7 Best Handgun Scopes (2021) – Reviewed

If you think scopes are only reserved for sniper rifles, you are wrong. You can actually use it for your handgun too! With the best pistol scope on your handgun, you will be able to hit targets at ranges beyond your wildest imaginations.

Having the best handgun scopes to your pistol is great especially when you are a long range hunter. A pistol scope is essentially an optical device that’s mounted onto your handgun for you to zoom in on your targets. By doing so, it will improve your overall shooting accuracy.

Handgun ScopesNameEditor’s CommentRatingGet The Deal
Leupold FX-II Handgun Scope

Most Recommended Option

1. Duplex reticle
2. Twilight max light management system
3. Long eye relief

10/10SHOP NOW
Burris Handgun 2-7x32mm Pistol Scope

Premium Option

1. Long eye relief
2. High quality ballistic plex reticle
3. Solid construction

9.5/10SHOP NOW
Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire Scope1. Fast focus eyepiece
2. Multi coated lens
3. Long eye relief
9.0/10SHOP NOW
BARSKA 1-4X28 IR1. Variable magnification
2. 100 yards parallax
3. Fully coated optics
9.0/10SHOP NOW
BSA 2-7×32 Edge Series Pistol Scope1. Clear optics and objective lens
2. Solid 1 piece tube
3. Affordable
8.5/10SHOP NOW
NcStar 2-7×32 Pistol Scope1. Multi coated lens
2. Variable power magnificatoin
3. Extends mounting capability
8.5/10SHOP NOW
BSA 2X20mm PS2X201. Matte finish
2. Lightweight
3. Simple and effective
8.0/10SHOP NOW

Factors to Consider for the Best Handgun Scopes

Weight and size

Handgun scopes come in all shapes and sizes. There are handgun scopes with smaller objectives ranging from 20-32mm and some going all the way to 42mm. The tube would mostly be 1 inch and hence, they are narrower than your usual rifle scopes. While this essentially means you will have limited use under low light conditions, it also means having less weight on your handgun.

Afterall, you wouldn’t want to feel like carrying a dumbbell as you shoot and/or hunt outdoors.

Eye relief

While anything larger than 4 inches is unnecessary for riflescopes, it does not apply for handgun scopes. This is largely due to the way you hold the handgun. Since the distance between the handgun scope’s optic is further from your eye, you should expect to get long eye relief. This long eye relief should go all the way to 30 inches to fit the arm’s length.

Magnification

This is perhaps the most tricky part when it comes to selecting some of the best handgun scopes on the market. Generally, handguns don’t require the overwhelming magnification power as seen in its rifles. This is why most of the featured best handgun scopes on this article come with a fixed magnification between 2x and 4x.

If you are looking for something that suits revolvers, having varying magnification may be a good option. That said, they are known to compromise a little on the other vital features that will affect your shooting ability.

Durability

The best handgun scopes must be durable. If you didn’t know, pistols/handguns generally have stronger recoils compared to the other guns. Hence, your handgun scope must eb able to withstand the recurring recoil and shock of the gun. Otherwise, the recoil will end up affecting the handgun scope’s zero and accuracy.

You have to ensure that your handgun scope is constructed from quality materials and whether or not it has been rigorously tested by the manufacturer or not. Reading reviews and articles like this is a good place to start. This is especially important if you have a stronger handgun that packs a pretty heavy punch.

You wouldn’t want to get pistol scopes that are only accurate for the first few rounds. This applies whether your purpose is for target shooting or not.

Top 7 Best Handgun Scopes Review – The Ultimate Guide

1. Leupold FX-II Handgun Scope

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Specifications

  • Objective Lens Diameter: 28 mm
  • Magnification: 4 x
  • Reticle: Duplex
  • Tube Diameter: 1 in
  • Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (SFP)
  • Exit Pupil: 7 mm
  • Field of View, Linear: 9 ft at 100 yds
  • Eye Relief: 18 in
  • Weight: 7 oz
  • Fabric/Material: 6061-T6 Aluminum
  • Length: 8.4 in
  • Illumination Type: Non-Illuminated
  • Adjustment Type: MOA
  • Adjustment Click Value: 0.5 MOA
  • Adjustment Range: 110 MOA
  • Weather Resistance: Yes
  • Water Resistance Level: Waterproof
  • Shockproof: Yes
  • Fogproof: Yes
  • Finish: Matte

Features

If you are looking for the best handgun scope for hunting and/or fast target acquisition during target shooting, this scope is made specifically for you. The Leupold FX-II Handgun Scope comes with various improvements relative to its predecessors (the VX-I).

