There was a time when scopes were associated solely with big, grand rifles. However, due to their accuracy, clarity, and durability, pistol scopes are continually gaining popularity. Now, of course, a pistol scope differs from a rifle scope in many ways, especially in its practical use. A pistol scope will endure more shakiness and physical restrictions as compared to its counterpart. Looking for a good handgun scope is a completely different ball game, even if you’re a frequent purchaser of rifle scopes. On top of that, the market is flooded with seemingly great options that will leave you scratching your head.
Well don’t fret, we’ve got you. We did the dirty work and handpicked 5 of the best handgun scopes on the market right now, reviews included. All your answers are just a scroll away.
Top 5 Best Handgun Scopes
| Name | Specs | USP | Today's Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leupold FX-II | 4x28 | Best overall | Click Here |
| Leapers UTG | 2-7x32 | Most user friendly pistol scope | Click Here |
| Burris | 2-7x32 | Best adjustable magnification scope | Click Here |
| Vortex Crossfire II | 2-7x32 | Value for money | Click Here |
| NcSTAR Pistolero | 2-7x32 | Unbeatable price | Click Here |
1. Leupold FX-II 4x28mm Handgun Rifle Scope
Leupold is an American family-owned supplier of quality optics with features that stand out.
If I’m talking about Leupold, I have to mention the visual experience first. The Twilight Max light management system combines light transmission, glare reduction, and contrast to give you up to 20 minutes of extra hunting light. It ensures a crystal clear image across all lighting conditions. The lenses are scratch-resistant.
The duplex reticle allows you to aim quickly and accurately. The simple design allows for good visibility without fuss. It sits in the second focal plane, which works perfectly with the fixed 4x magnification. The eyepiece also locks to allow for fast focus.
The eye relief stands at a very generous 18 inches. The adjustments are easy to make. I also like how lightweight the pistol scope is. The matte finish guarantees concealment while in the wild.
The Leupold Handgun scope has been tested for severe recoil. The 1-inch aluminum tube is nitrogen purged to make sure it is completely fog proof, come what may. It can take shock and weather like a beast while remaining lightweight. It also comes with a lovely lifetime warranty.
However, if you’re someone who likes to adjust frequently on the field, you might not love the fixed magnification. It’s also slightly expensive.
Pros
Cons
2. Leapers UTG 2-7×32 Handgun Scope With PDC Reticle
Leapers is a company known for bringing well-constructed scopes to the market, at an affordable price.
The lenses are Emerald coated to maximize light transfer for a bright, clear image. The pistol scope comes equipped with a PDC (projectile drop compensation) reticle that has markings to compensate for bullet drop and allow you to acquire your target at any range. It has dual color illumination and turns to a clean black when you turn it off. This lets you hunt effectively even in the worst of lighting conditions.
The windage and elevation turrets are quite crisp and precise. I’m able to lock them. The eye relief goes up to an impressive 25 inches, which is great for handguns. The eyepiece is adjustable and lockable to suit your comfort and help with target acquisition.
The 2-7x magnification range lets you adjust your field of view to your liking. The parallax is fixed at 35 yards – I didn’t have any complaints with it.
The Leapers handgun scope can handle the recoil from your handgun well. It’s a breeze to mount with both, picatinny and weaver systems. It’s durable and completely weatherproof with a matte black finish. The price is pretty unbelievable.
Vision gets slightly tunneled at higher magnifications, but it’s understandable due to the extended eye relief.
Pros
Cons
3. Burris 2-7x32mm Handgun Scope
Burris is an experienced player in the optics field known for its affordability and trustworthiness.
Burris’ signature Hi-Lume multi-coating keeps glare at a minimum for a clear image, even in low light. Another signature feature is the versatile Ballistic Plex Reticle that allows for accuracy over long distances with simplicity and elegance. This comes in quite handy when you’re using a handgun.
The Burris handgun scope lets you travel across its 2-7x magnification range quite smoothly with its comfortable eye relief. The adjustments can be made effortlessly. It does a great job at holding zero. Target acquisition becomes quicker than ever.
I like the fact that you can keep both eyes open. The pistol scope is undoubtedly recoil resistant. It feels sturdy and is definitely one of the toughest scopes I’ve used. It’s waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof. The mounting process is fast and simple. It’s got a good looking body that doesn’t weigh much. Comes with a forever warranty which I always love.
