That devil MStarling sent me some pics of his race guns with Holo Sights and I haven't been able to get the idea off my mind since. Obviously he owns stock in Bushnell.

Seriously, I would like some feedback from anyone who uses such a sight on their handgun. Specifically what I'm thinking of putting the sight on is my Kimber .45 Custom II. (Although it just occurs to me this sight might also make a wonderful addition to my 6" S&W .41 Mag. )

My big concern is BULK and handling. I'm a firm believer that any pistol must FEEL like a pistol at all times and not suddenly feel more like a boat anchor once I get all the add on crap bolted to it.

I'm not trying to build a race gun, but am thinking with a Holo Sight, the .45 would be a lot faster and easier to lock a target up with it. This is appealing for old, tired eyes.

Just how fast and easy are the Holo Sights? Any drawbacks I'm not thinking of? What's the best way to mount them? Can you see this sight in the dark or near dark?

Help.

I've had a old style HOLOsight screwed to the top of a Performance Center .44 mag for two years now.

Here's a look.

This gun is very heavy to start with so the sight doesn't upset the balance. I have shot them on various "race" guns from .45's to .38 super comp. I personally feel they are too heavy for single stack, 5" guns.

I don't care for them for speed work. The C-more's fill the bill better for me.

hangunnr

[ 08-20-2003, 03:22: Message edited by: hangunnr ]

It does look a bit ungainly, HG. Thanks for your input.

I am kinda partial to the OLD Tasco Optima.



This sight is now being imported by JP Enterprises but the price is back up around $275. I will wait till the price drops to the $125 range again before i buy anymore..... I think that this lil sight would be perfect to mount on a N frame!

Mike, I sure like the size of the Tasco sight. Does it just have a red dot? How well can you see it in bright light and dim light?

MSS
I'm with you on the optima. I have only shot one gun so equipped and the Sig Sport in 357 Sig was a SHOOTER and aiming was SO EASY.

The Optima sight is a bit pricey and of course on longer available.

The owner said the old style was VERY DIFFICULT to get adjusted to zero, though I understand that was corrected just before they quit making/importing them.

I have 3 of the "cheapie" red dots that I plan to put on Contender barrels to hunt in those hours when my tired OLD eyes can't see sights!
May even put one on my whirly cylinder gun also!

LouisB

I had nothing but trouble when I tried the Optima. It took 14 months to get a working unit from Tasco back when they were still in business. They handled my complaint very poorly.

I'm glad to see someone happy with theirs.

I've got a S&W 22A just like yours but mine wears a C-More with a 4 minute dot......an absolute riot to chase squirrels with.

hangunnr

I see Midway is also carrying it and the price is a lil cheaper. http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/814846


Weight: .5 ounce with battery

Operating Temperature Range: -20 to + 40 Centigrade

Battery Type and Number: Lithium CR 2032

Accessories: Product Demo Video

Warranty: Against defects in material and construction for 12 months after the date of new retail purchase.

Notes: A microelectronic reflex sighting system for fast sight acquisition and recovery in short to medium range applications on pistols, rifles, and shotguns. Requires an adapter (not included) for mounting or can use the same mount as the Tasco 2000 sight.

Still uses that stupid dial thingy.

In general, Tasco red dot sights do not hold up as well as others in the same category ... say PDP-3 versus the Aimpoint Comp. They are usually less expensive too.

That being said ... I've shot enough rounds on them to make them cost effective.

I like the C-more Serendipity and rail sight too. Use them on major Supers. They have lasted WAAAAYYYYYYY too many rounds ... like more than 100,000 each!

The strength of the Holosight is that it forms an almost 3 dimensional image out there ... and the screen is on the back of the sight where blast from the muzzle won't damage or fog it. I especially like the dot, arc, and rising line on subguns! Very, very effective at speed.

I have found no difference in speed between the C-More and the Holosights on race pistols after getting used to both of them. I am not fast (never could do the El Pres faster than 4.26) ... but some that are use either or both rather well (Jerry Barnhart for example).

The big advantage of the small red dot could be that it might mount on the slide directly thus reducing the gun weight by a substantial difference in the scope weight and eliminating the weight of the mount .... as well as eliminating the need to drill holes in the frame for the mount.

Personally, I'd like to have a weaver rail on my .470 Searcy so that I could play with a red dot on it! Betcha that would make a heckova DGR sight!

Please let me know the results of what ever experiment you might try.

Did I see somewhere that JP added a second lense to their version of this sight? I have heard Doktor Optik (can't find a link ) has a glass lense / metal case version of this sight available too.

MSS,
There is at least one good point of living where I do. We get to blow up the tree rats with whatever we choose. I had my Clark .38 special long-heavy slide 1911 out this past saturday morning. There aint nothing like a 100gr HBWC through the head to bring 'em down FAST!!!

hangunnr

Found a pic of the Doctor Optic sight I mentioned earlier. As you can see in appearance it's very similar to the Tasco fiasco.


hangunnr

Their web site:

http://www.docter-germany.com/index1.htm

Most is in German.