With the Leupold FX-II Handgun Scope, fast focus is guaranteed. This handgun scope comes with the classic/standard lockable eyepiece. Besides that, it also features a low profile lock ring that enables the reticle to easily achieve and maintain focus as you shoot/hunt. This handgun scope is definitely one of the best in this area.

With a 4x magnification, the Leupold FX-II Handgun Scope will offer you precise targeting consistently. Another great thing is that this scope features a high quality duplex reticle that thins out in the center. If you didn’t know, duplex reticles are the most popular reticle if you are looking for quick target acquisition even under low light conditions.

Another outstanding feature of this pistol scope is its incorporation of the Twilight Light Management System that provides you with 20 extra minutes of shooting light. This light management system will be able bring a balance in light transmission, reducing glare and contrast. You will be able to get clear images under almost any lighting condition. This is why it’s known as one of the best handgun scopes on the market.

For added durability, the FX-II is constructed with a proprietary Nitrogen sealing process (nitrogen purged). This high quality proprietary seal is proven to be reliable and specifically designed and tested to be recoil proof to most handgun calibers. Besides that, it is also waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof. You can expect the handgun scope to work perfectly within -40F to 160F.

You will like this product if:

You want the best all rounded handgun scope. The FX-II is constructed from high quality materials and seals the deal if you are looking for the best handgun scope. With its Twilight Max Light Management System, high quality duplex reticle, long eye relief, and durability, you can’t go wrong with this pistol scope.

You often shoot and/or hunt under unfavourable weather conditions. The FX-II was specifically made to be one of the best scopes for hunting under unfavourable weather conditions. You can tell by its rugged

You might not like this product if:

You don’t want fixed magnification. One of the downsides to this amazing pistol scope is perhaps itx fixed power magnification that may be a little difficult for shooters on the field when they need frequent adjustments.

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2. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire Scope

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Specifications

  • Objective Lens Diameter: 32 mm
  • Magnification: 2 – 7 x
  • Tube Diameter: 1 in
  • Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (SFP)
  • Exit Pupil: 4.57 – 16 mm
  • Field of View, Linear: 12.6 – 42 ft at 100 yds
  • Eye Relief: 3.9 – 4.7 in
  • Color: Black
  • Fabric/Material: Aircraft Grade Aluminum
  • Length: 11.3 in
  • Width: 3.5 in
  • Height: 1.53 in
  • Illumination Type: Non-Illuminated
  • Illumination Color: None
  • Adjustment Type: MOA
  • Adjustment Click Value: 0.25 MOA
  • Adjustment Range: 60 MOA
  • Parallax: 50 yds
  • Lens Material: Glass
  • Optical Coating: Fully Multi-Coated
  • Attachment/Mount Type: Ring
  • Battery Life: 150 hours
  • Weather Resistance: Yes
  • Water Resistance Level: Waterproof
  • Shockproof: Yes
  • Fogproof: Yes (nitrogen purged)

Features

If you didn’t know, Vortex optics has been manufacturing some of the best handgun scopes on the market for quite some time. One of their best pistol scope has got to be the Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire Scope.

A notable feature of the Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire Scope would perhaps be its high quality fast focus eyepiece. With this, you can easily focus and achieve accurate shots consistently, especially when you are hunting outdoors. Besides that, the pistol scope also comes with an eye box and long eye relief to prevent you from straining your eyes.

This handgun scope comes with a V-Plex MOA Reticle, which is well known for being multi-purpose. If you perform a wide variety of hunting work, you will love the Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire Scope.

Additionally, this handgun scope features a Second Focal Plane reticle, adding significantly more to the clearer optics. You won’t notice any change in your target’s size as you change the magnification with the Second Focal Plane Reticle. Your object will look the same no matter how you play with its variable magnification. This was put in place by the manufacturer for better target acquisition especially when your target is moving around.

Furthermore, the Crossfire II comes with resettable MOA turrets. These turrets can be adjusted by your fingers to easily reset the zero after sighting. To achieve better durability, this handgun scope is constructed from aircraft grade aluminum which makes the scope shockproof. Now, you won’t have to worry about the strong recoil from your handgun damaging the scope itself.

Being nitrogen purged and an O-ring sealed, this amazing handgun scope will be fog and waterproof. As such, you won’t suffer from shooting/hunting under unfavourable weather conditions.

