Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Scope as carry handle

I don’t do that, never ever!

“What would Big Stick, do?”

Now, there you have it.

Waiting for him to opine...

I don't carry like that, even my AR's are flat top, no handles.

But, I'm not gonna jump on those who do, even with those flimsy Leupolds...



DF

Yeah, I don’t carry that way either...... no problem if others want to.
I was taught very early on the the scope is an optical aiming device and not a carry handle.
Guess that stuck with me.

The Stick question isn’t really a dig....
That guy runs a ton of spendy rigs and I am curious of his thoughts on that carry option.......

No, I don't use the expensive magnifying optical aiming device as a "carry handle". I don't use my underwear to haul feces around either. But I've known guys who did both. I chose not to emulate them. Makes sense now why so many guys have scopes that "fail" and some of us have never had one "fail".

I hunted elk one time with a guy who packed his rifle like that. I was about 14. We happened upon a raghorn bull that came over a rise and down on top of us, about 100 yards away. The guy pulled up and shot, hitting it square in the ass. Then he shot again, and missed. Then again, and blew off a front leg at the knee, as the elk had begun to try to get away from whatever was injuring it. Then he missed two more shots, and was out of ammo. He started screaming for someone to put it down. My step father had come toward us when the shooting started, and was able to finish it off, making a pretty impressive neck shot at about 250 yards at that point. I never did find out whether it was the Indian or the arrow that was at issue there, but I never did have a desire to use my expensive magnifying optical aiming device as a "carry handle" for my rifle, and I remember that day every day I start out after elk before daylight.

I too, like to hear what Stick has to say, not always how he says it.

But, you're right, he's burned a BUNCH of powder and busted lots of primers.

If attacked, he'll respond in kind.

DF

Given the wimpy screws used in most mounting systems, no. Also, with most of my units, my fingers will not make it through the void so such would not be a secure carry.

I had a guy ask that a few years back. I said if holding it by the scope is enough to change zero, then I need to change the scope and mounts.............

Same for me. Never done it.

I mean, for old time's sake, I'll just post this throwback thread here from 2005. This was discussed once before, a long time ago. I started the thread back then.

The original "Is your scope a handle?" thread

And the same opposite answers, too.

Bruce

Fer real. I figger when my hand is wrapped around the scope it's got all the weight of rifle, ammo, and sling and mounts putting terrible pressure on it. If that's going to be the straw then so be it. Better to know while carrying than when required for use. If the rig can't stand 7,8,9 pounds of weight it'll have a helluvatime dealing with recoil.

posted 02/02/2005
Big Stick
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 47,746
Paradise,Alaska

Guilty here...............

Brad says: "Can't fault Rick for his pity letting you back on the fire... but pity it was and remains. Nothing more, nothing less. A sad little man in a sad little dream."

and

posted 2/10/2005
Big Stick
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 47,746
Paradise,Alaska

I carry lotsa my stuff by their scope expressly.

One of 'em is the Easy Rider 7-08 and today I dialed dope and watched my Boss smoke a 12oz water bottle at a Mr.Leica confirmed 838yds,despite some less than absolute calm conditions(3MOA wind).

Am thinking it takes more than the 14.34lbs suspended weight of the Easy Rider,to fuss and muss a Leupie MK4 10x in M1 configuration.

BUT,I could be "wrong"........................(grin)

Lookit this jabroni.

Glad I went back and read it. I would have missed;

Strider
Campfire Regular

Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 746
The Old Frontier
Huh? Every read those little papers that come with the product? Instructions, warranty info, care and use, etc? I always thought it was an internally complicated, technical, precision engineered tool that should be treated with care.

Maybe I've been missing out...

I've seen a fella "finish off" his deer by hitting it over the head with his rifle (someone else brought him). I guess I shouldn't be suprised.

Try using your shotgun barrel as a hunting horn. Not only does it work well, but it gets lots of attention too. And there is all that room you get on future hunts.

Back when I was considerably younger and fitter our government issued me with weapons fitted with actual carry handles, and then committed me to the tender mercies of various NCOs who would tear great strips off any young recruit who was tempted to use them. It's not a fuggin briefcase! they'd scream, carry the fuggin thing like a weapon!.

The lesson seems to have stuck. If I might have the opportunity for a shot, then at the very least I'll have my strong hand on the grip as I wander along. If not, I may as well have it slung. That, and the fact that my hand's never going to fit comfortably in that space under a scope on any of my rifles, means I don't think I've ever carried a rifle that way..

I don't care if others do it though.

Ridiculous question.

Have and find little optical reason not to.

However, there is a possible safety issue-if one is carrying with one in the chamber-and by chance something at knee level knocks the safety off and something else yanks on the trigger.

I've never done it and have actually never seen anyone else do it. I wasn't even aware that it was an option.

It's never even crossed my mind to carry by the scope.