Dave,

Congrats on the pig! I've got a Marlin 1894S in .41 Mag that I have a Williams receiver sight installed. Lately however I've been thinking of scoping it using a Picatinny Rail with a compact 1-4x scope. I do like red dots (have Aimpoint Comp2s and JPoints on my ARs) but would like some magnification as I get older and wear glasses now. Never used the Matchdot II to comment. You may want to just replace your rear sight with a orginal or might I suggest a tang sight. The tang sight will still fold out of the way and give you a longer sighting distance, course down side is they cost more.

CD

 

Thank you CD. I really like the Matchdot 2. After trying a bunch of red dots I think that's my keeper. The choice of reticles is nice especially for hunting and the elevation knob is a plus. Add to that they are made in Japan and are known for their quality.

Anyway, I'll look into the tang sights. Do you have one that you would suggest?

Thanks,
Dave

 

Dave, I am using that same Picatinny rail mount on my 1894P for a Burris Fullfield 3x9 scope with an illuminated reticle, and LOVE it. Holds zero with no issues, and shoots MOA with Winchester 240 gr. JSP's. I put the smackdown on a 200 lb hog last year with it.

Luis

 

I have used standard Ultradot 25s on a lot of my lever guns and Encore pistols (including a 30-06, 444 and 45-70) and have never had a failure of any kind. It's currently what I have on one of my 1894s in 44 mag. I see the Matchdot as more of a competition model, but if you like it, go for it. Ultradots are about as magnum proof as it comes.

 

Super Dave,

For tang sights my only experience is with Lyman and some old German model mounted on my preWWII Mauser 98 commercial Alpine rifle (thing folded flat into tang). The Macthdot2 sounds like a good sight for you then and if you have confidence in it by all means go for it then


CD

 

This is exactly what I'm looking for. I have an 1894 357 Mag that I want to use for deer hunting this year. Longest shot will be 100 yards, more than likely within 50 if things go our way .
I'm looking for a mount/rail system and either a red dot or a small scout type scope that would do the job.

I'll be using some of this info to dig further...Thanks

 

Thanks guys. I'm now a big fan of the Matchdot II. I just received 2 more. Compared to the few other red dots I own, this one has the elevation nob that is marked and you can adjust with your fingers. Others require a screwdriver and are not clearly marked. For longer distance shots it could be dialed in quickly.

But, the real thing that impressed me was the reticle options Matchdot II. At the range / target shooting I never saw the need for anything other than the small dot. On the pig hunt I brought a .357 revolver with the Matchdot II and tried it on the last day. When the first pigs that came across the road I could not find the little dot in the heat of things. I changed to the largest reticle with the cross hairs and it was much easier to get a quick sight picture.

Lastly, there's a reason that Matchdot's are the most popular optic in Bullseye...

Take care,
Dave