Re: Firearms combat?
 

The twist action on a scope is TIGHT. It's done that way deliberately so it doesn't move in and out during semi-rough handling. Even on a bipod, the motions you make while twisting the scope will likely throw your aim completely off. At VERY high mag (and there are some variable scopes that go up to pretty darn high magnification, you may lose the target completely, especially at long range.

Crakkerjakk has it exactly right. You set the power of the scope, then you Aim.

Now, a higher TL scope could have a digitally controlled zoom that doesn't fox your aim so badly. That would be part of the longer term precision aiming, and with some computer help, might even happen without contact from the shooter. But current manual stuff is definitely set first.

Why have the lower magnification at all? Field of view. High mag means if you're not right on the target, you may wind up waving your barrel around (or at least, it'll feel that way). At low mag, you aren't as precise, but you can see what's around you . . . and this might include other animals or even people.

Re: Firearms combat?
 

I'd allow you to take a Ready mid-aim to increase the scope magnification. It'd be harder on higher power settings, true, but I've had my crosshairs on a buck before and dialed the scope up to a higher mag without taking them off him.

Also because it helps with rapid target engagement. You still get some bonus at the lower levels, as opposed to none if you had a fixed power scope above the lower level you currently have it set at.

But yeah, basically I decided that if switching firing selector switches was a Ready action, then changing the current magnification level on a scope was definitely also a Ready action. I mean, usually you can flip your weapon from safe to fire without having to take your finger off the trigger. You have to reach up to the scope to adjust that. It doesn't make sense any other way.

Re: Firearms combat?
 

That just means modern 'variable' scopes are just fixed scopes with variable settings, not need to change the rules on how GURPS handled real variable scopes though as you said they could in theory exist.

Especial given the technology is currently available in cameras, were instead of a stiff dial you have a zoom in and zoom out button.

Re: Firearms combat?
 

You can say "Variable scopes haven't been invented at least at TL 8", but I think that'd get you some funny looks. Better to have what GURPS calls variable scopes be what people in the real world mean when they talk about "variable power scopes" and just implement rules to make them function like they do in reality if you care about that level of detail.

Re: Firearms combat?
 

I'd allow a skill roll with appropriate TDM. Good, steady shooters who aren't rushed can probably pull this off, as you note.

Re: Firearms combat?
 

Not sure it's more than tangential, but with Lightning Fingers you can handle safeties and selectors without needing a Ready. For that matter, any familiar user can handle safeties as a free action.

Re: Firearms combat?
 

The problem with "any familiar user can handle safeties as a free action" is that typically on weapons with a fire selector lever "safe" is just one of the positions it can be set on.

And yeah, I'd let Lightning Fingers remove the requirement to take a Ready to adjust the scope in a game using Gun-Fu or with Gunslinger.

Re: Firearms combat?
 

Well, you'd have to ask the authors of High Tech about that, because that discrepancy is right there on pages 80 and 82-83.

Re: Firearms combat?
 

Yah, I know.

Re: Firearms combat?
 

Yup. Folks that anticipate using the adjustment of a variable scope regularly in a time sensitive context often fit throw levers to the adjustment to manipulate it with greater alacrity.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=2...E_THROW_LEVERS


...don't forget that a 1x telescopic sight should have all of the advantages of a Red Dot/Reflex sight.

http://imageshack.us/f/405/rakurzreticule.jpg/