You will like this product if:

You shoot/hunt for long hours. If you plan to hunt and/or shoot with the scope for long hours, the Crossfire II is perhaps the best handgun scope for the job due to its multi coated optics, long eye relief, and easily adjustable MOA turrets. You will have a shooting experience like no other.

You want great durability. Most handgun scopes have durability issues due to the heavy recoil from long hours of shooting with the pistol. With the Crossfire II, it’s constructed from aircraft grade aluminum which makes it shockproof. Furthermore, you won’t have to start hiding your scope when the weather becomes unfavourable as this scope is fog proof (nitrogen purged) and waterproof.

You might not like this product if:

You haven’t used a handgun scope before. A little downside of the Crossfire II would be its difficulty in adjusting the parallax precisely if you aren’t familiar with it. This will require a little more focus when adjusting but it’s not really a big issue for you to worry about.

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3. Burris Handgun 2-7x32mm Pistol Scope

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Specifications

  • Objective Lens Diameter: 32 mm
  • Magnification: 2 – 7 x
  • Tube Diameter: 1 in
  • Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (SFP)
  • Exit Pupil: 4.9 – 16 mm
  • Field of View, Linear: 7 – 21 ft at 100 yds
  • Eye Relief: 11 in
  • Weight: 13 oz
  • Fabric/Material: Aluminum
  • Length: 9.7 in
  • Illumination Type: Non-Illuminated
  • Adjustment Type: MOA
  • Lens Material: Glass
  • Optical Coating: Hi-Lume Multi-Coated
  • Weather Resistance: Fog Resistant
  • Water Resistance Level: Waterproof
  • Shockproof: Yes
  • Fog proof: Yes (Nitrogen purged)

Features

While there are plenty of great handgun scopes on the market, the Burris Handgun 2-7x32mm Pistol Scope is definitely one of the best out there. The Burris scope comes with a 32mm clear objective lens and a high quality optical glass. Besides having a great mounting capability, the lens was also specifically designed to ensure shooters can get clear images as they aim.

In terms of size, the Burris handgun scope is pretty compact and easy to move around with. In terms of weight, it strikes the right balance. It’s not too light to be flimsy and not too heavy to make you feel like you’re carrying a dumb bell on your pistol. Besides that, it also comes with finger adjustable turrets that allows you to adjust for windage and elevation.

This model of the Burris Optics pistol scope comes equipped with a high quality ballistic plex reticle. While it is a relatively simple design, it is the one of the most effective reticles out there on the market as it will compensate for bullet drops for you to achieve far more precise aiming as you shoot/hunt 100 yards away from your target.

Along with its fixed magnification of 2-7x, this pistol scope will provide you with some of the best eye relief to easily aim and focus on your target even if it’s 100 yards away. Besides that, this handgun scope also allows for quick target acquisition which will be perfect for your outdoor pursuits.

Not only does the Burris Optics handgun scope come with great features and performance, it also has guaranteed and solid durability. From the product reviews, this handgun scope can be said to hold up zero perfectly. Furthermore, it also can withstand recoil and will remain effective until .50 BMG.

You will like this product if:

You want quick target acquisition. Equipped with a 32mm clear objective lens and high grade optical glass, you won’t miss your targets even if it is 100 yards away. Furthermore, this handgun scope also comes with long eye relief for you to effectively aim throughout the day. The scope also comes with an adjustment system for you to account for windage and elevation for your shots.

You want a reliable handgun scope. The Burris Handgun 2-7x32mm Pistol Scope is one of great quality, clear images, and solid construction. Even for picky shooters, it’s almost guaranteed to satisfy your needs. You might think high quality optics are only found on a rifle scope, but the Burris handgun scope will prove you wrong. Furthermore, this scope is also fog proof unlike many other pistol scopes that will experience fogging after only a short period of use.

You might not like this product if:

You don’t want a fixed powered scope. If you’re new to fix powered scopes, you might face some issues in adjusting this scope for hunting which may in term affect your shooting accuracy especially for moving targets that require frequent readjustments.

