Bushnell Elite 3200 handgun scope

Guns Magazine, August, 2004 by Glenn Barnes

There he was in all his bushy tailed splendor. Sciurus Carolinensis--the common eastern gray squirrel, although this particular long toothed rodent was far from common, more like a cross between a sore-toothed grizzly bear on the Atkins Diet and a beaver with denial problems. What this poor fellow lacked in eye appeal however, he more than made up for in size. He was the largest gray squirrel I'd ever seen and would clearly rank high in the world record books of small game, if such a book were to exist.

No more than 20 short yards separated us. He was perched on a large rock noisily munching acorns, unaware of my presence, while I sat underneath an oak tree mentally preparing myself for the shot. Slowly, if not exactly quietly, I positioned my shooting sticks in front of me, laid the super accurate Ruger .22 auto across the top, settled the crosshairs of the Bushnell Elite 3200 handgun scope underneath his ear, and squeezed the trigger.

Youthful Arrogance

Not too many years ago I felt anyone who dared to use optics on their hunting pistols should not have the audacity to refer to themselves as true handgunners. Short guns were designed to be shot using iron sights and if you couldn't cut the mustard, go grab a glass of warm milk, take a seat beside the old folks and toddlers, and I'll show you how it's done. Today, I realize my outlook was full of youthful arrogance, ignorance and was clearly contemptible.

Now that I'm sporting a few gray hairs in my topknot, I've come to the conclusion that enhancing your shooting abilities with a scope is not only wise, it often means the difference between enjoying a nice venison or squirrel stew, or the questionable culinary delights of a TV dinner.

I've also come to the conclusion that Bushnell manufactures some of the finest handgun optics available for today's discriminating shooter, and one in particular is fast becoming my all-time favorite--the Bushnell Elite 3200 2-6x32, with RainGuard[R] coating and FireFly[TM] glowing reticle.

The Elite 3200 offers shooters the benefits of multi-coated optics for superior light transmission and sharp, crisp image quality. Unlike ordinary aluminum scopes, the Elite 3200 is crafted from a one-piece, hammer forged aluminum and titanium tube. This practice delivers a scope 30 percent stronger than most competitors, enabling it to easily handle the toughest recoil or the most abusive hunting conditions without complaint or failure.

Special features include a constant 20-inch eye relief, a healthy field of view, light weight, large adjustment range, maximum recoil resistance, and the Elite "Bullet-Proof" Warranty, which assures you Bushnell will repair or replace, at no cost, any Elite scope that becomes defective during normal use. Standard features such as 1/4-inch click values, overall compactness, choice of finishes to match your favorite handgun, repeatable precision and economical price is just icing on the cake.

They Really Work!

Two important features serious handgun hunters will clearly appreciate are RainGuard coated lenses and the FireFly reticle, both found only in Bushnell optics. RainGuard is a special lens coating that reduces drops of moisture, including condensation from fog, etc, to microscopic specks.

This dramatically increases light transmission and image clarity when you need it most. It works too. Recently, I had the misfortune of hunting in a cold and drenching December rainstorm. The only pieces of equipment that did not succumb to the wet weather (including myself), were my handgun and the RainGuard-coated Elite 3200 scope.

The FireFly reticle is nothing more than a stroke of manufacturing genius, and was clearly designed by engineers who spend more time in the woods than the office. With just a quick charge from a flashlight (which is included with the scope by the way), the FireFly reticle glows green, allowing you to see the crosshairs clearly for precise shot placement during the lowest light conditions.

It's simplicity at its best and to quote Bushnell, "the pinnacle of reticle innovation." I agree. The Bushnell Elite 3200 handgun scope with RainGuard coating and FireFly reticle is destined to become the standard by which all others are judged, and I might add, rightfully so.

Oh, and if you're wondering about the outcome of my Boone and Crockett squirrel hunt, nothing happened. I squeezed the trigger only to hear the firing pin click against thin air. In all my infinite wisdom, I had forgotten to shove a magazine up the well. Oh well, I'm pretty sure it would have been a great shot. I didn't flinch ... much.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Bushnell Elite 3200

Magnification: 2-6, variable
    Objective: 32mm
       Length: 9"
       Weight: 10 oz.
     Finishes: Matte black or silver
         MSRP: $431.95

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Bushnell Corporation

[800] 423-3537

www.bushnell.com