Second Focal Plane reticle position

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General features of Second focal plane scope

Riflescopes with a reticle placed in their second focal plane (SFP) are the predominant type of rifle scopes on the market. Second focal plane scopes have the reticle placed in the eyepiece, at the so-called second optical focal plane.

Such arrangement produces the effect that the reticle is seen the same size at all magnification settings. You can clearly see this effect in the picture below:

second focal plane and first focal plane reticle

First focal plane and second focal plane reticle position

Second focal Compare to the First focal plane

Second focal plane rifle scopes are especially popular since their reticles are thin on higher magnification and offer greater precision. Second focal plane reticles also have the advantage that, at low magnification, they are thicker compared to First focal plane reticles and easier to see. These two main benefits are the reason Second focal plane rifle scopes gained such popularity.

Reticle in second focal - plane

There are, however, also some drawbacks of rifle scopes with such optical construction. Reticle subtensions change with the change of magnification, and because of that, distance calculations with the reticle are only possible at one specific magnification setting. Similarly, it is possible to use holdovers for correction of bullet drop only at one specific magnification, which makes this technique very difficult to use. The last, but minor, a drawback is that low-quality riflescope can have a shift of the point of impact with the magnification change.

Video presentation of Second - focal plane scope

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Burris Handgun 2-7x32

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Leupold Handgun FX-II 4x28

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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

Second Focal Plane reticle position

VIDEO

General features of Second focal plane scope

Second focal Compare to the First focal plane

Reticle in second focal - plane

Video presentation of Second - focal plane scope

Burris Handgun 2-7x32

Leupold Handgun FX-II 4x28

Burris Handgun Scope 3-12x32

Burris Handgun 2x20

Crimson Trace Brushline Pro 3-9x40 BDC Slugger

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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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Second Focal Plane reticle position

VIDEO

General features of Second focal plane scope

Second focal Compare to the First focal plane

Reticle in second focal - plane

Video presentation of Second - focal plane scope

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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