laser sight return to zero ?

Bulzeye · 10-10-2007, 07:53 PM

I'm considering buying a laser sight for a handgun. The wife shot one quite well, and I'm thinking of addingone to her house gun. I know there a couple of options, but I'm concernedthat the removable kind will not return to zero after being taken off and put back on.
Models I'm considering...

Lasermax. This replaces the recoil spring guide rod, and I'm not even sure how to adjust it for zero in the first place.

Insight M6. This slide onto an accessory rail under the barrel. Uses allen wrench for adjustment, but not sure if it would stay.

Crimson Trace Lasergrips. These should stay zeroed since they would not need to be removed for routine cleaning and maintenance of the gun.

Whatchya think?

bronko22000 · 10-11-2007, 05:21 AM

Looking and trying the crimson trace laser grips I think they would be your best option. Once sighted in they should stay that way. What I like about the laser is you can shoot from any position and as long as the 'dot' is on the target, you should hit it. It is also a good deterent. I know if I saw a little red dot dancing on my chest I would definatel stop what I was doing and say Yes Mamm or run like hell.

stalkingbear · 10-11-2007, 05:50 PM

I don't personally like the idea of a weapon mounted laser or light. If you are "clearing" a room and the bad guy sees you first-all he has to do is aim at source of light to hit you. I prefer to have my surefire off to 1 side in weak hand with handgun in strong hand. Also,I consider a laser to be crutch for aiming instead of enough proper training.

driftrider · 10-11-2007, 07:49 PM

You don't use the weaponlight 'til you're sure you need it. I have the Streamlight M6 weaponlight/laser sight. It has a easily reachable two-way rocker switch (momentary/constant on) and a selector knob to choose the laser only, light only, both or off. I keep it set to laser only to allow rapid use of the laser but prevent accidentally revealing my position with the light. If the light is needed it's a simple twist of the knob. It's like 90 lumens in a tight stream, which is enough to temporarily dazzle/blind an attacker, and by the time he sees the light, he'll be about a 1/2lb of pressure away from being a dead man. The light is for target ID only. The laser is not that obvious unless you have a very dusty house, and it definately makes the gun point-and-click without having to try to acquire the sights in the dark.

As far as returning to zero, I haven't seen a problem. I'm sure at 20+ yards it might be off enough to cause a poor hit or miss, but considering that the average range for an OUTDOOR defensive pistol encounter is 21 feet. 7 yards. The distance likely against an attacker in your home is much less than that. How big is your bedroom? 10'x11'? 12'x12'? How long is your hallway? 15 or 20 feet? The error at these ranges might be a couple inches, which is inconsequential. It's definately less than minute-of-perp.

Mike

homers brother · 10-12-2007, 06:30 AM

New use for laser sights for you "corporate" types?

Okay, completely off the subject, but something I'll always remember. The Army lives and breathes on PowerPoint briefings. A few years ago while in a briefing room at FOB Speicher in Iraq, the General being briefed had Crimson Trace added (probably not authorized) to his M9 (Beretta) 9mm service pistol. When he'd have a question about a particular PowerPoint slide, he'd point it out using ..... His "laser pointer". Of course, bringing a new meaning to the term "hostile briefing".

Don't know if some freaked out staff officer finally drew his own pistol on the guy, but guessing that a bigger general finally told him to knock it off.

Bulzeye · 10-12-2007, 04:58 PM

Quote:

he'd point it out using ..... His "laser pointer".

That's funny as heck. In the context of a military briefing, I'd feel right at home with it, as long as the little red dot didn't come my way.

Thanks for answering my question Bronko and Driftrider.

By the way guys, I stopped at a gun store that sells the Lasermax product line, and was told that there is no user level zeroing of the device. It replaces your guide rod, and that is that. They say it should be close enough for handgun combat distances since it is parallel with the barrel, and should bein the same position everytime the gun is in battery.

I'm also told that Lasermax does apparently also offer a service that WILL factory-zero a specific laser unit to a specific gun for specific ammo at a specific distance. Didn't ask about the cost of this but it is available-- just send the gun, ammo, laser, and desired range to them.

driftrider · 10-13-2007, 11:59 AM

The M6 laser has two small hex screws to adjust the zero. I have mine set at 10 yards. If the guy is farther away than that, chances are I won't have cause to shoot at him cause he'd be outside hy house.

Mike