I didn't manage to break an original Aimpoint (wow, >20 years ago...) on a 10 inch 44 Contender but I switched to a scope for a wider field of view (and to avoid reliance on specialized batteries...and battery caps).

These days I'll guess the smart money is on the mil spec Aimpoint.

The careful installation of sturdy bases and rings is real important too. Good hunting!

I had a Tasco Propoint II on a 16" tapered 45/70 T/C for years with no problem.

FYI, I have had a cheap ($40) BSA red dot scope (42 mm) mounted on my 870 rifled barrel (with only 1 screw to boot!). I have fired about 50 Brenneke 3" 600 grain slugs at 1550 fps, with no problems whatsoever..

I have a Millit 30 mm red dot on a Ruger SRH 454 and a TC 45/70 barrel .

Never had any problems , even with all the full power loads I run.

Johnch

I have had good luck on the .44 with the cheap Bushnell and Tasco pro point. Recoil has pulled the front glass on the inner tube loose on the Millets. The Millets are also dim and have to be turned way up to see the dots.
I was blowing up everything on the .475 and called Magnum Research. They suggested the Ultra Dot. No problems at all so far. Ultra Dot West had the best prices and payed shipping. If I had the money, I would put these on all of my hunting handguns.

I just mounted an Aimpoint 9000 SC 4moa on a .500 Smith but after only 40 rounds with it can't say much about durability yet. Sure do like it so far though. I may have to research the Ultra Dot that bfrshooter talked about. I've never seen one of those yet but need something optical on my .475.

I used a BSA 42mm reddot on a .357 S&W for a while (100+ rounds), then moved it to a Double barrel 12 gauge for a turkey gun for about 40 rounds.

No problem.

I have just moved it to a 15" 25.06 T/C Encore Pistol.

Still no problem.

Cheap & tough!

Just got my Aimpoint 9000sc yesterday. I got the 2 MOA dot and am pleased. The blade on my SRH 480 was too wide for me. I had a 357 with a much narrower blade which allowed me greater accuracy at longer distances. I was deciding between the 4 and 2 MOA and am glad I went with the 2. No problem picking up the smaller dot, and in daylight it has to be turned up at least half way to get a good contrast illumination. At that level the dot appears to enlarge somewhat. The techies at Aimpoint said the 9000 sc was designed with the large bore handguns in mind so the 44 should be kind to it....