Question about handgun dot optics and heavy recoil.

[Wambli Ska]

I do NOT like scopes on handguns and my experiments with normal scopes on regular handguns like long barreled revolvers have been “trying” for lack of a better word. Someday I’ll play with an SD but not yet.

BUT, I find myself easily and accurately hitting targets at distances I never thought of as “easy” (and that n some cases even doable) using my Glock 48 with the Holosun, even shooting offhand.

This has made me think that I’d like to set up a long barreled Ruger .44 Mag BH with a small red dot for hunting since I seem to be able to hit anything I want at the hunting distances I’d be using a such a handgun for which I’m thinking 150 yards or less.

So the question is, anyone here have any experience using any of the current crop of small handgun dot sights on heavy kicking handgun? Thoughts on the idea?

[CPJ 2.0]

I’d wager they’d handle recoil better than larger dots of old, less mass in the ass to move around. (Think of bigger scopes slipping in rings, etc)

I’d also wager they are rated for it. I know the Burris fast fire that’s been around for a while as made for shotguns. I can’t
Imagine new models wouldn’t survive.

[Zee]

I’m currently running a Vortex on a 6” GP-100. Bought all I’ve done regarding the tiny red dots.

[Wambli Ska]

Hummmm, sounds like it won’t be an issue then! And the less mass point seems logical. So you guys think this is sound thinking?

[Zee]

We’ll hold your beer.

[Wambli Ska]

[Bigslug]

G-force load on the reciprocating slide of a lightweight 9mm subjected to the high volume of defensive caliber plinking vs. G-force load of recoil only on a heavy gun with lower volume reps of a hunting caliber.

I wouldn't be overly concerned about the optic - just get a mount that's up to snuff.

I'm waffling toward this path myself - Redhawk, Blackhawk, and GP-100 all packing a lot more distance capability than the autos - just not so readily assembled.

As the shoe salesman says, we'll hold your beer.

[Wambli Ska]

Ok, it’ll take me a bit to scrounge all the desired parts, including the BH. Need to refill the fun bank account, but I think this is my next project.

[Japhy]

The forces on the revolver will be far less than a slide mounted sight. The slide opens rapidly then stops before moving forward the abruptly stopping as the bolt closes. On the slide there at 4 accelerations on the revolver there is one. The revolver frame movement is limited to a short distance, goes to a softer stop; you are holding it!
Acceleration is the change in velocity whether increasing or decreasing and force = mass x acceleration

[Wambli Ska]

Good point. I think putting the sight as far back as possible so it does not experience the big muzzle jump will help mitigate the forces too since it will be more like a pivot point.

[Zee]

I was on a handgun hunting forum, before they ate themselves, and many of them ran red dots on their revolvers. Can’t remember which model.
Ernie might.