Bushnell Phantom Scopes: Still Viable Or A Relic From Past ?

The old Bushnell Phantom scopes for handguns in 1.3X and 2.5X seem to be fairly inexpensive on ebay and when seen at gun shows. Are they still a viable choice for plinking and informal shooting or hopelessly outdated compared to even the off brand, inexpensive handgun scopes available today ?

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FWIW, in over 50 years of using various Bushnell scopes, I've never had any issues with one - which speaks to their durability.

I like them as"scout" scopes on rifles, not so much on a handgun.

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PERIOD TO THE GUN. Never found one that was not clear and operable. The base is hard to find. Would prefer that the cross hair be a bit darker........ 8)

What do the Ruger bases look like? I have a scope and base sitting idly by.

Have one on my Hawkeye with the correct "post mount" system......I can't complain......

I think I have a 1.5 here somewhere if anybody wants it. No Ruger mounts though.

Had a Smith 6" Model 53 22 Jet with a Bushnell Phantom scope. The mount was spring steel sheet metal that snapped around the top strap and the mount on the scope clamped to two ears in the spring steel and tightened it all up. The cylinder had plenty of clearance. The high pitched sound of that revolver going off was horrible.

I have one that sees occasional use on my MKII. Mounts for these can be hard to find today. I used a pair of Weaver tip-off .22 rings for a 7/8 in scope and mounted them upside-down on the barrel. Works like a champ.

INN-GENIUS! :wink: 8)

Dan in MI said:

What do the Ruger bases look like? I have a scope and base sitting idly by.

Click to expand...

Look like this.

Snake45 said:

I have one that sees occasional use on my MKII. Mounts for these can be hard to find today. I used a pair of Weaver tip-off .22 rings for a 7/8 in scope and mounted them upside-down on the barrel. Works like a champ.

Click to expand...

Clever!

:mrgreen:

Ale-8(1) said:

Snake45 said:

I have one that sees occasional use on my MKII. Mounts for these can be hard to find today. I used a pair of Weaver tip-off .22 rings for a 7/8 in scope and mounted them upside-down on the barrel. Works like a champ.

Click to expand...

Clever!

:mrgreen:

Click to expand...

AND, they're see-through, so I can use the iron sights under them, too! :wink:

As David Letterman used to say back when he was still funny, "There is no OFF position on the genius switch, my friend." :wink:

jussbad said:

Look like this.

Click to expand...

Must be a Contender bas e then. Thanks

Jussbad,
I remember that #7 Hawkeye when You and Lynn Laudise were tearing up T town!

Yes indeed. Great times and memories. I plan to retire in Feb. 2019 so some other Tulsa trips are hopefully in my future. And, perhaps a Utah trip or 2.