pistol out of it. I have used it only for range use, but it wouldn't be terribly hard to make a holster for it. I would opt for an across the shoulder chest pouch type holster.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/DalesPistolsRevolvers5Selects-0261.jpg (http://s269.photobucket.com/user/Dale53/media/DalesPistolsRevolvers5Selects-0261.jpg.html)

FWIW
Dale53

[jmsj]

Another option would be a Bushnell TRS-25.
I have one on a S&W 686 w/4" barrel. It works great and runs about $100.00 (or less if you shop around)
jmsj

[guywitha3006]

Thanks for all the ideas I have some more research to do. Glad to see people are having good luck with red dots on small revolvers.

[Changeling]

Thanks for all the ideas I have some more research to do. Glad to see people are having good luck with red dots on small revolvers.

Not good luck with all red dots!
As 44Man said above the internal red dot scope is hands down the best optic device available (ULTRA DOT). It costs a little more (I think), but that should tell you something! Mine are exceptional, nothing else comes close in comparison.
Mount a good base, and try one! You'll be sold!!!!!!!!

[OuchHot!]

Trijicon rmr have been working well, they don't give them away but they are durable.

[guywitha3006]

I think right now I am going to go with the Burris Fast Fire III 3MOA dot with a picatinny rail mount, at this point it seems to be a good fit budget, size, and function value. Now just to wait for the gun to arrive...Hopefully early next week.

[Combat Diver]

Did a handgun hunt this past season with my buddies Blackhawk 6.5" .41 Mag. He had mounted a Millet Red Dot on top. Nice set up! I got hooked on Red Dots on top of my issued M4 for CQB work back in the mid 90s. I swap between an ACOG or Aimpoint on top of my M4ergy depending on my needs.

CD

[guywitha3006]

Combat diver... every time I look at acogs I have a small heart attack. How'd you get over that initial price?

[Combat Diver]

After using them for over 10 yrs hard at work I know they are worth it. Did take awhile to save up however.

CD

[imashooter2]

I think right now I am going to go with the Burris Fast Fire III 3MOA dot with a picatinny rail mount, at this point it seems to be a good fit budget, size, and function value. Now just to wait for the gun to arrive...Hopefully early next week.


Good choice. I have one slide mounted on a 1911. A very tough , very small and light sight.

[bshaw]

I also have the Fast Fire III but mine is mounted on a Smith .500 and has absolutely no problems with several thousand rounds of the 500's. It's small very lite and has never changed aim point. I used a Chen mount which replaces the rear site.

99597

[BoolitSchuuter]

I have a pre-Taurus Rossi M971 4" 357Mag that I have thought of doing the same thing with. What kind of mount are you going to use?

I have the 6 inch stainless version. Used the S&W K frame scope mount. Had my gunsmith drill and tap the top strap for the mounting screws. Mounted an Ultradot scope. Rested with my handloads gives me a 2 inch group at 25 yards.

101305

You can see where my Gunsmith drill and tapped the holes for the mount;

101306

[Larry Gibson]

I use a Burris Fast Fire II on my Ruger I D&T the top strap for a thin flat bottom Weaver base so the sight can easily be removed and the iron sights are there, zeroed and ready to go.

Larry Gibson

100560

[Whiterabbit]

I also have the Fast Fire III but mine is mounted on a Smith .500 and has absolutely no problems with several thousand rounds of the 500's. It's small very lite and has never changed aim point. I used a Chen mount which replaces the rear site.

99597

Does that fit the 460 X-frame too?

[Whiterabbit]

I use a Burris Fast Fire II on my Ruger I D&T the top strap for a thin flat bottom Weaver base so the sight can easily be removed and the iron sights are there, zeroed and ready to go.

Larry Gibson

100560

shoot, I need to know about this one too. My BFR base is too large to see the irons over

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=97967&d=1393456054

A flatter base would be perfect. Where did you get yours?

[scrappletaco]

It should both a x frame guns. I don't see any reason it won't.

[Whiterabbit]

good news. Googling doesn't give me much on Chen Mounts though. Where does one buy one?

[DanWalker]

I'd love for someone to make a small weaver base that replaced the rear sight on the FA83. I know weigand used to, but they are no more.

[ole 5 hole group]

Nice flush mount there Larry - sure beats my set-up.

Milling the 1911 frame gets the DeltaPoint right down there and backup sights can be used with the Deltapoint attached.

Here's how the 1911 slide was milled, tapped and cnc for the alignment posts - revolvers not so easy.

[Whiterabbit]

cant you D&T the topstrap for red dots like that one?

[imashooter2]

good news. Googling doesn't give me much on Chen Mounts though. Where does one buy one?

I believe that is actually an Allchin Gun Parts mount:

http://www.allchingunparts.com/details.php?prodId=82&category=&secondary=&keywords=S&W

[imashooter2]

cant you D&T the topstrap for red dots like that one?

No, the mounting screws for the FastFire are side by side, not inline and there are also 4 alignment pins in a rectangle pattern.

[Larry Gibson]

shoot, I need to know about this one too. My BFR base is too large to see the irons over

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=97967&d=1393456054

A flatter base would be perfect. Where did you get yours?

The Fast Fires also come with the base that fits Weaver bases and is not gun specific. That is what mine is. I used a #46 and flattened the bottom with a file; not difficult at all. You might just be able to have a sight channel milled down the center of that base? May or may not have to shorten the screws.

Larry Gibson

100610

[jmort]

"After using them for over 10 yrs hard at work I know they are worth it. Did take awhile to save up however."


Combat Diver is one guy who has been the and done that, a whole lot of times. I give great weight to his endorsement.

[Lefty Red]

The Leupold deltapoint or the Burris Fastfire are what you're looking for. I had a deltapoint on my FA454. Held up just fine. It's a bit more than 100 bucks, but well worth it. No experience with the fastfire other than looking at them in the gunshops. Seem like well made pieces of gear. My browning buckmark has a Bushnell PRS-25 that I LOVE. It is a fantastic little red dot that only weighs a few ounces and is dead nuts reliable and tough. It's bigger than the reflex sights like the deltapoint, but it is a phenomenal value and is highly praised by the AR guys that like to clang and bang steel with their bullet hoses.

I 2nd Dan's suggestion. I am thinking of leaning this way for my son for a beginners plinker. I just like the smaller SP101.
Lefty

[guywitha3006]

Well after all the help I thought I should post a picture of my Wife's SP101 with the Burris Fast Fire III mounted on it. We have not had a chance to shoot it yet (Honeymoon and working), hopefully this weekend she can finally try it out. She was so excited when I gave it to her the night of the wedding that I had to tell her no, she could not go out back of the hotel to "try it out". Lol. Thanks for all the help again she loves the red dot set up.

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y517/guywitha3006/IMG_20140405_091337_808_zps2f07b9e8.jpg (http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/guywitha3006/media/IMG_20140405_091337_808_zps2f07b9e8.jpg.html)

The barrel is engraved " I will love you forever and always" and the one grip has our wedding date and the reverse side has her new initials. The pink I powder coated the grips was the wedding color.

[DanWalker]

CLASSY sir! Very classy!