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4. NcStar 2-7×32 Pistol Scope

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Specifications

  • Objective Lens Diameter: 32 mm
  • Magnification: 2 – 7 x
  • Reticle: Duplex
  • Tube Diameter: 1 in
  • Exit Pupil: 4.6 – 16.46 mm
  • Field of View, Linear: 14 – 4.5 ft at 100 yds
  • Eye Relief: 8.7 – 10.67 in
  • Color: Black
  • Weight: 9.6 oz
  • Length: 11 in
  • Illumination Type: Non-Illuminated
  • Optical Coating: Multi-Coated
  • Finish: Matte
  • Magnification Type: Variable

Features

If you are a meticulous and keen shooter that’s looking for the best scope for your pistol, you might want to consider the NcStar 2-7×32 Pistol Scope. This handgun scope model comes with multi coated optics and multi coated lenses along with a 32mm objective diameter which is great in quality.

This handgun scope will be able to provide you with great image quality with little to no distortion as you move around and aim. As such, you’ll get to easily aim and shoot at your targets that are within your field of view.

In relation to the NcStar’s variable power magnification, this pistol scope comes with 2x to 7x magnification along with a field of view of 4.5 feet at the highest magnification. Besides that, it also comes with a duplex reticle that will offer you a perfectly clear image even in long ranges. Furthermore, this scope features extended eye relief to give you an extended mounting capability.

With this pistol scope, you won’t have to worry about the ocular ring striking your brow when the cartridge kicks back. This is largely thanks to the 8.7 inch eye relief that is almost twice as much as the ideal length of the 4 inch eye relief. Since this handgun scope comes with a compact body 25mm across, the main tube will be able to handle the recoil very well.

Coming with a non-illuminated reticle, this handgun scope will be an excellent choice to use during the day where there is enough light. In the dark, it might not be the best option as there will be less light transmission for you to have a clear image of your targets. While this coverage may not absorb as much light as the fully multi coated optics, it will be great for your budget as layers will add costs.

You will like this product if:

You are on a tight budget. Considering all the great features the NcStar 2-7×32 Pistol Scope has to offer, it is the best choice for you if you are looking for a great one piece handgun scope with a variable magnification on a budget. For this price range, this is perhaps the best you are going to get.

You want long eye relief. As mentioned above, this handgun scope comes with a pretty long eye relief of 8.7 inches that are more than twice compared to the ideal standard of 4 inches. As such, you can easily extend the scopes mounting capability.

You might not like this product if:

You don’t like adjusting your scope too much. Like most handgun scopes, this one has its limitations too. This scope has limited left/right adjustments and hence, it may take some work for you to adjust the scope but it isn’t something you should worry about.

You shoot under lower light conditions. At low light conditions, this scope might not perform as well as the others featured on this list as it comes with a non-illuminated reticle instead of fully multi coated lenses.

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5. BSA 2-7×32 Edge Series Pistol Scope

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Specifications

  • Color: Black
  • Reticle: 30/30
  • Finish: Matte
  • Tube Diameter: 1 in
  • Weight: 10.4 oz
  • Attachment/Mount Type: WeaverAdjustment
  • Click Value: 1/4 MOA
  • Adjustment Type: MOA
  • Illumination Type: Non-Illuminated

Features

BSA’s handgun scopes are always excellent options that are truly worth considering. For this case, the BSA 2-7×32 Edge Series Pistol Scope is no exception. This is a well made handgun scope that comes with a 2-7x variable magnification for you to easily adjust and focus for long and range hunting which makes it extremely versatile.

The BSA 2-7 Edge series pistol scope comes with a generously long eye relief of 12 inches to 20 inches and hence, it will be perfect for you whether you do target shooting or hunting. With this, you can easily maintain track of your target without having to worry about straining your eyes too much with the BSA Edge Series handgun scope.

The Edge Series Pistol Scope comes with a one inch tube with an objective lens of very clear optics. The diameter of the lens sits at 31 to 40mm, which is probably the highest quality you can buy for this price.

This scope features a parallax distance fixed at 50 yards. That said, shooting beyond this range should not be too much of an issue if you are a very precision focused shooter. According to product reviews, this solid one piece tub pistol scope will do the job for most devoted shooters as it comes with pretty excellent features to withstand unfavourable weather conditions.

You will like this product if:

You want a durable scope. This piece is fog proof, shock proof, and waterproof and hence, you won’t have to worry about shooting under harsh environments. Furthermore, it’s shockproof feature will also ensure that the scope will last you for a long time and not break down from the pistol’s recoil.

You want fully multi-coated lenses. Unlike many scopes at this price, this one comes with fully multi coated lenses for you to shoot well under low light conditions. Furthermore, it also has great eye relief so you won’t have to worry about straining your eyes too much.

You might not like this product if:

You want good left/right adjustments. Unfortunately, this power scope comes with limited left/right adjustments to get you on the bullseye at times.

