Prismatic Optic on a Lever gun?

Chuckbuster

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
92   0   0
G'day all. I have a dilemma that I'm trying to solve. I have an older Marlin 336 in .35 Remington that I'd like to set up with better sights; the stock sights are less than useless with my vision...even with progressive lenses. Anyhow, I have a set of ghost ring sights on my 1895 that have served me well, but I'm looking at an optic for this rifle. I know there's the option of a traditional scope, and will keep that option in reserve.

What I'm wondering is if anybody out there in the gunnieverse has put a prismatic optic on their lever gun. In thinking about it, one in 3X magnification would in theory be quick to use and ideal in terms of clarity of sight and magnification for my eyesight. Also, they seem to be relatively compact (note that I've never used one, nor have I actually seen one in the flesh). On the surface, it seems like a good idea, but try finding an image of a lever gun so set up on the internet. Anyway, has anybody tried this before? If so, did it work or was it an unholy disaster?
 
Get an LVPO designed for an AR15/AR10 type rifle. They can be had with low powers from1-1.5x and upper range of 4-8x. They often provide a ballistic type reticle and some have illumination, if that’s important to you. Then you also have more flexibility, and can mount them very low to the rifle.
 
Get an LVPO designed for an AR15/AR10 type rifle. They can be had with low powers from1-1.5x and upper range of 4-8x. They often provide a ballistic type reticle and some have illumination, if that’s important to you. Then you also have more flexibility, and can mount them very low to the rifle.

By LVPO I'm guessing you mean something like a Bushnell AR scope...?
 
I agree with the 1-4, 1-6 X range scope suggestion.
It's nice to have illumination as an option but not necessary. The 3x prismatic optics are pretty heavy for what they offer compared to a traditional Leopold 1-4 power scope.

What's your budget? The newer leupold's with the fire dot illumination are pretty nice.
 
I agree with the 1-4, 1-6 X range scope suggestion.
It's nice to have illumination as an option but not necessary. The 3x prismatic optics are pretty heavy for what they offer compared to a traditional Leopold 1-4 power scope.

What's your budget? The newer leupold's with the fire dot illumination are pretty nice.

Ahhh...okay...weight was something I was not aware of. I'm looking at the used market since I don't want to spend more than a couple of hundred dollars if I can help it. But, I've got all summer to look around and see what turns up.
 
Ahhh...okay...weight was something I was not aware of. I'm looking at the used market since I don't want to spend more than a couple of hundred dollars if I can help it. But, I've got all summer to look around and see what turns up.



Older variable low power Leupold's pop up on the EE for around $250-300 give or take.... the illuminated models are about double the price.
 
Prismatic sights usually limited in mounting option and eye relief is pretty short. Leupold 1-4 or 1.5-5 works much better on 1895.
Another option is a scout scope on XS rail, having iron sights as a backup is great.

s>
 
Prismatic sights usually limited in mounting option and eye relief is pretty short. Leupold 1-4 or 1.5-5 works much better on 1895.
Another option is a scout scope on XS rail, having iron sights as a backup is great.

s>

Okay...good thing I asked the question. Eye relief is important. And a scout set up where I was most likely going to head if the optic route didn't pan out.
 
The scope I like best on my Marlins is the old Weaver K2.5 or K3 with heavy post and crosshair reticle.

That said, the prismatic optic sounds like a great thing to try.

Love my old Weaver K2.5 & K4 units with the same reticles. Ideal for the ranges I use 'em for. (20-200 yds)

That said, there's numerous makers of compact dot optics out there that put out units with green dot along with red. For us folks with peepers in their 60's,
green is much easier to see clearly than red. Get one with a 1 or 2 MOA dot that is rated well, and have at'er.
 
Another option is a scout scope on XS rail, having iron sights as a backup is great.

s>

That's the way I went with my working carbine, 1895 GS.

The 2.5X Leupy IER is in low QD rings so I can switch to the Wild West irons instantly.

Low light, no problem, I just mount a good light in a picatinny mount to the front rail,

z05IAgFl.jpg
 
Where I normally hunt, 75 yards is a long shot. But, I may be hunting some openings in future and might want to stretch that to 150-200 yards. Ironically the optic is not because the rifle needs it, but rather, because my eyes need it to be able to put lead where I want it.

A red dot is perfect to 150 yards and 200 isn't out of the question. Some of them have 3x magnification, that may be a good way to go
 
Back
Top Bottom