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Parallax adj.
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Parallax adjustment on the objective bell

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Traditionally, rifle scopes had a fixed parallax set at 100 meters or 100 yards; however, with the advance of shooting sports, such approach was not adequate anymore. Scopes with fixed parallax offered best resolution only at one distance (100 meters/yards) at which the target was in focus. At all other distances, the picture was less sharp or even blurry. An even bigger problem with this type of scope was the fact that, when shooting at the target not at the same distance as the scope parallax setting, the shooter had to be very careful about his eye alignment with the optical axis. If the eye is moved away from the optical axis, the reticle on the target will move, which will worsen the accuracy. Since these errors are small, the fixed parallax option is still considered accurate enough for traditional hunting. For sports shooting, though, such small error leads to poor results. Parallax errors become more pronounced with magnifications higher than 12x, and that means the majority of scopes with magnification range under this value need no parallax adjustment.

With the ability of parallax adjustment, accuracy of the riflescope is greatly enhanced at all distances. The shooter, however, has to adjust the parallax setting before making the first shot. Such scopes usually have AO – Adjustable Objective or SF – Side focus acronym in their name.

With AO – Adjustable Objective scopes parallax is adjusted with a rotation of the ring on the objective bell; adjusting the parallax this way can hardly be done when in prone position and is not the best solution for situations when parallax must be adjusted often. Due to this reason, such scopes are usually used for benchrest competitions and similar, where parallax is adjusted only initially.

Scopes, which offer parallax adjustment on objective bell, are usually smaller and lighter than counterparts with parallax adjustment on the side focus. They are also cheaper to make and offer adjustment that is more precise. Due to the size of internal mechanism for side focus adjustment, the majority of scopes with tube diameter of 1 inch have an adjustable objective and not the side focus.

The easiest way to correctly set the parallax is to look at the target and gently rotate the ring on the objective. When the target is in focus and the image offers the best sharpness, move the eye from the optical axis in any direction. If the rifle is properly supported and fixed, the reticle should not move on the target when the eye is moved from the optical axis. If it does, parallax adjustment must be fine-tuned until the reticle is still, even if the eye of the shooter is moving around the optical axis.

Do not mind the meters or yards written on the adjustable objective, since they only provide an approximate value. There is nothing unusual if these values do not correspond well with the actual target distances.

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Burris Handgun Scope 3-12x32

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General properties of Pistol scope

Handgun scopes are similar to rifle scopes in their design, with the main difference being much longer eye relief.

Standard riflescopes usually require the shooter’s eye to be at around 80–90 mm from the ocular, whereas pistol scope have 30, 40, or even 50 centimeters of eye relief.

Other notable features of pistol scope are a 1-inch tube and small size/mass.

A handgun scope mounted on a revolver - black matte optics

Matte handgun scope mounted on a revolver (source: sightmark.com)

Magnification, eye box and reticle

Handgun scope feature either:

fixed or
variable magnification, though fixed magnification is more common.

The parallax on a handgun scope is fixed at somewhere from 25 to 50 m.

Pistol scopes are known for their generous eye-box (standard riflescopes usually require the shooter’s eye to be at around 80–90 mm from the ocular, whereas pistol scopes come with an extended eye relief of somewhere between 400 and 600 mm).

As pistol scopes are often mounted on revolvers which are known for their substantial recoil, it is also important that they are shockproof and durable.

Differences between pistol scope and scout scope

The main difference between handgun scope and scout scope is in the parallax setting:

Handgun scope usually have parallax set to around 25–50 m,
whereas scout scopes have it fixed at around 100 m.

Pistol Scope with a Ballistic Plex Reticle (source: burrisoptics.com)

Mounting of a scope on handguns

How to mount a scope on a Handgun? The rings to mount a scope on handguns are handgun specific.

Pistol scopes are most often mounted on revolvers. Sometimes, they are mounted on a pistol with an installed Picatinny rail.

The scope can be mounted on a special kind of rifle called a scout rifle.

The scope is mounted on the barrel, right in front of the action. Even though this is possible, scout rifle owners usually opt for a scout scope.

Why are many pistol scopes silver?

These scopes are commonly mounted on revolvers. Most revolvers on the market are silver – a silver handgun scope and a silver revolver are a perfect match.

Leupold Handgun FX-II 4x28

Silver Scope Leupold Handgun FX-II 4x28 with Duplex reticle

Parallax adjustment on the objective bell

VIDEO

Video presentation of Parallax adjustment on the objective bell

Burris Handgun Scope 3-12x32

VIDEO

General properties of Pistol scope

Magnification, eye box and reticle

Differences between pistol scope and scout scope

Mounting of a scope on handguns

Why are many pistol scopes silver?

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Parallax adjustment on the objective bell

VIDEO

Video presentation of Parallax adjustment on the objective bell

Burris Handgun Scope 3-12x32

VIDEO

General properties of Pistol scope

Magnification, eye box and reticle

Differences between pistol scope and scout scope

Mounting of a scope on handguns

Why are many pistol scopes silver?

Most popular product Brands

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