Best Handgun Scope for 44 Mag
A Comprehensive Guide
Best Handgun Scope for 44 Mag
Amazon.com
From $445.00
The scope you choose can make or break your hunt, so it’s important to do your research before purchasing one so that you can be sure that you are going for the best handgun scope for 44 Mag. If you’re not sure what kind of hunting you’ll be doing, we’d recommend going with a 3×9-40mm rifle scope that offers variable magnification and an illuminated reticle. You should also consider whether or not the lens is coated because this will protect the lens from scratches and other debris.
We know that is a lot to take in and there are a lot of other factors too. So, to make things easier for you, we have compiled a list of the best handgun scopes for 44 mag that you can buy to score pro-level hits.
Table of Contents
If you are in a hurry to purchase the best handgun scope for 44 mag, and you want to make the best decision, here are our top 3 picks:
Top 3 Best Handgun Scope for 44 Mag
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Before we start with the list, let’s make clear that scope is needed if you want to use the 44 mag effectively.
8 Best Handgun Scope for 44 Mag (Ranked And Reviewed)
1. Leupold FX-II 4×28 Handgun Scope
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Specifications
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Magnification:
4x
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Objective Lens Diameter:
28 mm
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Construction:
Aluminum
The Leupold FX-II 4x28mm Handgun Scope is the perfect scope for your favorite handgun. The lightweight, compact body is ideal for use on a wide variety of handguns and rifles. The multi-coated optics are bright and clear with up to 98% light transmission. The Duplex reticle features fine crosshairs that can be used as an aiming point or hold over a dot. This scope has 100% waterproof/fogproof/shockproof construction so it will stand up to any conditions.
The Leupold FX-II 4x28mm Handgun Scope is designed specifically for handguns, with a lightweight design that disperses recoil energy to help ensure unrivaled durability and performance. The unique parallax adjustment knob allows you to adjust the focus of the reticle for precise shooting at various ranges. The eyepiece can be rotated up and down, making it easier to get the correct eye relief every time. The lenses are scratch-resistant and coated with Leupold’s proprietary DiamondCoat 2™ lens coating process, which provides extreme abrasion resistance.
Positive
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Lightweight design for easy aiming while moving -
Especially designed to withstand the recoil of large caliber handguns -
Lens won’t get blurry thanks to specialized coatings -
Can double as your rifle scope
Negatives
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Eye relief is a bit short at 18 inches
2. Burris Handgun Pistol Scope
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Specifications
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Magnification:
2x
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Objective Lens Diameter:
20 mm
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Construction:
Aluminum
The Burris Handgun Scope is a high-quality scope that offers a 1-inch main tube and the incredibly simple Plex reticle. The Burris Handgun Scope has a 2x zoom range, which makes it ideal for hunting with a powerful handgun at reasonable ranges. The solid 1-piece outer tube withstands shock and vibrations of even the heaviest-recoiling calibers. This scope features an impressive 7mm exit pupil, making it easy to use in low light conditions. The long eye relief, combined with the large objective lens makeup for clear, crisp, and bright images no matter what the lighting conditions you are up against.
Positive
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Simple yet sophisticated reticle -
The large 7 mm exit pupil makes it good for low light conditions -
Excellent optical performance gives you clear and crisp images -
Strong construction to absorb the recoil of the heaviest bullets
Negatives
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The eye relief is too short for some people
3. BSA 2-7X32 Edge Series Pistol Scope
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Specifications
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Magnification:
2x to 7x
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Objective Lens Diameter:
32 mm
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Construction:
Aluminum
The BSA 2-7X32 Edge Series Pistol Scope is a variable power scope with an adjustable objective lens, making it perfect for the hunter who needs to adjust for different light conditions. This scope also features long eye relief and a solid one piece tube. The BSA 2-7X32 Edge Series Pistol Scope comes with a limited lifetime warranty and is 100 percent waterproof and fog proof. The BSA 2-7X32 Edge Series Pistol Scope is a perfect combination of value and performance. This scope features fully multi-coated lenses, shockproof construction, and 12-120 inches of eye relief. The BSA 2-7X32 Edge Series Pistol Scope is an ideal choice for your rimfire rifle or handgun.
Positive
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Adjustable objective makes it good for all light conditions -
Comes with a lifetime warranty -
Is immune to water damage and internal fogging -
Enough eye relief for comfortable shooting
Negatives
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Turret adjustments are not very solid
4. Hammers Long Eye Relief Pistol Scout Scope
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Specifications
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Magnification:
2x to 7x
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Objective Lens Diameter:
32 mm
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Construction:
Aluminum
The HLE Riflescope is a long eye relief riflescope that is designed to be used with a pistol or revolver, but many customers also use it as a scout scope on their rifle. The 2x-7x zoom power range makes this scope ideal for target shooting and hunting small game. The fine line 4 plex reticle allows you to make precise shots at various distances. The HLE Riflescope features an adjustable objective (AO) which allows the shooter to adjust the focus from 10 yards out to infinity for greater accuracy and precision.