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6. BSA 2X20mm PS2X20

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Specifications

  • Color: Black
  • Reticle: Duplex
  • Finish: Matte
  • Tube Diameter: 1 in
  • Weight: 7.5 oz
  • Adjustment Click Value: 1 MOA
  • Adjustment Type: MOA

Features

With a fixed power of 2x, you will enjoy using the BSA 2X20mm PS2X20 to shoot targets as far as 100 yards away. Just like the Edge Series, this one is also constructed from quality materials for you to comfortably shoot targets with your pistol at long ranges.

At face value, its 20mm obj lens diameter may look like a letdown. Nevertheless, for a hunter who shoots at close ranges, this size would be perfect. Furthermore, it doesn’t add any extra weight and costs and hence, it will be the best handgun scope for you if you have a tight budget.

That said, it may not be the best idea to shoot/hunt under lower light conditions with this scope as its light transmission may not be up to your expectations. That said, the light transmission will improve with an exit pupil of 10mm and under the broad daylight, you won’t have any issues with the BSA 2X20mm PS2X20 scope.

Just like any quality handgun scope, the BSA 2X20mm PS2X20 features a duplex reticle. If you are a fan of the Kentucky Windage method, you will love using this scope to hole for wind drifts and bullet drops at a known range. As such, this scope will allow you to make the MOA adjustments and elevation adjustments to account for windage and elevation.

You can also be rest assured that any heavy recoiling caliber and kick back won’t be able to fully cover all of the scope’s 20 inches of eye relief. Not to mention, you can also benefit from shooting while maintaining your awareness of the surroundings with a 25 feet field of view even at 100 yards. Pretty amazing isn’t it?

You will like this product if:

You want great eye relief. The BSA 2X20mm PS2X20 is practically a recoil proof one piece fixed magnification pistol scope. This scope is perhaps one of the greatest eye relief scopes on the market you can find for this price according to pistol scope reviews.

You want a reliable scope. This scope will allow you to make MOA and elimination adjustments to account for windage and elevation and projectile drop compensation as you shoot/hunt outdoors. Furthermore, this scope also comes in a matte finish (matte black) that will appeal to most users when compared to the other scopes.

You might not like this product if:

You often shoot under lower light conditions. At lower light conditions, you may not be able to unleash the full potential of this handgun scope. Due to the decreased brightness levels, the scope’s light emission levels may not be up to your expectations.

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7. BARSKA 1-4X28 IR

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Specifications

  • Color: Black
  • Reticle: Illuminated Red/Green IR 30/30
  • Finish: Matte
  • Tube Diameter: 25 mm
  • Weight: 16 oz
  • Attachment/Mount Type: Ring
  • Adjustment Click Value: 0.25 in at 100 yds
  • Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (SFP)
  • Included Accessories: Lens Cloth , Scope Caps
  • Adjustment Type: MOA
  • Illumination Color: Green , Red

Features

BARSKA is well known for their affordable and great quality scopes. If you have a budget under $100, you won’t have to worry about getting low quality scopes if you see the BARSKA brand on it. In fact, most of BARSKA’s scopes come with features that are commonly found in high end scopes and hence, in terms of affordability, you will love the BARSKA 1-4X28 IR.

Firstly, this one piece scope comes with multi coated optics for letter light transmission along with a relatively large objective diameter of 42mm. As such, you will be getting much better light transmission even at lower light conditions. Although this would mean that the scope will be a little heavier, it should not be an issue to most shooters.

With a variable power (magnification) of 3-9x, it will work excellently with the scope’s bigger objective. Additionally, the objective also comes with a built in sunshade if you happen to shoot/hunt on those extra bright days.

In terms of mounting, it would be an issue as this scope will work with most rings. Furthermore, the eyepiece allows for focusing on the reticle while the turrets will give you ¼ MOA increments. These turrets are very well calibrated with a non slip group as you dual. You may also adjust for the parallax using the side knob near the rearview position.

You will like this product if:

You are shopping on a tight budget. If you are shopping on a budget no more than $100, you wouldn’t want to look any further than the BARSKA 1-4X28 IR. For this price, you will be getting great image clarity, an MOA adjustment system, a great optical system, and an excellent magnification range for almost all handgun hunters.

You might not like this product if:

You want large eye reliefs. This model only has 3.9 inches of eye relief and hence, your eyes might be a little strained if you continuously aim and shoot throughout the day. Furthermore, there were also minor complaints about the scope fogging after some period of use.

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