Riflescope Blog: Expert's reviews, news, notes on rifle scopes, hunting optics, shooting, binoculars, night vision sights, gun accessories, and more

Swift will be in tomorrow to update the troops on new products and do some training. I've been using an SPR685M on a RWS 52 Deluxe in 25 caliber for the last few months. I've broken quite a few scopes on this beast, and even though I've tried to destroy this one, it has held up perfectly. It is repeatable, looks good and is plenty bright. The included sunshade is a nice touch. I'll keep trying to trash this item, but it looks like it's here to stay.

I was fooling around with one of my Galco Miami Classic holsters the other night. I hadn't worn this particular one for a while, and as I put it on I noticed that it must've shrunk a bit over the winter. It didn't look any different, and the screws were in the correct position, so I concluded it must've shrunk. That I had grown a bit in proportion was inconceivable. Just because I eat too much sometimes and don't excersise enough was not reason enough to believe there was that much more of me. So I grumbled a bit as I loosened the screws, and considered giving Galco a call about this strange anomaly. As I get older, similar anamolies also happen to my pants and belts, and I think it would be wise for me to discover the truth about these someday.

For about forty-five bucks you can get a light duty Simmons Universal red dot sight that can be used on the 3/8" grooves on a .22 pistol or rifle. By switching the mounting brackets from top to bottom, this sight turns into a unit that can be mounted on a standard weaver rail. Sights of this type are not what I would carry into the deer field on my shotgun, but for light duty use are a lot of fun. They easily attach to most firearms, and give beginners a good idea how much less of a problem it is to maintain a sight picture and hold for plinking or target use. Try one!

There is confusion about base sizes. To be very basic, a Weaver-style base is 7/8" across. 22s do not have Weaver-style bases, but 3/8" dovetails. A 22 base fits the 3/8" dovetails, and Weaver-style fits the wide ones. Take a peek at "The Importance of a Secure Scope Mounting System."

The installation of these sights is a no-brainer. If you can disassemble your gun, you can probably install a Lasermax sight. Simply replace the factory guide rod and spring, and you are guaranteed to be within 2-3" at 20 yards to your point of aim. Some applications require the replacement of an included part or two. Directions are supplied and are simple enough for most. The 1911 style is adjustable with a small allen wrench. One of mine in a Glock 22 has been abused for over a dozen years and has only required the occasional battery change. Models for many popular makes and models are available. They are all bright and durable, and if you just want them for fun, by all means, try them.

Here's a few basic suggestions for one inch Weaver style rings for scopes with 40mm objective lenses:
Leupold Rifleman #55860. Good all-purpose alloy rings at a very reasonable price.
Leupold Cross Slot rings #49965 . Very good looking and sturdy steel rings in gloss only.
Leupold QRW #49856. . Tough and good looking rings with two screws on each side and a lever for quick removal. I use these on some of my slug guns.
Leupold PRW #54149. . Love them. Same as above without the quick release feature.
Leupold Mark 4 #57524 in aluminum, or 60595 in steel. . Simply put, some of the best rings ever made since the beginning of time. Use the proper torque wrench for repeatable installation.
A lot of people have been interested in the new Burris XTR rings #420181 lately, and Burris also sells the reliable Zee Rings #420521.
B-Square #20054. Another good basic ring at a good price.
I only mentioned in this short script a couple products that we regularly carry and that are of fine quality. There are many other brands available, some are superb, some suck. You get what you pay for.
One caveat: Although most 40mm objective lens scopes will work with medium rings, some will not, particularly if the shank of the rifle barrel is particularly thick, or if you have a very heavy barrel. Sometimes you just have to set a scope in the rings with your particular bases to make sure.
Remember, your rings and bases are often the weakest link in your shooting system, and when you're ready to mount your scope, stay low and go slow.

We sell a lot of Trijicon night sights. These replace the iron sights on your firearm, mostly pistols. Night sights have small spheres of radioactive material in them that glow with absolutely no ambient light whatsoever. The actual Tritium aiming points are sealed with aluminum and a clear sapphire lens that lets the radioactive phosphor lamp be seen in any conditions. On guns like the Beretta 92 with a front sight that can not be replaced, the slide must be sent to Tooltech (Trijicon's custom shop) for drilling and installation. You will see when purchasing such a sight that you don't get the actual sight, but just a coupon for installation, since the EPA strictly controlls the radioactive tritium, and it may be sent only to a compliant company. You must send your slide for installation. No other way.
Fiber optics are not night sights. They do not glow without ambient light. They are certainly brighter in the day time than night sights because they channel available light to the end of the fiber where it is installed in the appropriate section of a sight for the most effectiveness. But they are not night sights. They need light. That being said, most situations have some external light, and make the fiber optics glow quite brightly, often much more brightly than night sights.
Be careful with many solvents on both these kinds of sights, and installation by a professional is recommended to prevent breakage. Night sights also have a life span of ten to twelve years, while fiber optics will last forever unless you break them or melt them with chemicals. Some of the newer replacement sights offer fiber optics as well as Tritium inserts, offering the best of both.