Hammers Long Eye Relief Pistol Scout Scope is a great addition to any long-range hunting rifle. This high-quality optic gives a clear and sharp view of your target. A quick focus ring at the end of the eyepiece allows for easy adjustment while out in the field. Finger adjustable windage and elevation screws will allow you to sight in your scope without any problems or errors. The lens coating on Hammers Long Eye Relief Pistol Scout Scope helps reduce glare and reflections so you can get the most accurate shot possible.
Positive
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You don’t have to buy mounting rings -
Parallax adjustment from 10 yards to infinity for accurate aiming at all distances -
High quality glass inside the scope produces amazing images
Negatives
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The paint on the inside of the scope can give in after extended use
5. NcStar Red Illuminated Pistol Scope
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Specifications
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Magnification:
2x to 7x
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Objective Lens Diameter:
32 mm
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Construction:
Aluminum
NcStar’s 2-7x32mm Red Illuminated handgun Scope is a great scope for your next hunting trip. This riflescope features a variable power magnification, an illuminated reticle, and long eye relief to make sure you can get the job done from any distance! The multi-coated lenses on this handgun scope provide clear pictures even in low light conditions. NcStar’s Red Illuminated Rifle Scope also has one-inch aluminum weaver-style rings and lens caps included. The illuminated reticle frees you from the clutches of ambient lighting and lets you take accurate shots no matter if it’s day or night.
Positive
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Illuminated reticle for better night time performance -
Long eye relief lets you take the shot from a comfortable position -
Comes with the mounting accessories and lens covers
Negatives
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Not great at holding zero
6. NcStar 2.5X30 Pistol Scope
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Specifications
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Magnification:
2.5x
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Objective Lens Diameter:
30 mm
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Construction:
Aluminum
The NcSTAR 2.5X30 Pistol Scope is a great choice for your handgun, shotgun, or rifle. The illuminated red dot makes target acquisition quick and easy in all lighting conditions with 6 adjustable brightness settings! The scope features fully multi-coated lenses, an extra-wide field of view, unlimited eye relief, and shockproof construction. This pistol scope is waterproof up to 1 meter for 30 minutes so it can handle any weather condition you encounter.
It’s also fog proof so you don’t need to worry if it’s fog outside. The NcStar Pistolero Series 2.5X30mm Rifle Scope is the ideal scope for your handgun, paintball marker, or real steel firearm. This illuminated rifle scope features a fully multi-coated lens system and an adjustable objective to give you precise control over your sight picture. The generous 30-millimeter objective size produces bright images with optimum clarity.
Positive
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Illuminated red dot for fast target acquisition -
Unlimited eye relief to let you shoot at your convenience -
Precise on the image in the eyepiece thanks to coated lenses and adjustable objective
Negatives
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Crosshairs are excessively fine
7. CVLIFE 4×32 Compact Scope
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Specifications
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Magnification:
4x
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Objective Lens Diameter:
32 mm
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Construction:
Aluminum
The CVLIFE 4×32 Compact Scope is the perfect accessory for any hunter, sportsman, or outdoor enthusiast. This compact and lightweight scope features a 32mm objective lens and delivers bright and high-contrast images to give you an advantage over your prey. The fully coated optical glass provides a clear image with minimal glare. Made of high-strength aluminum alloy, this one-piece tube construction allows for durability while remaining lightweight. With a waterproof rating of IPX4, you can rest easy knowing that your scope will hold up.
CVLIFE 4×32 Compact Scope is a compact, lightweight and durable handgun scope. This scope features a red laser sight for easy aiming in the dark. The built-in Weaver mount makes it compatible with most rifles, shotguns, or pistols. This high-quality gun sight can be used under any weather condition and is shockproof, fog proof, and waterproof. It has an adjustable objective lens from 3 yards to infinity so you can easily adjust your focus according to your shooting range.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAevWZPAe-0
Positive
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Gives you an advantage over the prey thanks to the large 32 millimeter objective lens -
Coated lenses produce sharp images with no glare at all -
Can with stand all the abuse from recoil to being submerged in water
Negatives
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Doesn’t come with an instructions manual
8. Pinty Tactical 1x40mm Red Green Dot Sight
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Specifications
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Magnification:
1x
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Objective Lens Diameter:
40 mm
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Construction:
Aluminum
Pinty Tactical 1x40mm Red Green Dot Sight is a lightweight, high-quality, and durable red dot sight with green or red dual illuminated dots. It features 5 level brightness control for the reticles and a multi-coated lens for better light transmittance. This sight works great in all weather conditions and has solid metal construction, which makes it shockproof and durable. The Pinty Tactical 1x40mm Red Green Dot Sight is a high-performance scope designed to provide the best of both worlds for tactical shooters. This durable, lightweight scope features a low-profile quick-release mount and precision elevation and windage adjustments. The red/green dot reticle allows for fast target acquisition in any lighting conditions. The Pinty Tactical 1x40mm Red Green Dot Sight mounts easily to any 20mm Picatinny or Weaver rail system.
