Hi, I've stepped into an area I know nothing about,"handgun scopes". Ive hunted with revolvers and leverguns for years but never had glass on any of em. Recently I've put together an encore chambered in 223 and as a bull barrel doesn't have iron sights. Well there's the background so here's the questions, Variable vs fixed power? What objective size works well? What brands are reputable? Even rings! Any tips or insight would be very welcome, thanks for your time and input

I like variable scopes for my pistols. 2x is not enough and with a variable you can turn up or down as situation demands. Weaver, Burris, Leoupold, Bushnell elite,all make good variables scopes. For rings Weaver,Burris, Leoupold, can't go wrong with any of the above. Try to look at as many scopes as possiable in these brands as eye relief changes some when power goes up. I'm sure I missed a couple but these seem to work for the majority of people, and are a good place to start.

I personally prefer fixed 4xs. I have some with variables, but the only variable that I currently purchase is the Bushnell Elite 2x6. They have held up well for me and the eye relief does not vary with changes in power like you will find on the Burris.

I prefer Leupold in a fixed power scopes.

On a 223 I would consider a rifle scope, especially if you plan to shoot little targets. It takes a little getting used to but there is nothing like 20x's to bring that rodent up close and personal.

As far as LER scopes are concerned, I like the Weaver 2.5-8x, but if you have lots of money get the Leupold version. Burris makes a 3-12x but it is a tank and the eye relief is critical at higher power.

The first question is what do you intend to shoot? The 2nd is how far do you want to shoot?

Great comment Mr. Gary!

After you figure out what you want, make a drive to a store that has several handgun scopes and look threw them for your self!!!!!!!!!! I have quite a few, each brand is a little different.

I wanted the rig make rock chucks run in fear. They tend to stay out of iron sight range latley lol. coyotes and bunnies are always welcome targets as well.

I'd like to stretch the iron sight accuracy I get at 50-75yd to more like 200 if possible :-)
Ive been thinking heavily on fixed powers for simplicity and a more constant eye relief.

The two variables I like the best for eye relief consitency are the Bushnell and Leupold. The Bushnell is an excellent scope for the money, the Leupold is superior in optics and is my favorite of the two. In all honesty though I've switched to the Bushnells which to alot of guys on here may be a shock but as much as I love my Leupolds the prices just keep getting more and more ridiculous unless you find a good deal on a used one. The Leupolds are about twice the money of the Bushnell but although they may be better they aren't twice as good. I even have a Bushnell on the 458 Win Mag I just built and hopefully I'll get out to shoot it tomorrow. I have no doubts the Bushnell will survive the pounding of the 458.

I keep drooling over the this leupold 2.5x8.....but even used they are over $300, and my simmons pro hunter 2x6 works soo well I can't justify it. At least not before I have all the guns I want.

If you are looking for a low cost option, I think the simmons 2x6 is a very very good scope for the money. Works great for me out to 300+. It is user friendly, and the eye relief is not picky.

Still....why can't I stop thinking about that leupold....

Has anyone experienced parallax problems with handgun scopes? I have a Simmons 2x6 on a 309 JDJ Contender and the group will shift several inches at 100 yards if my eye is not perfectly centered behind the scope. Are all handgun scopes subject to this?

A lot of scopes have the parralax set at 50 yards. This is yet another reason I shun scopes in favor of red dots when the range will be appropriate. But, many of the newer variable scopes have adjustable objectives that let you dial the parralax setting. This option is very desireable when you shoot a variety of distances witht he same gun.