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BackInAction · Member

My recently purchased Gamo Recon is fun, but my kids have a tough time using the included scope. I really wish it had open sights, but it doesn't. Would an inexpensive red dot scope be easier for the kids to sight? Any suggestions?

sniper · Silver Status Member

you'll probably get mixed opinions on this. i put, a couple years ago, a $275 aimpoint 5000XD on my 13 fpe gamo 440 .177

it killed it in about 1000 shots. others will reply. Wink

bsa makes 'em for around $30 and i have 2. i ONLY use them on my rimfire rifles.

Alstone · Moderator & Site Supporter

I use a Hawke red dot similar to the BSA on both a Co2 pistol and a B4-2 springer rifle and have had no trouble what so ever, and they get a lot of use. For plinking or short range target use the kids will like them, the useful range is about 20-25 yards depending on dot size.

Al

sniper · Silver Status Member

Griff1950 · Member

Daisy makes one for about $10 or so available at Wal-Mart. I have been using one on my B3 springer for about 6 months or so with no problems. Just remember to turn it off to save on batteries.

Alstone · Moderator & Site Supporter

AirGunEric · Site Admin

The Hawke importers to North America are in Indiana, but I'm not sure which stores/dealers they sell to at this point.

sniper · Silver Status Member

hence my search. mac-1 has a variety of red dots. with my experience with springers and scope/red dots, i want a testimonial.

i'm tainted on springers. it's only open sights for me...

so far...

Slavia · Moderator

I have $30.00 USD BSA red dots on two pistols - a Marksman 2004 (single stroke pneumatic) and a Browning Buckmark (.22LR). I don't have experience with longevity on a springer, except to point out that the Gamo Recon is lower powered at 525 FPS, so the stress might be less.

What I do know:

They are easy to use. They are a single-plane sighting system, which means no need to try to focus on the target, front sight, and rear sight. You keep both eyes open and focus on the target. Target acquisition is very fast.

I've had a couple of those $10.00 USD "Daisy" type red dot sights, and found them nearly impossible to zero. The adjustment screws are threaded into plastic parts, which are imprecise, elastic, and not very durable.

Great advances have been made in the last few years regarding battery consumption, but keep a spare just in case. Some day you'll forget to turn it off.

The dot is O.K. for plinking, but is too big for more precise work. It more than covers an entire 10m bullseye in the basement.

Even with adjustable brilliance, I've found the dot to be too bright indoors and that it washes out in bright outdoor sunlight. I went to the local glass place and got a free scrap of gray plexiglass (like perspex) that fits under the scope cap for outdoor use. Like sunglasses for a scope. (RH disk in the case.)

If I hold the gun still and move my head around, the dot moves also. (Like parallax error in a magnifying scope.) I experimented with clear inserts (left two disks in the case), but settled on simply removing the paint from the rear of the ocular bezel. This created a sort of "ghost ring" that helps center the dot for consistency between shots:

Friends with more expensive sights don't have that problem, and consistent cheek weld on a rifle stock may make it a non-issue.

Alstone · Moderator & Site Supporter

This is a Hawke 25mm Red Dot with sunshade, it has adjustable brightness control, also a small dot but as slavia says turn it off after use or your battery will be flat next time.

This one is a Walther and excellent with four different dot types to choose from also variable brightness control, very accurate but fiddly to set up.

Al