Positive
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Adjustable dot brightness and color for good performance in all kinds of ambient light -
Easy to adjust windage and elevation -
Quick mounting and dismounting for ease of operation -
Works on all handguns
Negatives
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Image in the viewfinder is not the most crispy one
Why Do You Need a Scope for a 44 Mag Handgun?
The 44 magnum handgun bullet has an average speed of about 1400 feet per second and the maximum range for it is about 2,000 yards. At that distance, the size of a human being would be half an inch in width, and sighted in with a scope you can target those long distances easily. There are two types of scopes, so to speak; fixed power scopes which have one magnification setting, and variable power scopes which allow you to change the magnification. 44 mags can have fixed power scopes that range from 2-8x, most of them are 4x. The variable power scopes range from 3-9x with a lot of them being at 4x also.
Some may even have 5x magnification and higher but this is uncommon for this kind of gun. For a continued long life of the scope and for it to be ready to take on different targets, you would want something like 10x magnification with a lighted reticle for those low-light conditions; an illuminated reticle makes it easier to see your target in lower lighting conditions. The truth is that if you’re using a lighted reticle then you probably won’t have to worry about using that scope in lower lighting conditions because there would be enough ambient light for you to better see your target.
What To Consider While Buying The Best Handgun Scope for 44 Mag?
A 44 magnum handgun is a very powerful weapon, capable of taking down even dangerous games at short to medium ranges. For most hunters, a scope will not be necessary or desirable for their use case. However, those that desire quick target acquisition and precise distance estimation may find it helpful. This buyer’s guide is intended to help 44 mag owners determine the best scope for their gun.
Magnification
2x is the minimum required for a 44 magnum handgun scope. This will give you a crisp resolution on targets up to 50 yards away. For hunting and paper target shooting, it should be sufficient. Anything beyond 50 yards is considered long-range for a 44 magnum handgun.
4x will give you about the same magnification as your normal pair of binoculars and is recommended for this type of firearm in particular. It’s not as powerful as a regular rifle scope, but it can help you get closer to your target before going into the scope for more precise shots.
8x is considered a high magnification and will be more expensive than lower-powered scopes. It’s not recommended for hunting because you’ll need to get pretty close to your target before zooming in, which makes it easier for the animal to spot you first. Paper targets at 50 yards are no problem with this level of magnification.
12x is the maximum magnification that a 44 magnum handgun scope should be. It will have a very narrow field of view and bring targets much closer to you than 8x would. The latter is recommended for hunting as it gives you time to aim before taking your shot and reduces your chances of giving up your location.
Other Factors
The most important factors to look for in a scope for your 44 magnum handgun are durability, versatility, and ease of use. The weapon is rather heavy and may not be as steady when shooting at objects 50 yards or more away. The scope must be able to withstand both the recoil from your shots and the weight of the gun without shifting. It should be able to adjust for different distances and weather conditions, as well as have clear optics that can reveal minute details. A good 44 magnum handgun scope will facilitate accurate shots by bringing the target closer to you without sacrificing your field of vision. Since it may take some time to get used to your new scope, you should be able to use it with minimal fuss.
FAQs
What is the best scope for a handgun?
It depends on the type of pistol you are using. For smaller caliber handguns, a red dot sight or a 2x magnification scope can work fine but for high caliber guns with long range, you’ll need a more powerful scope.
Are scopes on pistols useful?
It, again, depends on the handgun you are using. If the weapon is accurate, you can surely benefit from adding a scope on top of it. However, if the weapon is inherently inaccurate, adding a scope will do little good.
What is the eye relief on a pistol scope?
Eye relief is the distance at which your eye needs to be from the ocular lens of the scope to see a clear picture. It varies from scope to scope. The average eye relief of handgun scopes is 3 ½ inches.
Can you use a pistol scope on a rifle?
Yes, you can use most handgun scopes on a rifle as long as the mounting interface is compatible. Rifle scopes, however, don’t usually go on handguns.
Here you can read our other helping articles for Best Handgun Scopes and the Best 44 Mag Revolver and we have Best Handgun Case that perfect for your needs.
Conclusion
Hunting and outdoor activities can be a lot more enjoyable when you have the right tools. One of these is a good handgun scope for your 44 magnum rifle, which we’ve reviewed in-depth here on our blog. We recommend that you try one or all eight scopes out before making an investment to get the best possible product for your needs and budget – but if you want to start with our top pick (which was chosen by experts), check it out below!