Red Dot for a Lever Action Rifle

Yeah, yeah, I know. Lever guns, clean lines, etc., etc.

Nevertheless, I have decided I am going to put a red dot on my Rossi 92 357 mag. This is going to be a home defense and occasional trunk gun. No matter how good I am (or am not) with fixed sights, I'm gonna be faster on target with a red dot.

My question is, any suggestions for a small, light, reliable and not-too-expensive red dot? I already have a Bushnell TRS-25 mounted on an AK, scout-style forward of the receiver, and like it a lot. I'm leaning heavily to just getting another TRS-25 for the Rossi, but realize there might be something else newer, lighter, better or cheaper that's come out in the last few years. Any suggestions, oh wise ones? Targets will likely be in the 25 - 50 yard range, so no need for magnification. Thanks.

Haven't found anything better than the Trophy for anywhere near the price. I've got 3. I keep on looking, though...

Have you thought about Big Dot or XS Ghost Ring sights? In a SD/HD situation, the Red Dot takes time and dexterity to turn on and adjust. And iron sights are just that more durable for a trunk gun.

Then to really scramble the traditionalist's minds, hang a light/laser off it. ;^)'

Well, that's a mighty interesting point I hadn't considered.

XS isn't an option without gunsmithing, but Steves Guns and Skinner both make aperture rear sights for the 92. I have an aperture on a Winchester 94 that was an outstanding improvement over the old semi-buckhorn sights.

I will need to mull this over a bit more. The red dot was perfectly easy solution for the sucky sights on the AK, but an aperture might be a more durable solution for the 92.

I have the skinner sight on my dueling tree .45 colt rifle. It works well and is really fast.

"...my dueling tree 45 Colt rifle."

Can I just stop for a moment and comment on how cool that sounds?

"Oh that one? It's my dueling tree rifle. The one next to it is my beer can rifle."

Ha ha... if you haven't dueled on a dueling tree with a lever action yet, you need to add it to your bucket list.

Cornmastah wrote:Ha ha... if you haven't dueled on a dueling tree with a lever action yet, you need to add it to your bucket list.

Great fun. But just once you should see a couple of SASS champions go head to head over a dueling tree.

Wowza.

I would love to watch some SASS champs go at it on a dueling tree.

Corn - ?Where was that little red dot you mentioned that I bought from Cabellas for $100 + tax. That might be the answer.

Looks like they sold out of that strikefire gen 1.

Dog gone! That little sucker was pretty small, light, and the right price. Could be just what TJ was looking for. Not sure he wants to spend $300.

That said, ?doesn't Aimpoint make a small red dot that is light, has long battery life, and rugged. Although being Aimpoint it won't be cheap. BUT being Aimpoint it is also darn near indestructable. I think they make a Micro T-1 or something like that.

TJ - your TRS-25 is on sale at Midway for $84.99 + free shipping. Seems like a good time to grab one.

or you can get it on amazon right now for $77

amazon

You might also consider the Bushnell Trophy Multi Red/Green Dot Reticle Riflescope, 1x28

A bit more scopish in appearance, the optics seem to be a tad better and you can dial up a variable red or green dot. It also comes with a 1 1/2" sun shade. One currently rides on my 6.8 SPC until I can get my Luepy. However, the supplied mount is (forgive the Scot) craaaaaaap. The AccuShot Premium 30mm Weaver Style See-Thru High-Profile Rings have been very satisfactory.

Burris AR 1X



This looks really interesting, anyone have any experience, info on it?

Ha ha, so many options available--we are living in the good ol days.

Dang! The Bushness TRS-25 is now going for $65 and free shipping at Amazon!

Bushnell TRS-25

Well, that settled that. Most of the aperture sights I was looking at are around $50 - $60, plus probably having to get a new front sight.

This is gonna be my Xmas project. Will keep you all posted how it works out.

How are you going to mount it to the top?

Rossi makes a mount that attaches to the barrel. The barrel is tapped and the holes are under the rear sight. Gotta drift the rear sight out of its dovetail though.

For what it's worth, the Rossi scope mount is also on sale at Amazon for $16.

TJ, did you ever end up doing this?

Yup. I have all rifle and all the parts. However, Santa Claus is bringing them to me for Christmas, so while I have "possession", I don't REALLY have "full enjoyment" yet. I'll mount the red dot between Xmas and New Years and spend some time sighting it in between the holidays.

So TJ... since Santa already came, did you end up mounting it all up yet? If so, post a pic and let us know how you like it.

I sure did and it is working great. Only been shooting at 25 yards so far, but dropping every round into a 3 inch dot at that range from an offhand stance has been effortless. I will get a photo of my new Zombie gun soon.

Ok, so forgive the photography. I will acknowledge that this is a little blasphemous, but I'm just that kinda guy.

So far it's shooting great, at least at 25 - 50 yards. I'm now in the process of finding a good high velocity handload for 158 grain JHP's for it. 2400 worked great, but I'm out of that and hoping to find some slower powders. Eventually, I'm hoping for around 1700 - 1800 fps with it.

I just have 3 words:

That

Looks

Fun