However, I wish the scope came with lens caps.
Pros
Cons
4. Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32 Riflescope
No rifle scope list is complete without trusty old Vortex.
The Crossfire II is an advanced redesign of the original. The fully multi-coated optics allow for maximum transfer of light for crisp imagery. What I really like about this series is the dead-hold BDC reticle that takes away all your guesswork. It’s a versatile reticle that refines the target acquisition process for a variety of firearms.
The fast-focus eyepiece is convenient and highly helpful. The elevation and windage turrets can be reset to zero and operated quickly. They are capped. The handgun scope has no problem holding zero.
The 2-7x magnification sounds medium-ranged at best, but you can go a considerable distance with the features of the Crossfire II.
The compact aircraft-grade aluminum body mounts on your pistol with unbelievable ease. I love the sunshade. It’s a strong, durable scope capable of taking a good pounding. It’s pretty compact but still kind of heavy. What made me smile the most was the price.
The lifetime warranty is always comforting in this price range.
The eye relief on this scope can be slightly insufficient for some people.
Pros
Cons
5. NcSTAR Pistolero Rifle Scope – 2-7×32 Pistol Scope
NcSTAR is an all-American brand that provides great, affordable optics and prides itself in its customer service and warranty.
The 32mm front lens is fully multi-coated because a clear picture is paramount, even at this price. The handgun scope works well in low light. The Pistolero comes with a simple duplex reticle that makes precise shooting and target acquisition a breeze. This NcSTAR scope has its priorities set straight.
The eye relief is accommodating and adjustable. It can zero in quite well and does a decent job at holding this zero. To add to your savings, the scope mounts are included. The aluminum weaver style rings work really well and make the process quite simple. I also appreciate the lens caps at this price.
The NcSTAR feels sturdy with a nice matte black finish. You can get one for under 50 dollars, which is the best part. I like how lightweight it is. I think the scope will serve well with low-recoil pistols.
The adjustment knobs can get a bit tricky. The left-right adjustments are quite limited.
Pros
Cons
Things to look for when you’re purchasing the best handgun scope
Still don’t know which pistol scope you should purchase because you don’t know what to look for? Here’s a mini-guide to help you choose the best handgun scope for you.
Mount type
A bad mount can lead to imbalance and greatly affect your performance. This is especially important on handheld firearms since they can get shakier. You should make sure that your mounting rings are of good quality. They should hold on to your gun properly. Most of all, they should be easy to use. A good pistol scope will always accommodate this.
Eye relief
A pistol is a firearm with considerably strong recoil. The eye relief should let you operate at an arm’s length, at least. This is one of the biggest differences between a handgun scope and a rifle scope. The eye relief on a handgun scope is triple of that on a rifle scope. Your optimum range of eye relief will depend on your personal comfort and gun caliber.
Purpose
Target shooting doesn’t require as wide of a view as hunting does. The field of view depends on the objective lens. A larger field of view would equal a heavier scope. So if you’re buying a pistol scope for target shooting where you know the location of your target, this isn’t necessary. On the other hand, if you’re purchasing a handgun scope for hunting purposes, you might want a wider field of view to help find your target.
Size
A lightweight scope is always great. However, some brands will make their main tubes thinner and objective lenses smaller to decrease the weight. If you frequently hunt in bad lighting conditions, beware of this. A good scope should have a suitable balance between its weight and visuals.
Durability
You need a handgun scope that can take heavy recoil and still maintain zero. It’s always best to go to the product link and look for reviews written by people who are using the same caliber as you. Practical experience is the wisest teacher. Also, look out for weatherproof and fog proof qualities.
Conclusion
Handguns are becoming increasingly popular and a good handgun scope can give you the edge you need. Therefore, we did thorough research and chose only the best for you. Clarity is our priority, so every scope on this list offers undeniably great images. We’ve also kept important factors like eye relief and weight in mind, so you can rest assured that there will be no bad purchases from here. If you read till here, I’m sure you’re a handgun enthuasist so why not read Best Scopes for .22LR – the lightweight bullet.
Just keep your caliber and intent in mind and use our detailed list to draw quick comparisons. Every scope differs in price, magnification, and intended purpose so you have a wide variety of choices. Remember, no single scope fits all so the decision is entirely yours – we’re just a bunch of (very efficient) catalysts. Hopefully, you’ve found your ideal pistol scope by now. Happy shooting!