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What Type of Scope for a 22 Pistol?

Putting a scope on your .22-caliber pistol can not only improve your accuracy, but also improve your shooting technique. Pistols are by their very nature short-range weapons and much less accurate than rifles. Pistol accuracy can be influenced by the slightest movement of your grip, movements so slight that you may not even notice them when relying on your pistol's open sights. With a scope on your pistol, you will notice these slight movements and learn to consistently compensate for them.

About Pistol Scopes
- Handgun scopes are similar to rifle scopes, but with a one major difference that prevents them from being interchangeable. The eye relief on a scope is the distance between the scope's rear lens and your eye; on a rifle scope this distance is usually less than four inches, on a handgun it can be closer to two feet. Pistol scopes are more aligned with your natural line of sight and allow you to see your entire target, where open sights obscure your target.
Variable Power Scopes
- Variable power scopes allow you to adjust the magnification level. Since .22-caliber pistols are primarily for target practice and small game hunting, with targets generally at a range under 50 feet, a low-powered scope is recommended. A 1.5 x 4 or a 2 x 7 powered scope will probably fit your needs best and give you the option of higher magnification.
Fixed-Power Scopes
- Fixed-power scopes are set at a specific magnification power. When choosing a fixed power scope, remember that you will be engaging short range targets. One of the most popular fixed power scopes for handguns is a 2x scope and will probably best fit your shooting needs. Four power fixed scopes are also available and will work fine on your .22 pistol, if you desire a little more magnification.
Red Dot Scopes
- Red dot scopes are designed for quick target acquisition and will work great on your .22 pistol. Red dot scopes offer no magnification, which is why the eye relief is appropriate for both handguns and rifles. The scope features a red LCD light that is only visible when you are looking through the scope. The red light indicates the projected point of impact of your bullet. Red dot scopes require batteries to operate.

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